Hi Medea, Is Rebuild Green registered as a 501c3 yet? Let us know as soon as you know. Thanks, Sue -- Medea Benjamin <medea@globalexchange.org> wrote: Hey all, I just had a great talk with Malik, who many may remember from his work here in Hunters Point, and his work with the Green Party. He has been giving great reports on radio stations like KPFA and Air America. His home is in the area of New Orleans that wasn't flooded, so he stayed. He has no electricity and very primitive living conditions (there are still dead bodies in neighboring homes), but the landline at his home still functions--so he is "accessible." Malik wants to start rebuilding his community right away (at least start the clean up and take care of people's immediate needs) and he wants us to help. He is setting up an organization called Rebuild Green based on local empowerment and environmental principles. He has access to the local mosque to use as a center. He's putting together an advisory group and the "workers" will be local community folk. Helping Malik is a chance for people in the Bay Area to really make a contribution. I told him that we could temporarily use Global Exchange as a base. We can take messages on one of our lines (415-575-5555), take on-line contributions for him, and receive tax-deductible donations. But here are some other things we need people to do for him: 1. Create a new Rebuild Green website (we just bought the URL). We need folks with tech skills, graphic skills (including a nice logo) and writing skills to add the content. 2. Organize fundraisers like the one that Sue and Krissy want to do. 3. Help set up more radio interviews for Malik so that he can publicize the work. 4. Volunteer to check the answering machine on the phone. 5. Get the Green Party all over the country to be aware and supportive. 6. Get a team of skilled people who can go and help on the ground. 7. Collect supplies and find a way to get them in to him. I'm sure there are many more ways to help but this is a start. Ideas most welcome. Medea On 9/5/05 6:46 PM, "susan_e_vaughan@juno.com" <susan_e_vaughan@juno.com> wrote:
Hey Everyone,
Krissy Keefer and I are discussing organizing a fundraiser on behalf of the victims of Hurricane Katrina. She is offering her venue, Dance Mission, at the corner of 24th and Mission Street. Medea Benjamin has said she will contact Louisiana Green Malik Rahim to get the name of legitimate 501c3's that we can donate to. I am reaching out to bands and will reach out to spoken word artists.
Question: are we down with officially endorsing a fundraiser? I'm calling it Green to Green, though the money would actually go to whatever organization(s) Malik Rahim or others recommend.
And this will unavoidably be politically tinged. Krissy was telling me today that City Hall is getting ready to hold a fundraiser with Santana and Chris Isaak at the Bill Graham auditorium. You can be sure that there will be no call for the resignation of Bush (if not the impeachment). And ours will be affordable to people of limited income who yet want to help.
Are we down with this as a party? Can we get behind a Green (and Green sympathizers) to Green fundraiser on behalf of the victims of Hurricane Katrina?
Sue