FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Palatine Conference Fosters Grassroots Efforts Toward Peace, Justice, Sustainability.
Palatine, IL - September 3, 2008 - When it comes to the large problems facing humanity, how can one person make a difference? A Better Day 2008 offers answers by bringing together distinguished speakers, activists, and community organizers for a day. The public is invited to learn and discuss the issues, make connections, and get involved in any of dozens of social benefit groups.
A Better Day 2008 takes place Saturday, September 20, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist, 1025 N. Smith Street, Palatine, Illinois.
This open, non-partisan event offers three tracks of activity: speakers, an exhibit of local organizations, and breakout sessions in the church classrooms. Jim Kenney of Common Ground will give the morning keynote, “Peace is Possible”. Other speakers will address social and economic justice, sustainable living, support for our veterans, and ways of dealing with our differences. Exhibitors in the conference hall will include environmentalists, advocates for economic reform and social justice, and local peace groups.
Programs will emphasize personal involvement. Program Committee member Kat Doyle says, "We want to tell everyone, you can do something! Working with other people for a good cause is a great way to make friends, discover skills you never knew you had, and just have fun."
A Better Day 2008 is sponsored by the Adult Faith Development Council of Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist, Palatine, Illinois.
Contact:
Hal Snyder, M.D.
A Better Day 2008 Program Committee
224-678-6188
hal@better-day.info
http://www.better-day.info
What Is A Better Day?
- A one-day grassroots gathering about peace, justice, and the environment.
- A chance to network with people who are concerned about the way things are going and are determined to make a difference.
- A day of learning about the issues from organizers who are at the forefront on matters of global and interfaith fellowship, social justice, and sustainability.
- But most of all - a day to kick-start your participation in any of twenty or more local action groups - or if you are already involved, a chance to make new connections and reach out to the community.
A Better Day was inspired by Fighting Bob Fest, the annual Wisconsin extravaganza that brings thousands of fired-up progressive speakers, organizers, and rabble-rousers to Baraboo every September.
Morning Session
9:00-9:30 Doors Open, Registration
9:30-10:00 Opening
- Rev. Hilary Landau-Krivchenia: Welcome
- Hal Snyder: Getting the Most Out of the Day
10:00-10:45 Keynote by Jim Kenney: Peace is Possible Common Ground
11:00-12:00 Health and Education, Social Justice
- 11:00-11:20 Melanie Schikore Andina: Social Justice Through the Arts
- 11:30-11:50 Victoria Weiley: Living Within Your Means; Means Simply......Living
Lunch Break - 12:00-1:30
Afternoon Session
1:30-2:30 Sustainability
- 1:30- 1:50 Bruce Bendix: Defining a Sustainable Future Eco Squared Consulting
- 2:00- 2:20 Jay Womack & Paul Sorci : Green Roof Wight & Company
2:30-3:30 Supporting Our Veterans
- 2:30- 2:50 Dirk Enger: Our Veterans; Our Community Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans
- 3:00- 3:20 Christopher France: Understanding PTSD Iraq Veterans Against the War
3:30-4:15 Panel: Dealing With Our Differences
- Vid Axel - Non-Violent Communication Living Action
- Jay Becker O'Neil World Can't Wait
- Catherine Caporusso Chicago Area CodePINK, Northwest suburban NOW
4:15 Closing by Rev. Hilary Landau-Krivchenia: Taking A Better Day Forward
Groups Working to Make a Difference
We hope you'll use A Better Day as a chance to network. Joining a social benefit organization is a great way to make new friends and discover your hidden talents. We are opening Atherton Hall to tables for more than 20 organizations.
We expect members or official representatives from the
following:
- Students for Animal Defense (College of DuPage)
- Greater Chicago Caucus
- Citizen Action/Illinois
- Social Action Committee, CCUU
- Green Sanctuary Committee, CCUU
- National Organization for Women – Northwest Suburban Chapter
- Northwest Suburban Peace & Education Project
- Chicago Area Code Pink
- Working Families Win
- Holistic Moms Network
- Sierra Club – Northwest Suburbs Region
- ACLU
- A+ Illinois
- Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
- Illinois Coalition for Justice, Peace, & the Environment
- World Can't Wait
- League of Women Voters
- Iraq Veterans Against the War
- Illinois League of Conservation Voters
- Common Ground
- Illinois Maternal & Child Health Coalition
- Alliance for the Great Lakes
- Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans
Getting the Word Out
Invitation (updated 9/02)
Mindmap (updated 8/29)
Registration form (save $2 by registering in advance at CCUU)
What is A Better Day? (updated 8/29)
Help Us Publicize the Event!
About US:
The team behind A Better Day arose from the joining of two groups.
For two years, 2006 and 2007, some of us helped organize the Illinois Progressive Fest in Big Rock, Illinois to bring together progressive candidates and activists working to put people before profits and restore the social contract in our government. In 2008 we formed the Progressive Fest Illinois (PFI) committee to work on non-partisan annual events going forward.
The Adult Faith Development Council of CCUU (Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist) in Palatine includes persons dedicated to uplifting the human spirit and working with organizations in the community to promote peace, justice, and sustainability.
email: info@better-day.info · media contact: Hal Snyder 224-678-6188
Both groups were interested in bringing together speakers, activists, and the public for a day of learning and networking. We decided to pool our efforts to bring you A Better Day.
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