You Can Help Detroiters Exercise Their Right to Vote The right to vote is crucial to maintaining our democracy. In order for individuals to exercise that right we must have well-staffed and efficient polling places. Immediate help is needed for the March 10th primary election. The City of Detroit needs poll workers for each of it's 500+ precincts. Additionally, hundreds of poll workers are needed to process absentee ballots on Election Day at TCF Center (formerly known as Cobo Hall). For both jobs: Must be at least 16 years old and if 18 or older must be registered to vote in Michigan. Can't be a candidate or have an immediate family member who is (except precinct delegate candidates can work in precincts other than their own). Must indicate party affiliation, independent not at option. Electronic Poll Book Inspectors will be paid $240 each Election Day which will include a mandatory 3-hour training session. Election Day work is from 6am until about 9pm (depending on voter line at 8pm when polls close) and how long it takes to perform closing tasks. Training times for this job for the March 10th primary are tentatively* set for 1 to 4pm, Sat. Feb. 8 at Wayne County Community College, (801 W. Fort St), Weds. Feb.12 at WCCC (801 W. Fort St) and Mon. Feb.17 (Presidents Day) at WCCC East (5901 Conner) in Detroit. Absentee Counting Board Inspectors will be paid $175 for Election Day work including a mandatory 3-hour training session. Work will begin at 6am and last until the last ballot is counted. Training times for this job for the March 10th primary are tentatively* set for 1 to 4pm, Mon. Feb 10 at Wayne County Community College, (801 W. Fort St), Sat. Feb.15 at WCCC East, (5901 Conner), Weds. Feb.19 at WCCC East, (5901 Conner) in Detroit. *New trainings are being added as needed. To apply for either poll work job, click this link: BE A POLL WORKER You Can Help Without Working the Polls A volunteer coalition to improve voter turnout in Detroit is asking for help in several ways that may be more suited to your needs and interests. They are looking for individuals who: 1. will make an effort to reach out to any organizations to which they belong to recruit more people for poll work as described above for the March 10 primary. They are willing to come and speak to your organization about this and additional voter turnout actions. 2. will make an effort to recruit others to work on increasing voter turnout by alternative actions such as: a. distributing absentee ballot applications, b. assisting with voter registration prior to the elections, c. serving as Voter Protection poll watcher on election days, d. assisting voters as they navigate the new law allowing voter registration on Election Day itself, 3. would like to volunteer for these and/or other needed actions. If you are interested in any of the above, please contact Deb Olson, grass roots activist and organizer, who is working with the coalition: dgo@esoplaw.com or (313) 300-6517. Political Action Opportunity This Week "A new ballot initiative filed Tuesday could make civil rights protections for LGBTQ Michiganders a reality, after attempts to amend the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act in the state Legislature have languished for years." So begins an article describing the citizen led petition drive to put this issue on the ballot. Andrea Joy, one of the main driving forces behind the WeGP Pride Marches, has been tracking this issue and this week connected the dots for us when she encountered a woman with such a petition outside of Trader Joe's in the Village. The woman will be there for the rest of the week. Here is a link to the article: ELLIOTT-LARSEN You are encouraged to read the article and if you agree with the proposed legislation, please make a trip to Trader Joe's this week (even if you don't need groceries) to sign the petition. Apropos, WeGP has selected Saturday, June 20, for this years Pride March. Social Action Opportunity This Week and Next Empty Bowls, is an organization that helps feed the hungry by selling the pottery of local artists to the public for a modest fee and donating the proceeds to organizations fighting food insufficiency. This Sunday ,February 9, from 2-4pm at Eastern Market Shed 5, there will be a special musical program in memory of Allee Willis who passed away on Christmas Eve. Willis was a Detroit musician who was a Grammy Award winner and a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. There will be a bowl painting workshop, a simple meal of soup and entertainment. Admission is $20 per person. 100% of the proceeds go to the Food Program at Cass Community Social Services. Details at: EMPTY BOWLS MORE EMPTY BOWLS ON FEBRUARY 15. Pewabic Pottery partners with Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan for its 27th annual Empty Bowls fundraiser. Participants purchase unique bowls designed and donated by area artists and Pewabic students ($15-$40) and local children ($5). 100% of the proceeds go to Gleaners, where every $1 provides three meals for someone in need. Attendees who purchase a bowl receive a complimentary serving of soup and freshly baked breads provided by local restaurants, while supplies last. The Empty Bowls Event at Pewabic Pottery is Sat. Feb.15th, 11am-2pm. Pewabic Pottery Ceramics is located at 10125 East Jefferson Avenue, Detroit. How Are You Celebrating Black History Month? Here are a few reading lists focused on anti-racism. With the new GP Libraries Fine Free approach, now is a great time to invest in the learning that underlies social justice and equity. A quick look at the GP Libraries website indicates that many of the books on these lists are available. What are your favorites? https://grossepointelibrary.org See more in NYTIMES.COM "An Antiracist Reading List" by Ibram X. Kendi on books to help America transcend its racist heritage. WE-GP Environmental Task Force Our Environmental Task Force is in discussions with other environmental groups about working together to give Senator Hollier some ideas about the energy package he is putting together. This is based on the Detroit News Story linked here. There are few specifics as of yet. They are also tracking down an update on the FCA air quality concerns. The FCA filed a plan with the state. Senator Chang and other groups are monitoring. Once the next action steps are known, they will report back and post more pages on the Task Force Website: GO GREEN If you would like to join Mary Rouleau and others in meetings with Senator Hollier regarding the environmental package he is assembling, or if you have any other questions, please contact her at: marygpp5@gmail.com Welcome to GPPSS Preschool! For those who may not be aware, the Grosse Pointe Public School System has added new early education offerings at Trombly School for the 2020-2021 school year. Details at: PRESCHOOL Watch this Newsletter for..... WeGP is still planning a day during Winter Break (2/17-21) to prepare and distribute food for the homeless in collaboration with the Motor City Mission Mitten Project. Details on final arrangements are forthcoming. Saturday, June 20, 2020 is the Annual WeGP Pride March. We will report on developments as they occur. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THIS NEWSLETTER
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