PWA General Meeting, Wednesday, July 16, 2008
"An Opportunity for Progressives: Michigan's 7th and Mark Schauer"
Michigan's Seventh Congressional District was disappointing territory for progressives in 2006, when incumbent U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz, a moderate Republican, was defeated by Tim Walberg, conservative former state rep and fundamentalist minister with deep financial backing from the Washington DC-based Club for Growth. This year, a political blog on RealClearPolitics.com points out that, 'A peculiar obstacle for Michigan Rep. Tim Walberg's reelection hopes is that he will likely face a Democratic opponent who can claim similar, if not more incumbent-like, advantages in fundraising, name recognition, and political experience within the district."
Join us to hear from that promising opponent, Mark Schauer, one of the newest PWA endorsees. Mark will talk about the district (from Battle Creek east to Washtenaw County and south to the Indiana border), his experience, and the opportunity to give progressive citizens in Michigan another voice in the U.S. Congress.
PWA ON YOUTUBE!
Our 2008 Strong Voices in Art, Music and Politics has been featured in a short video on YouTube, with action and performance clips from the event. Highlights of the video include interviews with Fund Development Chair Kristin Salerno, who talks about the event and the importance of hearing strong women’s voices, and with Chairperson Melissa Anderson, who discusses the purpose of PWA, the work we do, and the money we’ve raised for political action in West Michigan. Many thanks to videographer Andy Dragt of Rapid Growth Media for filming and posting the interviews.
Watch the video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6M-aHbTiF10
GOVERNOR SEEKING GENERAL PUBLIC APPOINTEES TO STATE BOARDS
Governor Granholm's office is seeking people from West Michigan to serve on a variety of state boards and commissions.
Boards and commissions are great way to ensure that the progressive voice is well represented in policy making.
A list of current openings can be found at www.michigan.gov/gov or http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168-21984---,00.html
To find out more about these and other openings at the state level, contact Kari Beattie, Governor's Appointments Division, (517) 335-6869. Or email her at beattiek@michigan.gov
PWA LAKESHORE
Lakeshore PWA welcomes all, both women and men, who have an interest in the topics presented.
Save the Date!
What: Strong Currents: A Progressive Celebration
FUNdraiser and Art/Services Auction
When: Thursday, September 4, 2008
Time: 7pm to 9:30 pm
Where: Camp Blodgett (Conference area and deck overlooking Lake Michigan), 10451 Lakeshore Drive, West Olive, MI 49460
Don’t miss this wonderful evening of great food, art, and services, among progressive people on the lakeshore.
Watch your email or mailbox for an invitation with details!
Questions: PWALakeshore@gmail.com
Along the lakeshore, we host community forums, panel discussions, book clubs, and other programs on a monthly basis, generally the last Monday of the month. To find out more about gatherings on the lakeshore email PWALakeshore@gmail.com
Paid for by the Progressive Women's Alliance of West Michigan
P.O. Box 1315, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49501-1315
