12/16/09

Director's Report, December 2009

Good News!  Traprock has received a $500 grant from the new Markham-Nathan Fund for Social Justice.  We appreciate the generosity of everyone who has and who will contribute to this fund supporting local initiatives and organizing for peace and social justice.

We are in the midst of our end of the year fund-raising letter appeal. Thanks to those who have already contributed or are planning to....your donation is critical to our continuing to meet our expenses giving Traprock the opportunity to continue to grow and respond to the needs of our community - through peace and justice education and advocacy and as an increasingly used meeting space for local organizations to gather.  If anyone would like to receive our letter and brochure or if you would like to make a donation please email us at info@traprock or send your donation to Traprock Center for Peace and Justice at 24 Miles Street, Greenfield, MA 01370. All and any support, no matter how large or small is very appreciated.  

We now have a second staff person  - Sandra Stevens - who is working with us as our administrative assistant for 20 hours a week.  Sandra is a great addition to Traprock and is paid through the Senior Aide Program of the Mass Department of Employment.

We have been busy! 

• November 12th Randy Kehler held the 2nd of a series on non-violence as an essential tool and value in achieving peace. The discussion it engendered was energetic and provocative. We are planning a 3rd evening with Randy after the New Year.
  

• On November 21st we had a 30th Anniversary Fundraising Celebration and Dance at the Shelburne Falls Yoga Studio spearheaded by Randy Kehler and friends.  We raised over $700 and had a great time together.
  

• A new group has formed under the Traprock umbrella - currently called the Alliance for Peace.  We have met twice and organized the press release and action on the Greenfield Town Common in response to the escalation of the war and occupation in Afghanistan and increasingly in Pakistan. This group is committed to both an in-depth and ongoing discussion about the issues of war and peace and the planning and implementation of direct actions to address and change the warring policies and priorities of our government.  We will work in collaboration with a similar newly formed group in Northampton (Coalition of the Outraged) in whatever ways works for us.  Our next meeting is on Tuesday, December 29th at 5:15 and all are welcome.
  

• On December 2nd we gathered with about 40 folks to protest the escalation of the war in Afghanistan with signs, music, poetry and chanting. We had excellent coverage by the Greenfield Recorder and CBS Channel 3 who featured our action as the lead story on the 6 o'clock news

• We co-sponsored a wonderful concert on December 5th organized by Annie Hassett at the Shea Theater to help raise money for the homeless shelter in Greenfield and specifically for those made homeless by the Chapman Street fire.

• On December 6th we participated with WestMassJobswithJustice in a speak-out on unemployment in Franklin Country at GCTV  where the panel and audience were televised.

• The Writing Songs for Peace and Justice workshop with Robin Lane is coming to closure with a CD of our songs soon to be released. The money raised through the sale of this CD will come directly to Traprock.

• Programs offered by the GCC students of the Peace and Social Justice Club in November and December included the films  "Rethink Afghanistan" and "War Made Easy"  followed by discussion and two concerts - one with Susan Kranz and Ben Tousley and the second featuring John Tierney. We had standing room only for both concerts - many thanks to the  singers and musicians for 2 wonderful evenings.    
  

• We are currently planning for the 2nd in our Roots of War lecture series with Michael Klare to be held in February.

• Our website continues to grow including the interactive feature related to the Roots of War series.  We encourage all of you to read the pieces posted, write your own piece and/or and respond to any of the work already posted. This is a real community dialog that we can all participate in. 
  

• Board members Bill Carruthers and Sher Sweet are currently organizing our cadre of volunteers... If you would like to volunteer please email them at info@traprock.info and they will help you get involved.
  

Wishing you all a happy and peaceful Holiday Season.

In gratitude, Liz Kelner, Director