May 16-17 Networking Calls: Positive Alternatives to the Military

HELLO FRIENDS!

"It's encouraging to know there are people around the country facing the same things I am, and to hear how they are responding!" -- recent call participant

On Earth Peace's Encountering Recruitment Network is a way that many individuals and congregations across the country have gotten support and inspiration to help organize for positive alternatives to the military for youth. 

You can find out more about this work by visiting our website here:
http://www.brethren.org/oepa/programs/peace-witness/counter-recruitment/index.html

If you are interested in this matter and want to get oriented, you might want to get a copy of our Organizing and Outreach Packet:
http://www.brethren.org/oepa/programs/peace-witness/counter-recruitment/organizing-packet/index.html

On Earth Peace regularly sponsors national conference calls as an opportunity for networking and mutual support among those working on issues of military recruitment in their communities.

These calls are a place to connect to a broader community of organizers, a place to receive a boost of inspiration and offer advice, and a place to provide each other with practical tips and spiritual support.

Our most recent round of calls took place on March 27 and 28, 2007, with participants from Elgin, IL; Atlanta and Americus, GA; Springfield, IL; Syracuse, NY; North Manchester and Richmond, IN; West Bend, WI; Claremont, CA; El Paso, TX; Columbus, OH; and Durham, NC.

The next calls are scheduled for

Wednesday, May 16, 7:00-8:30PM Eastern, and
Thursday, May 17, 1:00-2:30PM Eastern.

Can you join us?

Here's what you can expect:

• A chance to share about your hopes and experiences with counter-recruitment with others from around the country;
• Highlights of recent resources and new developments in the truth-in-recruiting movement;
• Reflection on themes and common challenges that emerge from the call;
• Christian theological and scriptural reflection on the work of counter-recruitment;
• The introduction of a strategy tool to help make your organizing more powerful. (In the most recent calls, we explored how to reach out to new allies, with the concepts of the Spectrum of Allies and Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Six Categories of people to mobilize as part of a campaign.)

Our calls are especially focused on supporting those working from the basis of the Christian faith, although all are warmly welcomed to participate. On Earth Peace is the peace education and action agency of the Church of the Brethren.

There will be eight slots available for each call. We have found it's best to limit the number of participants in order to deepen the sharing and conversation that can take place.

Please send an e-mail to mattguynn @ earthlink.net or call 765-962-6234 to reserve a slot for the May 2007 calls!

Call Facilitators:

Matt Guynn
Coordinator of Peace Witness, On Earth Peace
Richmond, Indiana

Deb Oskin
Peace Minister, Living Peace Church of the Brethren
Columbus, Ohio