Announcing FIVE new postcarding campaigns to GET OUT THE VOTE!

Hello Writers,

Ballots have begun to drop in our battleground races and it is time to GET OUT THE VOTE! We're excited to announce that you now have FIVE candidates for whom you can choose to write postcards. These will be the final postcarding campaigns for the November election!

Postcarding can increase the vote by up to 4% so we work in very competitive races like these for candidates that are under-resourced and need outside help. That 4% could make the difference between a win or a loss in a tight race.

At the request of partners on the ground in Georgia, we are offering a special high-priority campaign to encourage voters there to request mail-in ballots. This campaign has a deadline of October 12th so act fast to help Senator Warnock in his bid for re-election!

Our Get Out the Vote (GOTV) postcarding will feature three current toss-up House races in California - Christy Smith in CA-27, Adam Gray in CA-09, and Rudy Salas in CA-22. Winning these seats is widely seen as essential to maintain a Democratic House majority.

Please note that because we are writing only to extremely low frequency voters, the California script will NOT mention the candidate name. Research shows that a general GOTV message emphasizing the importance of voting is much more effective with this category of voters.

We also are continuing our campaign with a reproductive rights message for Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto, the closest Senate race in the country this year.

The mailing deadline for postcards in support of Cortez-Masto, Smith, Grey and Salas is October 25th,  (Further details and some great videos of all the candidates are at the end of this email.)

All five campaigns are available online. Postcard packets will be for Christy Smith only.

Request addresses online here. Feel free to request postcards for more than one candidate!

Requests packets to pick up here.

RSVP to our In Person Postcarding events at Panera Bread in Novato on Tuesday mornings here.

Here are our candidates. Read the latest updates about their campaigns and check out the videos!

Our Senate Candidate: Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto
Video #1 - Masto questioning oil and gas company executives regarding price gauging
Video #2 - Masto urging passage of the Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act

• UPDATE: This continues to be widely seen as the closest Senate race in the county. Polls show her up just a few points and within the margin of error at a statistical tie. Her opponent is a MAGA Republican but a former state official and well known to voters there. Nevada's shifting population has created a new voter base this year. This is must win for Dems to retain control of the Senate.

• Campaign: We are sending a reproductive freedom message to pro-choice voters, specifically targeting voters new to Senator Cortez-Masto.

• Request addresses ONLINE

Our CA 27 House Candidate: Christy Smith
Video #1 - Smith speech on reproductive freedom - must watch!
Video #2 -  Campaign Ad

• UPDATE: Christy is running for this seat that she lost by just over 300 votes in 2020 against MAGA candidate Mike Garcia. A former CA assembly members and local school board member, Christy is a strong supporter of women's rights and public education. Early polling shows her at a statistical tie in a now Democratic leaning district against a very well funded opponent. A strong GOTV effort will be necessary to flip this seat.

• Campaign: We are sending a general GOTV script to low propensity Democrats.

• Request addresses ONLINE

• Request packets for pick up

Our CA 22 House Candidate: CA Assemblyman Rudy Salas
Video #1 - Salas discusses funding he delivered to expand healthcare training programs.
Video #2 -  Salas dedicates Delores Huerta Cultural Center he helped fund.

• UPDATE: Early polls show Salas grabbing a small lead in this now Democratic leaning district. As this is what is one of the most flippable seats in the country this year, it is a must win for Dems to retain control of Congress. He is at a financial disadvantage and is relying on out of district support to win. His opponent, incumbent Republican David Valadao, has a history of winning in Dem areas.

• Campaign: We are sending a general GOTV script to low propensity Democrats.

• Request addresses ONLINE

Our CA 13 Candidate: CA Assemblyman Adam Gray
Video #1 - watch Adam's campaign ads here
Video #2 - Hear Adam fighting for the rights of rural communities dealing with climate change in the CA Assembly

• UPDATE: CA 13 is an open seat due to a Democratic congressional retirement and is a MUST hold for Dems. However, Republicans see a great opportunity here as there is no incumbent and the district has been newly created through redistricting. The first poll shows a statistical tie. As a first time candidate whose competitive primary was called late, Adam's campaign is playing catch up and needs out of district support.

• Campaign: We are sending a general GOTV script to low propensity Democrats.

• Request addresses ONLINE

Our Georgia Senate Candidate: Rev, Raphael Warnock
Video #1 - Campaign ad
Video #2 - Interview on Colbert

• UPDATE: Senator Warnock was elected to the Senate in a special election and runoff to fill a vacancy. He is now running for his first full term and is in a virtual tie with ex football player Herschel Walker. This is a race that may go to a runoff due to a viable 3rd party candidate. Increasing voting by mail is the best way to increase Democratic turnout for both elections.

• Campaign: We are writing to Democrats and asking them to request a vote by mail ballot.

• Request addresses ONLINE

Thanks for all you do to help keep Congress blue in '22!

Joy and Laurie - Writing Team Co-leaders

Announcing a strategic & convenient solution for political donations - ONE & DONE from IndiMarin!

Hello IndiMarin volunteers!

We are very excited to announce a new program that has the potential for MAJOR impact...but only with YOUR help! We're calling it our "One & Done" Plan for Strategic AND Convenient Political Giving. We encourage all of our volunteers to consider giving, AND ALSO to share the concept with people in their personal networks!

We're especially bullish on this new effort after receiving a broad range of  VERY enthusiastic responses from the short list of people with whom we market-tested the concept. 

Here are just a few sample reactions: 

"Your plan is an answer to my prayers!!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT AND WILL SEND IT OUT TO EVERYBODY I KNOW who wants to donate but gets slammed with 10 + email donation requests a day, AND ARE NOT SURE THAT THEY ARE WHO THEY SAY THEY ARE!"

"Absolutely brilliant donation system!!!"

"Great idea! I'm one of those people who can't give to everyone and I have a hard time deciding who to give to. This takes the worry out of it."

"I’m so glad to hear about our One and Done approach to political donations. Like all of us, I’ve also been flooded with campaign donation solicitations. I’ve just donated to One and Done and yes, now I can unsubscribe from all the other emails… GUILT-Free!"

So here's the concept:

As Democrats, we all want to do our part to help keep the House and Senate blue in November, right? Yet, it can be hard to know how to strategically allocate our available dollars for political donations. To address this issue, and to help prevent potential donors from sitting on the sidelines due to “information-overload,” IndiMarin has done the homework for us. 

We've created this single ActBlue link where donations are divided equally between two underfunded House candidates in toss-up races, an underfunded Senate candidate in a toss-up race, and an organization that supports grassroots work in key districts. 

More specifically, donations will support in equal parts: 1) Christy Smith for Congress in CA District 27, 2) Rudy Salas for Congress in CA District 22, 3) Mandela Barnes for Senate in Wisconsin, and 4) Airlift, an organization that vets and funds grassroots organizers In battleground areas, largely focused on communities of color. Further details here.

Whether your budget allows for $20, $200 or $2000, you can make a contribution at this single link and feel good that you have done your part to help Keep Congress Blue in ’22. A nice perk of this "one and done" approach is that you can now unsubscribe, GUILT-FREE, from all the other countless fundraising emails that are likely filling up your inbox. It's WIN/WIN! 

No portion of the donations go to IndiMarin or ActBlue and you can opt out of receiving any emails or texts as a result of your donation.

Many of you may have already selected your forms of political giving, and if so, thank you for your generous donations! But if not, please consider giving as part of this strategic campaign.

We hope you will also share this approach within your personal circles. Based on the early reactions we received, your friends are likely to be grateful for a more efficient and effective way to donate politically. Here is a template email that you can customize and send out within your sphere of influence. You can also post the ActBlue link to social media.

Once again, here is the link to our One & Done initiative. Please consider donating and then sharing this approach with friends and family! We can make a real difference by supporting these under-funded candidates in winnable races! 

Two events you won't want to miss!

Hello fabulous IndMarin volunteers!

This week marks the start of our Fall Sprint to November! So hopefully, you are buckled in, with your calendars cleared to make some significant contributions to helping Dems achieve the crucial midterm goal which is highlighted on the home page of the IndiMarin website:

With democracy in danger, and the constitutional right to reproductive freedom eradicated by the Supreme Court, IndiMarin’s focus in 2022 is to work strategically and impactfully to help turn out enough Democratic voters in November to maintain our House Majority and INCREASE our Senate majority by at least TWO seats. Then, in 2023, a truly Democratic Congress will be able to pass the legislation needed to protect our democracy, our rights, our planet and the lives of all Americans. 

The IndiMarin Steering Committee has been hard at work on some new programs designed for you to "10x Your Impact" in the final stretch. Stay tuned for coming announcements about how you can be a part of this exciting and impactful opportunity to make a difference!

In the meantime, we have two great events to highlight! 

TOMORROW, 9/8, at 2:30 PM PT via Zoom - Midterms 2022: The State of Play and How to Help - This week, the focus of our popular series will be on the dynamics of election turnout. We'll talk about what motivates voters and how our work is impacting turnout.  As always, there will be updates on the major House and Senate races. We'll also provide highlight our expanded voter outreach programs, including new campaigns in Wisconsin and California. Lastly, we'll give a sneak peek at some to the relational programs we'll soon be rolling out. THERE IS  LOTS TO COVER so please join us! RSVP.

Saturday, 9/17 at 7:30 PM - Andy Borowitz at City Arts and Lectures - Live and virtual tickets available with a special discount for IndiMarin members! 

City Arts & Lectures is pleased to offer Indivisible Marin members discounted tickets to an evening with Andy Borowitz live at the Sydney Goldstein Theater. The discount applies to virtual tickets too. The evening includes Borowitz in conversation with Marisa Lagos (Political Breakdown), a dramatic reading of Dan Quayle quotations, plus the chance for audience members to ask their own questions too. To access $30 tickets (regular price: $36), go here. You’ll see live and virtual options on the box office page. Enter the code INDIVISIBLE30 at checkout.

More about Andy Borowitz

“America’s finest fake-news creator and sharpest political satirist” (The Washington Post) Andy Borowitz achieves what the very best political humor can accomplish: profound insight into the present historical moment. Famous for the satirical news column "The Borowitz Report," he has been a staff writer at The New Yorker since 1998. In Profiles in Ignorance: How America’s Politicians Got Dumb and Dumber, Borowitz brilliantly examines the intellectual deterioration of American politics from Ronald Reagan to Dan Quayle to Sarah Palin to its apotheosis in Donald J. Trump.

Thanks for all you are doing to help protect democracy! Get ready to rock & roll these next two months!

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

TOMORROW at 7 PM: Speak out against police brutality here in Marin - Justice for Mateo

A number of our volunteers have written us about a disturbing incident of police brutality that took place here in Marin in July. To update everyone and provide an avenue for action, we're sharing below an email from one of our allied partners - SURJ Marin (Showing Up for Racial Justice.) 

Please consider attending and speaking out at the San Rafael City Council meeting TOMORROW, 9/6 at 7 PM at the Council Chambers at 1400 Fifth Avenue OR virtually at this Zoom link. If you have questions, please contact Gabriel Garcia (415-261-1302) of a grassroots organization in the Canal called Solidaridad Guatemalteca.

From SURJ MARIN:

"Sharing a few beers with friends after a long day’s work should never result in a bloodied face and a concussion following a violent takedown by a police officer. 

That’s what happened this past July right here in the Canal District. A Latinx man and Canal neighborhood resident known as Mateo was left with a broken nose, a concussion and certainly emotional trauma after being violently taken to the ground and assaulted by San Rafael Police Officer Nail. SRPD Officer Brandon Nail, responsible for the brutal takedown of Mateo and Officer Daisy Mazariegos, who initially approached Mateo and interacted with him in a noticeably disrespectful manner, have both been placed on paid administrative leave pending an internal affairs investigation. Other members of the department who witnessed this reprehensible behavior by the officers and didn’t intervene have yet to be named.

Mateo has been cleared of all charges initially filed by Lori Frugoli’s office and is currently considering filing a lawsuit against the SRPD. 

Here is a video showing the appalling event. Please know that this video shows a violent assault.

We at SURJ Marin know that this is not just a problem of overzealous police officers, it is a symptom of the toxic culture of policing resulting in the over-policing and use of excessive force that most often targets Black and Brown residents.  And this is not an isolated incident. Recently, the SRPD was censured for ‘dropping off’ an unhoused county resident in San Francisco. Frequent complaints have been filed regarding police harassment and use of force against residents living under the freeway in the San Rafael unhoused encampment.

These and other recent incidents that traumatize and target Marin BIPOC residents are the reason we need strong independent civilian oversight, not only of the Marin County Sheriff’s Office and the SRPD, but of all law enforcement agencies in the county.  

We would like to acknowledge the Marin District Attorney’s Office for dropping all charges they had initially filed against Mateo.. We also want to acknowledge Marin Superintendent Damon Connolly for denouncing the behavior of the officers and Lt. Scott Eberle from the SRPD for being clear about the seriousness of the officers’ unacceptable conduct.. 

We also want to be clear to all elected officials throughout the County, local media outlets, and leaders within law enforcement agencies: silence and inaction is absolutely unacceptable. You need to be speaking out against police violence when it occurs, period. We also urge those who have spoken up to make the transition to taking a proactive stance against over-policing, surveillance and excessive use of force, and to accompany their statements with action. 

The only way to ensure that more people are not assaulted throughout our county by those that are tasked with protecting them is by ensuring law enforcement accountability. We need civilian oversight committees for every law enforcement agency in Marin County. If you speak up against police violence, and say it does not represent your agency, you also need to be ready to actively support civilian oversight. Otherwise your words are empty. We demand action. 

What can YOU do?! 

Show up!!!

To the protests that are happening in response to police excessive use of force. 

To the Marin Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 13th at 9am (or email by 5p the day before) and let them know we need to ensure that the Sheriff’s Oversight Committee has full subpoena power and an Inspector General in order to respond to these types of incidents when they occur with the MCSO.

Call in to your local Town Council Meetings and ask whether your town has a civilian oversight committee for your local police department. If not, ask why! We cannot wait for this type of incident to happen again in before we take action. 
 
Then you can show up again to the SR City Council meeting on Tuesday evening at 7p, 1400 Fifth Avenue.  If you have questions, please contact Gabriel Garcia (415-261-1302) of a grassroots organization in the Canal called Solidaridad Guatemalteca. 

In solidarity,
SURJ Marin

Thanks to all of our IndiMarin volunteers who are committed to standing on the side of justice and human rights. 

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

Enjoy Labor Day weekend - We need you back and refreshed next week for the Sprint to November!

What a difference a month makes! A Republican House takeover is "no longer a foregone conclusion," according to a dispatch today by The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter. The publication's U.S. House editor, Dave Wasserman, today moved the ratings of five House seats — all in Democrats' direction. Robert Hubbell in his widely-followed Substack blog, pointed to the string of upsets breaking our way. "On Tuesday, another Democrat pulled off an upset victory, this time in a special election for the unexpired term of a vacant House seat in Alaska. It is hard not to see a pattern in the unexpected wins in New York’s 19th district (Pat Ryan) and the defeat of the state constitutional amendment in Kansas to limit reproductive freedom."

Per activist/blogger Jessica Craven, "We’ve seen it now in Alaska. And in Kansas. And in NY-19. These elections weren’t won only because of voters’ anger over Roe. They were won because of that and the hard, largely unsung efforts of volunteers showing up and doing what we’ve learned works."

These positive trends are coming not a minute too soon, and here's a bit of a reality check concerning the timetable. While many groups, including IndiMarin, have been posting the number of days left until the election (68 as of today), VOTING for the midterms will begin much sooner! After the Labor Day weekend, ballots will begin arriving in mailboxes in North Carolina on September 9th and voting in several battleground states will begin two weeks later. Here in California, ballots will drop on October 10. In other words, the midterms are just around the corner! But there is still plenty of time to affect the outcome—and plenty you can do to help get out the vote.

Hubbell also wrote, "A reader posted a comment to yesterday’s newsletter saying that she told her husband she would be working full time on the midterms after this week. While not everyone can make the same level of commitment, we can all join the reader in spirit. For some, the last six months have been a period of worrying, waiting, and dread. The season for action is now upon us.  Everyone should direct unproductive feelings of anxiety and worry into productive efforts to help get out the vote. We must have a bias toward action and be willing to step outside our comfort zone for two months. We can do that. We did it in 2018 and 2020. We can do it again in 2022.

So please enjoy the long weekend and last taste of summer, and come back ready to rock and roll! We have many voter outreach events lined up for the week after Labor Day, and will also soon be announcing some new programs designed specifically for this last stretch.

Please visit the calendar page of our website to review all September events and sign up for as many fit your schedule. We've listed key highlights with links to sign up below.

HIGHLIGHTS - Click at each link for more information and to sign up! 

>  Every Saturday at 9:30 AM PT via Zoom - Make Calls for Christy Smith for Congress with IndiMarin

>  Every Tuesday at 10 AM PT - Write Postcards at Panera Bread in Novato - new campaign coming soon!

>  Every Wednesday at 12 PM PT - Via Zoom - Lunch Hour Phonebank to Make Calls for Christy Smith for Congress

>  Thursday, 9/8 at 2:30 PM PT and 9/22 at 5:30 PM: Midterms '22: The State of Play and How to Help

>  Sunday, 9/10 from 9 AM - 1 PM PT (also dates in October) - Canvass for Josh Harder for Congress with IndiMarin and the Tracy Dems

>  Wednesday, 9/14 at 5 PM PT via Zoom - Intro to Phonebanking

>  Thursday, 9/15 at 2:30 PT via Zoom - Intro to Postcarding

Let's do it, team. It's "pedal to the metal" as of Tuesday, 9/6. And stay tuned for some coming announcement about NEW ways you can help the effort in the final stretch!

Thanks so very much for all our do for our country and its people!

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

Tonight at 5:00 PM PT - Requesting 45 minutes of your open mind

Hello Volunteers!

We have a favor to ask. If you are free today at 5:00 PM PT, please attend our "Intro to Phonebanking" zoom meeting. If you're not free, it will be recorded and we ask that you watch it later.

Why are we asking you for this favor? Because over the years of doing voter outreach work, we have found that phonebanking is the most misunderstood tactic of all the work we do. It is also the most impactful form of voter outreach, after canvassing. 

Multiple research studies conducted over the years have shown that 2-way conversations have the most impact. So by allowing misconceptions about phonebanking to continue, we are doing our collective work a disservice. Please read below some of the most common misconceptions about phonebanking vs. the reality.

One example we hear frequently, is, "I don't like it when strangers call me, so I'm not going to do that to someone else." The reality is that we are very fortunate here in Marin because the county's voter education efforts are excellent and access to voting is easy. For people who live in many part of the state and the country, a call from a volunteer is often a very welcome form of assistance.

So how about it? Will you come and listen with an open mind? Then, with accurate and complete information, you will be better able to decide if you might consider giving this crucial tactic a whirl. In the final stretch to November, phonebanking will be a hugely important determinant of Dems success. SIGN UP HERE FOR INTRO TO PHONEBANKING TONIGHT AT 5 PM PT.

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT PHONEBANKING

MISCONCEPTION: No one answers their phones anymore.

REALITY: Actually, a reasonable number of people do answer. Plus, the new automated dialing tools we use allow you to have many more conversations with voters, and even a few conversations with potential voters can make a difference. Most elections these days are won by very narrow margins. Even when people don’t answer, we are leaving voice mail messages which dramatically adds to the number of households we reach with vital voter information.

MISCONCEPTION: Unsolicited phone calls annoy people. I don’t like to be called, so I don’t want to bother others.
REALITY: Calls about elections are often well-received and appreciated. Many people live in places without clear voter information, or simply do not have the time to keep up with election news. They often appreciate the information a phonebanker provides.

MISCONCEPTION: Republicans won’t be convinced to change their minds.
REALITY: We don’t call Republicans. We call Democrats and Independents to make sure that they are aware of an upcoming election, where they can vote, and how the candidate for whom we are calling will act on issues they care about.

MISCONCEPTION: I don’t know anything about the candidate so I won’t be able to answer questions on their backgrounds and positions
REALITY: It is fairly rare for conversations with voters to get that detailed. However, you’ll be provided with an overview of their positions. If you don’t have an answer, you can refer them to the campaign’s website or request that a campaign staffer get back to them.

MISCONCEPTION: I’m not comfortable talking to people I don’t know.
REALITY: You're not alone. Most phonebankers feel that way. But they plunge in anyway and find that it gets easier over time. We do many things in life that take us outside of our comfort zone. That’s a good thing for personal growth. And, in this case, it’s a good thing for our country.

We hope to see you today at 5:00 PT! SIGN UP HERE.

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

UPDATE ON SB 396 - Great news! Senator McGuire is on our side

Dear Marin volunteers!

Thanks to all of the many of you who called Senator McGuire's office this week about SB 396, the very concerning bill that enables PG&E’s to codify its worst behavior and cut any tree, anywhere, at any time, with NO RECOURSE to the homeowner. This bill also unfairly shifts the burden of liability to the property owner, even if the property owner objects to the work being done.

Together with other coalition representatives, we met with Senator McGuire's office on Tuesday, and are very happy to report that the Senator is OPPOSED to this bill. While VERY pleased to hear this news, we were not entirely surprised, since he has led the charge in the legislature for years on wildfire prevention and is a leading voice in holding PG&E accountable.

Unlike many members of the California legislature, Senator McGuire, who was appointed Senate Majority Leader this year, accepts no campaign contributions from PG&E. We hope that the fact that the Senate Majority Leader, a committed wildfire prevention advocate with no skin in the game with PG&E, opposes the bill will influence many of his Senate colleagues to also stand up for a real solution to wildfires - fixing the wires instead of felling the trees!

While the news of Senator McGuire's opposition is good, the fight is far from over. PG&E and its lobbyists hold major sway in Sacramento. We at IndiMarin will continue to work with other coalition partners throughout the region to lobby against this bill and will remain in touch with Senator McGuire's office on ways we can help.

YOUR CALLS MADE A DIFFERENCE! Now, our ally in the Senate can tell his colleagues that his phone rang off the hook with calls from constituents upset about this ill-advised and industry-friendly bill. This is the power of our individual voices when we organize together for the greater good.

We will continue to the fight and keep you apprised

Thanks to you, and to "Senator Mike" for taking action to save our beloved trees in Northern California.

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

20 Great Events in the Next 20 Days

Hello fabulous volunteers!

The last hazy days of summer are coming to a close. For kids, this means Back-to-School. And for Democrats who care about the direction of our country, it means Back-to-Work (if you even took a break, that is. 😩)

We have essentially two months to go, since early voting and vote-by-mail means that more and more people are voting well before election day and making their voting decisions even earlier.

Just in time for Back to Work Month, the IndiMarin Steering Committee has beefed up its calendar of events with 20 events in the next 20 days - something for everyone to get involved. Please sign up for multiple events if you can!

HIGHLIGHTS - More info and a form to sign up are at each link!

Zoom - TOMORROW AT 2:30 PT and 8/21 at 4 PM PT - Midterms '22: The State of Play and How You Can Help

Zoom - Every Saturday at 10 AM PT - Make Calls for Christy Smith for Congress with IndiMarin

Sunday, 8/14 and Saturday, 8/21 from 9 AM - 1 PM PT - Canvass for Josh Harder for Congress with IndiMarin and the Tracy Dems (Josh will be greeting volunteers and taking selfies on 8/14.)

Tuesdays, 8/16 and 8/30 at 10 AM PT - Write to Win For Senator Cortez Masto at Panera Bread in Novato

Zoom - Tuesday, 8/16 at 5 PM PT - Introduction to Phonebanking

Zoom - Thursday, 8/18 at 10 AM PT- Send Texts with IndiMarin and Team Fetterman

Zoom - Thursday, 8/18 at 2:30 PM PT - Introduction to Postcarding

Wednesday, 8/24 at 10 AM - Write to Win for Senator Cortez Masto at Peet's at the Village at Corte Madera

Zoom - Thursday, 8/25 at 5:30 PM - Social Media Discussion & Happy Hour - Helping Dems Win with just a Few Clicks

Sunday, 8/28 at 10 AM PT - Bagel Sunday with IndiMarin in Lucas Valley

Please visit our web calendar page for a full listing of all events!

Let's do it, team. Let's get Back-to-Work and put an end to the malarky on November 8!

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

A BFD for Biden and the Democratic Congress! Game on, GOP!

Wow! It's hard to find words to convey the importance of today's passage of the Inflation Reduction Act by a united Democratic Senate without using the phrase that Joe Biden made famous in 2010 - "THIS IS A BIG, FUCKING DEAL!"

Senate Democrats came together to cut the cost of health care, tackle inflation, meet the climate crisis, and make corporations pay their fair share – delivering for families and communities across the country. It is the most aggressive action in history to combat the existential crisis of climate change. Notably, not a single Republican voted for this crucial legislation to help American families and protect our planet.

Most importantly, this legislation is a huge deal because of the economic relief it will provide to millions of Americans, as well as the hope it offers future generations that the planet will finally start to be protected.

Hugely important as well is the impact the passage of this legislation has on Democrats' chances in November. Building on several weeks of earlier, legislative successes, including bipartisan gun safety legislation, the Chips and Science Act, and a bill to address the effects of vets exposed to toxic burn pits, Biden and the Dems in Congress are on fire! In fact, per Politico, passage of the Inflation Reduction Act will make Biden one of the most legislatively successful presidents of the modern era. This turnaround is a resounding refutation of the media and public narrative that Biden and the Dems don't deliver.

This opportunity to shift the narrative about what Dems offer to Americans, especially when taken together with the Democrats alignment with the American people on both reproductive freedom and the upholding and honoring of our Constitution, is a game changer for November.

That's not to say it will be easy. And it's far from in the bag. But we, the leadership of Indivisible Marin, believe our goals are achievable - to keep the House majority and increase the Senate majority - IF WE DO THE WORK.

It's a very good day in America. Take it in. And tomorrow, let's all get back to work.

We appreciate each and every one of you so very much!

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

A pathway to victory in November IF we do the work

A bright glimmer of sunlight is peeking through the clouds as we start a new week in our post-Roe reality.

📊 Two polls released in the past 24 hours give Democrats hope the issue will move voters.

• A CBS News/YouGov poll of 1,591 adults found 50% of Democrats were more likely to vote based on the Roe ruling, while only 20% of Republicans said the same.

• In an NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll out this morning (941 adults), 78% of Democrats said the court's decision makes them more likely to vote this fall — 24 points higher than Republicans.

Democrats have also regained the favor of voters to control Congress, with 48% saying they are more likely to vote for a Democratic candidate in the fall and 41% more likely to vote for a Republican. In April, Republicans led on that question in the poll 47% to 44%, which was within the margin of error.

HOWEVER, this good news for Dems is still negatively affected by recent gerrymandering as well as pocketbook issues affecting Americans, especially inflation.  

The TAKEAWAY? WE CAN WIN IF WE DO THE WORK. We need to make sure that the 50% of Dems who are "more likely to vote" based on the Roe ruling actually follow through. Thats's what GOTV work is mainly about - getting likely Dems to cast ballots! 

Sign up today for one of the many ways you can help get out the vote with IndiMarin.
IF we organize, and IF we do the work, we WILL win.

AND SOME GOOD NEWS FROM THE BATTLEFRONT....
IndiMarin added over 100+ members at Reproductive Freedom rallies this weekend!

IndiMarin volunteers gathered with like-minded peeps to connect and take action - writing, texting and phoning voters in key states and districts - at our Action Sunday event in Marin.

Participation in our remote actions for our many volunteers that live in other parts of the country surged as well, including our zoom phonebanks and online postcarding requests!

This is it. The fight of our lives. Thank you for standing up, showing up, and doing the work!

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

Join the fight for national legislation protecting reproductive freedom!

It is done. Roe v Wade is no longer. We are enraged. Our hearts are broken. Our spirits are not.

Women MUST retain legal access to abortion. This will only happen through federal legislation to reinstate Roe v. Wade as the law of the land.

Federal legislation will only happen if people who care VOTE and HELP GET OUT THE VOTE so that in November we retain our Democratic House majority and INCREASE our Senate Majority.

Will you commit to spend one hour per week on voter outreach work between now and November 8 to protect women's reproductive freedom in this country?

WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

Call voters at IndiMarin's Zoom Phonebanks or make calls on your own to voters in key states and districts. A member of our Phone Team will contact you to answer any questions you have and help you get rolling. SIGN UP TO PHONE VOTERS.

Write postcards to voters in key states and districts. SIGN UP TO RECEIVE SCRIPTS, ADDRESSES AND INSTRUCTIONS TO WRITE VOTERS.

Text voters in key states. A member of our Texting Team will contact you to answer any questions you have and help you get rolling. SIGN UP TO TEXT VOTERS.
 
Promote Democratic messaging via social media. A member of our Social Media Team will contact you to answer any questions you have and help you get rolling. SIGN UP TO BE A SOCIAL MEDIA MESSENGER FOR DEMS.

As yesterday's ruling makes even more abundantly clear, we are in a national crisis. Personal action by concerned citizens is the only thing that can save us.

Show up for Shaye on Sunday at 4 PM

In December 2020, Wandrea’ “Shaye” Moss, a full-time employee in Georgia's Fulton County Department of Registration & Elections, became the target of a vicious smear campaign by then-President Trump and his allies in their conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election. After being identified and targeted by Trump and his followers, Moss received so many death threats and racist taunts that she was forced to change her appearance and go into hiding. Her life, and that of her mother and grandmother, has been forever impacted.

Shaye and her family were among the many Americans who were viciously harassed for doing their jobs and their civic duty.. There will be many more to come if Democrats do not remain in power in November.

Please show up for Shaye, and for countless Americans who have been victimized by MAGA Republicans, this Sunday at 4 PM. We'll meet in a backyard in San Rafael. Choose from writing, texting or calling voters. Refreshments and camaraderie aplenty. We MUST keep Congress Blue in '22! Stand up, show up, and be part of the solution! Click here to RSVP.

There are just 139 days until the most important election of our lifetimes. The time will fly by. Please engage today.

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

It's GOTV Week in CA - We're asking you to help in 4 important ways!

Today is the one-week mark to the influential CA primary and of course we all want for Dems to have a great showing. With the highest number of competitive House seats of any state in the nation, all eyes will be on California's all-important turnout numbers!

This is one of those weeks when the rubber meets the road. CA is considered the pathway to the House majority this election. Please pull out all your stops to help with turnout! Here are FOUR ways we ask each of you to help:

1) CA volunteers - If you haven't already, please mail your ballot in ASAP. It will help with the speed of announcing the results. IndiMarin prepared this Marin Ballot Guide which includes helpful recs for all statewide offices. Be sure to vote for Senator Padilla in BOTH sections. 

2) All volunteers - Do you have any CA Dems in your life who might forget/procrastinate about sending in their ballot? Please send them a friendly reminder and include our Ballot Guide to make it easy for them to vote.

3) All volunteers - If you use social media, please post reminders about voting.  Sharing our Ballot Guide is helpful as a reference point for all the statewide races.

4) All volunteers - IMPORTANTLY, will you commit to spend at least TWO HOURS THIS WEEK GETTING OUT THE VOTE? The primary results are an important indicator of candidates' strength in November, and we want them to go into the general election with momentum on their side! 

IndiMarin has two great options for pitching in. Due to the recent redistricting, both Katie Porter and Josh Harder, while incumbents, are now running races with a majority of voters from other previous districts. So they need our help introducing themselves to these new voters and increasing turnout!

Sign up here to phonebank for Katie Porter on Wednesday, June 1 at 12 PM and/or Saturday, June 4 at 10 AM PT. We've been having many positive conversations with voters.

Sign up here to canvass for Josh Harder for Saturday, June 4 and/or Sunday, June 5 in Mountain Home. We're partnering with the Tracy Dems and have been chatting with very friendly residents in this lovely suburban community just a little over an hour from Marin. 

Thank you in advance for choosing to take time this week to help with turnout for the all-important CA primary!

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

It's your choice

In this very dark period, there is one fundamental choice that lies before each of us.

Will I, or won’t I?

Will I, or won't I, choose to spend some of my time to stop the horrific current trajectory of our nation?

Will I, or won't I, choose to spend some of my time so that American children are no longer slaughtered while they learn?

Will I, or won't I, choose to spend some of my time so that American women are not forced to bear children against their will.

Will I, or won't I, choose to spend some of my time, so that Big Oil does not succeed in destroying our planet.

Will I, or won't I, choose to spend some of my time so that Black men are no longer killed with impunity by governmental employees whose job is to protect them?

It really is that simple. Because if enough of us,  we the people, spend some of our personal time doing voter outreach work to increase Democrat turnout, we will have a real shot at the end goal - electing just TWO MORE Democratic Senators, AND PROTECTING THE HOUSE MAJORITY. Then, in 2023, a REAL Democratic Senate Majority will end the filibuster as needed to make possible the passage of legislation about which we care so deeply - gun safety, reproductive rights, voting rights, democracy reforms, climate change and more.

If your answer is, "I will," please sign up here. A member of our Recruitment and Engagement Team will reach out to you over the next week to help you get connected to actions that are the best fit for you.

If you are already engaged in voter outreach work to keep Congress blue in '22, THANK YOU!

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.