Blog

From time to time I’ll visit a bakery and see the “orphan” order on sale.  Why was the cake ready to proclaim “Happy Birthday Jesse” never picked up? I pause briefly to ponder what circumstance led that family to abruptly change plans.

In recent years California voters placed not one but two “special orders” to change how our elections are run. June 5, 2012 is the first statewide election where big changes go into effect about who, where and how candidates get chosen.  Will voters realize that this primary is the election they designed?  That they asked for?  The voters I’ve been talking to have not yet connected the dots to know that this is their election.

Frustrated with “politics as usual,” in 2008 voters adopted Prop 11 which shifted who had the responsibility of deciding how to split the state’s population into election districts.  A new process driven by a citizen’s commission replaced the old system of elected officials drawing their own election districts.  Last year the citizens redistricting commission used 2010 census data to finalize a new set of maps for state senate, assembly and congressional districts. Your districts have changed which may change who you’ll be voting for. It’s interesting to note that a referendum to overturn the Senate maps from the new system has qualified for the November 2012 ballot.

The second change affecting this election is the “Top Two” primary approved by state voters in 2010. You can see the official Secretary of State description of how our congressional and state legislative representatives are now “voter-nominated” instead of party nominated. The premise of this reform is that candidates who have to appeal to all voters, rather than to ideological extremes in their political party, when elected will be more likely to work together on broadly shared priorities. But it also leads to surprising changes such as why are there all of a sudden 24 candidates for U.S. Senator on our ballots? And what is this rumor that two candidates from the same party may run against each other in November?  As a long time voter educator, I know the primary process has always been a point of confusion for many people so they pass and just wait for November.  Adding to the confusion, the process for how we pick Presidential candidates has stayed the same.

The good news is that this election can be explained in lay terms and we can spread the word to get more people to participate.  I had the opportunity to work with the community members who edit the nonpartisan Easy Voter Guide, a project of the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund with support from the California State Library.  They came up with a simple table to explain the changes:

If you like what you see, download the whole Easy Voter Guide in English, Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Korean that also has short descriptions of the two ballot measures and handy tips about the voting process. Other nonpartisan resources for this election:

SmartVoter.org

The California Voter Foundation’s online voter guide

Your county elections office

Wouldn’t it be great if we had higher than anticipated turnout for this election? Then we could see how these reforms actually work when used as planned – especially before we are asked to change the changes.

While my fellow community members were undertaking various “green” activities the Saturday before Earth Day, I was driving solo from the Bay Area up to meet my daughter and her team at a three-day volleyball tournament in Reno.  Four hours of gas for one rider – geez, an outrageous carbon footprint.

This was a far cry from the message I really wanted to share with my colleagues for Earth Day.  Increasingly, I’ve been encouraging people to pause from all of their eco-activity and environmental advocacy – no matter how worthy – and just spend some time being in nature. Breathe it in.  No politics. No science. Just absorb and observe.  Be present to what is. To first and foremost love nature before working to help preserve it.

Over the years, the team at Common Knowledge and I have conducted focus groups and program design for worthy environmental projects that aim to influence policy and the public.  I firmly believe that we need increased public education about the fundamental interconnectedness of our ecosystems and the decisions we make as a society.  There is much to be done.  But, perhaps in frustration with the slow pace of progress, many advocates either dial up the crisis rhetoric in the hopes of creating a sense of urgency and/or try to share ever more detailed scientific explanations so people can follow their reasoning. But these approaches often backfire as a crisis weary public is in poor condition to absorb the technical details and little new connection takes place.

I have also seen those who are “true believers” in various environmental causes become paralyzed by guilt and fear. I recall a woman at a talk in West Marin last year who was so distraught about our collective failure to stem global warming that she was having a breakdown right before our eyes, unable to take action for the cause she so clearly cared for.  I am equally concerned about those who proclaim their intentions to “save” the earth.  Humans are part of a vast system that is so much more than ourselves.  We can honor and respect nature – and, yes, mourn the unnecessary damage.  But shouldn’t we also be asking what can we learn from earth that gave birth to our species and will be here long after we are gone?

My daughter’s volleyball team and some parents were sharing two condos an hour away from the Reno tournament on Lake Tahoe (yes, more driving). The next morning, Sunday, I got up and the other cabin – the one with the coffee — had not unlocked its doors yet.  A bit dispirited, I trudged down to the lake, soon mollified by the unusually warm spring weather.  Past the dock, there was a small beach with smooth rocks.  I only had to share it with a few geese and ducks splashing nearby.  I love rocks and fancy myself somewhat of a connoisseur.  After deciding which ones would stack best into a cairn and pleased with my handiwork, I slipped a few extra stones into my pocket. The low slung morning sun bounced off of the water and shimmered on the bushes and trees behind me. I turned to study them; it seemed as if they were dancing.  Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw it.

A blazing streak against the bright blue morning sky.  An iridescent swipe of ivory, green, pink, orange and red. It was over in less than a breath and I was a bit stupefied.  Had the dazzling sun played a trick on me?  I stood still for what felt like a long time and wondered about the cosmic apparition.  A few minutes later I heard a big boom and then the entire earth rumbled under and around the lake.

I walked back up the slope to see if anyone else had heard or felt what I had.  A fellow with skis in each hand marched out of the nearest building and claimed complete ignorance of the whole thing.  A little up the hill, the condo with the coffee, girls and other moms was now unlocked.  Stepping into the noisy scene, I did not tell them what I’d experienced because I was not sure what it was.

Now, courtesy of an AP article, I know that a “minivan” sized meteor with rock that dates back 4 to 5 billion years ago entered our atmosphere at a speed of 25,000 mph or more.  It vaporized upon contact with our air, creating the long streak of iridescent light. The boom I heard was the delayed sound of its entry. The impact it had upon landing was estimated to be about 5 kilotons.  The article cited the highly unusual nature of one of these meteors moving over an inhabited area and being large enough to be seen in daylight.  A NASA expert shared: “You don’t often have kiloton rocks flying over your head.”

So I, who was going to sit out this Earth Day on April 22^nd, instead got to have a personal date with a meteor that started out billions of years ago so that I might have a once in a lifetime sighting. If my faith and reverence were flagging, I thank the universe for this exceptional opportunity to witness the mystery. What a fabulous reminder that we can pause in our posting and tweeting to go outside, rain or shine, and learn something from our environment.  So please consider spending a little time this week renewing yourself in the comfort of just being in nature.  Who knows what experience you may have?

A parting word from Mary Oliver:

“Instructions for living a life.
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.”

Read her wonderful poem Messenger about the “work” of loving the world.

P.S. The title of this piece won’t make sense if you don’t know the jazz standard “My Funny Valentine”; it’s about unconditional love.  You can hear Ella Fitzgerald sing it here.

P.P.S. And if you are the kind of person who needs a scientific rationale for the behaviors you choose, here is why canoodling with nature is a good idea: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/06/health/06real.html?_r=2&ref=health

On this day, March 15, in 1965, Lyndon B. Johnson sent the Civil Rights Act to Congress. Lengthy applications. requirements to have another registered voter “vouch” for you and literacy tests were widespread practices used to discourage African Americans from registering to vote in the South. In some cases, threats and death were the reward for those trying to exercise their right as citizens.

While these egregious practices have long been outlawed, this may be a good time reflect on what other conditions discourage eligible citizens from participating in our democracy.  One of them, in California, is the proliferation of complex initiatives that are presented to voters in legalese, a sort of de facto literacy test. That is why we started the Easy Voter Guide Project, which has become popular with voters of all educational backgrounds.  I’m pleased to report that the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund is going to be able to prepare yet another edition for the coming June 5 California Primary Election.

Here are a few excerpts from President Johnson’s speech:

“Many of the issues of civil rights are very complex and most difficult. But about this there can and should be no argument: every American citizen must have an equal right to vote. There is no reason which can excuse the denial of that right. There is no duty which weighs more heavily on us than the duty we have to insure that right. Yet the harsh fact is that in many places in this country men and women are kept from voting simply because they are Negroes.

Every device of which human ingenuity is capable, has been used to deny this right. The Negro citizen may go to register only to be told that the day is wrong, or the hour is late, or the official in charge is absent. And if he persists and, if he manages to present himself to the registrar, he may be disqualified because he did not spell out his middle name, or because he abbreviated a word on the application. And if he manages to fill out an application, he is given a test. The registrar is the sole judge of whether he passes this test. He may be asked to recite the entire Constitution, or explain the most complex provisions of state law….

The bill I am presenting to you will be known as a civil rights bill. But in a larger sense, most of the program I am recommending is a civil rights program. Its object is to open the city of hope to all people of all races, because all Americans just must have the right to vote, and we are going to give them that right.”

As they face the challenge of sustaining delivery of vital services with less funds, many city managers are looking at the option of sharing services across jurisdictions. While there are many longstanding examples of cities successfully sharing services such as police, fire and libraries, it’s still a sticky topic.  Community members can get nervous about the loss of “local control.”  Existing employees and bargaining groups may be suspicious of moves to eliminate city departments.

Five city managers in San Mateo County have been meeting for several years about the topic of sharing services across city lines.  They are familiar with the point of view that existing advocates have on this issue (pro and con) – but decided that they wanted to get a better handle on how a broader cross-section of the community understands this issue.

On September 8^th and 13^th, 100 residents from multiple cities in San Mateo County came together at a local library to learn more about and weigh in on the topic of shared services. Attendees represented a diverse cross-section of the community, and were recruited though a variety of methods.  Some were drawn from voter lists; some from citizen academies, and others from multiple networks.  The majority were not regular attendees of city council meetings.

Community Dialogue in Daly City library

Rather than a definitive statement about the community’s perspective on shared services, these sessions were designed as an initial exploration of how best to engage the public on this issue. Participation was high: everyone stayed for the full three hours, they were active in the large group and small group dialogue and filled out detailed evaluation forms.  The tone of the dialogues was constructive and even hopeful. And the predominant evaluation was very positive. Community members in San Mateo County want to see more of these kinds of forums and more public education on this topic.

“[I learned that] the public has a role in this and others share my views.”

“The issues are complex but there are many good ideas for dealing with them.”

“Regional planning is better than insular planning.”

“Thank you for engaging the community in this process and enabling us to be better informed and better citizens.  EVERY community should do this.”

The Common Knowledge Group wants to publicly thank the city managers that led this project: Pat Martel (Daly City), Jim Nantell (Burlingame), Susan Loftus (San Mateo), Clay Holstine (Brisbane) and Bob Bell (Redwood City).  Thanks also to the grant from the Peninsula Library System that allowed us to design and facilitate the sessions. Table facilitators were provided by the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center. Visit our publications page to see the full report. Photos from these library dialogues are also posted on a special Flickr page prepared by Greg Keidan.

On October 10, 1911 – 100 years ago today – California held a special election to consider a variety of political reforms such as:

• Should women have the right to vote?  (This had been on the ballot 15 years earlier in 1896 but it didn’t pass).
• Should the public have the ability to put citizens initiatives on the ballot for approval directly by the voters?
• Should voters have the right to recall politicians they do not like?
• Should voters have the right to over turn laws that they do not like?

California voters did approve the reforms for “direct democracy.”  These were in response to a political system seen as in thrall to special interests. But 100 years (and 348 initiatives) later, while Californians poll as wanting to keep these rights, many also recognize how the initiative system in particular has ironically become its own victim of special interests. The folks at PPIC have prepared a quick primer on public attitudes and potential reforms for California’s initiative process.

And, yes, one hundred years ago today, voters also gave women the right to vote in California.  But it was a cliffhanger.  Early results looked like it was not going to pass.  But as the votes were counted, the tide finally turned.  It came down to just about a one vote difference per precinct which made California the sixth state that gave women this right and doubled the number of female voters.  That helped create the momentum to give all U.S. women the right to vote in 1920.

There are many ways to celebrate this important anniversary. Many communities and historical museums have activities and exhibits honoring women earning the right to vote. Prominent government reformers will be gathering at an all day conference in Sacramento to discuss how to improve direct democracy.  Also in Sacramento today, we’ll be celebrating this anniversary by helping lead voting and civic engagement workshops at the VALUE adult learner leadership conference in Sacramento.  I believe there’s no more appropriate place to be.  As VALUE USA President Faye Combs has shared, “I was an active voter for years.  But I always relied on my husband’s recommendations.  It wasn’t until I had the Easy Voter Guide that I was able to make my own decisions.” Let’s celebrate the rights of all citizens to vote AND to get nonpartisan information that helps them be independent voters.

CKG Associate Mony Flores-Bauer shared this update:

My husband and I hosted our neighborhood’s  “National Night Out” on August 2nd. It’s been our pleasure to organize and host this for four years now and it gets bigger each year. Our goal is to promote “more partnerships among residents and police departments, reduce crime and increase neighborhood spirit.”

This year we had about 60 adults and 30 children in our front driveway and garage — new neighbors and long standing neighbors all getting acquainted. As always, the visit from a shiny police car and a tour of a big fire truck were the highlight of the evening.

Neighborhood map

Our City Councilmember Jane Brunner was among the early arrivees as she had
dozens of National Night Out events happening that evening in her district. Here’s a short video clip of her comment about creating a safe neighborhood via “National Night Out.” Something as simple as helping people to get know their neighbors and neighborhood can make a big difference.

At Common Knowledge Group, we try to walk our own talk about community building.  Susan started an annual neighborhood barbecue ten years ago and now residents rely on the gathering as an important way to stay caught up with each other and local developments.  A Pew Report published last summer showed that 19% of Americans know all of their neighbors and another 24% know most.  But that means that close to 3/5 do not have strong knowledge of their neighbors.  Talking face to face was the primary source people had for getting information about what was happening in their community.

Adult literacy students across California are participating in ALLI, the Adult Literacy Leadership Institute, sponsored by the California State Library.  ALLI is completely peer led, with the prior year’s participants leading the sessions for a new class. The ALLI learners have undertaken advocacy for literacy, created educational videos in Spanish and English about voting and community involvement, led voting workshops and stepped out in their communities.

These are busy men and women, working jobs, supporting families and extended families and squeezing in class and tutor time to build their reading, writing and language skills.  Yet they are also active in their communities, volunteering in many settings, helping at local schools,  speaking out to help others.

“If I could volunteer 24/7, I would. You get to find out who you are.”  – Larry Washington, ALLI learner

Check out all four new videos from the ALLI team:

• Get Involved in Your Community
• Volunteer at Your Local School
• Speak Out for Literacy
• ALLI:  Learners Becoming Leaders

This spring and summer, our colleague Emily Thompson provided invaluable support — especially on the new videos and bi-lingual interviews – before she went back to graduate school. She brought some background in community engagement but had little exposure to the processes of local government.  We found her reactions helpful and refreshing:

The experience of my first public hearing was completely different than what I had imagined. I pictured a big, round, wooden table in the middle of a room, with both the public officials and various community members spread out around it. In my version of the public hearing, everyone played more or less the same role in determining what actions were best for the community; everyone was able to share their opinions, make corrections and offer ideas.

When I visited a public hearing about affordable housing one afternoon, the scene was nothing like what I had visualized earlier. At the end of the hall, the public officials sat up high facing the public behind a long table. Members of the community were scattered below around the auditorium. A single microphone stood on a small podium, facing the housing committee, away from the rest of the community. I felt anonymous and anxious.

I was a little late so I missed the introductions and they did not have their names in front of them. Who were these people?  After a while it was clear to me that if I wanted to contribute anything to the meeting, I would have to go up to the front of the room and search through the stacks of papers, written using words and acronyms I didn’t understand. I would have to collect my thoughts into one well-crafted, brief, cohesive statement, and I would have to do it in their language, on their terms, because I wouldn’t get a second chance. The physical space felt exclusionary, as if the room itself was divided between “us” (the people) and “them.”

But shouldn’t we be working together? Instead of fostering an “us vs. them” mentality, how can “we” (all of us) create spaces that are more welcoming and participatory dialogues that promote mutual understanding?

I see potential in changing the format of public hearings and City Council Meetings:  using language that is accessible to everyone, meeting in places and at times that are not only convenient for the larger community, but comfortable for them, too, and allowing people to speak up more than once -facing their friends and supporters as well as the board. These are all ways to help eliminate the physical and psychological divide between Board members and community members.

Beatriz Garcia, community leader in Novato, CA, talks about her transformation from isolation to engagement, and how her library-based literacy program helped.

I wasn’t happy with myself being at home, in my house, watching TV. I thought, this is not something that’s good for me, I want something more, I want to grow. When we feel isolated, we need to look for help. At first I was embarrassed. I thought I should do it by myself, that it’s not okay to ask for help.  But I was wrong.  We need other people.

I knew about the Marin Literacy Program at the library. When I started with my tutor Harriet she inspired me a lot and pushed me to do things that I’d never think to do before. She asked me what things were pushing me down, and I said because I didn’t speak English. She said, “But you can speak English now!” I was very unsure of myself, and she helped me with my self-esteem, I didn’t want to be hiding under my rock, I wanted to go out.

Now I feel like a bird out of a cage, because I can do many things that I didn’t do before.

First I registered to take classes at College of Marin to learn English, then I started a new job and working to become a citizen.  My tutor helped with the whole process and all the applications, practicing my conversation so that I would feel confident at my interview. Then the next step was to get my drivers license. Now I feel like a bird out of a cage, because I can do many things that I didn’t do before. I can work, I can drive myself there and I can communicate, that’s the best part. My son has helped me a lot because I want him to be proud of me. You have to be an example for your son and be proud of yourself.

I am working as an assistant in the Montessori school helping the teacher. At the school I help them with reading, putting together and preparing information that goes home, and translating all the information, making sure everything is in English and Spanish. There are a lot of parents that don’t speak English, and I help them talk to the secretary and principal, as a translator. If they have concerns, they come to me. Now I am working hard at school to become a registered nurse.

All the time I am looking for things that I need because maybe other people need the same as me. At first I hesitated to ask for help, but people want to help. I’m not afraid to ask now.

Beatriz is also the PTA president of her son’s school. She started a homework club after school and next year plans to help open a day care program there as well.

Beatriz is a graduate of the Adult Learner Leadership Institute and serves as a peer mentor to other adult learners.  She also received an award from WE LEARN and has been published in Women’s Perspectives: A Journal of Writing & Art by Adult Learners. Check it out here!