Scott Morris is Developing A Model Local Economic Sustainability Project - and Invites Your Help!

We've heard recently from Cohort A's Scott Morris of Iowa, who writes:

  "Back in our first Caring Economics Conversation Leader circle, I was just on the cusp of launching a pilot of the then "Hometown Hero Rewards Program" here in Fairfield.  Well, it worked.  The town loved it.  So we kept fighting the good fight, and developed the governance and structure (not to mention an already cash-flow positive business model!) for an administrative Cooperative we've come to call "myLocal Cooperative."  

Right now, we're in the midst of a crowd-funding campaign to raise $25k by Thanksgiving Day with the hashtag #thiswayup.  Here's the link http://mylocal.coop/thiswayup/

We're looking to pulse this out through ALL of our networks, from those here locally to those connected to Katie Teague's Money & Life film (which we're also to be featured in) and beyond.  Crowd-funding campaigns succeed as much as they are shared, or at least that's what I'm told!

In any case, myLocal is not only my baby, but it's also a vehicle for implementing and reporting on CPS's new quality of life indicators.  You can count on me to ensure that happens as soon as possible, as it's also a point of personal passion. :)"

Thanks for your great work, Scott!  I know that many of our Fall conversation leaders share your passion for community-based economic solutions and for finding ways to integrate social wealth indicators at the community level.  

Good luck on the This Way Up campaign!  Keep us posted!

Jane Morba's Occupy Wall Street Experience

Hi everyone,

Jane Morba of Cohort F submitted the following story for The CLIC.  Thanks, Jane!

I experienced Occupy Wall Street NYC on 11.3.11, the day an organized group rallied in front of Goldman Sachs at 12.noon. I have been wanting to go in for weeks and finally had a set date.

I was following WBAI.org radio station to keep up with the OWS cause that particular morning to know the where about to meet. I felt part of the 99% and sympathetic to all the issues at hand. I also had a chat with Riane during my Cohert session, she mentioned go and be seen, let the energy come towards you and dialogue about the main issues. My team leaders were also very helpful. I have felt determined to go in, sign or no sign, although we discussed a sign.

As a photographer, I brought my still & video camera to the event and was very prepared. I needed all my hands. Coming in from NJ, I planned to walk down and meet the group at the steps of Goldman Sachs to protest and document. I tried to get someone to come with me but plans fell through so I went alone. Arriving to the sounds of drums I knew I found the group. I walked in and immediately felt at home, I focused
on documenting as much as possible. Video, camera, It was a strong group, all ages empowering each other to stand strong. I thought there were about 100 people, it was the People vs. Goldman Sachs trial and march.
13 people sat in front of GS and held the protest & energy, everybody was chanting, I filmed away, got so close a women cop yelled to me back off, I thought I am in it now, it felt good. Chris Hedges and 12 others were arrested, I respect all of them so much and people were chanting ʻthank youʼ to each and everyone being taken away by the police.

We continued chanting and then a call & response was sent to everybody to walk back to Liberty Park, to assist those arrested. We continued on and I chanted. This is what democracy looks like with the group, photographing away. I never felt so connected to a cause and group of mindful folks. Drums were leading the pack, I documented front and back, it was incredible, returning 6 long blocks, shadowed by cops on motorcycles, so many people were watching or documenting and putting out there voices. I was empowered
knowing I was doing such the right thing, Interesting, one guys said to me always to careful there can be traps like on the brooklyn bridge when a net was thrown and arrested people, it was serious and no joke, I appreciated the advise. Back to camp, I was blown away by the massiveness of the group, rows of tents,
people everywhere, organized, visiting from all over, signs, and expressions. Someone asked me where I was from and I said NJ, this guy said he was a history professor from Virginia and said his students were very excited. I interviewed him what a caring economics looks like, he was clearly articulate and I shared flyers of the partnership way.

We had a positive exchange and he said all OWS camps are stronger right now. I will piece my video all together. I felt so connected, so strengthened by the numbers and narratives in NYC, I believe that working with the ʻCaring Economicsʼ & Partnership way for a sane world where caring for families will benefit everybody, that is clearly what any sane person would believe. It is said over and over, there is such insanity at banks like Goldman and so glad I was there that day.

- Jane Morba, Cohort F

Global Gender Gap Report 2011 and "The War Against the Poor"

Thank you to Molly Freeman of Cohort D for sharing these! 

Below are links to a slideshow of Forbes’ Top 10 Countries for Women and the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2011, upon which the ranking is based.  The Report contains international facts and statistics that Conversation Leaders will find useful for presentations in various countries.  We have added it to the CLIC's library of Key Policy Reports.

Ten Best Countries for Women

Global Gender Gap Report 2011

Also submitted by Molly was this comprehensive article by Frances Fox Piven on “The War Against the Poor,” an excerpt of which follows:

"Some facts: early in 2011, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that 14.3% of the population, or 47 million people - one in six Americans - were living below the official poverty threshold, currently set at $22,400 annually for a family of four.  Some 19 million people are living in what is called extreme poverty, which means that their household income falls in the bottom half of those considered to be below the poverty line.  More than a third of those extremely poor people are children.  Indeed, more than half of all children younger than six living with a single mother are poor.  Extrapolating from this data, Emily Monea and Isabell Sawhill of the Brookings Institution estimate that further sharp increases in both poverty and child poverty rates lie in our American future."

For the full length article, click here:  The War Against the Poor

Notes on the evolving definition of "work"

Many thanks to Joan Basset of Cohort D and Sharon Rose, our program administrator, for submitting these two ideas regarding our evolving definition of "work".  From another class Joan is taking, she shares the following quote from Work in America (Pitt-Catsouphes, M., Kossek, E. & Sweet, S (Eds), pp. 2-3.):

"We can come closer to a multi-dimensional definition of work if we define it as 'an activity that produced something of value for other people.'"

Along those same lines, this October 1 article from Employee Benefit News contains references to research indicating that when employers provide workplace policies that give employees more flexibility in their schedules, employee retention, employee satisfaction, and the company’s bottom line are all improved. The article makes the case or extending flexible benefits to nonexempt (hourly) employees because, while flexible benefits are now available to a full 80% of salaried employees in the U.S., they are almost never conferred to full-time nonexempt (hourly) employees.

Hourly employees require and value flexible work schedules as much as salaried employees:  Nixing "9 to 5"

Development expert's advice for preventing famine and ending hunger in Sub-Saharan Africa: Empower Women

Many thanks to Mundy Viar of Cohort E for sharing this great article about food security in Sub-Sarahan Africa!

Women are the major producers of food crops in Africa, because culturally it is their role to feed the family.  More than half 

of Africa's farmers are women, with most tending crops on plots of land they don't own. World food production experts believe that granting land rights to women and increasing their access to production technologies could increase yields on small farms, which feed the bulk of the population, by 20 to 30 percent.  With the world's population predicted to grow from today's seven billion people to nine billion by 2050, and 49 percent of that growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, "The fate of the small land holder could effectively determine the world's long-term food security."  The key to stave off famine, of course, would be to empower women farmers, since they are the primary food producers.

For the full story about the recent proceedings at World Food Prize meetings in Des Moines, Iowa, click on the link below:
Impact of empowering women farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa 

Miss Representation

Thank you, Elisa Audo, for sharing this great link!

A selection of the 2011 Sundance Film festival, Miss Representation explores how the media's misrepresenta-tion of women has led to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence.  The film aired on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network in October and is scheduled to re-air on November 12, 11:00 EST (New York).

To visit the documentary's home page and view the official trailer, click on the link below.  Also available are curriculum downloads for educators, ways to take action, and the option to sign onto The Pledge: "I pledge to use my voice to spread the message of Miss Representation and challenge the media's limiting portrayal of women and girls."

missrepresentation.org

Teddie Potter Brings Caring Economics to the Occupy Wall Street movement

Dear Conversation Leaders, 

We received the following email this weekend from Teddie Potter of Cohort E.  Thank you Teddie for modeling one powerful way of taking on the Caring Economics Conversation Leader role...taking it to the streets!  Teddie writes:

Dear friends,

I thought your hearts might warm at this story...

I just returned from the "Occupy Wall Street"-Minneapolis rally.  I have been very sympathetic to the cause but have wondered how my presence could make a difference. This week's Caring Economics "chat" with Riane helped me realize I need to change the conversation where ever I can.  I have been very frustrated that our local paper has given so little coverage to this issue so I wanted to be counted with the other 99%.  I tried to get someone to go with me to the rally but everyone was working or busy.  I decided I could go it alone.  When I arrived at the organizing site I chose a sign that had the silhouette of a college graduate and the words "We are the 99%."  I figured that was an appropriate sign for an educator to carry.  I also chose it because I am marching for our young people and the world they stand to inherit unless our way of doing business changes.

There were several hundred people at the rally so I was a bit surprised when a young woman walked up to me and inquired if she could take my picture and ask a few questions.  She said, "I am a journalism student at the University of Minnesota" (my current employer).  I told her why I was there and that I firmly believe there is a better way.  I said, "It's called Caring Economics.  Riane Eisler has thorough research that demonstrates caring for children, families, and workers benefits everyone.  Google her website for some really good data for your story."  

Next we marched down the street to Bank of America then Wells Fargo where the crowd grew even larger.  Once again a young person came up to me and asked to take my picture.  She asked me why I was there and I repeated my story.  I was there and that I firmly believe there is a better way.  "It's called Caring Economics.  Riane Eisler  has thorough research that demonstrates caring for children, families, and workers benefits everyone. Google her website for some really good data for your story."  By the way, this journalist was from Minneapolis Community and Technical College, my former employer!

I no longer doubt the power of one voice speaking the truth. 

- Teddie

Women, Peace, and War

From Bernice in Ireland (Cohort D) comes this link to the US Peace Index, a project of "Vision of Humanity."
http://www.visionofhumanity.org/info-center/us-peace-index/
(As you look at this index which aims to show the relationship between peace and the economy, also remember that as Caring Economics Conversation Leaders, part of our task is to raise awareness of the relationship between the status of women and peace...something that doesn't appear on the face of  this provocative Index.)


And, Kim Otis sends on a suggestion that we all check out the upcoming PBS series (It starts tonight!) called Women, War, and Peace.  (For those outside the US, you can probably order the series on DVD...or maybe it will be on an internet channel?)

http://video.pbs.org/program/2070492796/

Thanks for keeping these great resources coming!

On Early Childhood Education and Occupying Wall Street

Kim Otis (Senior Advisor to CPS and the Director of the Caring Economics Campaign - and a participant in Cohort D) sent these two timely articles from the Washington Post to share with you all:
The first is an opinion piece with an interesting perspective on the Occupy Wall Street protests:  

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/occupy-wall-street-a-timely-call-for-justice/2011/10/10/gIQASKleaL_story.html?hpid=z1

And the second is a piece on the current focus on early childhood education (something we can all refer to and build on in our conversations!)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/early-childhood-education-again-in-spotlight/2011/10/06/gIQAwMNVYL_story.html

Chapter Summaries of Real Wealth of Nations are Available for Downloading

Did you know that there are excellent Real Wealth of Nations chapter summaries available?  They are great aids for your own studying, and can also be used as handouts in conversation groups.

Check them out!

http://www.partnershipway.org/Economics-Politics/what-you-can-do/real-wealth-study-and-action-groups/real-wealth-of-nations-chapter-summaries/?searchterm=chapter%20summaries

A Poem With Resonance for Conversation Leaders

Greetings Conversation Leaders, 

Inspired by our discussion of Gracious Space in Session 1, Cohort D's Brigitte Kupfer from Australia sent in this poem to share with other new Conversation Leaders.  I agree it marvelously expresses the sense of "courage kindling" that we all feel as we embark on this work.  - Sara

For a New Beginning

In out-of-the-way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.

For a long time it has watched your desire,
Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on,
Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.

It watched you play with the seduction of safety
And the gray promises that sameness whispered,
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,
Wondered would you always live like this.

Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
And out you stepped onto new ground,
Your eyes young again with energy and dream,
A path of plenitude opening before you.

Though your destination is not yet clear
You can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
That is at one with your life's desire.

Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.

~ John O'Donohue ~

(To Bless the Space Between Us)

Support for re-framing the conversation

Greetings Conversation Leaders!

One of the challenges for all of us as Caring Economics Conversation Leaders is to help create bridges for people between the (incredibly limited and limiting) current discourse about economics and the principles of Caring Economics.

Molly Freeman of Cohort D suggested this op-ed piece from last Friday's New York Times, which I believe you may find quite useful in helping you frame your conversations - not only in terms of why this conversation about economics may sound so different from what they are hearing in the news, but also why it is so imperative to re-kindle our language about our shared social needs and goals.

How Do You Say Economic Security?

Thanks Molly!  and Enjoy!

New Links, Week of September 19th

Hey everyone,

We've added a number of new links to the CLIC this week, including:

An article recommended by Molly Freeman, of Cohort D, on the tragic results for many children of economic stresses on their caregivers.  http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=656931

Many thanks to Riane for passing on an excellent policy paper on the ROI of investing in girls, called Measuring the Economic Gain of Investing in Girls.  The working paper is an August, 2011 offering from The World Bank Human Development Network Children and Youth Unit & Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Network Gender Unit
http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/IW3P/IB/2011/08/08/000158349_20110808092702/Rendered/PDF/WPS5753.pdf

Riane also shared a short CBSNews story about the girl effect
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501465_162-20109052-501465.html

And, from Kim Otis, our Caring Economics Campaign Director (and Cohort D member!), comes this great article on why it is so critical to go much further in factoring women into global development, featuring one of our most engaged Caring Economics advisors, Elaine Zuckerman.  

http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=105169

Thanks for all the links!  Keep them coming!

- Sara

Welcome to the CLIC!

Thanks for checking out the CLIC - the Conversation Leaders' Information Center.  We've designed this to be a "one stop shop" for accessing all kinds of information resources, like policy reports, websites, etc. as well as a place to share suggested books, movies, links, and other sources of information and inspiration related to caring economics.

You can also access the Conversation Leader Toolkit (see the link in the right hand column?) through the CLIC.  The most up-to-date tools and materials for your use will always be available to you via that link.

We are working on adding a Discussion Forum to this site soon, so we have a place to talk with each other, across cohorts (and across the globe!).  We'll keep you posted as that gets up and running.

In the meantime, check out the links and submit any additional resource suggestions by adding a comment to this post.

We're off and running!
- Sara