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Members tell Congress to protect our Tenn. mountains!
6th Annual End Mountaintop Removal Week
Dear SOCM members and supporters, It's been an impressive week for Tennessee. Yesterday, we learned that the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has announced intention to retire 18 coal plants. The success followed one of the biggest legislative visits SOCM  | | Vickie Terry (pictured third from the right) speaks about mountaintop removal. |
participates in every year. Now, more than ever, is a time to celebrate and continue using our energy to effect even bigger successes! SOCM members traveled to Washington, D.C., April 2 - 6, to ask members of Congress to support some very progressive environmental protection bills during the 6th Annual End Mountaintop Removal Week. Seven SOCM members and one staff member joined the ranks of hundreds to ask Congress to pass the Clean Water Protection Act and the Appalachian Restoration Act - bills that would limit mountaintop removal by ending valleyfills. Notable accomplishments during the visit include awarding U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander with the Defender of the Mountains award  | | Diamond Cornett presents the Defender of the Mountains award to Sen. Lamar Alexander. |
during Tennessee Tuesday, an informal public breakfast held by Senators Corker and Alexander (R-Tenn.). A tribute event recognizing environmental justice advocates, who recently passed, included SOCM member Walter Stark and acclaimed environmentalist Judy Bonds. In addition, SOCM also took an opportunity to meet with a variety of important regulatory agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, Army Corps of Engineers and the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE). To join the SOCM E3 Committee, and continue working to protect Tennessee's natural resources, contact Ann League, ann@socm.org, or call 865.249.7488. Sincerely, Your SOCM Team
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Bedford Co. Chapter introduces rapid response network
Volunteers needed for immigrants rights support The SOCM Bedford Co. Chapter is working quickly to ensure that progress continues to be made for immigrant rights. The group will introduce a reporting form to help track police
 | | Bedford Co. Chapter members attend a monthly meeting. |
interrogations. And to better assist the community, the chapter is growing a rapid response network to more efficiently communicate local immigrant rights violations. This could include disseminating information regarding raids, roadblocks, arrests and other situations.
This is an important time to become involved in the Bedford Co. Chapter. Volunteers are needed to create a robust rapid response network. If you are interested in joining, contact Randy Knighten, randy@socm.org.
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TVA shuts down 18 coal plants
A win for environmentalists throughout SoutheastThe Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) board of directors announced an historical agreement yesterday with three citizen groups, four states and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), marking one of the largest pollution reduction agreements in the nation's history. Within the agreements, TVA has agreed to phase out 18 units at coal-fired power plants and install pollution controls on three dozen additional units. SOCM extends a thank-you to the three environmental groups that helped makes this progress possible. They include the National Parks Conservation Association, Our Children's Earth Foundation and the Sierra Club.This important agreement includes coal plants in Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina and Tennessee, and is expected to be the largest ever reduction in air pollution in the Southeastern United States. TVA's coal plants are also responsible for visibility problems and acid rain damage in Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the country's most visited national park.
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First Every Member Get a Member award winner announced
 | | Perez won a fish platter, one of many items up for grabs in the monthly drawing. |
Bedford Chapter Co-Chair Antonio Perez wins fish platterSOCM's Bedford Co. Chapter co-chair Antonio Perez was chosen as the first official Every Member Get a Member campaign drawing winner. Perez has recruited 30 new SOCM members, and has helped his Chapter's energy and capacity grow tremendously.  | | Antonio Perez, pictured right, is an active Bedford Co. Chapter member. |
You could be the next drawing winner! Make sure to recruit because every time you do, your name will be entered into the hat for the next May 2011 drawing. Take a look at all the drawing items here.
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End Mountaintop Removal Week in D.C. ends, but action still needed
Although the 6th Annual End Mountaintop Removal Week is over, we still need your help. In 2011, SOCM has a real opportunity to help pass the Clean Water Protection Act and the Appalachian Restoration Act - bills that would limit mountaintop removal by ending valleyfills. But, for these bills to pass, Congress needs to hear from citizens across the United States. What can you do if you didn't make it to D.C.? 1. Call your federal senators and representatives to ask that they vote yes for the Clean Water Protection Act and the Appalachian Restoration Act. 2. Call a friend or family member to educate them about these influential pieces of legislation and ask that they call in support. Find contact information here. Thank you for making your voice heard for protection of Tennessee land! |
Donate items to the SOCM Online Auction
Online auction planned for August 2011
In addition to the Every Member Get a Member campaign this year, we'll also be hosting the first-ever SOCM Online Auction, to begin in August. We know supporters will have a blast perusing through beautiful items and making some exciting bids. This is a fun way to generate much-needed funds for SOCM, and continue influencing progress in Tennessee.
We are in the planning stages currently and are on the lookout for donations. Consider items you may be able to solicit for this online event. We appreciate all donations. Email questions or information about donation items to Christina Honkonen, christina@socm.org, 615.260.4595.
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SOCM seeks Development Director
Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment (SOCM) seeks a Development Director to conduct a grassroots fundraising and membership growth campaign to increase SOCM's grassroots revenue as well as increase its membership base. SOCM seeks someone experienced in fundraising and event planning and ready to implement an exciting plan to reach out to our hundreds of supporters and donors as well as interested parties yet to join. This position will be responsible for coordinating our fundraising team comprised of the Finance Director, Office Manager, Assistant Director/Lead Organizer and Executive Director. Read more by clicking here. |
 | | Click on the image to learn more about this exciting SOCM job opportunity! |
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Your Community
Needs You
Join SOCM today! Click on the link below and designate your donation as membership dues or mail us a check with "new member" in the memo line.
Click HERE to donate!
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"In matters of truth and justice, there is no difference between large and small problems, for issues concerning the treatment of people are all the same."
- Albert Einstein
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Check out SOCM photos on Flickr! You may see yourself!  | |
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