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Wednesday, August 15, 2012
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U.S. Government Launches New Immigration Program
The Department of Homeland Security has started accepting applications for the new Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals immigration program today. On June 15th, President Obama announced an immediate halt to the deportation of some undocumented youth who meet certain criteria. This program allows these youth to apply for protection from deportation and to apply for a work permit.
Our friends at Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) have prepared some documents to help us understand this recent action.
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Learn About Bonds for Energy Conservation
The State's Energy Office will be hosting a webinar to discuss the upcoming release of Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds (QECBs) to large municipalities across the state this Thursday, August 16th from 3-4:30 pm ET/2-3:30 CT.
In addition to the millions in bonds that will be available to large municipalities, the state itself will have at least $28 million in bonds that will be developed into a program for energy efficiency or renewable energy projects. If any of the municipalities choose not to take advantage of the bonds, the funds will be added to the state's $28 million.
Municipalities have until October 5th to respond to the state if they want to issue their portion of the bonds. Gov. Haslam's office will be designing the program for the state's bonds. You can find how much is designated to which cities and counties here. If you can't attend the webinar, a posting of the recording will be available here. Click here to register for the webinar.
SOCM will be developing an action regarding these bonds.
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Chapters and Committees Working Hard on Setting Goals
SOCM chapters and committees are in the process of setting their goals for 2013 so it's important to be involved in meetings and calls this summer. As a member-run organization, members are responsible for the direction of SOCM.
Chapters and committees in SOCM, just as the Board does in the priority-setting process, focus in goal-setting both on what issue work they want to move and how they can build a stronger organization. Goal-setting is important to make sure we have the focus and resources to win battles while creating a stronger and better SOCM.
The final votes on SOCM's priorities will be collected at the annual meeting on October 20th. Make sure to be there!
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Send in Your Favorite SOCM Memory
We can't wait for our 40th Anniversary celebration on October 20th! To prepare for the big day, SOCM members have been recounting their favorite memories and sharing them. We've loved hearing from you!
Please keep sending in stories about your time as a SOCM member. We've heard from several members so far who have had amazing tales to tell. It's so important to hear from you because no one tells SOCM stories better than its members. Whether you have been a member for one year or 40 years, we want to hear from you.
You can write your story out (about 500 words or less please) and send it in or even videotape yourself! Contact Communications Director Casey Self at casey@socm.org or 865.249.7488 if you have any questions.
You can email stories to Casey or mail them into the office: 2507 Mineral Springs Ave., Suite D, Knoxville, TN 37917.
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Knoxville Yard Sale Successful!
Last week, members and friends donated some wonderful items for the Knoxville yard sale. And thanks to your help, it was a wonderful success! We raised almost $900 for our operating funds and got a couple of new members!
We really enjoyed meeting with members of the community and sharing SOCM's work. Thanks to everyone who donated items and came out to shop. We just might have to do it again!
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Roaring River Hosts Special Guest at September Meeting
The September meeting of SOCM's Roaring River Chapter will host a guest speaker: Stephanie Matheny, attorney for the Tennessee Clean Water Network [TCWN]. Ms. Matheny will discuss water quality problems that exist in Pigeon Roost Creek [PRC] and that are believed in part to arise from discharges from Cookeville's waste water treatment plant. TCWN has initiated a legal challenge to the discharge permit process. Ms. Matheny will address this issue as well. We hope to have people from neighborhoods below the treatment plant and adjacent to PRC in attendance. The meeting will be at 6:00 PM CT at the Unitarian Church in downtown Cookeville. Everyone is invited.
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SOCM Ensures Safe, Healthy Communities
What is it worth to you to know that SOCM is there to help you when you are facing an injustice in your community?
 Imagine for a moment that your water bill keeps going up but the water you are paying for is not safe to drink. Imagine not feeling safe simply driving around in your community for fear of being profiled, arrested, and possibly facing sudden separation from your family simply because of the color of your skin. Imagine watching the beautiful mountaintop you view from your back porch every evening being blown up for coal, or facing the possibility that a landfill or quarry or coal mine will threaten the safety of your only water source, your land, and your health. SOCM members learn how to stand up to these injustices through training, support, and the expertise of others who have worked on similar issues across the state. SOCM empowers members to share in a collective voice and stand up for the health and safety of Tennessee communities. Will you consider making a gift today to help SOCM ensure members across the state remain empowered through leadership training, access to a network of resources, and collective action so that our communities remain healthy and safe? Whether you can give $1, $5, $10, or more, your donation enables SOCM to empower members across the state to be leaders in their community and stand up for safe, healthy and just communities in Tennessee. SOCM members and people just like you in communities that have been impacted across the state thank you for your support!
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Join SOCM!
Your community needs you. Click on the link above to pay membership dues or click below to donate to SOCM and designate your donation as membership dues.
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Theory of Social Change Workshop
Aug. 18 - 19
Lebanon, TN
Anti-Racism Transformation Team (ARTT) Meeting
Saturday, Aug. 25
First UMC, Lebanon
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Knoxville-area Chapter Meeting
Monday, Aug. 27
1617 Dandridge Ave.
6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Roaring River Chapter Meeting
Thursday, Sept. 6
Unitarian Church, Cookeville
6 p.m.
Maury County Chapter Meeting
Monday, Sept. 10
Fresh Word Ministries, Columbia
6:30 - 8 p.m.
Community Unity Night
Friday, Sept. 21
Fly Arts Center, Shelbyville
6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
SOCM Board Meeting
Saturday, Sept. 22
First UMC, Lebanon
9:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
TVA Board Meeting
Thursday, Aug. 16
Market Square, Knoxville
9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
The Knoxville Climate Action Team, SOCM members, and UT students will be outside the board meeting collecting signatures for a petition asking TVA to adopt a 1% energy efficiency standard.
Webinar on Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds (QECB)
Thursday, Aug. 16
3 - 4:30 p.m.
American Dream Banquet
Thursday, August 30
Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, Nashville
6:30 p.m.
The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) is hosting its 5th annual American Dream Banquet. Go to www.tnimmigrant.org for more information.
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"The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
- Ted Kennedy
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Purchase a copy of
Music from the Big House
and donate to SOCM
The filmmakers of this documentary shown last month in Knoxville are offering SOCM members a discount on the DVD. Buy the for $19.99 and $2 goes to SOCM. Click here to purchase then enter the password "affiliate" and enter "SOCM" as the organization. |
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Learn More About the Tennessee Climate Action Campaign and Become a Part of the Team!
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See SOCM Photos on Flickr! Ciick Here!
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