October eNewsletter 2011
In this issue: why we should care about unions; our own Nancy Haque shares her story as a queer woman of color; and a chance to check out a webinar about creating a fundraising culture in your organization.
Dear Friend,
In the past couple weeks "Occupy Wall Street" protests have spread across the nation. A lot of the protests have focused on the rights of workers. This month I shared my top five reasons why collective workers' rights matter. Also, check out two blog posts about the experiences of queer people of color. And find out how you can receive a special rate to a webinar that will surely help you raise more money!
In solidarity,
Aimee Santos-Lyons, Organizer & Trainer
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Five Reasons Unions Matter to the Progressive Movement
Last week I shared part I of my "Five Reasons Unions Matter to the Progressive Movement." Part II is here!
This piece is also a companion piece to “Union and the Progressive Movement", a new training tool that connects the role of unions with social and economic justice organizing.
Click here for Part I and Part II
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Coming Out About Not Being Out
I’m on the board of Basic Rights Oregon, previously I’ve been involved with Pride at Work and other LGBTQ organizations. I’ve spoken on panels at national conferences about being queer and have ridden on a float in the Pride parade. I have pictures of me and my female partner all over my Facebook page. In other words, I have an out queer life. There is one glaring exception though, and it happens to be featured in my segment in the new Our Families video.
Read on about Nancy's story...
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Gay Straight Alliances Raise Awareness, Courage in Youths
According to a 2001 Washington Post article examining
this issue, three out of ten LGBTQ students drop out of school due to
harassment and discrimination, a number that is three times the national
average for their heterosexual classmates.
Khalil Edwards, coordinator for PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians & Gays) - Portland Black Chapter
says that queer youth of color tend to face even more hardship because
they are dealing with two layers of discrimination. “When a black
student gets picked on at school, they can go home and talk to their
parents. But if they are being picked on for being queer and a person of
color, the student often can’t get the support from home or from
school.”
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Webinar: Building a Fundraising Culture One Campaign at a Time
Fall is upon us, and like many fundraisers, my mind is focused on two things: our year-end fundraising and 2012 budget and planning. While my year-end fundraising campaign is moving along, I have already started to plant the seeds for my next campaign in 2012.
On October 20, I will be conducting a webinar that will help you plant those seeds too. Please join me and GIFT (Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training) for a 60-minute webinar on “Building a Fundraising Culture One Campaign at a Time”.
Read on to register for a special rate.




