A Day of Canvassing with “Create the Change”

Sign up to canvass at http://createthechange.eventbrite.com/!

This past election we have seen how ordinary people changed the political climate extraordinarily on the national level but more importantly here in North Carolina. Everyday folks took to the streets knocking on doors, ranging door bells, and befriending strangers with the same conversation starter – CHANGE!


The grassroots model of canvassing was taken to a new level with incredible results. Now is it time to continue to engage in effective democracy as we seek to create change in Durham, North Carolina.

As we continue to face dire circumstances many of us confront the same issues. We know that can’t solve these issues alone. However, as a collective we have more strength and a louder voice to speak truth to power. Now is the time to stop waiting on those who used our “issues” as talking points and moments to receive cheers and applause. It’s time now to return to the
streets – knocking on doors, ranging doorbells, and engaging unfamiliar faces.

Fredrick Douglass out of strong conviction said, “I prayed for twenty years but received no answer until I prayed with my legs.” Many of us have been praying for day when would see better, healthier, and fairer Durham, NC. Once again it’s praying time – this time with our legs.


On February 28, 2009, “Create the Change” a project of the Southern Coalition of Social Justice will host in Canvass in various neighborhoods in Durham. Volunteers will engage in conversations on the various kinds of “change” Durham needs. Training and Lunch will be held at the Sanford Warren Library from 1pm – 2:00 pm. Following the training the canvass will begin 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm. The day will conclude with debrief and wrap-up at 4:00 pm until 5:00 pm.

Remember change begins with you!

Sign up at http://createthechange.eventbrite.com/!

A Day of Canvassing with "Create the Change"

Training and Refreshments - Stanford Warren Library
1pm -2pm

Canvass - West End, Burch Ave, Morehead Hills, Lakewood Park, Lyon Park, & Tuscaloosa-Lakewood Neighborhoods
2pm - 4:00pm

Debrief and Wrap-Up Stanford Warren Library
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Movement and Not a Moment - Call to Action

What happens when the voiceless and the silent find their voices and speak?



We have a witnessed one of the greatest moments of American History matter of fact world history where those who have been left out and cast aside – spoke with hope and demanded change. For the first time in recent years ordinary citizens of various walks of life became the central focus of this past election. During the past two years many chanted “More of the same” while many others rallied around the simple phrase but more powerful mantra “Yes WE can.” We now face dire times with a major economic crisis, the loss jobs, and two wars that we are still are actively engaged in.



Yet, with all these mounting problems that we face there is still hope.



There is hope in the people that turned out in record numbers to cast their vote many for the first time.



There is hope seen in the faces of those who are tired and frustrated from the past turbulent eight years.



There is hope heard in the conversations of the young and the young at heart.



There is hope when the leader of this Nation who campaigned and continues to believe “in the faith and determination of the American people.”


Now that the people have spoken and now that the election and inauguration of President Barack Obama is over there is work to be done.


“This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.” – President Barack Obama (Election Night Speech)


Many citizens are now beginning to ask the question “where do we go from here?” Like you and I, many have went back to their neighborhoods, towns, and cities energized with renewed focus on restoring, renewing, and rebuilding our America. Durham, North Carolina is no exception. There are several efforts on under way to continue to seek the change that many hoped for – the change that many voted for.


“Create the Change” is the platform where ordinary citizens are provided with information of existing nonpartisan progressive community based organizations in Durham to continue to have an active in our democracy. We believe that change must happen on the local level and. It is our goal to sustain this new wave of community activists and to harness the energy and excitement by working side by side to make change not a cliché but a reality. Listed below are some of the first steps of what you can participate in NOW.



There are several things that we can do to create the Change:

1. Currently the Southern Coalition for Social Justice is working to create a resource guide of Progressive nonprofits in Durham. If you would like to be included please contact the Elena Everett via email Elena@southerncoalition.org
   


2. Complete our electronic survey so we can identify issues that WE as a collective can address. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspxsm=anRI2Lf5z7EQoNTmrZY3VA_3d_3d
3. If you would like information on how to continue to Create the Change in Durham please email email elena@southerncoaltion.org


4. Subscribe to our blog to read about the change that is happening in Durham and neighborhoods across North Carolina.
   


5. Make sure you one of the Historic Thousands on Jones Street on Saturday, February 14, 2009 at 9:30 at Chavis Heights Park in Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information please visit http://www.hkonj.com/
   

Please continue to visit our blog as we provide more information in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead! Also if you have something you would like to see posted on our blog please feel free to email me at deven@southerncoalition.org

Encuesta Comunitaria

Spanish survey now available!!

Encuesta Comunitaria
Creando el Cambio-Durham

CTC Durham Planning Meeting

We are having a planning meeting Monday, December 8th from 6:30 to 8:30PM in Meeting Room 2 of the Stanford L. Warren Branch of the Durham Library, 1201 Fayetteville Street Directions to the library are at: http://www.durhamcountylibrary.org/locations/slw_directions.php.

The Monday night, Dec. 8, meeting will include: results so far from the survey, setting up canvassers to take the survey door-to-door, and planning for a Durham people's summit to be held in January.

Anyone interested in helping to plan our next steps is welcome to come. We will be circulating and posting further information about the survey results so far and how to become involved with door to door surveying after the meeting.

Holiday Art Sale to Benefit Create the Change

Please join us this weekend for Ginger Young Gallery's Holiday Art Sale and show your support for Create the Change Durham!

Saturday and Sunday, 10 am - 5 pm. Great gifts! Many original art items for under $50!

Ginger Young Gallery will unveil hundreds of new works by Southern self-taught and folk artists at its holiday open house Dec. 6 and 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ten percent of all sales will benefit Create the Change, a new initiative of the Southern Coalition for Social Justice (for more info, please visit www.ctcdurham.blogspot.com/). Featured artists include Peter Loose, Jimmy Lee Sudduth, Sarah Rakes and 60 others, including Virginia self-taught artist Kacey Carneal, who painted this picture, "Peaceable Street." The event is free and kid-friendly, with plenty of pound cake and cider. 5802 Brisbane Drive, Chapel Hill. http://www.gingeryoung.com/ 932-6003.

For the complete story ... http://www.chapelhillnews.com/calendars/story/29103.html

Directions to Ginger Young Gallery: Take I-40 to exit 266; go 1.3 miles north on Hwy 86 (toward Hillsborough). Turn right on Mt. Sinai Rd., After 7/10 of a mile, turn left on Brisbane Drive.

Our Survey is Now Available!

Thanks for your patience; you can now take the community survey at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=anRI2Lf5z7EQoNTmrZY3VA_3d_3d

Please let us know if you have any difficulties accessing it. Feel free to circulate the survey link to your networks. The survey is for Durham residents, but similar post-election mobilization efforts are occurring elsewhere in the region. Contact us if you live outside Durham and would like to find out more about what you can do in your area.

Check back here for more details about signing up for neighborhood canvassing and other volunteer opportunities.

In addition to posting comments, you can reach us by email at: CTCDurham@gmail.com or leave a message at 919-373-4151 (a local number).

Create The Change Durham!

Welcome to Create the Change Durham!

Believing that democratic participation involves more than casting a ballot, we want to find meaningful opportunities for continued progressive activism by everyone who has been engaged and inspired to take part in political activity by the fact of Barack Obama’s candidacy.

We need everyone's continued involvement to create the change we deserve.

In the next two months, help make it happen:

>> Sign up for door to door canvassing to survey our neighbors so that we can assess our community needs and priorities.
>> Help plan a people’s agenda summit for January '09
>> Continue to use creative ways to make a difference

Take the Survey Right Now!