IT'S TIME TO VOTE - HELP DECIPHERING THE CA BALLOT

Indivisible Marin has put together this INDIMARIN VOTING GUIDE to help make filling out the ballot a bit easier since there is a long list of names in many races.

A few notes and caveats:

  • IndiMarin does not make endorsements, especially in Democrat vs Democrat primary races.

  • The guide largely follows the endorsements of the California Democratic Party (CADEM.)

  • We included down ballot Marin races but the guide is helpful for all Californians on statewide races.

  • IMPORTANT: Senator Padilla is on the ballot twice for different term lengths. Please vote in each section.

  • We support the local park, school and paramedic measures.


ABOUT INDIVISIBLE MARIN

IndiMarin’s focus is to work strategically and impactfully to turn out enough Democratic voters in November to maintain our House majority and INCREASE our Senate majority.

If we, together with other committed volunteers across the country, achieve this goal, we will make possible the passage of legislation about which we care so deeply - reproductive rights, voting rights, democracy reforms, climate change and human infrastructure to improve the lives of all Americans. BUT, to succeed, we need an army of volunteers to pitch in. Will you be part of this crucial effort? PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AND JOIN US.

Happy Mothers' Day

To the many of our volunteers who are mothers, we wish you a wonderful day today!

For most of us, motherhood was our choice. We were fortunate to come of age after the Supreme Court issued a 7–2 decision in favor of "Jane Roe" (Norma McCorvey) in 1973 holding that women in the United States had a fundamental right to choose whether to have abortions without excessive government restriction.

Today, we are faced with the likelihood that this constitutional right will be taken away from American women in the near future.

At Indivisible Marin, we believe that the only realistic option for Democrats to preserve abortion rights is to both keep their majority in the House and to gain seats in the Senate in the upcoming November elections.

If we, together with other committed volunteers across the country, achieve this goal, we will make possible not only the passage of legislation protecting reproductive rights, but also legislation on the many other issues about which we care so deeply - voting rights, democracy reforms, climate change and human infrastructure to improve the lives of all Americans. BUT, to succeed, Democrats need an army of volunteers to pitch in.

If you would like to receive a call from a member of IndiMarin's Leadership Team to discuss how you can best help with this effort given your individual circumstances, please reply to this email and we'll arrange for a call. We are committed to help empower and provide resources for all volunteers to become engaged in the best way to fit with their lives.

The fabulous Heather Cox Richardson explained in her newsletter last night that, "'Mothers’ Day'—with the apostrophe not in the singular spot, but in the plural—actually started in the 1870s, when the sheer enormity of the death caused by the Civil War and the Franco-Prussian War convinced American women that women must take control of politics from the men who had permitted such carnage. Mothers’ Day was not designed to encourage people to be nice to their mothers. It was part of women’s effort to gain power to change modern society."

Let's celebrate Mothers' Day today in this same empowering spirit.

With much appreciation for all you do,
The IndiMarin Steering Committee - Andie, Amy, Joy, Betty, Betsy, Laurie and Susan

California here we come!

This year, the road to keeping the House in Democratic control runs right through California! WE are the battleground state! And with the June 7th primary less than two months away, we need to engage with voters now. Strong performances by Democrats in the primary will send an unmistakable signal to the GOP and the media that Democrats are fired up to keep the House blue in November!

Beginning this Saturday, we’ll be calling voters in CA District 47 to introduce many of them to the fabulous Katie Porter. These are new voters for her because of recent state redistricting. She is being challenged by four Republicans and only the top two candidates – regardless of party affiliation - will advance to the November 8th midterm election. The script for this campaign is concise and the CallHub dialer is user friendly.

We are partnering with Activate America and Go Green Vote Blue to reach out to less-frequent but likely-Democratic voters to educate them about their Congressional candidate and encourage them to vote in this year’s primary and midterm elections. We have a dedicated phone team to guide our volunteers and foster a spirit of camaraderie along the way.As always, training is available at the beginning of each session. Technical support and camaraderie are available throughout!

How can you get involved?

Please join us at our kick off phonebank this Saturday at 10 AM! Or any Saturday thereafter! Whether you've been calling recently, or not for years, our team of mentors will get you up and running in no time!

  • Sign up here. Phonebanks are Saturdays from 10 to 11:30am PT.

  • Use this Zoom link to join all IndiMarin phonebanks. You will need to join on your computer, not your phone.

  • During the phonebank, you will use the links on this IndiMarin Phonebank Link Tree. It is helpful to bookmark the page for easy reference.

If you would like to call at other times, the dialer is open from 9am to 5:30pm PT daily (except holidays). Please call on your own using the CA Congressional Toolkit.

We look forward to seeing you soon!


~ The IndiMarin Phone Team - Betty, Amy, Neal, Jane, Susan, David, Anne, Angela and Betsy

Shout Out to Our Phone Team for Helping Turn Wisconsin Blue

Hello IndiMarin volunteers,

Our newsletter today is dedicated to our fabulous phone team who were part of a national effort to help turn Wisconsin blue! And they did!

This Tuesday, Wisconsinites went to the polls in local elections all over the state.
The good news is that, although the GOP sought a statewide wave in local elections, the combined efforts of thousands of Democrats, unions, grassroots and independent organizations, and volunteers were able to beat back the red tide. In a local elections program of unprecedented scale, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin directly supported 276 local candidates, and won in 147 of the races—a win rate of 53%.

The IndiMarin phone team volunteers led by our fabulous Co-leaders Betty von Glahn and Amy Cole, and supported by our wonderful mentors - Susan McCarthy, Jane McClure, David Porter, Neal Sapper, Angela Benson, and Anne Sunderland spent over 68 hours on the phone and together they contributed to nearly 3,000 vote contacts. Given that some races are won or lost by mere hundreds of votes, each voter contact makes a big difference!

What's impressive about this effort is that these volunteers are stepping up EARLY in this crucial election year, and doing what is needed, even if in a state we don't often think much about. To win this year, this level of early engagement and consistent action is what is needed by all Democrats.

In a memo to supporters from Ben Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, "None of this would have been possible without the enormous support that the party received this spring, without the work of outstanding partner and allied organizations, and without the thousands of volunteers who knocked doors and made phone calls in every corner of the state. For all the roles you played, I and our entire team are deeply grateful. Because of you, we are now ready to dive into the next phase of the fight for democracy in Wisconsin and nationwide: reelecting Governor Evers, defeating Ron Johnson, and electing Democrats up and down the ballot in November.

KUDOS TO THE INDIMARIN PHONE TEAM!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

MARIN - ANNOUNCING - Our first Action Sunday of 2022 on April 24 from 4 - 5:30 PM
Join IndiMarin for a casual and social afternoon of action to help Dems win in November and keep our trifecta in Washington! Refreshments will be served. Options for action include include writing, phoning and texting voters in competitive districts and/or states. Newbies welcome! If you are interested in learning to phone or text voters, we'll pair you with an experienced volunteer to observe as a first step in your learning process, or it's easy to get started with writing postcards. SIGN UP HERE.

FROM ANYWHERE - Phonebank for a Blue Wisconsin - Saturdays from 10 - 11:30 AM PT
Wisconsin is a key battleground state to retain the House and Senate!  We are calling likely Democratic voters to encourage them to send in their absentee ballots and to provide information on how to do so. If you have been reluctant to join a phone bank, this is an excellent opportunity for first timers. Training is available at the beginning of each session. Technical support and camaraderie are available throughout! SIGN UP HERE.

FROM ANYWHERE - Write postcards to House districts - Many options for participation!
Whether you want to write in a group or on your own, IndiMarin's postcard program offers something for everyone! For all details and links to sign up, VISIT OUR WRITING WEBPAGE.

MARIN - ANNOUNCING - Our first group canvass event on Saturday, April 16 in Tracy
Join with other IndiMarin volunteers in our first group canvassing event! We will travel to Tracy to canvass with the Democratic Club of Greater Tracy to help elect Josh Harder in CD-09. Leaders from the Tracy Dems will train us and support our efforts during our shift. IndiMarin will organize carpooling from the Larkspur Ferry parking lot. SIGN UP HERE.


Thank you, as always, for your commitment to take action to create a more just, caring and inclusive America!

The IndiMarin Steering Committee - Laurie, Betsy, Amy, Joy, Betty, Andie and Susan

Announcing our new April postcarding campaigns and events!


EMAIL HIGHLIGHTS:

  • We're moving on to a new, crucial district - CA-27!

  • Voter registration postcarding is now easier - no label printing needed!

  • Introduction to Postcarding via Zoom

  • Two ways to write postcards at home on your own

  • Group postcard writing (Marin only)

  • Links to sign up for all of our programs and events are in the relevant sections below!


Hello Writers!

As we approach the June primary in CA, our writing program has expanded to a new district, 27, just north of Los Angeles. Christy Smith is the presumptive Democratic nominee as she attempts to win back the seat she lost in 2020 by just over 300 votes to now incumbent Mike Garcia.Redistricting has created a more favorable Dem lean here and this race is considered one of the most important flips this year.

We offer 2 campaigns in CA 27 - one to emphasize the message that "Democrats deliver" and that GOP reps like Garcia voted against the Infrastructure Bill. The other campaign registers women voters in this highly suburban district.Please note that the voter registration postcards no longer require printing of labels so are now a very easy option!

POSTCARD PROGRAM OPTIONS - SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

1) ZOOM INTRODUCTION TO POSTCARDING - Thursday, 4/14 from 1- 2 PM and Thursday, 4/28 from 6-7 PM
If you haven't written postcards in a while, come hear about the basics of postcarding! We will talk about why postcarding is an effective campaign tool and how to get started with our programs. The event will include stories from experienced postcarders and a brief Q & A. Invite your friends too!  We will not be writing postcards at this event. SIGN UP HERE.  

2) WRITING ON YOUR OWN

  • Order Addresses Online (ALL LOCATIONS) - Our virtual address request system continues as a mainstay of our postcarding programming. Just submit the address request form indicating the number of postcards you’d like to write and which campaign you prefer, and we'll send you an email within 24 hours with addresses, the script and instructions including where to buy your postcarding supplies. Use this form to request the script and addresses.

  • Pick up pre-assembled packets of materials (MARIN ONLY) - We have pick up locations in both Novato and Greenbrae. Each packet contains ten blank postcards (plus one extra in case of mistakes), ten addresses, ten stamps, stickers, the script, full written instructions, and ten QR code printed labels. There is a suggested donation of $5 per packet. Use this form to request packets.

3) WRITING WITH A GROUP (Marin only)

Write to Win at Panera Bread in Novato: April 5th and 19th from 10 - 11:30 AM.
Join us for IndiMarin's local writing gathering. It's a great way to enjoy a cup of coffee outdoors, chat with other members and do some good all at the same time. We meet every other Tuesday morning, weather permitting. All materials are provided. Sign up here.

The road ahead is challenging but there is a path to retaining our trifecta in Washington. We look forward to working with all of you this year. Let's #WinBackDemocracy!

The Indivisible Marin Writing Team - Laurie, Joy, Dianne and Maryann

The War in Ukraine and Your Mental Health

Dear Volunteers,

In these very troubling times, we are sharing below a blogpost from Moodfit, one of a number of well-rated free mental health apps, about positive coping strategies related to our emotional reactions to the war in Ukraine. We hope you find its suggestions helpful.

One of the coping strategies it mentions is doing something proactive. We hear frequently from our volunteers that taking action, even if small, to protect democracy helps them feel that they are part of a solution, rather than simply distraught and powerless.

Please know that our community is a welcoming place for you to be with like-minded people who share your concerns and strive to take positive action.

  • Click here for a listing of all of our upcoming zoom events and ongoing voter outreach programs.

  • To read more about our current areas of focus and programs, please visit our website.

  • For a list of charities helping Ukrainian refugees, please go to the Charity Navigator.

  • For our Marin-based members, join us in San Rafael on Sunday, 3/27 from 4 - 5:30 PM for our "Together Again" Backyard Social to mingle, reconnect and socialize with our wonderful community. There will be opportunities to meet our Team Leaders and stop by information tables to learn more about our current programs. We will also have tables set up to write postcards to voters in competitive California Congressional districts. Assorted snacks and beverages provided. Friends and family members of all ages are welcome! Sign up here.

Sending our warmest wishes and supportive thoughts to all!

The IndiMarin Steering Committee - Andie, Nikki, Joy, Amy, Betsy, Laurie, Betty and Susan
_________________

The War in Ukraine & Your Mental Health
"For many people seeing the events associated with the act of war against Ukraine is deeply upsetting. It's a human emotion to feel disturbed when seeing people being unjustly brutalized. It can invoke a wide range of feelings from helplessness to anger. In short, you are not alone in how troubled you feel about these events.

War has a catastrophic effect on the physical and mental health health of nations. Studies have shown that such conflict situations cause more mortality and disability than any major disease. The effects of war include long-term physical and psychological harm to children, adults and soldiers no matter the outcome of the conflict. There simply are no "winners". Death as a result of war is simply the "tip of the iceberg". The mental health effects of war can linger for years or even lifetimes.

With that harsh reality in mind, the question turns to, "What can you do to deal with these upsetting emotions?"

First, recognize that these are tragic events and that it’s completely natural for you to feel such emotions. And that everyone experiences such situations differently. If you’re experience is more intense than someone else’s, it doesn’t mean you're experience is wrong. 

Also, recognize the timing of this conflict. For the past two years you’ve been living with the challenges of a historic pandemic. This takes its toll and can make subsequent events even more challenging. 

There are things you can do:

Invest extra energy into your nutrition and sleep. When you experience increased stress your body and mind need additional help that sleep and nutrition can provide. Be careful about using alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism.

Be aware of cognitive distortions. When extreme situations happen it’s easy to jump to distortions like catastrophizing, all or nothing thinking, or fortune telling. Be conscious of thinking that contains words like always, never, should or must.

Be aware of guilt. It’s easy to see horrific images and to feel guilty that you have a roof over your head and a warm meal to eat while others are fleeing a war zone. However, mentally punishing yourself isn't helpful to you or those in the war zone. Try to shift your focus from guilt to gratitude. There's a big difference in feeling grateful for a roof over your head versus feeling guilty about it. Gratitude puts you in a better place, and when you're in a better place you're more able to help others.

Be willing to be vulnerable and to talk to others about how you’re feeling. Hearing yourself express your feelings can be especially helpful. Particularly if you’re used to keeping things bottled up inside. You may also realize that others share your feelings.

It's easy to over consume stories of a conflict in an attempt to have a sense of control. However, this can be counterproductive. Instead try to limit your exposure to the stories about the conflict. It can be helpful to set a fixed time and duration each day when you can check in regarding the conflict, e.g. evenings at 7pm for 15 minutes. When that time ends go back to your day knowing you can return to the stories at the next scheduled time. This can also apply to social media. When our emotions are intense we can be more reactive and susceptible to fake news and disinformation.

Spend conscious time to counterbalance the stories of the conflict with uplifting content.This may be the time to read light fiction or watch funny movies. It's not easy because we think thoughts like, "How can I read fiction when people are suffering in a war zone?" But again, you are better able to help other people when you take care of yourself.

Do something proactive. Give blood, prepare care packages, write letters of support, attend a protest, or donate money. Even post on social media a show of support for those affected. (But be careful about getting sucked into reactive interactions.)

Be aware of particularly troubling thoughts or feelings. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Talk with a trusted relative, friend or spiritual advisor. If needed reach out to a professional. You can find resources on our website, https://www.getmoodfit.com/mental-health-resources.

In summary, these are stressful times. You are not alone in feeling their impact. Try to limit your exposure, take extra care of you, put your energy into things you can control like your sleep and nutrition, and be conscious of how much news of the conflict you are consuming.

If you'd like to help the Ukrainian refugees, please go to the Charity Navigator.

Will you help us over the 3,000 mark?

Hello Volunteers!

Wow! People are fired up. Ready to go! As of 10 PM last night, we have 289 people signed up to attend our 2022 Kick Off meeting on Saturday at 4 PM. Will you help us top 300? Sign up for our "don't miss" Virtual 2022 Kick Off.

This record-setting response from volunteers is understandable. The 2022 midterms are pretty much do or die for Dems. And we intend to do (and ignore the profit-motivated mainstream media's premature death knell.) At the meeting, our Electoral Advisor will discuss the path to victory in 2022. Then our Team Leaders will will announce our new and expanded range of events and actions for our phone, writing and texting programs and fill you in on how you can jump into the work right away!

IndiMarin's focus in 2022 is to help our country WIN BACK DEMOCRACY! With it now in serious danger, we will work strategically and impactfully to turn out enough Democratic voters in November to not only maintain our Democratic trifecta in Washington, but to also increase our majorities in both chambers of Congress. By doing so, we will make possible the passage of legislation about which which we care so deeply - voting rights, democracy reforms, and human infrastructure to improve the lives of all Americans.

To succeed in 2022, we need an army of volunteers to overcome the GOPs rigging of our electoral system. Will you sign up for duty? Sign up for our Virtual 2022 Kick Off Meeting.

We hope to see you on Saturday!

The IndiMarin Steering Committee ~ Laurie, Betty, Joy, Amy, Andie, Betsy, Nikki and Susan

Wasting no time, Dems come out swinging

Dear IndiMarin Volunteers,

President Biden's Presidential Inaugural Committee will mark his first anniversary in office by blanketing today's airwaves — from breakfast to evening news to prime time — with a video promoting a recovering, resilient America.

The video is narrated by Tom Hanks, who was part of Biden inaugural festivities, and features cameos by everyday Americans — a UPS driver, a Teamster from Michigan and a bed-and-breakfast owner in Wisconsin. Watch the video.

Additionally, The Democratic Nation Committee came out swinging last night after the failed vote on voting rights and changing the filibuster. Below is their statement.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 19, 2022

DNC on Voting Rights Legislation

DNC Chair Jaime Harrison released the following statement in response to Senate Republicans once again blocking a vote on voting rights legislation:

“Today, 50 Democrats in the Senate executed the will of the people and voted to advance the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act. Maddeningly, in our current system, that is not enough.

“But let me be clear, the fight is not over. Republicans have abandoned their commitment to voting rights. They may think their combination of conspiracy and obstruction will shake our commitment to voting rights, but they have gravely underestimated the strength of our conviction and the power of the American people.

“Today is a reminder that real change happens from the bottom up. It’s a reminder of the importance of the 2022 midterm elections. We can send more Democrats to the US Senate and give President Biden and Vice President Harris the votes they need to pass voting rights legislation. We can show those who stand in the way of voting rights that their actions have consequences.

“The Democratic Party has built its largest voter protection team ever, earlier than ever before, and I guarantee we will do everything in our power to mitigate the effects of Republicans’ Jim Crow 2.0. We will continue to organize, register, and educate voters on their rights. We will hold Republicans accountable and take them to court for their illegal voter suppression and gerrymandering efforts. We are undeterred.

“When John Lewis met opposition on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, when protestors were beaten by Jim Clark and his gang on that Bloody Sunday, they didn’t give up. They showed up two days later and kept marching. Let’s keep marching.

“In November, let’s put the Republican Party on notice. Let’s turn out in numbers they have never seen before. Let’s show them that when you come for our votes, we fight back.”


At IndiMarin, we intend to follow the lead of the Administration and the DNC and come out swinging. To learn more about ways that you can contribute to this effort in 2022, please attend IndiMarin's Virtual Kick Off for 2022 on Sunday, January 30th at 4 PM to learn more about our programs to help Democrats #WinBackDemocracy in 2022. Sign up here.

Thank you for all you have done, and all you will continue to do, to help build a more just, caring and inclusive America!

The IndiMarin Steering Committee - Betsy, Amy, Betty, Joy, Laurie, Andie, Nikki and Susan

Tonight is a key moment in the fight to end the filibuster

Dear IndiMarin Volunteers,

The Senate is scheduled to vote tonight on ending debate on the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. That vote is expected to fail due to GOP opposition, a move that will prompt Democrats to attempt to change the rules later that evening with a simple majority. That vote is also expected to fail. For all of us who fought so dearly for passage of these two bills that are crucial to protecting our democracy, these defeats are a crushing, albeit unsurprising, blow.

HOWEVER, there are many reasons to feel positive about our efforts, and hopeful for the day which WILL come when the filibuster is eliminated. We are sharing below a statement issued this morning by the influential advocacy group, Fix Our Senate.
                                   

"Today is a big day. This evening Leader Schumer will lead Senate Democrats in a vote for common sense rules changes to prevent Sen. McConnell from once again abusing the filibuster to prevent the Senate from taking action to protect voting rights and our democracy. And every senator will have to make a choice between defending democracy or defending an outdated and abused Senate rule.

No matter what happens today, we can say with absolute confidence that the filibuster is not long for this world. As the late Leader Reid said, it’s not a matter of if the filibuster will be eliminated, but when – and who is in charge when that happens. 

We have made tremendous progress this past year. Forty-eight Senate Democrats now support reform. President Biden, a long-time supporter of the filibuster, now supports reform. Leader Schumer is now a vocal supporter of reform. Every Democrat running for Senate, from moderates to progressives, supports reform. And millions of people across the country now name the filibuster as a weapon of obstruction and know that they deserve a different path forward, one that ensures a Senate rule does not block action on so many of the promises Democrats made to voters. 

Thank you to all of you who have stood with us and led forward this year in the fight to fix our broken Senate. However the vote goes tonight, the fight will continue tomorrow."

In related news, Emily's List, the largest funder of female Democratic candidates who support abortion rights, and which was by far Ms. Sinema’s biggest donor in her run for the Senate in 2018, issued a statement yesterday which said, in part, "If Sen. Sinema can not support a path forward for the passage of this legislation, we believe she undermines the foundations of our democracy, her own path to victory and also the mission of EMILY’s List, and we will be unable to endorse her moving forward." Further, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders have hinted that they may support primary challengers to Sinema and Manchin.

So what is the next step in the fight to end the filibuster and pass voting rights legislation? We need to maintain our trifecta in Washington in November! And how will we do that in spite of the rigging of our election process by the GOP? By building an army of volunteers, like each of you, to make phone calls, send text messages, write postcards, knock on doors, reach out to friends, and donate what they are able to make it possible for Democrats to give the Biden Administration more time, and hopefully a bigger majority, to get our progressive agenda, including legislation on voting rights and filibuster reform, passed and signed into law. 

To learn more about ways that you can contribute to this effort in 2022, please attend IndiMarin's Virtual Kick Off for 2022 on Sunday, January 30th at 4 PM to learn more about our programs to help Democrats #WinBackDemocracy in 2022. Sign up here.

Thank you for all you have done, and all you will continue to do, to help build a more just, caring and inclusive America!

The IndiMarin Steering Committee - Betsy, Amy, Betty, Joy, Laurie, Andie, Nikki and Susan



Call or Email Senator Feinstein in Support of the Freedom to Vote Act

Dear Members,

We have collectively been working our hearts our for the last year to help secure passage of the Freedom to Vote Act which is vital to protecting all Americans' right to free and fair elections. The next several days are crucial. Will you help get this bill across the finish line?

Today, in a speech in Georgia, President Biden will, for the first time, publicly back a carve out to the filibuster to pass voting rights legislation. We want and expect that Senator Feinstein will quickly follow suit.

For all CA-based members, please click here for all needed instructions to call or email Senator Feinstein today. Extra credit for contacting her office every day until the Freedom to Vote Act is passed. Each call and email is tallied and has impact even if from the same constituent multiple times. *** If you are not based in California, please forward this email to any Californians in your network.

We at IndiMarin will continue to work to build a more just, caring and inclusive America. We are honored that each of you has joined us in this crucial fight for our country and its people.

~ The IndiMarin Steering Committee - Andie, Nikki, Amy, Laurie, Joy, Betty, Betsy and Susan



How YOU can help change Joe Manchin's mind

Dear members,

As the clock ticks down on the 2021 Senate session, ardent Dems like us are wringing our hands about Joe Manchin's infuriating intransigence re the Biden agenda (which just happens to be supported by the majority of Americans.) Kyrsten Sinema is a problem too, but the word on the street is that she will not be a sole obstructionist should Joe Manchin see the light.

So, how can we take action instead of just worrying (and maybe swearing a bit?)

We have a suggestion to consider... Watch and then help widely share this incredibly clever and persuasive climate action "sing-a-long" video titled "Hey Joe" to the tune of "Hey, Jude." It features a 'Na Na Na Chorus' of almost 50 West Virginiansharmonically urging to Manchin to support the Build Back Better bill to protect his legacy. While BBB is the focus, increased pressure on Manchin, especially from his constituents, will hopefully also help impact passage of the crucial Freedom to Vote Act. If Manchin cares about one thing, it is himself, so a broad-based challenge to his legacy just may affect him. As the Senate session draws to a close, this is the perfect time to pour on the pressure. 

Please help in any of the following ways:

- If you use social media, copy and paste and post any of the template posts at the bottom of this email. Or craft your own, of course! Also please sign up for updates on IndiMarin's new Social Media Program launching January 2022! 

- If you have family and/or friends who are active on social media, please forward them this email and ask them to take the action above. 

- While you're at it, please invite them to join our work at IndiMarin. Since going virtual in 2020, we now have members in over 30 states and even in a few other countries! We need an army of volunteers in the new year to keep our trifecta intact! 

Let's go out of 2021 with a bang! Happy holidays to all!

~ The IndiMarin Steering Committee - Andie, Nikki, Joy, Betsy, Laurie, Joy, Amy, and Susan

*** Template social media posts

Dozens of people across WV join in the chorus urging @Sen_JoeManchin to stand for the #BuildBackBetter Act & support its wide-ranging #climatecrisis measures. The time is now! #BuildBackBetterAct #FreedomToVoteAct @Sen_JoeManchin @POTUS
@SenSchumer https://bit.ly/HeyJoeManchin

SHARE IT FORWARD: The new climate music video "Hey Joe" (set to 'Hey Jude') features a 'Na Na Na Chorus' of almost 50 West Virginians, harmonically urging @Sen_JoeManchin to support the #BuildBackBetter act's broad #climatechange measures.  http://youtu.be/sMUr908zxK4

Hey Joe - Your constituents are asking you, your countrymen are asking you, the global community is asking you - Do the right thing. Your legacy is at stake. What will you tell your grandchildren#BuildBackBetterAct#FreedomToVoteAct@Sen_JoeManchin
@POTUS@SenSchumerhttp://youtu.be/sMUr908zxK4

Please support housing justice in Marin on Giving Tuesday!

Dear members, 

Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past nine years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

As part of Giving Tuesday, IndiMarin is launching our annual year-end fundraiser for a local organization. This year, our fundraiser will support the Golden Gate Village Resident Council (GGVRC) in Marin City. GGVRC is a registered nonprofit and donations are tax deductible. Please consider giving to the extent you are able. Click here to donate. 

Golden Gate Village is the only majority-Black public housing in affluent Marin County, as well as the only one that accepts families. It should be a point of pride for the County. Instead, the Marin Housing Authority’s negligence has taken a devastating toll. 

Watch this compelling five-minute film, The Jungle, produced in 2009 by Ramona Polk, then a 17-year-old Redwood High senior. It was screened at the prestigious Mill Valley Film Festival and will give you a powerful sense of Golden Gate Village - then, now, and hopefully, in the future.

The Resident Council has been engaged in a long-running struggle to avoid losing their homes to potential private developers who have been financially aided by the Marin Housing Authority and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Residents have a better plan - one they've been fighting to get the County to consider since 2013. They want deep green renovation of their existing homes, no destruction and no new buildings, and a pathway to home ownership through the creation of a community land trust.

Donations to IndiMarin's fundraiser for the residents of Golden Gate Village will be earmarked for expenses related to the development of detailed construction drawings along with a cost-benefit analysis that will be presented to the Marin County Board of Supervisors and the Marin Housing Authority in January. Click here to donate.

Thank you for considering this worthy cause on Giving Tuesday!

~ The IndiMarin Steering Committee - Laurie, Joy, Betty, Betsy, Susan S, Nanda, Justine and Susan M


Resilience and the long game

Dear wonderful IndiMarin community,

Last night's loss in Virginia hurts. We and Democratic volunteers across the country worked our hearts out to keep Virginia blue. And the race in New Jersey is still too close to call when it should have been an easy win. We're discouraged, understandably. But after taking a day or two to process the disappointment, we need to pick ourselves up, dust off and resume the fight. As Robert Reich writes eloquently in his blog post below, "If we allow ourselves to fall into fatalism, or wallow in disappointment, or become resigned to what is rather than what should be, we will lose the long game. The greatest enemy of positive social change is cynicism about what can be changed."

Let's keep in mind, in spite of media coverage to the contrary, that much has been accomplished this year to advance the Democratic agenda. AND much has been accomplished by our hard-working IndiMarin community as we have fulfilled our mission to TAKE ACTION to build a more just, caring and inclusive America.

So, please join us via zoom this Sunday, November 7, from 4 - 5 PM PT to reflect on the year, and recognize and celebrate the progress toward our shared goals. We'll also provide a sneak preview of our plans for the first quarter of 2022 and ways that you can continue to be part of the long game to win back our democracy. Additionally, we'll be joined by Royce McLemore of the Golden Gate Village Association in Marin City who will educate us about an opportunity to take action here at home on the values which guide us. Please invite friends as a way to introduce them to our work at IndiMarin. More people = more power! SIGN UP TODAY FOR THIS SPECIAL MEETING!

In the meantime, for inspiration, please take a few minutes to read Robert Reich's blog post below. We hope to see you on Sunday!

~ The IndiMarin Steering Committee - Laurie, Joy, Betty, Betsy, Susan S, Nanda, Justine and Susan M

Resilience by Robert Reisch - Why we shouldn't be discouraged - October 29

"I often tell my students that if they strive to achieve full and meaningful lives they should expect failures and disappointments. We learn to walk by falling down again and again. We learn to ride a bicycle by crashing into things. We learn to make good friends by being disappointed in friendship. Failure and disappointment are necessary prerequisites to growth.

The real test of character comes after failures and disappointments. It is resilience — how easily you take failures, what you learn from them, how you bounce back.

This is a hard lesson to learn for high-achievers who are used to jumping over every hoop put in front of them. It’s also a hard lesson for people who haven’t had all the support and love they might have needed when growing up. In fact, it’s a hard lesson for almost everyone in a culture such as ours that worships success and is embarrassed by failure, and is inherently impatient.

Why am I telling you this now? Because we have gone through a few very difficult years — Donald Trump’s racist nationalism and his attacks on our democracy, a painful reckoning with systemic racism, angry political divisions, a deadly pandemic accompanied by a recession, and climate hazards such as floods and wildfires. We assumed everything would be fine again once these were behind us.

But we now find ourselves in a disorienting limbo. There is no clearly-demarcated “behind us.” The pandemic still lurks. The economy is still worrisome. Americans continue to be deeply angry with each other. Trump and other insurrectionists have not yet been brought to justice. Democracy is still threatened.

And Biden and the Democrats have been unable to achieve the scale of changes many of us wanted and expected.

If you’re not at least a bit disappointed, you’re not human. To some of you, it feels like America is failing.

But bear with me. I’ve learned a few things in my half-century in and around politics, and my many years teaching young people. One is that things often look worse than they really are. The media (including social media) sells subscriptions and advertising with stories that generate anger and disappointment. The same goes for the views of pundits and commentators: Pessimists always appear wiser than optimists.

Another thing I’ve learned is that expectations for a new president and administration are always much higher than they can possibly deliver. Our political system was designed to make it difficult to get much done, at least in the short run. So the elation that comes with the election of someone we admire almost inevitably gives way to disappointment.

A third thing: In addition to normal political constraints, positive social change comes painfully slowly. It can take years, decades, sometimes a century or longer for a society to become more inclusive, more just, more democratic, more aware of its shortcomings and more determined to remedy them. And such positive changes are often punctuated by lurches backward. I believe in progress because I’ve seen so much of it in my lifetime, but I’m also aware of the regressive forces that constantly threaten it. The lesson here is tenacity — playing the long game.

Which brings me back to resilience. We have been through a difficult time. We wanted and expected it to be over — challenges overcome, perpetrators brought to justice, pandemic ended, nation healed, politics transformed. But none of it is over. The larger goals we are fighting for continue to elude us.

Yet we must continue the fight. If we allow ourselves to fall into fatalism, or wallow in disappointment, or become resigned to what is rather than what should be, we will lose the long game. The greatest enemy of positive social change is cynicism about what can be changed."

The 2021 Home Stretch (Part 2) - Don't Miss IndiMarin's Two Special Year-End Events!

Dear members,

What a year! Two odds-defying wins on 1/5 to give Democrats control of the US Senate. An insurrection at our Capitol on 1/6. And the roller coaster has continued!

Yet, in spite of the tumult, much has been accomplished to advance the Democratic agenda. AND much has been accomplished by our wonderful IndiMarin community as we have fulfilled our mission to TAKE ACTION to build a more just, caring and inclusive America. So we have planned TWO special year-end events: one virtual to include our members near and far, and one in person so that our Marin peeps can finally gather again!

Sunday, November 7 from 4 - 5 PM PT - Via Zoom - Please join us to reflect on the year, and recognize and celebrate all that has been accomplished in 2021! We will also hear from a very special guest, Royce McLemore of the Golden Gate Village Association in Marin City. Royce will educate us about the GGV Residents Council's plan to revitalize this historic apartment complex which has deteriorated under the Marin Housing Authority's ‘demolition by neglect’ approach over the past ten years. This concerning situation close to home is an opportunity for us to act upon the values which guide us. In advance of the meeting, we encourage you to watch the video of a recent panel discussion, “Standing for Housing Justice in Marin City” which features Royce and other experts on this issue. Please invite your friends as a way to introduce them to our work at IndiMarin. More people = more power! SIGN UP FOR OUR NOVEMBER SPECIAL MEETING!

Wednesday, December 15 from 5 - 7 PM at Trek Winery in Novato - We missed our annual holiday party last year due to COVID. So we're doing this one up in style to thank you - our fabulous members - for TWO years of dedication and hard work to elect Biden/Harris, take back the Senate, fight for voting rights, keep California blue, and much more!

A generous grant from Indivisible National to encourage chapter gatherings is enabling us to offer a great venue and a delicious assortment of oven fired pizzas. The wine's on us:) 🍕 🍷

We hope you'll join us to celebrate these past two years of commitment by, and camaraderie with, a group of like-minded people committed to the same goal - taking action for good. SIGN UP FOR OUR HOLIDAY PARTY AT TREK WINERY!

Ya'll rock! Hope to see you soon!

~ The IndiMarin Steering Committee - Betsy, Betty, Joy, Laurie, Justine, Susan S, Nanda and Susan M

“The world of the future is in our making." - Eleanor Roosevelt

The 2021 Home Stretch (Part 1) - "What We Did The Last Time We Broke America"

Dear members,

It was another nail-biter of a week in Washington, and we are still waiting for the fat lady to sing. Will Dems finally get both the hard and soft infrastructure bills passed? Will we pull off the crucial victories needed to keep the key state of Virginia blue? Will we then have the necessary political will to alter the filibuster so that we can pass crucial voting rights legislation? Here at IndiMarin, we are keeping hope alive on all counts! But...it's not over till it's over, and the process continues to be nerve wracking to say the least.

In the meantime, we found comfort in this timely and inspiring NYT opinion piece, "What We Did the Last Time We Broke America," by Dr. Jon Grinspan, curator at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. In the opening paragraph, Grinspan asks, as many of us have been asking ourselves these last five years, "What happened to normal politics?" He adds, "I’ve spent the past five years commuting between two centuries, trying to find out...Again and again, 21st-century Americans wonder at a democracy that looks nothing like the one they grew up with."

Then, here's the comforting part:

"We’re not the first generation to worry about the death of our democracy. Grappling with this demanding system of government is, well, normal. It’s partly because we’re following the unusually calmed 20th century that we don’t feel up to the task today. Our deep history shows that reform is possible, that previous generations identified flaws in their politics and made deliberate changes to correct them. We’re not just helplessly hurtling toward inevitable civil war; we can be actors in this story. The first step is acknowledging the dangers inherent in democracy. To move forward, we should look backward and see that we’re struggling not with a collapse but with a relapse."

So, keep the faith. We can and will be actors in this story. Tune in tomorrow for The Home Stretch (Part 2) - Reflect, Recognize, Rest (yay!) and Resolve. *** Spoiler Alert: Save the dates of Sunday, 11/7 at 4 PM and Sunday, 12/5 at 5 PM for two special year-end events for our wonderful IndiMarin community. More tomorrow!

~ The IndiMarin Steering Committee - Justine, Laurie, Betty, Betsy, Susan S, Joy, Nanda, Susan M

"I know a lot of people are tired of politics right now. What is required is sustained effort. ... We can't afford to be tired." ~ Barack Obama, October 23, 2021

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A huge step forward! Biden publicly supports filibuster reform

Dear Members,

President Biden made his most expansive comments yet on the Senate filibuster during the CNN town hall, expressing openness to Democrats modifying or even ending the procedure. “We’re going to have to move to the point where we fundamentally alter the filibuster,” he said. Later, when he was asked if he was open to ending the filibuster for voting rights, Biden responded: “And maybe more.” We’re not yet across the finish line, but with Biden behind filibuster reform, there is much reason to be hopeful.

We'd like to take this moment to thank all of you for everything you’ve done to lead us to this point. In spite of the media's profit-motivated tendency to focus on negative news out of Washington, let's keep in mind that under the Biden Administration, there have ALREADY been significant policy reforms that are improving the lives of countless Americans, with many more to come. These improvements are a direct result of the work volunteers like us did to elect Joe Biden and regain the Senate majority.

We at IndiMarin will continue to work to build a more just, caring and inclusive America. We are honored that each of you has joined us in this crucial fight for our country and its people.

~ The IndiMarin Steering Committee - Laurie, Joy, Betsy, Betty, Justine, Susan S, Nanda and Susan M

On To Virginia!

Just as we defended successfully defended California, we must again act quickly act to stop a Trump Republican take over in Virginia! Control of the Governor’s office and the State Legislature are at stake, and the outcomes are too close to call. If Dems are able to hold on to our trifecta in Virginia, it will fuel our momentum heading into 2022 and increase our chances of holding on to our trifecta in Washington as well.

IndiMarin is partnering with a range of allied organizations to offer four great ways for our members to take action:

1) Make Calls to Keep Virginia Blue
Together with Bay Area partners, IndiMarin is hosting phone banks on Wednesdays and Saturdays through Election Day, November 2. Experienced coaches will train you and brief you on the background so you can connect effectively with voters. Sign up here.

2) Send Texts to Keep Virginia Blue
The DNC has recently launched a new initiative, "Organize Everywhere" and its first area of focus is texting for Virginia. Our Texting Team leaders have checked out the program and are having very positive results! Sign up here.

3) Write letters to keep Virginia Blue - MAILING DEADLINE is 10/16
New research announced by Vote Forward and covered by TIME shows that letter writing in 2020 was among the highest-impact and most effective voter turnout programs ever measured in a presidential election. Sign up here.

4) Write postcards to keep Virginia Blue - MAILING DEADLINE IS 10/18
We are currently writing to people of color in Virginia with Center for Common Ground. Request addresses here.

Thank you for continuing to fight the good fight to protect our democracy and build a more just, caring and inclusive America!

California Proud - When we organize, we win!

Once again, California leads the way for the nation. In an election widely seen as an indicator of Democrats' momentum heading into 2022, Californians delivered a powerful repudiation of Trumpism. With some 9.1 million ballots counted thus far — 64% of voters opted to keep Newsom in office, compared to 36% who wanted to recall him, according to a CalMatters live tracker of election results.

Members of IndiMarin, along with volunteers led by the California Democratic Party, union workers, and members of many other grassroots citizen action groups, rose to meet this crucial moment. For every one of you who wrote a postcard, made a phone call, sent a text message, knocked on a door, and/or gave a dollar, thank you! YOU made this victory possible!

The inspiring speech our governor delivered last night will guide and motivate us as we look toward 2022. “We said yes to science. We said yes to vaccines. We said yes to ending this pandemic. We said yes to all those things that we hold dear as Californians and I would argue as Americans. Economic justice, social justice, racial justice, environmental justice are the values where California has made so much progress — all of those things were on the ballot this evening.” He closed with a quote from his political hero, Robert Kennedy. "Let us dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world.”

Now, we at IndiMarin will resume our work to ensure passage of the Freedom to Vote Act, formerly the For the People Act. After many setbacks, this crucial legislation is within our grasp. But only if citizen advocates keep up the drumbeat with our elected officials. Please sign up to join us on Friday at noon for "An Hour of Action for Filibuster Reform," and also sign up for instructions and scripts to "Contact Senator Feinstein to Ask that She Call for a Carve Out to the Filibuster to Pass Voting Rights Legislation."

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being citizens who take action. We are proud to work alongside you. Onward in the fight!

SCOTUS Gut Punch to Roe v Wade - Take immediate action to help women in Texas

Dear members,

The gut punches keep coming this year. Yesterday, in the dead of night, the Supreme Court turned its back on 50 years of precedent, rendering Roe v. Wade effectively meaningless in Texas.

  • This decision is a travesty for the nearly 7 million women of reproductive age in Texas, and everyone who supports access to safe, legal abortion.

  • Many people do not know that they’re pregnant at six weeks. Approximately 85% to 90% of people who obtain abortions in Texas are at least six weeks into pregnancy, meaning this law would prohibit nearly all abortions in the state.

  • Many Black, Latino and Indigenous people, those with low incomes, and people in rural areas will face the greatest barriers to abortion access.

  • S.B. 8 empowers vigilante bounty hunters and incentivizes them to surveil and harass people. This unprecedented “sue thy neighbor” law means people who help or intend to help someone get an abortion after six weeks in Texas could be sued by a neighbor, distant relative, abusive partner, or even a stranger from out of state — and those people could collect $10,000 for each successful claim.

This is the loudest alarm yet that abortion rights are in grave danger, in Texas and across the country.  While this bill is extreme, make no mistake - it is part of a national agenda to end access to abortion in this country.

We at IndiMarin are strongly committed to the fight for reproductive rights and will be staying in close touch with national allies regarding the best ways that we can be part of a unified fight to protect Roe v Wade. We will keep you apprised of ways engage in this work in the weeks and months ahead. STAY TUNED FOR WAYS TO HELP!

In the meantime, please review this list below, courtesy of our allies at Indivisible SF, of ways you can offer immediate help to women in Texas:

- Help providers in Texas prepare for an onslaught of lawsuits as they fight to keep their doors open, as well as providers in surrounding states who will have to expand their ability to serve patients as people travel from Texas to get care.

- Support abortion funds, which help people afford care and related expenses like childcare and travel. Funds in Texas will now need to budget for lawsuit defense as well as helping more people travel longer distances, while funds in other states will need to step in to backstop them.

Thank you for being warrior in the fight to protect a woman's right to choose, which is a key tenet in IndiMarin's mission to help build a more just, caring and inclusive America.

Stay strong, stay loud,

~ The IndiMarin Steering Committee ~ Betsy, Laurie, Justine, Susan S, Betty, Joy, Nanda and Susan M

"Hear me as a woman, Have me as your sister, On purpled battlefield breaking day, So I might say our victory is just beginning, See me as change, Say I am movement, That I am the year. And I am the era Of the women." ~ Amanda Gorman from Won’t You Be My Sister, 2018

How to volunteer to Stop the Recall

Our amazingly dedicated Team Leaders have been working their hearts out so that IndiMarin can offer YOU a broad range of options to help stop the Recall. We are excited to be working with a range of allied partners including the CA Democratic Party, Governor Newsom's Stop the Recall Campaign, and CA Indivisible chapters across the statewide in this unified effort to keep CA blue!

Please sign up for any, many, or all of these upcoming events:

Let's keep California blue!