Walk the Talk « Traction

Archive for the ‘Walk the Talk’ Category

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 »

drink to progress, green your ride, and rethink “support our troops” (and vets)

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

Hey Tractivists,

It’s been a hell of a week, and it’s barely half over!

Come out at Traction HQ tomorrow night and toast to progress! Then stick around for the film The Good Soldier, hosted by Tractivist and young veteran Jeremy B., and a conversation about U.S. military actions and policies that will change how you think about supporting the troops. RSVPs appreciated to soldier@getTraction.org and you can report for duty at 7pm @ 1018 Broad St.

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 »

pssst! (confessions of a budding financial guru)

Monday, September 14th, 2009

Hey Tractivists,

I have a confession to make.

When I got involved with planning Traction’s Mad Money series, I had some misgivings. Thinking about my personal finances, and especially about ways to increase my wealth, seemed selfish to me. Now I realize that planning for my financial future isn’t selfish, on the contrary, my financial security will ensure that I can do the kind of work that really matters to me AND my community.

Please join us for the last two workshops in this Mad Money series. This Wednesday, Greg Davis of G. Davis Capital will answer your questions about long-range investments, real estate, and planning for retirement:

WHAT: Planning for the Long Haul: Real Estate and Retirement
WHEN: Wed. Sept. 16, 6:30-8 PM
WHERE: Traction HQ, 1018 Broad St.
RSVP: money@getTraction.org

And next Wednesday, Greg will be back with Jennifer Lazarus of Lazarus Financial Planning to talk about ways to make sure that your investments line up with your values. I’m psyched to get advice on how to take care of my future while making sure my money is working for the causes I care about. Because growing my assets isn’t just an end to me… to have a clear conscience, I need to focus on the means as well. It’s really important to me to know where my money’s going in the meantime and what it’s funding: I want my investments to help fund a more fair and progressive future. To join me at one or both workshops, RSVP to money@getTraction.org.

Also, Traction is looking for volunteers to help with our annual “outing” (kidding!) to Durham’s Pride Parade (Sat, Sept 26), which I helped organize last year. Write to pride@getTraction.org to get involved!

See you soon!

Cara

budding financial guru, coffee lover, Tractivist

P.S. Join Traction and special guests for Robert Greenwald’s film Rethink Afghanistan. Where is this war heading us? This Sun, 9/20, 7 PM, Manbites Dog Theater in Durham. Write to rethink@getTraction.org for more info.

Posted in Events, Walk the Talk | 2 Comments »

Local Fruit Trifecta, Part 2: Great Blueberry Pickstravaganza

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

It’s hard to believe it’s been a whole year since a passel of Tractivists descended on Orange County to denude a bountiful patch of local, organic blueberries. Or maybe not so hard to believe if, like me, you’re looking at your freezer and finding blueberries conspicuously missing next to the strawberries you picked in May.

In any case, our course of action is clear — we must make another foray deep into the den of the savage wild blueberry. That’s right, grab your sun hat and a bucket, and come on out for the Second Annual Great Blueberry Pickstravaganza!

What: 2nd Annual Great Blueberry Pickstravaganza: an organic U-pick adventure
When: Saturday morning, July 18th, 8:30 AM
Where: Carpool from Durham Farmers’ Market; or meet at Cedar Grove Blueberry Farm
RSVP: blueberry@getTraction.org

Cost: $2.00 / lb.

Why:

1. Because picking local blueberries is a finger in the eye of the agricultural-industrial complex.
2. Because blueberries are insanely good for you and taste insanely good.
3. Because picking local blueberries is a win-win-win situation:
- You win because your blueberries are cheaper, fresher, tastier, and longer-lasting.
- Local farmers win because your money goes directly to the farmer instead of through distributors.
- Your local environment wins because you’re supporting the growth of a native plant with an important place in the existing local ecosystem; native crops like blueberries require fewer chemicals than highly industrialized and subsidized crops like feed corn.
4. Because local and organic berries require less energy to get to your table than conventional berries from far away; you can gorge on berries with little contribution to climate change.
5. Because right now $5 could buy you one pint of blueberries at the local farmer’s market or TWO AND A HALF POUNDS if you pick them yourself!
6. Because Traction will hand out tips on how to pick, preserve, and prepare blueberries.
7. Because last year you picked four pounds and your best friend picked seven, and this year it’s war!
8. Because your freezer is empty.
9. Because your freezer is full, and you need an excuse to cook the package of shrimp you bought in December.
10. Because, as we all know, going to a Traction event is like emptying a bottle of delirious joy goo all over your head.

So if you think you’ve got what it takes to pick up a spear, or just a bucket, and join the ancient hunt for the dangerous wild blueberry, or if you just want to spend a couple of hours in good company and eating more or less everything you see, then send an RSVP right now to blueberry@getTraction.org for more information. We’ll head off early so we don’t get sunstroke. Bring yourself, your kids (there’s a swingset), your dog (we checked; dogs are OK), your neighbor… Invite ‘em all.

Please include in your RSVP:
a. How many people you’ll bring (best guess)
b. Whether you’d rather carpool with us from the Market or meet us at the farm

I will reply to RSVPs with detailed information on the meeting point, directions to the farm, a list of what to bring, copies of handouts, etc.

Stay tuned for our fall outing to pick apples and complete Traction’s 2009 local fruit trifecta. I look forward to once again plundering the berry harvest in your company!

Colin Cannell
Smuggler, libertine, Tractiberry

P.S. Quinton, Traction’s bike-riding, Locopop-loving, YouTube-lobbying intern, says:
"I need your recommendations for progressive fun — as weird as pig wrasslin’, as flexible as improv at DSI Comedy, as funny as "Yoga in the Hood". Tell me your favorite hang-out or restaurant/coffee bar/pastry shop. Where can I go for a live performance, a good book, or an open mic night? What about salsa or music lessons? Which progressive and locally-owned businesses do you support? Email me at quinton@getTraction.org !"

P.P.S. Upcoming Traction events:
7/9 Drinking Liberally: Tonight and every Thursday. Bull McCabe’s, 8 PM – 10 PM
7/19 Outdoors group: Plant Stalkers. Write to outdoors@getTraction.org .
early Aug Reel Politik: King Corn. Write to corn@getTraction.org .
8/5 Improve your financial know-how: Series kick-off. Write to cara@getTraction.org .

Posted in Economic Justice, Environment, Events, Walk the Talk | No Comments »

Traction

Archive for the ‘Walk the Talk’ Category

Vote for Lanya!

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

drink to progress, green your ride, and rethink “support our troops” (and vets)

bus rides, “neighborhood schools” and what really matters

pssst! (confessions of a budding financial guru)

Local Fruit Trifecta, Part 2: Great Blueberry Pickstravaganza

Pages

Join The Traction Email List

Upcoming Traction Events

Recent Traction News

Recent Comments

The Traction Archives