December 14, 2019
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In this issue ‘Tis the season for giving to family, friends, and Swing Left A quick recap of the Indivisible MA 2019 Conference See more below
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Call for Peacekeepers for Boston Rally
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There are rallies being planned in Concord, Cambridge, and Boston, to name a few locations, the night before the final House Impeachment vote, likely on Tuesday night this coming week.
Help spread the calm at these rallies. Be a Peacekeeping Rally Marshall. Two trainings will be offered:
- Concord, Sunday, December 15 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm at the Concord Indivisible Activist Huddle, Harvey Wheeler Community Center in West Concord. To RSVP for the Huddle and learn where the training will take place: click here.
- Cambridge, Sunday, December 15 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm at Activist Afternoons in Cambridge, Central Square.
For details and to RSVP: click here.
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Recurring
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Concord
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Sunday, December 15
@ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
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Concord Indivisible Activist Huddle: Peacekeeping training – see above. Learn more
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Cambridge
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Sunday, December 15 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
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Cambridge Activist Afternoons: End-of-Year Celebration and Peacekeeping training – see above. Learn more
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North Andover
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Wednesday, December 18
@ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
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Postcards to Voters with Andover Indivisible
Learn more
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Newburyport
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Friday, December 20
@ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
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I-RISE Friday Action Hour Postcards
Learn more
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Cambridge
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Sunday, December 22
@ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
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Cambridge Activist Afternoons
Learn more
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Postcard and Letter Writing
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Concord
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Sunday, December 15
@ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
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Boost Voter Turn Out In Florida: Vote By Mail Project
Learn more
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Cambridge
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Sunday, December 15
@ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
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Get Out the Vote Letters for Colorado
Learn more
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Cambridge
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Sunday, December 15
@ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
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Get Out the Vote Letters for Texas
Learn more
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Chicopee
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Sunday, December 15
@ 10:00 am – 11:30 am
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Letters to Encourage People to Vote
Learn more
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Providence, RI
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Sunday, December 15
@ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
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Letters to Stop Voter Suppression
Learn more
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Brookline
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Monday, December 16
@ 7:00 pm – 8:45 pm
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JALSA Impact Activist Mondays
Learn more
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Leverett
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Monday, December 16
@ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
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Letters to Encourage People to Vote
Learn more
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Training
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Training
![](https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/data/000/351/972/original/florida-map-silhouette-f44545-md_50_px.png)
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Sunday, December 15
@ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
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Flippin’ Florida: Voter Registration Training Call with Field Team 6
Learn more
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Online/ Anywhere
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Sunday, December 15
@ 5:00 pm
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Mobilize America Training Webinar #1
Learn more
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Online/ Anywhere
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Monday, December 16
@ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
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Flippin’ North Carolina: Voter Registration Training Call with Field Team 6
Learn more
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Online/ Anywhere
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Tuesday, December 17
@ 9:00 pm – 10:00 pm EST, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm MST
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Flippin’ Colorado: Voter Registration Training Call with Field Team 6
Learn more
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Online/ Anywhere
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Tuesday, December 17
@ 8:00 pm
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Mobilize America Training Webinar #2
Learn more
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Other
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Providence, RI
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Sunday, December 15
@ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
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Swing Left RI and Womxn Project House Party
Learn more
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Online/ Anywhere
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Tuesday, December 17
@ 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
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Reclaim Our Vote: Texas Deep Dive
Learn more
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Portland, ME
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Wednesday, December 18
@ 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
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Blue Wave Gala Fundraiser for Maine Democrats
Learn more
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Allston
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Thursday, December 19
@ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
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Debate Night Triple Header: GOTV Letters to Texas, Debate Watch Party, and Chili
Learn more
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Want to add your event to the newsletter?
Submit your event at our website by clicking the button below!
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Here are some ideas for gifts to buy and donations to make.
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‘Tis the Season for Giving …
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.. so give something to your friends and family …
![gifts from Swing Left's store gifts from Swing Left's store](https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/data/000/351/685/original/holiday_gift_300.png)
… and give a bit to the Maine Dems to bring on a dedicated Maine Action Coordinator to work with Swing Left The goal is $35K to bring on an organizer who can spearhead New England-wide efforts to flip the US Senate seat by defeating Susan Collins, to hold CD 02’s congressional seat, and to flip the remaining electoral vote blue. To contribute to a fund created specially for this position, click here.
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![Activist Afternoons End-of-Year Celebration Activist Afternoons End-of-Year Celebration](https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/data/000/351/690/original/Activist_Afternoon_2019_Holiday_Party.png)
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community, connection, commitment
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Indivisible MA Conference Makes Its Mark
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On December 7th, a crew of 13 committed members of Swing Left Greater Boston led workshops and breakout sessions at a statewide activism conference. Together for 2020 & Beyond, sponsored by Indivisible-MA, was a unique opportunity for 435 grassroots activists to build relationships and sharpen their skills to get ready for this challenging presidential election year.
There was a sense of urgency among the attendees, along with optimism and plans of action. We asked the workshop presenters for their impressions of the conference. What we got was a serious rundown of facts they learned. It turns out that these organizers all took notes! Here’s a quick recap of what they learned.
Paula Joseph & Rebecca Riccio – Maine Super State organizers
Research shows that canvassing is the most effective field activity and can make the difference in close races like Maine’s 2nd congressional districts where Jared Golden won by 1 percent. –Paula
Only one percent of the population is actively engaged in the progressive movement right now. –Rebecca
Bob Scheier and Ann Eldridge – Pennsylvania Super State organizers
- Massachusetts activists built a website (Elect535.org) to help activists create a portfolio of candidates that reflect their values.
- Senate candidates need $1 million in campaign funds — and House candidates, $200-300,000– to be competitive.
- Less expensive state races have an outsized impact on issues such as reproductive rights, gun laws, and redistricting
Lisa Zankman: Florida Super State Organizer
Only 56% of the voting age population voted in the 2016 presidential elections. In terms of voter registration, the United States ranks in the bottom third of OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries. Declaring Election Day a federal holiday would help.
Janet Singer: Long-distance Canvassing Coach
There are surprising examples of states making it easier to vote: Forty states have online voter registration. Twenty-three states allow 16- or 17-year-olds to preregister to vote. Twenty-two states have same-day registration on election day.
In short, activism matters.
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Join us and we can add many more voters to Maine’s roster.
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We’ve Registered Well Over 1,000 Maine Voters Since June!
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Come continue the surge as we enter 2020. We’re registering voters at community colleges, courthouses, shopping areas, and colleges throughout southern Maine. Here are some upcoming events (both indoor and outdoor):
- Wednesday, 1/15: South Portland. RSVP/learn more here.
- Tuesday, 1/21: South Portland. RSVP/learn more here.
- Wednesday, 1/22: Portland. RSVP/learn more here.
Don’t worry if you haven’t done this before! We hold a short training at the beginning of each session.
Whatever event you attend, please check the weather and dress accordingly. Remember to bring appropriate clothing (including rain gear and umbrella, as necessary), comfortable shoes, water, snacks, a fully charged mobile device, and sunscreen (for sunny days). Keep an eye on the Action Network discussion board — there’s a link to it on the response to your RSVP — for last minute updates.
Carpools are available! For more information, contact Berl Hartman.
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Here’s one thing you can do right now
Ask a friend to join Greater Boston Swing Left by forwarding this email or share our social media posts at Twitter or Facebook.
The more people who join the Swing Left Greater Boston community, the greater the impact we can make.
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