March 2011 Newsletter

Greetings I'm Jorden Leonard, Executive Director of the Portland Green Party.

This last 23rd we had our February member's meeting.  We endorsed a peace march and a single payer healthcare bill.  Minutes are located here.  Proposed agenda for this month's meeting is here.  It's gonna be a party.

Many awesome events this month.

First we have the Public Interest Environment Law Conference (PIELC) March 3-6.  Attendance is free but please register and consider their donation request.  It is arguably the most important annual environmental law conference in the world.  If you are able to attend, please let me know how it was and/or attend our next members meeting on the 30th to share.

This Saturday March 5 from 7-9 pm David Cobb, 2004 Green presidential candidate, is doing a Talk On Campaign Cash Controversy at the First Unitarian Church of Portland at 1011 SW 13th Ave.  This talk is joint sponsored by the Portland Green Party, Alliance for Democracy, and the First Unitarian Church.  See the flier here.  All are welcome.

March 10th at 6pm the AFSCME Greens are having an important meeting about the future of the union's environmental caucus.  I will be in attendance and I may bring guests if anyone is interested let me know.

March 11th is Legislative Action Day (please register) for the single payer healthcare bill we endorsed, HB 3510.  Come on down to the state capitol, Salem.  Lobby your state representatives.  Meet for training at 9 am, MICAH Hall, First Methodist Church, 680 State St (one block from Capitol).  Rally at noon on the Capitol steps.  Hearing, House Health Care Committee takes testimony on the bill, 3pm.  If you need a ride to the rally carpooling is available, look here.  See flier here.  For more information you can contact our campaigner Debby.  She is also looking for volunteers to make a few calls, just an hours work to prepare in the next few days.  Give her a call 503 233 9929.  Easy way to plug in for some quick no brainer vital volunteer work.

March 12 we have the Pacific Green Party's Spring Convention.  The convention is being held at 4312 S.E. Stark St from 9am-5pm.  A major topic will be the organization of a Registration Drive to get more Greens.  I think it's doable to double our numbers in the Portland area in the next year.  Too many see themselves as Green but aren't registered as such.  We will work to correct this.

March 19th is the Portland Green Party endorsed march and rally to mark the anniversary of the 2003 Iraq invasion.  Contact organizer Dan Handelman at 503 236 3065.  Tag line is "Eight Years in Iraq -- Nine Years in Afghanistan: How is the War Economy Working for You?" and will take place Saturday, March 19, 2011 at Pioneer Courthouse Square (SW 6th and Yamhill) in and will feature music, speakers, and a march through downtown. The rally is set to begin at 1:00 PM with the march at 1:30 PM; music will begin at 12:30 PM.

Check out Green Drinks for other events and notice our own members meeting on the calendar.

Come on down to People's Coop community room on the 30th for our members meeting and meet and greet.  3029 SE 21st Avenue, 6:30-7pm members meeting and 7-9:15 meet and greet with a bit of music and some snacks.  Anyone who is a member of the coop and is thinking they can make it please let me know.

Thank you for your time.