Hello everyone! It's hard to believe it is November already between time flying and the confusing weather we're having. But here we are in the thick of Fall with the Holiday Season arriving any minute now!

We've had a tumultuous year - one that started with the tsunami, the continued war in Iraq, and then Iran, Indonesia, Japan, England, Pakistan, India, France, just to name a few, who are dealing with the results of devastating earthquakes, floods, riots and/or terrorist attacks, and trying to deal with the relations within and around their borders at the same time. And back here at home, most recently the total disaster that was Katrina, Florida dealing with the aftermath of Wilma, and then this latest sudden tornado in the Midwest, all coupled with wacky temperatures and abnormal rainfall.

It appears that for years now the Earth has been trying to tell us something, and this is seemingly the only way to get our attention, as we are slowly starting to awaken and do just that. Although it is with much heartache, at last the environmental movement is finally getting some long overdue time in the spotlight and the tolerance and healing of religious, ethnic and race relations is becoming paramount.

Whether it's physical, political or spiritual upheaval we're experiencing as a planet, you can be certain that something is happening, something is shifting. All that we know to be sure and true is changing, evaporating and crumbling before our very eyes and alerting or compelling us to change. Perhaps you see this happening in your own life as well - are you experiencing your own personal hurricanes, are emotional tornadoes whipping you around, do you feel flooded in a particular part of your life, is an earthquake shaking up your world in some way, shape or form? What is it that needs to be altered or restructured or thrown out the window altogether in your life?

It is at these times especially we begin to question who we really are and what we want to be doing with our lives. One woman who decided to do some shaking up with hers was Rosa Parks, whose passing we honor here, whose seemingly small action became the epicenter, the tremor that truly rocked our country and jumpstarted the civil rights movement. Her life demonstrates the power of how one small, quiet woman became a warrior for equality by allowing herself the right to be, to exist as she should. As Hillary Clinton said in her tribute to this great woman, we, too, can have our own "Rosa Parks" moment.

The accumulation of all such events on every level often point to the question of our existence - we can no longer be sure of anything, which infiltrates our exterior and bubbles up as uncertainty and doubt. Change is one thing in life that IS certain. In the preface to his critically-acclaimed play, Doubt, John Patrick Shanley writes:

"Life happens when the tectonic powers of your speechless soul breaks through the dead habits of the mind. Doubt is nothing less than an opportunity to reenter the Present."

Are you going to let things get to the point where drastic change is thrust upon you, or are you going to recognize the "sign o' the times" and allow your soul to start making changes on its own terms, in its own way? The Women's Mosaic certainly hopes the latter will be true for you, and is here to help you with education, inspiration and movitation to make those changes happen!

We had a truly inspiring and powerful SOLD OUT Visioning Workshop last month on Saturday, October 8th where almost 20 of us started to push through our outer crusts, where we gave our "speechless soul" an opportunity to "break through the dead habits of the mind". The results were loud and clear for most everyone and we've had some wonderful feedback on it and how the collages opened up parts of themselves that were unexpected and joyful. Thanks to all who participated - for those of who missed it we'll be doing another one in the Spring; also if you would like to arrange for a Visioning Workshop for a group of your friends, please contact us for more details. For photos and a description, please click on the article link below.

These months we are continuing to work on behind the scenes stuff to make TWM stronger. Our December event then will build upon that theme and bring together everyone who has worked with us in the past, honor those who have made a big commitment with us, and have opportunities and information for those who would like to be a part of our future as well as just partake in some holiday cheer! We hope then that you will make it to "The Gift of Giving Gratitude Gathering" Time, Talent and Treasure for TWM and YOU! where you will spend an evening with TWM to celebrate the holidays and learn how you can lend your Time, Talent, Treasure or Thanks - in one or all combination to TWM so that we can give back to YOU in 2006 and beyond. We'll need lots of help and want to make sure that you are involved, so we hope that you can make it on Tuesday December 13th at the sultry red velvet atmosphere of Madame X in the Village for a celebration of the holidays and everything TWM! More details will follow in separate emails. For a full description and listing of all Upcoming Mosaic and non-Mosaic events, please see the article link below.

Also this month we didn't want to forget to welcome all the new additions to our mailing list - many of them from CUNY! Don't forget to check the below article for all your email preferences. We look forward to seeing you at many of our events. Also, be sure that we have your snail mail address in your Subscriber Profile so that you will receive any paper mailings we send!

If you like what TWM has accomplished so far, enjoy reading the newsletters, are in harmony with what we are doing and with what we stand for - and want it all to continue - we would like to remind you that in order to move forward, we need your financial support. Thanks to all our recent members and many of you who have renewed your Membership. A basic Mosaic Membership costs less per month than a fancy cup of coffee! We are asking for your tax-deductible donation today until the end of the year and will be sending out a separate email about it as well. In the meantime please see the article below or visit our Membership page.

That's all for this last eNewsletter of 2005 - you'll hear from us a few more times before the end of the year with event announcements, surveys, membership drives and other updates, so stay tuned for more contact from TWM as we go along, and make sure that your subscriber profile is the way you would like it as noted in the article below. Of course as always, in the meantime, be sure to check out the wonderful non-Mosaic events that we list as well, and feel free to contact us with your thoughts, comments and suggestions.

Happy Holiday Season!

One of the best ways to show your appreciation for what we are doing is to support The Women's Mosaic by becoming a member! We want to expand and grow our organization to become a powerful voice for women, but we cannot do so without your help.

Besides providing general financial support for the organization, your membership allows us to garner funds from other sources such as foundation and corporations; and gives you benefits and perks like reduced admission to our events, discounts on various products and services, as well as other opportunities - the more members we have the more benefits we can offer. The bottom line is that if you enjoy what we are doing, please show your support!

There are lots of exciting things we'd like to do next year, but cannot do so without your help! The more members we have, the more we can do for you!

Please join at the highest level possible today! A basic Mosaic Membership is only $25 ....

* Want to share your culture or other passion? Plan a TWM event!

* Volunteer for TWM! We've got many ways for to you to help out depending on the skill set you have or want to develop, and the time you can give.

*Spread the word about TWM! Forward this email newlsetter on to friends so they can sign up and become part of our dynamic and diverse community!

*Become a Member of TWM! Support an organization that enriches your life and the lives of others! The more members we have, the more we can do for you as well as be a force for women both here and abroad.

*Donate to TWM! Besides actual cash donations, we need in-kind donations of supplies, copying, postage and other items to help us cut down on costs. (We are in current need of a DIGITAL CAMERA - so if you got a shiny new one for the holidays and not sure what to do with your old one - we can most certainly use it!) We are also in need of donated OFFICE SPACE.

If interested in any of the above contact us directly, or if you just wanted to be a general volunteer you can check off the "Volunteer" category box through the Update Profile/Email Address link at the bottom of this page. For information on internshops we have available please click below.