You may be surprised to learn that a cutting-edge grassroots democracy movement is taking shape right here in Spokane. In response to the lack of agency that local communities face when advocating for their interests, a broad coalition has begun to develop around a new “rights-based” strategy for implementing change.
While Envision Spokane is still in its infancy, it has already brought together some unlikely collaborations, such as labor union locals working with neighborhood council representatives for the first time.
While the group was originally convened by Spokane locals who participated in a political workshop called Democracy School, the network has since expanded and is offering many opportunities for involvement.
To learn more:
- Official Envision Spokane Website
- “Rebuilding Democracy” – summary of rights-based organizing
- To Restore Democracy: First Abolish Corporate Personhood
- Community and Environmental Legal Defense Fund Website
To track their progress:
Tags: Breaking Boundaries · Community · Experimentation · Political Surprise · Sustainable Development5 Comments
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Some have inquired about the Bioneers-Spokane Conference being held this coming weekend. Information on the conference, including how to register, can be found at:
http://www.sustainspokane.org
The Envision Spokane Workshop is being held in Building #24 on the campus of the Spokane Falls Community College, at this time:
Friday, October 17th from 2:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Presenters at the Envision Spokane workshop include Lois Irwin, Brad Read, and Tom Linzey. Folks from Envision Spokane who want to attend will have a chance to speak about their experiences with the organization to the workshop audience.
Patty Gates is lead coordinator for the effort, and having seen the schedule for the event, there’s lots to see and do. Plenary speakers from the Bioneers Conference in San Rafael are being streamed to the conference, in addition to a full slate of local speakers and workshops.
One day passes are available, as well as registration for the entire weekend.
The Envision Spokane website has now gone live. Check out the discussion forums on:
http://www.envisionspokane.org/
[...] In this case the identity thief followed all the Twitterers that the real blogger was following to create a shadow audience and bolster their apparent legitimacy. They parroted my self-referential use of the term “civic blogger” and included tweets referring to the Blog Bible release party and Democracy School. [...]
Here is a brief interview conducted by award winning journalist Amy Goodman with Envision Spokane adviser Thomas Linzey.
It is concise and lays the groundwork for the rationale behind this group’s grassroots efforts:
http://www.democracynow.org/2009/4/21/envision_spokane_coalition_works_to_get
[...] speaker, Chad Nicholson, talked about his work in Spokane on another rights-based initiative, Envision [...]