Archive for the ‘Tractivists in Action’ Category

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Vote for Lanya!

Monday, April 26th, 2010

Dear Tractivists,

I’ve hijacked the listserve to toot Lanya’s horn!

Traction’s phenomenal founder and leader, Lanya Shapiro, is a finalist for a major award recognizing progressive activists.

LanyaShapiro

The Maria Leavey Tribute Award is given each year by the Campaign for America’s Future. The award recognizes a progressive who is:

  • A Convener
  • A Persistent Advocate
  • A Selfless Organizer
  • An Idea Generator

If you don’t think those four traits describe Lanya, then just read the nomination statement that Traction Board Chair Celeste Richie wrote on her behalf (the statement is below).

Personally, I don’t know a single person who is better qualified for this recognition. I was at the first organizational meeting that Lanya convened to share her vision for Traction. Over the last 5 years, I’ve seen how Lanya has thrown herself fully into creating a progressive movement that draws on the talents of young people who will make a difference in the long haul.  Traction has accomplished a ton already, and will bear fruit in so many ways for years to come.

There are five finalists for the award. We need you to show how much you value Traction and Lanya by voting for her in the online balloting.

VOTING ENDS THIS FRIDAY and it just takes one minute.  Please vote today!  And then please post this as your status on Facebook and send it on to anyone else you know who will support Lanya’s amazing progressive leadership.

Thanks,

Graig Meyer
Educator, Lanya-lover, Tractivist

Nominating Statement from Celeste Richie:
Lanya is a kick-ass social entrepreneur, a tireless activist and organizer, and part of the vanguard of the modern progressive movement.  Her most recent cutting-edge endeavor is Traction, a Durham NC-based offline social network designed to turn young voters into energized and engaged activists who will, over time, power the progressive movement as volunteers, donors, board members and elected officials.

Lanya’s work with Traction hits all your notes: she worked for years without pay (persistent advocate, selfless organizer) to launch this innovative organization (idea generator) which leverages the power of community (convener) in order to create more passionate activists.

Traction has made a name for itself with creative and provocative events and collaborations, and we think deserves partial credit for turning NC more progressive in 2008.  A few highlights: Electile Dysfunction (about the Voting Rights Act), Drop Beats not Bombs, Festivus for the Left of Us, Green My Ride, Speed CandiDating, and Below the Belt: Religion, Reproductive Rights and O.P.P.  Who else would think to educate young folks about mercury in NC’s waters by throwing a Radical Sushi-making workshop?

Lanya identifies and mentors young activists and “potential” activists. But Traction’s model is about more than just reaching individuals. It’s about advancing the movement. By putting a creative spin on classic progressive issues, Traction helps the forward-thinking nonprofits with whom it collaborates to reach and engage a younger audience, something these nonprofits and the movement desperately need in order to remain viable over the next 20-30 years.  Partners include Demos, Nat’l Women’s Law Center, the NAACP, Planned Parenthood, and MANY local orgs.

Lanya is no one-hit wonder. During the three years before she started Traction, her political organizing in the Dean grassroots earned her the respect of DFA staff; when Bush brought his Social Security privatization tour to Raleigh in 2005, Lanya organized the counter-rally.  Lanya served on Durham’s Citizens’ Advisory Committee, which advises local electeds on CDBG allocation and helped transform the CAC into a force that the council/commissioners are aware of and actually listen to.  She served on the NC Democratic Party executive committee and NAACP-NC’s political committee and currently serves on our local Planned Parenthood affiliate’s Action Fund board.

Her work in 2005 to elect a grassroots-focused NCDP chair (Jerry Meek) included an event which had DNC members and over 20 members of the state executive committee listening (!) to over 100 local activists’ hopes for the party, and was covered in US News & World Report.

Maybe the secret to Lanya’s effective political activism is her solid graduate and professional training in public health and social work. She spent years designing and managing award-winning large-scale behavior change programs. While the behaviors back then were health-related (condom use, cancer screening), she applies the same social marketing expertise to promote progressive activism through Traction.

P.S. Upcoming…
Sat 5/8: Pick your own organic Strawberries! strawberries@getTraction.org
Sat 5/15: Civil Rights Walking Tour of Durham: race@getTraction.org
Mon 5/31: Memorial Day at the Eno: swim@getTraction.org
Plus a conversation group on race and privilege: race@getTraction.org, a workshop on work / life / community balance, and much more…

Posted in Tractivists in Action, Walk the Talk | 1 Comment »

Drain. Filter. Rinse. Bank your Savings. Repeat if desired.

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

Hello out there in TVland,

Earth Month starts tomorrow, and there’s been a lot of talk recently about the new eco-friendly cars — biodiesels, plug-in hybrids, hydrogen-powered Wienermobiles, you name it. And sure, those are all great things. But who can afford one these days? Not us, anyway.

Instead, Traction is proud to bring back, by popular demand, a fun-filled afternoon of ways to make your existing car gentler on both our world and your wallet. You can just come to watch and listen, or dive in and get your hands dirty. Or not. We have gloves. James Beidler and I will be the hosts, but y’all will be the stars.

What:    Green My Ride

Where:  Traction HQ (1018 Broad St., Durham)
When:   Sun, April 11th at 2pm

RSVP:   greenmyride@getTraction.org no later than 4/7 (that’s Wednesday)

We’ll be discussing and demonstrating (with real cars!):
* how to change your own oil and transmission fluid
* how to switch to motor oils that don’t need to be changed often or are NOT made from petroleum
* geeky ways to improve your gas mileage

* non-geeky (incredibly simple) ways to improve your gas mileage

* and much more

And if your car is due for an oil change anyway, why not do it yourself? Let us know ahead of time and we’ll arrange to help you change it at the workshop. We’ll provide ramps, tools, and new oil and filters, and we’ll help you every step of the way.

If you’ve been itching to get a deeper understanding of the expensive, mysterious contraption that rules your life (not your iBerry; that’s another day); if you want to reduce your environmental impact without springing for a custom plug-in Prius; or if you’re just looking to save a buck or two, then come on down to Traction HQ and join us during Earth Month.

IMPORTANT INFO:

* If you want help working on your own car at the event, let us know ASAP.   We need to make sure we have enough equipment for all and SPACES ARE LIMITED.

* If you’re not sure whether you’ll make it, RSVP as a maybe.

* If you have a specific thing you want help with, but you’re not ready to tackle it just yet, please include that info in your RSVP so we can be sure to address it.

* If you came last year and want a refresher, we’d love to have you back.

* and that address once again: greenmyride@getTraction.org

Colin Cannell
smuggler, libertine, Tractivist

P.S. Upcoming…
Sun 4/11: Learn to shrink your car’s carbon tireprint: greenmyride@getTraction.org
Sat 4/17: Trip to new civil rights museum in Greensboro: gbo@getTraction.org
Sun 4/25: Return of the Potluck that Keeps on Giving (aka Freezer Party): freezer@getTraction.org
plus a conversation group on race and privilege: race@getTraction.org
and Spring means the Traction Outdoors group is back!  Write outdoors@getTraction.org to be in the loop on hikes, swims, berry-pickings and more.

Posted in Environment, Events, Tractivists in Action, Walk the Talk | 1 Comment »

peace mongers, good soldiers, and you

Friday, March 19th, 2010

Tractivists,

When I got out of the Marines in 2004, I never thought that six years later I’d be struggling with PTSD, active in Iraq Veterans Against the War, or even need to be challenging the wars that are still going on – I just wanted to move on with my life.
When I was enlisted I wanted to be the best Marine I could be, but my own concept of what a good Marine might really be like in the context of militarism and also peace has significantly changed the last few years. With wars still going on in Iraq (yeah we’re still there) and Afghanistan, and now spreading into Pakistan and Yemen, maybe we could all be thinking a little more about what it means to serve and also how veterans transition back into our communities.
For a unique view on war, transitioning out of the military, and the complexities of military service don’t miss the film The Good Soldier.
What: The Good Soldier
When: Thurs, March 25 @ 7PM
Where: Traction HQ: 1018 Broad St. in Durham
RSVPs appreciated: soldier@getTraction.org
The Good Soldier follows the journeys of five combat veterans from different generations of American wars from WWII to the current Iraq War as they sign up, go into battle, and eventually change their minds about what it means to be a good soldier.  Last summer at a meeting of Iraq Veterans Against the War and Veterans for Peace, I had the opportunity to see a screening with the filmmakers and two of the soldiers in the film and it was so powerful I got a copy to share with you all.

With today being the anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, and direct actions (including re: Don’t Ask Don’t Tell) going on all over the country, I’m hoping y’all will consider coming out to view the film next Thursday, and afterwards discuss military service, how our society can better treat soldiers and veterans, and what’s (still) going on with the military actions here and abroad.

Peace,
Jeremy Berggren
peace monger, cool scarf lover, Tractivist

P.S. Upcoming Traction events:
Thurs 3/25: ReelPolitik presents: The Good Soldier  soldier@getTraction.org
Sun 4/11: Learn to shrink your car’s carbon footprint: greenmyride@getTraction.org
Sat 4/17: Trip to new civil rights museum in Greensboro: gbo@getTraction.org
plus Spring means the Traction Outdoors group is back!  Write outdoors@getTraction.org to be in the loop on hikes, swims, berry-pickings and more.

P.P.S. Check out Jon Stewart’s epic hilarious, spot-on parody of Glenn Beck last night. (Thanks to Tractivist Carole Bell for the heads-up!)

Posted in Civil Rights, Events, Peace, Tractivists in Action | No Comments »

bus rides, “neighborhood schools” and what really matters

Monday, March 15th, 2010

Tractivists:

I grew up in one of the poorest counties and school districts in the State. During my years in the Robeson County public schools, several poor school districts were embroiled in a decade-long court battle against the State – the Leandro case, which established the right to a sound, basic education for every child in NC.

I recently relocated from the Triangle back to Robeson County. Since being home, I have become increasingly frustrated by the blatant bigotry propelling the Wake County School Board debate.  The actions of a well-financed group of parents are threatening Wake’s diversity policy, which has been heralded as a “beacon of hope” for failing school districts.

My frustration spurs primarily from the weak one-legged concern raised by the “neighborhood schools” proponents – long bus rides. The anti-diversity crowd has pointed to the most extreme cases of bussing.  The truth is, the vast majority of Wake County students attend a school within ten miles of their home.

The selfish and short-sighted “neighborhood schools” supporters threaten access to equitable education for every child and the future of our communities.  That’s why the Wake Superintendent submitted his resignation and the NAACP-NC filed a complaint with the schools’ accrediting body.  “Neighborhood schools” will inevitably lead to “tri-segregated” schools: with high concentrations of poor students, students of color and students with disabilities.

Here’s what we can do about it:

1) Speak up!  Tell the school board (and anyone else who will listen) that a diverse school system improves achievement and builds better citizens and communities. There’s a second (and final) vote next Tues, the 23rd, so contact them NOW. Learn more about educational policy at a forum this Saturday or online at Great Schools in Wake and enter the debate with facts and in the interests of equitable education for ALL. More education advocates are needed to counter the current anti-student agenda.

2) Vote in your local elections and tell others about the importance of these races. The low voter turnout in the Wake County school board elections gave conservatives a 5-4 majority now bent on dismantling decades of progress. Register now and vote in every single election to ensure the interests of all are protected.

Equitable education in Wake County (one of the fastest growing areas in the country) affects our state’s economy and therefore affects us all.  North Carolina cannot afford to create high-poverty schools in disadvantaged neighborhoods to benefit a few spoiled parents and their children.

So many children in this state face much harsher circumstances than simply a long ride home on the bus – including here in Robeson County where violent discipline (corporal punishment) still takes place in the schools.  It is time for us to put things in perspective and to fight for all children’s right to a sound basic education.

With love,

Beth Jacobs, J.D.
Fulltime righteous radical, founder of Brown Babies, Tractivist

P.S. Upcoming Traction events:
Thurs 3/25: ReelPolitik presents: The Good Soldier  soldier@getTraction.org
Sun 4/11: Green My Ride is back by popular demand: greenmyride@getTraction.org
Sat 4/17: Trip to new civil rights museum in Greensboro: gbo@getTraction.org
plus Spring means the Traction Outdoors group is back!  Write outdoors@getTraction.org to be in the loop on hikes, swims, berry-pickings, canoe outings and more.

Posted in Civil Rights, Education, Events, Parenting, Politics, Tractivists in Action, Walk the Talk | No Comments »

The Employee Free Choice Act : Why You Should Care and What You Can Do

Thursday, June 4th, 2009

While at the America’s Future Now conference, I attended a very moving panel on the Employee Free Choice Act and workers’ rights generally.
Larry Cohen of the Communications Workers of America union said that U.S. laws contain the worst repressions of workers’ rights in the democratic world. He and other speakers referred to the fight for workers’ rights as the major civil rights battle of our time.

As a progressive movement we have lots of reasons to care about the outcome of the EFCA and other labor battles. Wade Henderson of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights spoke about the many strong links between labor and the civil rights movement since the beginning. Union members not only earn higher wages, are more likely to have health care, and enjoy greater well-being at work, they also vote more progressively than non-union members and are active allies in many other progressive movements.

At Traction’s spring happy hour, MaryBe McMillan of the NC AFL-CIO asked us to take action on the Employee Free Choice Act by thanking Sen. Kay Hagan for her initial support of the bill. The message I got from the panel was that we need to KEEP talking to Sen. Hagan as well as our Representatives in the House to ask them to support (or continue to support) the EFCA. The AFL-CIO has one way to get in touch with your legislators here , or you can call or send a hand-written letter. Any way you do it, it’s important that we speak up now for labor rights.

Are you going to take action? Have you done it already? Let me know in a comment or email to cara@getTraction.org!

Posted in Civil Rights, Economic Justice, Politics, Tractivists in Action, Walk the Talk | No Comments »

Join Traction at HK on J 3

Thursday, February 12th, 2009

Hey Tractivists

If you’re not already planning to come out to HK on J 3 this Saturday, this video will change your mind.

It’ll be great if we have a large number of Tractivists come out to send the message that Traction (and young people in general) are standing up for progressive change in NC.  It’s also going to be a lot of fun and a chance to meet folks from progressive organizations from across the state.

So, get yourself to HK on J using one of these 3 easy options:

Carpool from Orange County

There’s an official group that is arranging bus seats and carpools leaving from University Mall: http://groups.google.com/group/HKonJ-OC/browse_thread/thread/c3b8a06a462c8b97/8d85edc04bfade69?show_docid=8d85edc04bfade69&pli=1

Or, email me ( cara@gettraction.org ) and we’ll meet up at Eastgate Shopping Center in Chapel Hill, near Trader Joe’s.  Email me ahead of time to let me know know if you can drive or if you’ll be riding with someone else.

Carpool from Durham

Meet at Traction office (1018 Broad St.) at 8:40 AM; leave 8:45.  Email me ( cara@gettraction.org ) ahead of time to let me know if you can drive or if you’ll be riding with someone else.

Meet up at Chavis Park in Raleigh

Look for the Traction crew (with Traction shirts and banner) on the playground side of the seating area.  If you can’t find us, call Cara on the Traction phone at 919-Traction (919-872-2846).

Email me ( cara@gettraction.org ) ASAP to let me know you’ll be there.

See you Saturday,

Cara

Posted in Civil Rights, Economic Justice, Education, Environment, Events, Fair Elections, Health Care, Peace, Politics, Tractivists in Action, Walk the Talk | No Comments »

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