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Tea Party Groups Intimidating Voters at Polls in Harris County

Brad Pritchett - noemail@changecorps.org — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Tea Party Members Intimidate Minority Voters at Polls

As early voting is underway in Harris County, reports are surfacing that members of the Tea Party organization, "True the Vote" are participating in active intimidation of minority voters across the county.

Members of this organization are working as poll watchers, but violating the law related to that position by hovering over voters and watching who and what they cast their ballots for.

The best assumption is that these Tea Party members are concerned that minority individuals are planning to vote Democratic and are hoping to disrupt their votes in order to bolster Tea Party and Republican candidates on the ballot.

The best and most effective thing that can be done by those who are experiencing voter intimidation is TO VOTE.

Below is a statement released by Gerry Birnberg, the Chair of the Harris County Democratic Party. It also contains information on who to contact if you or someone you know is being intimidated at the polls or you witness illegal activity taking place at a polling location.

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URGENT – THE TEA PARTY IS TRYING TO KEEP YOU FROM VOTING IN THIS ELECTION. DON’T LET THEM!

As early voting began in Harris County, we experienced the most overt and extensive effort to intimidate African American and Latino voters and keep them from voting we have seen here since the days of Jim Crow and before passage of the Voting Rights Act.

Folks reportedly paid by the Tea Party have swarmed minority early voting locations throughout Harris County, appointed as “poll watchers” by the local Republican Party and Republican candidates. Once inside, they try to disrupt voting and intimidate voters. They try to block access to polling places and hover over voters trying to vote, even positioning themselves to watch the minority voters while they are casting ballots. They try to talk to voters and election workers and are confrontational and hostile. THEIR GOAL IS SIMPLY TO DISCOURAGE AND INTIMIDATE MINORITY VOTERS AND KEEP THEM FROM VOTING!

Most of the conduct reported is clearly illegal. These people are not only enemies of democracy who don’t want people to vote, they are lawbreakers!

Here’s what the Texas Election Code provides:

“A watcher may not be present at the voting station when a voter is preparing the voter’s ballot or is being assisted by a person of the voter’s choice.” Texas Election Code section 33.057(b)

“While on duty, a watcher may not converse with a voter or communicate in any manner with a voter regarding the election.” Texas Election Code section 33.058(a)(2).

The only conversation which can occur between an election officer and a poll watcher is “to call attention to an irregularity or violation of law.” Texas Election Code section 33.058(a)(1).

They are breaking these laws for one reason only – to try to intimidate minority voters into not voting.

WE CANNOT LET THEM GET AWAY WITH THIS. WE FOUGHT TOO HARD FOR THE RIGHT TO VOTE TO LET A BUNCH OF BIGOTS AND THUGS TAKE IT AWAY FROM US NOW.

The best way to fight this effort to take away people’s voting is to VOTE! Show them it won’t work! Show them nobody is going to disrupt or intimidate or harass us into not voting!

And take names. If you witness any of this illegal activity at the polls, try to get the name of the “poll watcher” who engaged in it and if they’re too afraid to give it to you, record a physical description. Then fill out an Election Incident Report Form on our website or email us at hcdp@hcdp.org. You can always call us at 713-802-0085, but our telephone lines are so busy right now, we’d really much prefer an email if you can do so.

It’s time to stand up to people who don’t want you to vote.

Gerry Birnberg
Chair, Harris County Democratic Party

20-Oct-10 8:00 AM

Bullying and the death of LGBT Teens

Brad Pritchett - noemail@changecorps.org — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 17:00:00 GMT

Bullying and the death of LGBT Teens

A recent rash of teen suicides has shone the spotlight on the topic of bullying in schools.

In the Houston-area, 13 year old Asher Brown used a gun to take his own life after being relentlessly bullied at his school. The day of his suicide, Asher Brown told his father he was gay.

Sadly, Asher was not the only gay teen who felt he had no way out.

While the bullies carry some of the blame in pushing these young people beyond their breaking point, the schools, public officials and parents also hold some of the responsibility.

Legislation has been drafted by State Represenatives Ellen Cohen, Jessica Farrar and Garnet Coleman and will, hopefully, be pushed through the Texas Legislature in the next session, enforcing stricter standards with regards to bullying and offering protections to students who report being harassed.

This month, Change Corps is partnering with our friends at the Houston Stonewall Young Democrats in a number of GOTV events to help elect pro-equality candidates who are willing to stand up against bullying.

We hope you will be able to join us for one of these events and help us start building protections for LGBT students and all students.

6-Oct-10 12:00 PM

Job Opening - American Federation of Teachers - Texas

Tanya Tarr - noemail@changecorps.org — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:00:00 GMT

Below is information regarding a great job opportunity for the American Federation of Teachers here in Texas (T-AFT).

For those individuals interested in political work and who got their start block-walking and phonebanking for President Obama's campaign, it could be a good way to expand your skills and enhance your resume.

Temporary Political Assistant: Texas AFT

Position: Temporary Political Assistant $2,600/Monthly Position runs from hire date to November 3rd, 2010.

Position Summary: Under the supervision of the Texas AFT Director of Legislative and Political Mobilization, Tanya Tarr, the Temporary Assistant will focus on running successful member-to-member mobilization campaigns in his or her assigned region, including but not limited to: volunteer recruitment, organizing and running daily phone banks, and organizing and implementing door-to-door canvassing. All work will be focused on communicating with membership, their families, and public school employees in support of the November 2010 elections.

Position Responsibilities and Requirements:

•    Oversee the day-to-day implementation of grassroots activities in support of the union's political programs, including daily phone banking and door-to-door canvassing, twice per month.
•    Provide daily and weekly political reports, including number of volunteers scheduled, number of dial attempts done through the phone bank, number of Identifications (IDs) for endorsed candidates of Texas AFT and local affiliates, and number of IDs and attempts from canvassing.
•    ID and recruit volunteers from Texas AFT membership; build volunteer lists and upload data daily to VAN and My Campaigns.
•    Other duties as assigned.
•    Must be willing to work weekends and irregular hours.
•    Must possess a car, car insurance and a valid driver's license.

Primary Knowledge and Skills
•    Must have at least one year of field campaign experience.
•    Must be a team-oriented individual
•    Must have excellent communication skills, with experience speaking to, training and working with diverse groups.
•    Familiarity with online programs such as VAN is helpful.

Additional Knowledge and Skills
• • •

Labor union experience helpful. Bilingual (Spanish-English) ability a plus. Knowledge of public education also a plus.

The difference between this job and working on a campaign is that folks would be working directly with our members: teachers, school clerical staff, bus drivers, school nurses and public school employees across Texas. We'll be supporting all endorsed statewide races, as well as critical house races and a few local school board races, educating our members on what's at stake and directly supporting races that have a huge impact on our members.

The campaign techniques are the same - but the work we do this and every other campaign season not only helps get our endorsed candidates elected, but directly builds our union. The temporary political assistant's impact stretches far beyond this fall.

For anyone interested in the Labor Movement, this job can be an excellent resume builder.

Regions I'm still hiring for include:
Austin
Dallas
El Paso
Houston Suburbs (Fort Bend, Cypress-Fairbanks)
San Antonio

Please email resume directly to Tanya Tarr, ttarr@texasaft.org.

Democratically Yours,

Melanie Aranda
President
Texas Young Democrats

26-Aug-10 10:00 AM

Change your diet and the environment with a home garden!

Brad Pritchett - noemail@changecorps.org — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 03:00:00 GMT

Change Your Diet and the Environment with a Home Garden!

If you're a beginner vegetable gardener, remember this: It's better to be proud of a small garden than to be frustrated by a big one!

One of the common errors for beginners is planting too much too soon and way more than anybody could eat or want. Unless you want to have zucchini taking up residence in your attic, plan carefully. Start small.

The Very Basics

Here are some very basic concepts on topics you'll want to explore further as you become a vegetable gardener extraordinaire:

Vegetables love the sun. They require six hours (continuous, if possible) of sunlight each day, at least.
Vegetables must have good, loamy, well-drained soil. Most backyard soil is not perfect and needs a helping hand. Check with your local nursery or county extension office about soil testing, soil types, and soil enrichment.
Placement is everything. Like humans, vegetables need proper nutrition. A vegetable garden too near a tree will lose its nutrients to the tree's greedy root system. On the other hand, a garden close to the house will help to discourage wild animals from nibbling away your potential harvest.
Vegetables need lots of water, at least one inch of water a week. In the early spring, walk around your property to see where the snow melts first, when the sun catches in warm pockets. This will make a difference in how well your vegetables grow.
Study those seed catalogs and order early.

Deciding How Big

A good-size beginner vegetable garden is 10x16 feet and features crops that are easy to grow. A plot this size, planted as suggested below, can feed a family of four for one summer, with a little extra for canning and freezing (or giving away).

Vegetables that may yield more than one crop per season are beans, beets, carrots, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, radishes, rutabagas, spinach and turnips. For the plan below, your rows should run north and south to take full advantage of the sun.

Make your garden 11 rows of 10 feet each of the following veggies:

Tomatoes — 5 plants staked
Zucchini squash — 4 plants
Peppers — 6 plants
Cabbage
Bush beans
Lettuce, leaf and/or Bibb
Beets
Carrots
Chard
Radish
Marigolds to discourage rabbits!

Leave 2 feet between bush beans, 1/2 foot between bush beans and lettuce, and 1 foot between all of the rest.

(Note: If this garden is too large for your needs, you do not have to plant all 11 rows, and you can also make the rows shorter. You can choose the veggies that you'd like to grow!)

If you're interested in planting potatoes, just remember that tomatoes and potatoes are not ideal companions and need "distance."

28-Jun-10 10:00 PM

Human Rights Campaign Issues 2010 Buyer's Guide

Brad Pritchett - noemail@changecorps.org — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Issues 2010 Buyer's Guide

Every year the Human Rights Campaign issues a buyer's guide, highlighting businesses and corporations that are banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In addition, these businesses provide benefits for GLBT employees and their families and do so publicly.

The idea of the guide is to allow individual consumers to support businesses that support equality by doing business with those companies.

With the holiday season fast approaching the Buyer's Guide can come in handy if you're interested in making sure your purchases are supporting companies that support equality for all people.

Go to HRC's website to view the guide online - http://www.hrc.org/buyersguide2010/ .

To download a PDF version you can print out, follow this link - http://www.hrc.org/buyersguide2010/hrc_buyersguide_10.pdf

10-Dec-09 2:00 PM

Announcing "Change Corps Sandwich Club"

Brad Pritchett - noemail@changecorps.org — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 06:00:00 GMT

INTRODUCING CHANGE CORPS' FIRST MONTHLY RECURRING EVENT

Change Corps is proud to announce our first recurring, monthly event.

The "Change Corps Sandwich Club" is a monthly gathering, planned for the 2nd Sunday of every month beginning in January of 2010.

Benefitting SEARCH Homeless Services, the idea is we bring the food and goods to put together sandwiches and pack them. We assemble the sandwiches and then provide them to SEARCH, who distribute them to the homeless population in Houston.

Our weekly goal will be to assemble a minimum of 75 sandwiches, just the meat and bread or peanut butter and jelly. We want to avoid anything that can spoil quickly, such as using mayonnaise.

Suggested supplies:

Bread

Peanut Butter

Jelly (any flavor)

Any sandwich meat product

Cheese

Brown paper bags

Zip-lock sandwich bags
Labels

Once a month we can come together, spend an hour or two assembling the sandwiches and packing them and helping to provide someone in need with a meal that will improve their lives in more ways than one.

It's important to know there are people who care and with the economy impacting so many, individuals find themselves performing a balancing act between middle-class and poverty.

We hope you'll take part in this monthly Change Corps activity. Call Brad with any questions at 713.898.9734.

8-Dec-09 0:00 AM

Candidates Who Care - Stephen Costello for Houston City Council, At-Large Position 1

Brad Pritchett - noemail@changecorps.org — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Candidates Who Care

Candidate - Stephen Costello

Running for - Houston City Council, At-Large Position 1

Website - www.costelloforcouncil.com

I met Stephen Costello during the General Election this year. After attending multiple candidate forums it became clear that Stephen was running for Houston City Council for all of the right reasons.

His expertise lies in flooding and drainage issues and that expertise has been used to help write criteria manuals for the Harris County Flood Control District and the City of Houston. Anyone who lives in Houston knows how important it is that we have public officials in elected positions who understand problems like flooding and can work on innovative solutions.

Another focus of Stephen's is green spaces in Houston. As a 13-year board member of the Memorial Park Conservancy and 4-year board chairman, Stephen is dedicated to preserving the park's historic significance and natural green space. He has also been instrumental in coordinating park improvements using a public-private partnership, using NO tax-payer funding.

It was from Stephen that I learned about Memorial Park's history. Originally deemed Camp Logan, Memorial Park was leased by the War Department during WWI and used to train some 25,000 soldiers. In 1924 the city of Houston purchased the land and estabished Memorial Park in memory of the soldiers who had once trained there.

Stephen's dedication for green space came from his love of being outdoors. An avid runner and tri-athlete, Stephen has successfully completed 17 marathons and 6 Ironman triathlons.

With a skillset that is unmatched in his race, and an ability to bring people together for a common good, Stephen Costello is truly a candidate who cares.

Please consider supporting Stephen Costello for Houston City Council, At-Large Position 1.

7-Dec-09 10:00 PM

Give A Day, Get A Disney Day

Brad Pritchett - noemail@changecorps.org — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:00:00 GMT

Give A Day, Get A Disney Day

HandsOn Network and Disney Parks are celebrating the power of
volunteerism with a brand new program entitled “Give A Day, Get A
Disney Day.” Individuals and families who give their time to help
improve communities will receive a free one-day ticket to a Disney
theme park. The goal is to engage one million volunteers in service in
2010.

Here are the details:
- Who is eligible: Residents in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico

- How volunteers participate: Starting January 1, 2010, volunteers
can go to www.disneyparks.com to search for volunteer opportunities
made available through HandsOn Network, and sign up for a day of
volunteer service.

-Program Dates: Jan. 1, 2010 – Dec. 15, 2010

HandsOn Network is the activator for this program with more than 250
HandsOn Actions Centers across the country in addition to 70,000
community-based partners such as food banks, homeless shelters,
schools and faith-based organizations.

Also, be sure to check out the frequently asked questions here:
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?PointsofLightFoundat/123516ba25/849ac43cab/f5f99c8594.

Thanks for everything you do to help improve communities and celebrate
civic engagement.

10-Nov-09 3:00 PM

Small Change - Shop Your Local Farmer's Market

Brad Pritchett - noemail@changecorps.org — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Small Change - Shop Your Local Farmer's Market

This month our small change is suggesting that you try shopping at your local farmer's market. The benefits of buying your food locally are multi-fold, from helping the local economy and small businesses, to offering your family the freshiest and most seasonal foods available.

So why buy at a Farmer's Market?

1. Local food tastes better. It is fresher and has been ripened in the field rather than in a shipping container.

2. Local food is better for you. The shorter the time between field and table, the fewer the nutrients lost.

3. Local food preserves bio-diversity. Large scale farming uses a limited number of varieties of plants and animals to maximize uniformity and shelf life. Local farms often grow a greater variety of plants and animals that are well suited to local conditions.

4. Local food has a smaller carbon footprint. Buying organic produce may seem like it would be better for the environment but it can actually have a negative impact due to the use of diesel fuels in hauling it long distances. Local farmers and ranchers travel relatively short distances to bring what they grow to you.

5. Local food supports local families. Local farmers sell directly to their customers, cutting out the middleman and enabling them to support themselves by what they grow. It also means that local dollars stay within the community and have three times the impact on the local economy.

In Houston we recommend visiting - http://farmersmarket.rice.edu/showhome.aspx and the Houston Farmer's Market at Rice University.

6-Nov-09 2:00 PM

Candidates Who Care - Anna Eastman for HISD Trustee District I

Brad Pritchett - noemail@changecorps.org — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:00:00 GMT

Candidates Who Care

Candidate - Anna Eastman

Running for - HISD Trustee District I

website - www.annaeastmanforhisd.com

I met Anna Eastman during the Democratic Primary last year.

My neighborhood is the Houston Heights, and we were lucky enough to have an Obama office just around the corner from our house.

Every time I would go into that office, I would see Anna Eastman. She was a fixture at that location and one of the hardest workers I have had the priviliege to meet.

After the campaign had come to an end, I had stayed in contact with Anna and what she was doing via social networking sites like Facebook. She had taken up a cause to bring healthier foods to her childrens' school and put her activism to work for kids.

So it is no surprise to me that she has decided to run for HISD Trustee District I.

Anna will bring the same dedication and commitment she brought to her volunteer efforts to the children of HISD everyday on the job.

Anna will work to bring more innovation to our classrooms, increase parental involvement in the education of their children, and work to resolve our drop-out rate.

Anna is truly a candidate who cares.

Please consider supporting Anna Eastman for HISD Trustee District I.

24-Sep-09 12:00 PM

Nationwide Action

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 02:26:37 GMT

Every day more and more people are taking back their corner of the nation by committing themselves to community service and neighborhood involvement. With volunteer groups being created everyday, it's becoming more and more clear that people are ready for real change. To find a volunteer organization near you, use the map below.

Simply click on one of the symbols for more information about that group.

If you don't see a group near you, then START one! Keep in contact with us so we can update others about the work you're doing in your community.

Change Corps Loudoun County, VA

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 04:36:46 GMT

NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE Change Corps Loudoun County is working on helping out at several volunteer events in coordination with the National Day of Service. Community service projects will be engaged in across the country in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the Presidental Inauguration. JOIN Change Corps Loudoun County, VA

Grassroot Resources

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 05:42:24 GMT

One of the goal of Change Corps is to help empower people all over the country to step-up and take on the roles of community activists. President Elect Obama says that change comes from the bottom-up and we have the opportunity to prove his words true. Here you can find a variety of resources to help you organize your own Change Corps in your hometown. All it really takes is a group of motivated individuals willing to roll up their sleeves and make a difference. Volunteers are always needed by organizations and something as simple a Google search usually can turn-up a variety of opportunities available in your area. DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES The following files are designed if you are interested in starting your own local Change Corps chapter. They include ways to network to find volunteers as well as how to identify and organize volunteer events in your area and...

OFA Offices

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:47:56 GMT

Below you will find offices for the Harris County Coordinated Campaign. Each of these offices are utilized by the OFA (Obama for America) Team to help elect Senator Obama in November. These offices are also the locations of the Harris County Coordinated Campaign and are working to help turn Texas blue by electing a swell of Democratic candidates this year. You can help make change a reality by helping out at any of these offices! 5th Ward Office Deidra Rasheed 4300 Lyons St., Ste. 200 Houston, TX 77020 832)660.6236 Midtown Office Chella Cardona, OFA Organizer 3710 Travis Street (Alabama & Travis) Houston, TX 77002 713)823.8618 East End Office (SD6) Carol Lazard, DFO 201 Broadway Street Houston, TX 77012 713)249.3834 West Side Office Amber Goodwin 13316 Westheimer, Suite 100 (Facing Eldridge) Houston, TX 77077 713)702.4061 Bay Area Office Sanjay Bapat, DFO 568 El Dorado (at Highway 3 & El Dorado) Webster, TX 77598 281)300.4575

Links to Photos and Videos

Mon, 19 May 2008 00:25:21 GMT

Web Sites and Blogs of Interest

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 02:36:52 GMT

1. BarackObama.com - Senator Obama's Presidential Campaign Web site.

2. HopeActionChange.org - Brad Pritchett's blog covering news and other content regarding Senator Obama's Presidential Campaign.

3. Japi's Blog - Javier Avellan's blog which has a variety of topics but mostly political issues.

4. ObamaWorks - Obama Works volunteers intend to implement Barack Obama’s message of change through public service, harnessing the immense energy created by his presidential bid to serve their communities.

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File uploaded by Brad Pritchett.

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File uploaded by Brad Pritchett.

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File uploaded by Brad Pritchett.

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File uploaded by Brad Pritchett.

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Noel Freeman helping to set-up the pick-up line.

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Volunteers of all ages, shapes and sizes helped out this year.

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Noel Freeman helping organize the line.

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The line of prepared bags waiting for families.

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Brad Pritchett helping sort items.

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Brad Pritchett helps put together the food bags.