Class Action
January 2008 E-news:
Class and Resolutions
 
In this Issue
 
1. Class and Resolutions
2. Articles
3. Movie Review: The Story of Stuff
4. Take our Survey
5. Action of the Month
6. Inspired Legacies chooses to promote Class Action
7. Zine - Call for Submissions
8. Get Involved with Class Action: Internships and Volunteer 
      Opportunities
9. Benefit Concert
   
1. Class and Resolutions

Happy and healthy New Year’s greetings from all of us at Class Action.

This month, as the year begins anew and the holidays have once again come and gone, we pause to consider our time-honored tradition of making New Year’s Resolutions.  And while a quick internet search tells us that the most popular resolutions range from losing weight to getting a better education to reducing stress overall, we would like to consider another resolution: to consider the holidays and our own choices this coming year through the perspective of class. 

2. Related Articles of Interest on Resolutions

Two Americas Ring in the New Year
by Holly Sklar

Let's make a national New Year's resolution: raise the low wages that contribute to hunger, homelessness and poverty in this richest nation on earth. Read More...

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Banking on the Bottom

by Mark Winston Griffith

If you want a reality check on national efforts to stop banks from discriminating against low-income customers, spend five minutes in the lobby of the Rite Check check-cashing outlet on 138th Street in the South Bronx. That's where I met a 26-year-old mother who, after cashing a check for a fee and buying a MetroCard, told me she hasn't felt welcomed at a bank since she closed her Chase account 11 years ago.  Read More...

3. Movie Review

The Story of Stuff, by Annie Leonard

A film review by Peter Redington

This New Year, now that we’ve survived the holiday-hectic shopping mall traffic jams and overflowing checkout lines, let’s pause for a moment to consider the stuff of our seasonal celebrations. The stuff that we bought, the stuff that we couldn’t afford, where all of it comes from, and where it is going. A tall task, to be sure. Fortunately, a new short video, available online at (www.storyofstuff.org), can help us to do all of this.  Read More...

4. Take our Survey

Do you have any New Years resolutions that concern class and/or classism, and what are they?

Submit a response here. Read other survey responses here.

5. Action of the Month

Jubilee USA Network is an alliance of 75 religious denominations and faith communities, human rights, environmental, labor, and community groups working for the definitive cancellation of crushing debts to fight poverty and injustice in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Click here to check out the initiatives and bills they are involved with and how you might help.

6.  Inspired Legacies chooses to promote Class Action

The national philanthropic organization Inspired Legacies selected Class Action as one of 38 exemplary projects in the country for promotion in their Solstice Sampler. Taking into account their wisdom from talking with thousands of nonprofits, donors and advisors, Inspired Legacies selected groups and projects which are not yet broadly recognized within the broader community, provide donors the opportunity to make a significant impact, and are known for successful implementation. Class Action is one of eight groups selected in the Diversity, Race & Gender Justice category.

We are honored by this recognition of our work and welcome new donors who joined Class Action based on this recommendation.

To make a gift to Class Action, click here.  

To read about Inspired Legacies' Solstice Sampler of Transformative Projects click here.

 7. Class Action Zine - Call for Submissions

Class Action is publishing our second Zine and we need your help! Do you have thoughts, drawings, cartoons, poetry or any other kind of creative output concerning class?  Send it to us!  Email us submissions, mail them to P.O. Box 350, Hadley, MA 01035 or call us with questions at 413.585.9709, ext. 20.1

8. Get Involved with Class Action:

Internships and Volunteer opportunities

Winter is here. If you are in the area for January, now’s a great time to get involved with Class Action. We’re looking for interns to help with marketing, communications, administration and program work. Click here for details. If you’d like to volunteer, please fill out a volunteer form, or just come by the office and fill one out. We’d like to meet you and find ways for you to get involved!

9. Class Action Benefit Concert on January 18th

It's hard to believe that January is right around the corner!  Please join us for our first Benefit Concert featuring Charlie King, Karen Brandow, Claudia Schmidt, and Sally Rogers at the All Souls UU Church in Greenfield, MA.

You can purchase tickets at our online store (or call 413.585.9709 x201).

Are you interested in helping out the night of the concert? email Tim.

To sponsor the concert or to advertise in our adbook, email Sarah.

We expect 300+ people at the concert and are doing plenty of promotion. Deadline is January 7th.