What's Next?

What's Next?

We traveled; we marched; we have returned.

What’s next?

The first Women’s Roundtable will convene at the Laytonville Grange, Tuesday January 31st, at 4:30. As Diane Schankin phrased it, “There are so many ways we could affect our community in a positive way. Please bring your thoughts and your ideas to share.”

Some suggestions included in Diane’s post are:

a seminar for girls on setting boundaries and learning to say no

supporting a wo(man) for political office

an environmental cause

working on a campaign to eliminate the electoral college

health care issues

reproductive rights

“Let’s be at the cause and not the effect of change,” Diane said, concluding with, “Thank you again for the inspiration of yesterday’s Women’s March across the world."

"Power of the people.”

When I saw the post on face/book, I included an idea that popped into my head: A concerted effort to address bullying at all levels in our school district. Small group, across the table dialogue, designed and led by students. "Let's make America kind again" should be more than just a slogan, and it has to start where kids are gathered together, especially if they don't want to be there.

This type of community effort supersedes politics. It does not matter for whom you voted; it matters that you see the need to address issues arising from the new administration.

Enjoying the fruits of victory from the protest last Saturday, is grand, but when we've emptied the bowl, the work must begin. We need to take the torch that has been ignited, and carry it forth. Our ray of light in Northern Mendocino County, may not extend as far as more populated areas, but then there are fewer lights on the ground to obscure, that which we do create.

United, we make forward progress, which is better than remaining complacent.

Sitting around at work or home, bitching about the injustice of it all, doesn’t get anything accomplished. Even if you cannot make it to this meeting, or other meetings, does not mean you cannot be involved, right?

Using social media, we can sift through information, suggestions, agendas, time-frames, surveys, questions, ideas, and we can provide links. We can use social media to organize. All of these options are available. There are so “many ways that we can affect our community in a positive way.”

I agree, Diane. Thanks!