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Charleston-Area Folks--Please Come Out Monday Evening
Judy Bonds And Cindy Rank Speak in Fairmont Nov. 18
Job Openings With CORA And KFTC
JACK SPADARO’S STORY ON SALON.COM
Surf on over to www.salon.com today to read “Dirty business: How Bush and his coal industry cronies are covering up one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history.” If you don’t subscribe to Salon, you can get a free day pass to read this comprehensive article about whistleblower Jack Spadaro, Massey Energy’s massive coal sludge impoundment disaster and the Bush administration. The story is the lead article today (fair use copy available here). Other recent stories about Jack are posted on the OVEC website homepage. Scroll down to the news section and check out the headlines for Nov. 9 and 10.
JACK ON LIVING ON EARTH SUNDAY
Jack will get air time on National Public Radio’s Living on Earth Radio program, which airs this Sunday at 7 p.m., according to the www.wvpubcast.org
Please stop by at 7 tonight (Nov. 13) to see the Clean Elections Forum in Morgantown at the Suncrest United Methodist Church. A slide show helps connect the dots between special interest money in politics and the resulting effects on your life. Featured speakers are Senator Jon Blair Hunter, lead Senate sponsor of the WV Clean Elections Act in 2003, and Janet Fout, Coordinator for Citizens for Clean Elections (yup, that’s OVEC’s Janet). They’ll discuss the West Virginia Clean Elections Act (also known as "Public Campaign Financing Act"), which creates a voluntary system of public funding for qualified political candidates who agree to accept spending limits and do no private fund raising. The event is co-sponsored by the Morgantown League of Women Voters and Citizens for Clean Elections.
TONIGHT—HUNTINGTON
Which environmental group has its very own band? Well, two members of Big Rock and the Candya** Mountain Boys are husbands of OVEC staffers, so that (almost) makes them an OVEC band. Plus they play at our annual fundraiser, the Treehuggers’ Ball. This group will play tonight at Calamity Café in Huntington (on the corner of Hal Greer Blvd. and 3rd Ave. in Huntington). Come on out to support the band that supports OVEC.
CHARLESTON-AREA FOLKS—PLEASE COME OUT MONDAY EVENING
To support the WV Clean Elections Act, we need a big turnout Monday, Nov. 17. Please come out to as Legislative Sub-committee B meets to take up the Clean Elections Act. The committee could take up the bill any time from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Senate Judiciary meeting room at the State Capitol. (see more in next paragraph). We've been told that this bill MAY be voted upon and we would therefore really appreciate a STRONG showing of support.
WHY CLEAN ELECTIONS?
The People's Election Reform Coalition-WV (PERC-WV) just released its fourth election cycle report. PERC-WV (a project of OVEC and WV Citizen Action Group) reported that 2002 was the most expensive election year in legislative history. Candidates received more than $6 million in campaign contributions from big special interests. Big health care, which was the largest special interest contributor, coughed up nearly $700,000 to candidates. Not surprisingly, this past legislative session resulted in the passage of a $250,000 cap on medical malpractice awards. It's no coincidence that issues that affect poor and working people, the environment, health care and education (and other issues affecting regular people) take a backseat to concerns of big special interests from one legislative session to the next. Passing a public financing bill which will help reduce the excessive influence of private contributions, is one way we can begin to change the political landscape of West Virginia.
Nov. 18: There’s also a Clean Elections presentation at 12 noon at the Covenant House on Shrewsbury St. in Charleston on Tuesday.
CLEAN ELECTIONS ON THE AIR ON NOV. 19
Please tune in to Susan Leffler's call-in show on West Virginia Public on Wednesday, Nov. 19 from 3 to 4:00 p.m. Please call-in with questions for Janet Fout and State Senator Steve Harrison.
JUDY BONDS AND CINDY RANK SPEAK IN FAIRMONT NOV. 18
Come on out on Nov. 18 at 12:30 p.m. in Multi-media Room A of the Ruth Ann Musick Library at Fairmont State College. As part of the “Coal in the Heart of Appalachian Life” courses at Fairmont State, Coal River Mountain Watch’s Judy Bonds and West Virginia Highlands Conservancy’s Cindy Rank will give presentations on mountaintop removal mining. See CRMW’s latest mountaintop removal photos at www.crmw.net. For the first time this fall, non-science majors at Fairmont State signed up for “Coal in the Heart of Appalachian Life,” a four-credit, interdisciplinary, team-taught class that explores the science of coal including chemistry, environmental impact, health issues, physics and geology. Students enrolled in the course also signed up for the four-credit class “Introduction to Folklore,” which is an overview of the components of folklore using philosophical and historical approaches and placed in the context of Appalachia with a special emphasis on coal history and culture. For more information about Fairmont State’s coal project, call Dr. Phil Mason, Dean of the School of Science & Technology, at (304) 367-4642.
JOB OPENING--CORA THE COMMISSION ON RELIGION IN APPALACHIA
“CORA is a partnership of denominations, congregations and community groups, whose mission is to express God’s love in the empowerment of the people of Appalachia by working for justice.”
JOB TITLE: Dismantling Racism Program Coordinator of the Commission on Religion in Appalachia (CORA).
REPORTS TO: Executive Director.
SALARY: $25,000 to $30,000. Full-time plus benefits in accordance with CORA’s Personnel Policy. Person hired will be working out of the Charleston, West Virginia office.
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 2004.
GENERAL PURPOSE OF POSITION:
Is responsible for the development and coordination of strategies to dismantle racism. Implementing programs and resources related to the emerging and unresolved issues of racial justice within the CORA and Appalachian Region. Is responsible for coordinating, facilitating and implementing programs that will nourish and foster an environment conducive for systemic and institutional change.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
Conceptualize and develop ongoing plans in line with the funding proposals and in collaboration with the Multi-Cultural Committee (MCC) that will continue to engage CORA’s unique partnership of community organizations and congregations in activities that help provide a comprehensive approach to dismantling racism in Appalachia.
To provide staff service to the Multicultural Committee (MCC) and the Antiracism Transformation Team (ARTT).
Develop necessary action-oriented resources and programs, including Antiracism study resources, educational packets, and tools, that will engage the CORA family, along with ecumenical and interfaith partners, and community leaders with opportunities to study racism and all of its manifestations.
Promote the program’s positive public image by responding on a timely basis to inquiries for information, and serving as a resource to local churches, ecumenical groups, community organizations and racial justice groups and networks.
Postal Address: PO Box 11908, Charleston WV 25339-1908 Street Address: 600 Shrewsbury Street, Suite 5, Charleston, WV 25301
Attend all Multi-Cultural Committee (MCC) and Antiracism Transformation Team (ARTT) meetings and will submit quarterly written reports to the Multi-Cultural Committee.
Facilitate through the Multi-Cultural Committee (MCC) recommendations for specific public policy positions for CORA on racial justice issues.
Develop and maintain professional, courteous and cooperative relationships with staff, partners and other constituents; serve as a positive role model by exemplifying values which are consistent with the Commission on Religion in Appalachia.
Prepare and manage an annual budget ensuring good stewardship of financial resources, as needed.
Other responsibilities as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
College degree or equivalent work experience in social sciences, or related fields. Grant writing, community building/organizing skills are a plus.
Commitment to the understanding of CORA’s mission in its broad range of concerns and diversity.
Demonstrated skills in social and cultural analysis, particularly in racial justice and issues of racism.
Desire and sensitivity to work in diverse racial, ethnic, cultural and religious settings with commitment to pluralism in the workplace as well as in one's understanding of mission.
Demonstrated written and oral English language skills, including ability to conceptualize and develop printed resources, and public speaking skills. Bilingualism is a plus.
Competency in leadership planning, development and training.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and collegially as well as independently.
Ability to travel as necessary.
CORA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. People of Color and women are strongly encouraged to apply.
DEADLINE FOR APPLYING: NOVEMBER 24, 2003.
Send cover letter and resume to: Commission on Religion in Appalachia c/o Rev. Dr. Charles Henry, Chairperson CORA Search Team PO Box 11908 Charleston, WV 25339 -------------------------------- JOB OPENING-KFTC
Kentuckians For The Commonwealth
Kentuckians For The Commonwealth (KFTC), a 22-year-old grassroots social justice organization, is accepting applications for the position of Community Organizer based in Louisville.
Description KFTC organizers play a central role in implementing the organization's social change goals and strategies. Primary among these strategies are building powerful local chapters, developing grassroots leadership, winning local and statewide issue campaigns, and communicating new ideas. Organizers are deeply involved in carrying out strategies to sustain and build the organization, including grassroots fundraising, membership recruitment and the development of a strong staff team. This position has an emphasis on issues of concern to low-income and people of color communities in Louisville, including economic, racial and environmental justice.
Requirements A person applying for this position should demonstrate enthusiasm for building a strong grassroots social justice organization and hold a deep commitment to racial and cultural diversity. S/he must be able to work independently and cooperatively, be self-motivated and self-starting, and able to facilitate democratic decision-making. Strong accountability to the organization is required, as is a willingness to work flexible hours with frequent travel. Experience in community organizing, grassroots fundraising, and leadership training is preferred. The position now open is based in Louisville.
Compensation The salary is based on experience. KFTC provides annual raises and cost of living increases. We offer very good benefits including family health plan, three weeks vacation, paid holidays, sick leave and personal days, and a pension plan.
Applying Anyone interested in applying for this position is asked to send a letter of application, resume and contact information for three references to: KFTC Personnel Committee, PO Box 1450, London, Kentucky 40743-1450; or ecortas@earthlink.net. For a full job description, visit our web-site at www.kftc.org or call 606-878-2161.
Applications will be accepted until the job is filled.
KFTC is an equal opportunity employer. Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.
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