Sunday, October 30, 2011

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"



Saturday, October 29, 2011

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 

Thursday, October 27, 2011

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

Monday, October 17, 2011

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

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

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?)



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:  


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