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Growing a healthy democracy in Florida and Kentucky

Posted by: KFTC Staff on August 21, 2013

Saturday Plenary

Binary Data Saturday Plenary

Florida is like Kentucky in its need for a strong and visionary grassroots organization to influence the political tide.

For Kentucky, that organization is KFTC. For Florida, it’s the Florida New Majority. Gihan Perera, executive director of Florida New Majority, and volunteer Johann Joseph talked about their work to build a healthy democracy at KFTC’s recent annual meeting at General Butler State Park.

“We are really excited to learn from their experience for many reasons,” said KFTC member Linda Stettenbenz in introducing Perera and Joseph. “Florida, as we know, is a complicated place that has its share of challenges when it comes to democracy. Like Kentucky, Florida is among a handful of states that permanently take away a person’s right to vote when convicted of a felony. It’s a state that has a history of schemes to suppress, discourage, purge and otherwise restrict people from voting – especially if they happen to be people of color. And like Kentucky, Florida is also home to a remarkable, determined, visionary and effective grassroots organization that is building power, growing community leaders, and making change for the better.”

Shelby fiscal court says no to Bluegrass Pipeline after hearing from members

Posted by: Lisa Aug on August 20, 2013

This morning, the Shelby County Fiscal Court passed a resolution opposing the construction of any part of the Bluegrass Pipeline or any other Natural Gas Liquids Pipeline in Shelby County.

KFTC annual meeting: This is What Democracy Looks Like

Posted by: KFTC Staff on August 19, 2013

 

“Community building is a movement that transcends the moment,” said KFTC member Ray Tucker in a workshop called "Everyday Democracy" at KFTC's annual meeting.

Tucker of Pulaski County described what growing a healthy democracy looks like in his community.

AnnMtg 2013 216“The biggest barrier is that the community doesn’t really communicate,” Tucker said. “People feel like they’re on the outside, regardless of where they are.”

To bring people together around a common vision, Tucker starts conversations. “It starts with one-on-one conversations. It’s ‘What do you want our community to look like?’” he said. Once people have a shared vision to work toward, they can see beyond a single issue and begin to see a bigger picture of what’s possible. 

KFTC members and friends from across Kentucky gathered at General Butler State Park near Carrollton August 16-18 to explore the theme “This Is What Democracy Looks Like.” In workshops and informal conversations, they broadened the concept of democracy beyond voting to encompass other ways in which grassroots organizing by ordinary Kentuckians can strengthen our democracy.

Kentucky author, farmer and KFTC member Wendell Berry delivered the keynote address on Friday night, focusing on the importance of connecting people, land, community and work. For more about his speech, look here.

Gihan Perera and Johann Joseph of Florida New Majority described their work to build electoral power in Florida during the Saturday morning plenary. Inspired by the energy and momentum of the 2008 presidential campaign, Florida New Majority was formed in 2009 to find common ground among diverse communities in the state and then help those communities exercise their collective power. To read more about their presentation and watch a video, click here.

Other workshop topics included campaign finance reform, economic democracy, immigration reform, voting rights, media and democracy, movement building, powerful citizen lobbying, art and democracy, grassroots fundraising and more. 

AnnMtg 2013 298At a workshop on citizen lobbying, members talked about the power of meeting with legislators on their home turf, rather than only meeting in their offices in Frankfort. “We as an organization need to invite them in,” said Harlan County member Bennie Massey. 

A workshop on building people power through elections focused on KFTC’s work to build a large, diverse, informed, active, organized base of political muscle that transcends any single election. Members talked about the importance of voting and expanding voting rights so that many more people are represented in elections.

“Working class people are really the only ones who can think clearly,” said Louisville member Kimble Pendley, alluding to the influence of big money on political decisions. “Voting is so critical. It’s the one common denominator for us all.”

Chris Woolery of Lawrenceburg lifted up the need to push back against forces that would limit voting rights, especially in light of the recent Supreme Court decision weakening the Voting Rights Act. “I just think there are so many forces lined up to disenfranchise and disempower people. … We need to be pushing back on things like this.”

The annual meeting, held for many years at the Kentucky Leadership Center at Jabez, moved this year to General Butler to accommodate steadily rising numbers of folks. This year, attendance was 35% larger than last year with about 250 people.

AnnMtg 2013 244In addition to workshops, attendees enjoyed a square dance, talent show, dance party, and an awards banquet that honored members for outstanding work and kicked off our fall fundraising campaign.

See our next issue of balancing the scales for more details.

Wendell Berry's vision of a strong local economy

Posted by: Amy Hogg on August 17, 2013

Kentucky author, farmer and KFTC member Wendell Berry kicked off KFTC’s annual membership meeting by lifting up the unbreakable tie between people and the land, between work and community.

In his keynote address to a crowd of more than 200 KFTC members and friends gathered at General Butler State Resort Park on August 16, he expressed an ideal of a locally-based economy built on the skills of local people and the diverse resources of the land.

Ethan Hamblin receives Sargent Shriver Youth Warriors Against Poverty Award

Posted by: KFTC on August 14, 2013

The Marguerite Casey Foundation has awarded 22-year-old Ethan Hamblin, a Berea College senior and KFTC member, of Gays Creek (Perry County) the Sargent Shriver Youth Warriors Against Poverty Leadership Award.

While interning at the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky in Hazard, Ethan established the Youth Leadership and Philanthropy Initiative to spur local youth to invest in enhancing their community. In the program, high school students participate in grantmaking, fundraising, nonprofit engagement and community service.

Ethan also serves on the steering committee of the Stay Together Appalachian Youth (STAY) Project, which provides Appalachian youth with the skills, resources and support they need to make lasting change at home.

Citizens deliver petition to Beshear, attend Bluegrass Pipeline open houses

Posted by: KFTC on August 12, 2013

Last Wednesday about 100 concerned Kentuckians met on the steps of the state capitol in Frankfort to let Gov. Steve Beshear know they want his help to protect Kentucky land and people from the proposed Bluegrass Pipeline.

They delivered petitions with more than 5,200 signatures to remind the governor of the urgency of this issue and ask him to support legislative action to address uncertainties and gaps in the law.

Sue Massek, of Willisburg and a member of the Reel World String Band, got things started with a song she wrote about the pipeline.  The crowd sang the refrain of the song with her: “Hold on, stand strong, don’t let Williams’ poisons pass through our lands.”

U.S. Bureau of Prisons holds "Open House Public Scoping" meeting in Letcher County

Posted by: Elizabeth Sanders and Sylvia Ryerson on August 12, 2013

The Mountain Eagle reported earlier this year and last week about progress on a federal prison in Letcher County. Last week, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) announced it is “initiating a 30-day scoping process to identify community concerns and local issues that will be addressed in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).” 

“As part of the EIS public participation process, the Bureau will be holding an open house public scoping meeting to obtain input from the public on what should be studied in the EIS...The meeting will be conducted using an open house format with informational display and materials available for public review. There will be no formal presentations. Bureau staff will be present at the open house to answer general questions on the proposed action and the EIS process." An EIS is a federally required step before land acquisition or construction can begin.The BOP and local Letcher Co. Planning Commission have narrowed down potential sites to Roxana or Payne Gap.

Central Kentucky KFTC members meet with Senator Alice Forgy Kerr on Restoration of Voting Rights

Posted by: Beth Howard on August 9, 2013

On August 1, Central Kentucky KFTC members sat down with state Senator Alice Forgy Kerr to talk about the importance of restoring voting rights to former felons. Members were happy to have her full support.

Central Kentucky members Sarah Thomas, Teddi Robillard Smith, Mantell Stevens, and Pastor Anthony Everett shared their passion for the issue and created a space that allowed for a supportive conversation about the importance of democracy and the power of having a second chance.

Democracy Voices - Shelton McElroy, Jefferson County

Posted by: Honey Dozier on August 8, 2013

Shelton McElroy lives in Louisville with his 8-year-old daughter Jasmin. He teaches at Jefferson Community and Technical College and is involved in various community organization.

Democracy Voices - Bonifacio Aleman, Jefferson County

Posted by: Honey Dozier on August 8, 2013

Bonifacio Aleman or as many call him, Flaco, is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and grew up in a single parent household where he recalls that crime and domestic violence were common.

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