BREAKFAST MEETING THIS FRIDAY!
Women in Islam
Our interest was piqued with Facebook pictures of Jillian Kinzie in hajib and abaya while at her conference in Saudi Arabia. Jillian was there at the time of the first election where Saudi women were allowed to run for office and to vote. Her visit dovetailed in our community with the recent incident at Sofra Café, and the vitriol one sees regarding Muslims in the US that has peaked in recent weeks. We’ll talk about Islam, women’s roles, dress, attitudes, and how we, as women in Bloomington, can use our voices and caring to improve understanding, tolerance and diversity. And what measures can we employ to help women around the world achieve their full potentials?
Don’t miss this wonderful discussion with Jillian and friends. Pam Davidson will moderate.
YOUR HOMEWORK: Bring your ideas, readings, articles, quotes on this issue to share!
If you have not paid your 2016 dues ($20) please plan to renew your membership at the Breakfast meeting on Friday or join online here.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
EVENTS
ACTION ITEM THIS WEEK
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Bloomington Boards and Commissions Vacancies
Applications for term-end possible vacancies and current vacant positions appointed by the newly elected Mayor and newly elected Common Council are now being accepted for all Boards and Commissions. These positions are open to all city residents, with certain commissions accepting county residents. Application review will begin immediately and will continue into January and until the positions are filled.
City Boards and Commissions are citizen staffed and operated, and serve to advise the Common Council and the Administration on issues affecting Bloomington. A complete list and description of Boards and Commissions, in addition to application materials may be found at www.bloomington.in.gov/clerk. Information and applications also are available at the City Clerk’s Office in Showers City Hall at 401 N. Morton.
For more information or questions, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 812-349-3408.
Monroe County Boards and Commissions
Monroe County Commissioners & Council have a number of Board and Commission openings. The Commissions with open seats include the Women's Commission, Environmental Quality & Sustainability Commission and the Human Rights Commission. To see a complete list of Boards and Commissions please go to: http://www.co.monroe.in.us/tsd/Government/Commissioners/MonroeCountyBoardsandCommissions.aspx
At the top of the page you will see a "link to board application". Use this link to apply to any Board or Commission - the information will be shared between the Council and the Commissioners.
This is a great way to get involved in your local government!
Monroe County Citizens' Academy
The Monroe County Citizens' Academy will help you develop a thorough understanding of your county government. Participants will meet with department heads and elected officials to learn about services, operations, funding, and budgets. The County Citizens' Academy meetings will be held on Monday evenings from 6 to 9 pm February 8-April 4 2016. There is no fee to participate, but registration is required. Please visit https://extension.purdue.edu/monroe/Pages/article.aspx?intItemID=8015 for more information.
City of Bloomington Citizen’s Academy
Watch for the 2016 class information later this spring.
Shelli Yoder for Indiana Congressional Campaign calls for interns
Shelli Yoder for Congress is seeking dedicated interns for the remainder of the fall and the entire spring semesters. Qualifications include the ability to dedicate 10 - 20 hours per week, working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, strong interpersonal and written communication skills and a desire to further Democratic politics and a determination to win! Previous political experience preferred but not required. This position is unpaid but the campaign will work with all interns to fulfill college credit requirements. To apply, please email a copy of your resume Matt at [email protected] with the subject line “Yoder Internship”!
MOMs, TEACHERs, MENTORs, GRANDMOTHERs, AUNTs:
Encourage your youngsters to participate in the 2016 Hoosier Heroines Essay Contest
Tell all the teachers and parents you know: Indiana’s First Lady Karen Pence and female statewide elected officials announced details for the 2016 Hoosier Heroines Essay Contest for students in the 5th through 9th grades. The annual competition was established to celebrate Women’s History Month in March. For 2016, in honor of Indiana’s Bicentennial, students are asked to write about currently living or women from history who have made contributions in the following categories:
- 5th grade – Agriculture
- 6th grade – Suffrage
- 7th grade – Business
- 8th grade – Science
- 9th grade – Education
The submitted essays are then divided by grade and judged by the female statewide elected officials:
- 5th grade – Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann
- 6th grade – Secretary of State Connie Lawson
- 7th grade – Auditor Suzanne Crouch
- 8th grade – Treasurer Kelly Mitchell
- 9th grade – Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz
Applications are being accepted until February 22, 2016. On March 30, 2016, a reception will be held with the First Lady and elected officials to honor the selected winner from each participating grade level at the Indiana Statehouse.
To download an application packet, click here.
EVENTS
Democracy for Monroe County,
Meeting on Thursday, January 7, 6:30 pm at Bobby’s Colorado Steak House
DWC Meeting
Breakfast meeting on Friday, January 8, 7:30 am at the Village Deli on Kirkwood.
Bloomington Chamber Legislative Preview Lunch
Friday, January 8, 11:30 am - 1:00 at the Bloomington Country Club
It's a new session at the Statehouse. That means new issues and new opportunities for business. Come to our Legislative Preview Lunch on January 8th! Find out what The Chamber will be working on this Session as we unveil our 2016 Indiana Legislative Agenda which our members gave feedback to help create.
Hear from our legislators as they give their perspectives on what's ahead:
- Senator Mark Stoops
- Representative Matt Pierce
- Representative Peggy Mayfield
- Representative Bob Heaton
- Representative Eric Koch
Bloomington and Ellettsville Chamber members - $25; General public - $35. Register here: http://www.chamberbloomington.org/events/Legislative-Preview-Lunch-740/details
League of Women Voters LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Saturday, January 9, 9:00 am, Council Chambers at City Hall
Come to see what the state reps have to say about the upcoming legislative session, and let them know what YOU want them to do.
Don't miss this free forum.
National Women's History Project Webinar
January 13, 2016; 2:00-3:00 PM Eastern
Join the webinar to learn more about the National Women's History Project (NWHP) and National Women's History Month 2016. The theme for 2016 is "Working to Form a More Perfect Union: Honoring Women in Public Service and Government". The NWHP is planning programs and events for March 2016 as well as opportunities to participate in the celebration of the 100th anniversary of women's right to vote in 2020. Register.
National Women's History Project
730 Second Street #469
Santa Rosa, CA 95402
http://www.nwhp.org
(707) 636-2888
[email protected]
ACTION ITEM:
From MoveOn.org
Sign a petition to Re-instate Christian professor who wore a headscarf to show solidarity with Muslim-Americans
Sign the petition to Phillip Graham Ryken, President of Wheaton College, urging him to immediately re-instate Dr. Larycia Hawkins, a respected and tenured professor who spoke out in the classroom against bigotry.
Dr. Larycia Hawkins is a political scientist who has taught at Wheaton College in Illinois since 2007. She wore a headscarf to class to show solidarity with Muslim-American women, who have faced increased hate crimes as Islamophobia has spiked this election season. Shortly thereafter, she was placed on leave. Dr. Hawkins had also posted on Facebook that Christians and Muslims worship the same God, which the college said failed to "faithfully represent the college's evangelical Statement of Faith." The college is entitled to stand by its theology, but Dr. Hawkins' was showing us the best side of ourselves. Her action was rooted in a concern for the people around her--particularly people with different beliefs--and a concern for justice. These aren't principles that deserve punishment.
SIGN THE PETITION HERE: https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/re-instate-christian?source=homepage
Do you have news items? Send your items of interest to us at [email protected].
Deadline for MMN is noon on Sunday.
Democratic Women's Caucus
http://www.democraticwomenscaucus.org/