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Wednesday, November 16, 2011
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Walks for Justice Raise Over $5,000
Pledges Still Coming In!
After successful Walks in four areas of the state, SOCM members raised over $5,000 to improve the quality of life in their communities. Congratulations to all our SOCM Walkers! Members, friends and canine companions walked for justice at the Cumberland Mountain State Park in Crossville, Henry Horton State Park in Chapel Hill, downtown Jackson and downtown Knoxville.
Money raised will go towards SOCM's grassroots efforts to:
- Improve the quality of life in SOCM communities,
- Build a green-collar economy that attracts high-paying, sustainable industry jobs,
- Create racially-just communities where all are empowered,
- Protect our environment,
- Preserve our rich heritage for generations to come,
- Defend our rights as local residents to have a say in what goes on in our communities.
Thanks to everyone who participated!
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SOCM Joins Lawsuit Against National Coal
Last week, SOCM joined the Tennessee Clean Water Network and the Sierra Club in filing three suits in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee to enforce pollution limits on two coal mines and one coal mine waste disposal area owned and operated by National Coal, LLC. According to the company's own monitoring, National Coal continues to violate legal limits on its selenium discharge into local waterways.
"Citizens must continue to hold a zero-tolerance attitude toward companies that pollute our watersheds," said Cathie Bird, chair of the E3 Committee. "Without clean water, communities can't thrive. That's why we have laws to protect our water, and we'll work hard to hold companies accountable when they pollute our streams."
The Clean Water Act governs the legal limits of various forms of pollution allowed in mining and waste disposal. The Clean Water Act also requires mining companies to test and disclose the results of water sampling at mining and disposal sites. National Coal's records show consistent violations for selenium, iron, and manganese at these sites.
A special thanks goes to the E3 Committee for working on this issue.
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Every Member Get a Member December Drawing
There are only two weeks left to enter the drawing for this beautiful necklace by Box of Pearls. The necklace measures about 20 inches in length, and displays both delicate sterling silver chain, and a thick gauged gun metal chain. One side is decorated with hand shaped and hammered copper wire, wrapped in sterling wire and a single fresh water pearl. The other side displays a black agate disc and is finished off with a sterling silver lobster claw clasp and my signature pearl.
We will draw a winner for the necklace at the beginning of December so keep telling your friends and loved ones about SOCM! When they sign up to be a member, make sure they indicate that you recruited them. Our "Every Member Get a Member" campaign is still going strong and we want to thank everyone who has participated, thus far.
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Come Meet the New Staff!
Staff Hosts Holiday Open House in Knoxville
Join us in the Knoxville office on Thursday, December 1st for a fun and festive Holiday Open House. What better way to say goodbye to 2011 and hello to 2012 than a SOCM party! Our new staff members (Development Director Jennie Caissie, Green Collar Jobs Organizer Katie Greer, Communications Director Casey Self and Organizing Director Kazi Wilkins) will be around to meet members and show off their new offices. Please come by, we would love to see you!
Holiday Open House
Thursday, December 1st
4 to 7 p.m.
SOCM Main Office
2507 Mineral Springs Ave., Ste. D
Knoxville, TN
Refreshments will be served
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Looking for a Great Gift Idea?
Well look no further! A SOCM membership for a friend or loved one makes a great holiday gift. When you gift a membership, you are not only supporting SOCM, but you are encouraging them to support a cause you believe in. A donation in honor of someone is also a nice way to show you care, while supporting the important work SOCM does every day. Remember that your donation can count towards a membership.
You can also shop with a purpose. Online shopping is even more popular now than ever and is a great way to get all of your holiday shopping done with no hassle. So why not earn SOCM money while getting all of your holiday shopping out of the way?
Register with GoodSearch as your search tool and each time you click on a website SOCM receives a donation. For more information about GoodSearch and how to register, please click here.
Once you have registered with GoodSearch, also register with GoodShop and GoodDining, and SOCM receives a donation based on a percentage of your total purchases through that website. There are over 2500 merchants who support non-profits through GoodSearch so give it a try!
And of course, don't forget to check out the SOCM Store! This year we have a new item - the SOCM Chico Bag - great for grocery shopping. Whether it's a chico bag or a SOCM mug, SOCM items make for great stocking stuffers.
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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.
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Anti-Racism Transformation Team Meeting
Saturday, Nov. 19
First United Methodist Church
Lebanon, TN9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Knoxville Holiday Open House Thursday, Dec. 1 SOCM Main Office 4 - 7 p.m. Roaring River Chapter Wine Tasting FUNraiser Saturday, Dec. 3 Location TBD 5 p.m.
Cumberland County Chapter Meeting Monday, Dec. 12 The Art Circle Library Crossville, TN 3 - 5 p.m.
Bedford County Chapter Meeting Tuesday, Dec. 13 The Fly Arts Center Shelbyville, TN 6:30 p.m.
Jackson Chapter Meeting Tuesday, Dec. 13 SOCM West Office 5:30 - 6:45 p.m.
Informational Sessions on Tennessee Health Insurance Exchanges
Nashville Nov. 18, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. First Church of Nazarene, 510 Woodland St. RSVP- Terri Lawson, 615-313-9980 $25/TCSW, $35/Non-member includes lunch Jackson Nov. 17, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Location TBD RSVP- Terri Lawson, 615-313-9980 $25/TCSW, $35/Non-member includes lunch Memphis Nov. 17, 6 - 8 p.m. Fogelman Executive Center, University of Memphis, 330 Innovation Dr.
Plan ET Public Forum Thursday, Nov. 17 Loudon County Technology Center Lenoir City, TN 6 - 8:15 p.m. Madison County Democratic Party Blue Wednesday Wednesday, Nov. 30 Miss Ollie's Piano Bar - Jackson, TN 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
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"Don't mourn for me - organize."
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