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SOCM Events Promote Community Unity
For the last several decades, SOCM has been especially committed to growing our membership while reaching across barriers that divide us. The foundation laid in our early years led to the recruitment of a more racially and demographically diverse membership, the adoption of new issue work, and the establishment of new chapters throughout the state. Several of these new chapters have worked on social, economic and environmental justice issues as they impact different racial and religious groups. One goal of this work is to provide a fun and safe space for dialogue, education, and appreciation.
Bedford County Community Unity Night- Sept. 21st, 6-10p.m. CT
Since its inception, the Bedford County Chapter has been particularly focused on uniting the community regardless of age, color, or culture. They have been extremely successful with their annual Community Unity Night, an event which involves inviting community members to gather and discuss issues that impact racial harmony and justice in the community. This year, the theme of Community Unity Night is "One Community, One World," and will feature issue tables with facilitated discussions of racism, environmental justice, immigrant rights, access to health care, and housing. There will also be musicians and traditional dress and dance from different cultures. We hope you can join us at The Fly Arts Center in Shelbyville on Friday.
Maury County Unity Day- Sept. 29th, 1-6p.m. CT
Inspired by the successful unity events in Bedford County and Jackson, the Maury County Chapter will be hosting its first family-friendly Maury County Unity Day at the RiverWalk Park in Columbia, Tenn. Through the gathering, Maury Chapter members hope to promote unity in the area, which is too often characterized by deep racial and socioeconomic tensions. The afternoon festivities will include live music from the Lee Akers Band and others, free food, crafts and games for kids, and community information and resources.
Jackson Save Our Community Day- Oct. 6th, 10a.m. - 3p.m. CT
Each year, hundreds of Jackson City and Madison County residents come together to celebrate the importance of community and address challenges in Jackson on Save Our Community Day. This outdoor, family-friendly event has been so successful that in 2008, the City of Jackson officially declared the first Saturday in October as Save Our Community Day. We hope you can make it to Muse Park on Oct. 6th for a day of music, dance, food, games, and inspiring discussion.
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Register for SOCM's Annual Meeting and 40th Anniversary Celebration
Our Annual Member Meeting and 40th Anniversary Celebration is just around the corner! It is important for members to attend the Annual Meeting to ensure we can collectively build priorities that effectively challenge unjust institutions and work to build a stronger voice for Tennesseans. We will set next year's priorities, vote for new Board members, and share ideas for building real grassroots power in this state to get things done.
After we take care of business in the morning, we'll have all afternoon to celebrate our rich 40-year history! Afternoon festivities include a lunch buffet, live music and dancing, storytelling, a silent auction, and a keynote speaker.
Click here to register!
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Welcome E3 Organizer Parker Laubach!
SOCM would like to welcome our new E3 Organizer, Parker Laubach, to the staff! Parker comes from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), where he was involved with Students for Environmental Concerns- a student group that worked on coal, energy, and environmental issues. Also while at UIUC, Parker worked as a research assistant on a research project dealing with uranium groundwater contamination in Western Colorado, presented at conferences, and was the lead author on an academic paper concerning isotopic effects due to uranium groundwater contamination. He earned a Bachelor's of Science in Earth Systems, Environment and Society from UIUC.
Parker can be reached in the Knoxville office at 865-249-7488 or at parker@socm.org.
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Tell Governor Haslam to Use QECBs for Energy Efficiency Projects
A few weeks ago, we asked you to email Governor Haslam to take advantage of federal funds available for energy efficiency projects in Tennessee. Thanks to everyone who contacted the Governor's office, the administration is taking notice!
Tennessee is eligible to receive an allotment of at least 28 million dollars in the form of Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds (QECBs), which are funds allocated to finance qualified energy conservation projects in the state. The State Energy Office is responsible for the administration of the funds. It is entirely possible, however, that if the state doesn't hear from Tennesseans, these dollars will either go entirely untouched or they will be used on commercial public sector buildings, without any sustainable benefit to our neighborhoods and communities. SOCM members want to see this money spent to increase access to energy efficiency projects in low-income communities across the state. The best way to use the bonds is to create a "Green Communities Fund" that will provide loans to homeowners for renewable energy or energy efficiency projects.
Please take a few minutes to tell Governor Haslam that SOCM wants to see these bonds taken advantage of and put to good use. Click here for more information on QECBs and to send an email to Governor Haslam. You can also call him at (615) 741-2001. |
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Every Member Get a Member Winner Jim Vance
Roaring River Chapter member Jim Vance has been selected as this month's Every Member Get a Member winner. Jim is a longtime SOCM member from Cookeville. Thanks to Jim for spreading the word about SOCM!
Jim will win some sharp SOCM gear- a chico bag, t-shirt, mug, magnet and pen.
This month concludes our Every Member Get a Member campaign. For almost two years, SOCM members stepped up their recruitment efforts and signed up hundreds of new SOCM members. Thank you to everyone who participated and worked so hard to strengthen SOCM. Through our large, extensive, and diverse membership, we can strengthen our voice and continue to fight effectively for justice.
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Share Your Energy Story: Lauren Steier
New SOCM member Lauren Steier sent us wonderful energy story about how she improved the energy efficiency of her home, while taking advantage of local AND federal rebates and tax cuts. Read Lauren's story on the Green-Collar Jobs Committee page on our website or click here.
If you have a story about how you are saving on your utility bills or modifying your home to improve the energy efficiency of it, please email our GCJ Organizer Katie Greer at katie@socm.org. Remember, every little bit helps.
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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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Special 40th Anniversary Offer
This month, SOCM kicks off our Sustaining Giver program. Become a Sustaining Giver now through September 30th and receive a free lapel pin.
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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.
Candidate Forum for 25th District State Representative
Monday, Sept. 24
Pleasant Hill Community House, Pleasant Hill
8 a.m.
Knoxville Chapter Meeting
Monday, Sept. 24
Lawson McGhee Public Library
6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Maury County Unity Day
Saturday, Sept. 29
RiverWalk Park, Columbia
1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Movie in the Park
Saturday, Sept. 29
Muse Park, Jackson
9 p.m.
Jackson Chapter Meeting
Tuesday, Oct. 2
SOCM West Office, Jackson
6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Jackson Save Our Community Day
Saturday, Oct. 6
Muse Park, Jackson
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Cumberland County Chapter Meeting
Monday, Oct. 8
Art Circle Library, Crossville
3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Maury County Chapter Meeting
Monday, Oct. 8
Fresh Word Ministries, Columbia
6:30 - 8 p.m.
Bedford County Chapter Meeting
Tuesday, Oct. 9
The Fly Arts Center, Shelbyville
6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Power of Energy Efficiency Fair
Friday, Oct. 5
Art Circle Library, Crossville
2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
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"Never separate the life you live from the words you speak."
- Paul Wellstone
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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 Healthy Energy Campaign and Become a Part of the Team!
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See SOCM Photos on Flickr! Ciick Here!
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