Economic Justice

Since the beginning of this economic crisis, Oregon has seen literally thousands of homes go into foreclosure.  We have the 11th highest foreclosure rate in the country. In the first quarter of 2010 every 1 in 135 homes in Oregon were in foreclosure.   The hardest hit of these counties are Clackamas, Crook, Deschutes, Jackson, Jefferson, Multnomah, Washington and Yamhill. (To check out data on your county check out these links: current foreclosures and April foreclosure rates).

On Saturday, June 19th ROP, Good Grief America, labor unions and other groups will host a "Getting Traction" workshop and Community Roundtable Dialogue for homeowners, civic leaders and concerned community members.  This is a regional event and will take place in the Salem area.  Let's find those folks in our communities who are facing foreclosure and get them the information for this class.  Let's see who our potential allies might be in helping craft solutions for our communities and invite them to attend.  We need them to be part of this solution-oriented Roundtable.

Download a flyer for June 19th's Getting Traction workshop and Community Roundtable.

Hometown Strategies for a Democratic Economy are locally focused projects or programs that human dignity groups are using to both build a strong community that can survive our new economic reality, and work towards the longer-term goal of making a democratic economy a reality. 
Hometown Strategies are designed to expand our movement, connect together and build relationships for the long haul.

A useful tool for building your local resilient community is the first Hometown Strategy that ROP share over the next several months: The Common Security Club (CSC). The Common Security Club, often referred to as a Resiliency Circle, offers a vision beyond the troubled times and enables you to build the community that many of us are missing.

Here are a couple of opportunities to participate in building that democractic economy we keep talking about. First - some information about why to vote yes on Measures 68 & 69, then scroll down for an important action on the Food Safety Bill that is being discussed in the Senate.

ACT ONE:

Your ballot will go out in the mail TODAY for the May 18th election - and whatever you do, don't throw it away! On the contrary, as you puzzle through all kinds of candidate profiles, also be sure to vote YES on Measures 68 & 69. I know it seems like a lot of elections lately, but there's good stuff in these two for rural Oregon, and your voice counts.

ACT TWO:

An important action that you can take to support food justice. This week, we want to make sure you're aware of this important moment to act nationally on behalf of food access and justice. It will take you 5 minutes, and then you can get back to building our people's economy from the inside out.

    Over the last month human dignity organizers in Crook, Polk, Clackamas & Umatilla Counties hosted a Roundtable in their county to look at the state of the local economy and to explore options for how we move forward.  From city councilors and service providers to legislators, farmers and labor leaders, community leaders are coming together to take a look at what's working and what's not in our communities.  Ideas and conversations ranged from hometown strategies to national and statewide barriers and solutions.

You will be entertained! You will be connected!

This weekend at the ROP Annual Caucus in Albany your senses will be delighted, your palettes will tingle and your sense of community will grow stronger and richer with each moment.  You won’t want to miss it!

Partake in some of this weekend’s treats, read below for the full details:

• Friday Night pre-Caucus BBQ
• Open Space and Tabling at the Caucus
• Merchandise! New ROP Buttons, Classic Shirts and Caucus pie sale
• Post-Caucus fun: Corvallis Second Saturday Concert benefit for ROP
• Post-Caucus fun: MRG foundation Justice Within Reach Party
• Whet your Caucus whistle: ROP featured on the Daily Kos national blog

Print this email and bring it along so you’ll have all the options at your fingertips. Can’t wait to see you!

In some ways this notion of Democratic Economy we're talking about at ROP is all about accountability.  Who has the resources and who has control over them?  This year at ROP we're applying this notion to our local communities - at the Caucus, in community Round Tables, in local organizing across the state that advance hometown strategies from community gardens to green jobs and moving our money to credit unions instead of big banks.

But what does Democratic Economy mean for ROP the organization? 

Wow, the work that ROPers have done to pass Measures 66 & 67 is more than you can shake a stick at.  You, ROP, and the rest of our human dignity leaders have:

• Hand-distributed ROP's county-specific STAND voter guides in 20 counties!
• Knocked on 1520 doors and called 3225 voters to encourage voters to vote YES!
• Made calls to all 36 counties to encourage a YES vote!
• As part of the Rural Media Center, sent in over 50 letters to the editors of local papers, and had 11 articles and editorials printed!
• Recruited small business owners in 16 counties to come out as a public face in support of 66 & 67!
• Mailed to 12,496 rural voters with ROP's STAND Voter Guide explaining how the ballot measures will affect their community and urging them to vote YES!

Democracy in action is a beautiful thing.  Yes it can be loud, rambunctious and annoying; but that is sort of the magic of the system - that it is a spectacle, on both sides.  As the Town Halls circle back to us this month, we see progressives using creative tactics to get their demands heard and Tea Baggers shouting down Congressmen.  All the while ROP is there beside you, helping make sense of this wild democracy. 

Whether you wanted progressive health care or progress on health care, you are probably disappointed.  It is tempting to blame the tea bagger protestors when, of course, the real challenge to democracy is that we were sold out by parties beholden to corporate lobbyists.  They steered us to a global collapse and stuck around to pick up the choice pieces.  It's enough to make you angry.

The people of ROP are pulling out all the stops to fight for tax fairness – while having a good time, building community and setting themselves up for a great 2010.

To inspire your thinking about how to bring a progressive voice for tax fairness & common sense to your county…here are some stories from rural Oregon of people taking on a campaign with laughter, spirit & a vision for the future.

Junction City New Years Party!

Tillamook Neighborhood Walks!

Crook County says 'We are the Media!'