Happy New Year, everyone!

Doesn't it feel like 2009 is full of possibility and hope? There is so much upcoming activity, and with the new congress in session, much to be done.

We have launched our new website! Please go visit at www.DoPeaceSoCal.org.

- On the Get Involved page, you can see the district maps of the area, which really helps to visually understand where your geographic location is in relation to the the rest of Southern California.

- The calendar will be continually updated on the site. You can click on any item in the calendar, and the details for that event will display above. Go check out the January events and calls, including the Martin Luther King Day parade!

- In addition to local news, we have a feed of national news directly from the national site.
You will receive an email notice about the website shortly.

URGENT: Please take the action at OnDayOne.org before January 12th, and Change.org before January 15th!

Embrace the New Year!

Warmly,
Terry Mason and Tory Haslinger
 
PEACE NEEDS YOUR HELP
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This is an important message. Please consider forwarding this notice to your friends, organizations you know and also posting it on websites you visit.


FIRST STEP - DO THIS TODAY!
At this writing, we are 2nd in OnDayOne.org! Go to http://www.ondayone.org/ and Vote under Peacekeeping to "Create a Cabinet Level Department of Peace."
 

SECOND STEP - DO THIS NO LATER THAN JANUARY 15TH!
At this writing, we are 7th in Change.org and need to remain in the Top 10! Help us get 10,000 votes! The idea to create a U.S. Department of Peace WON the first round of voting at the online contest at www.Change.org.  Now is your chance to support it in the final round which began on Monday Jan 5th and ends on Jan 15th. Please click below. Stand up for peace and to support this powerful idea to help change the world. It only takes 2 minutes of your time to do this. If this idea is among the top 10 ideas of the 87 submitted, the direct results of your action have the potential to reach millions of people. President Obama will be handed this idea, a Press Conference will be held at the National Press Club, it will be featured on MySpace reaching millions of Americans and a nonprofit will support the promotion of this cause to ensure it is not swept under the rug.
 
Please come VOTE for a DEPARTMENT OF PEACE ON MONDAY JAN 5TH TO JAN 15TH.
 
Make sure the BLUE VOTE BUTTON next to the title has turned to a RED VOTED BUTTON in order for your vote to be counted.
 
 
Other -"Appoint Secretary of Peace in Department of Peace and Nonviolence".
http://www.change.org/ideas/view/appoint_secretary_of_peace_in_department_of_peace_and_non-violence
 
Government Reform - Nonviolent Communication in the Government
http://www.change.org/ideas/view/bridging_the_empathy_gap_-_yes_we_can
 
 
Make sure the BLUE VOTE BUTTON next to the title has turned to a RED VOTED BUTTON in order for your vote to be counted.
 
 
We need your online support by spreading the link below in anticipation of the 10 day run off.
 
Would you be willing to share the website link in an email to friends, groups you know, blog it, bulletin it or post the widgety thing on your website??
 
Please help support this idea and take that extra step. It really works and takes just a few minutes.


THIRD STEP - DO THIS BEFORE JANUARY 20TH!
And last, Change.gov also has a Share Your Vision option, which both The Peace Alliance and Student Peace Alliance have
been pushing since it opened. Claudia, the national webmaster, even created a page for people in our campaign to submit their visions:

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/696/t/1681/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=343

 Search for ideas including "Department of Peace" and click to give power to those questions. Write one of your own!


FAQS from the desk of State Co-Leads Terry Mason and Tory Haslinger
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Q: Why does it matter to vote on the OnDayOne and Change.org sites?

A: The publicity that will be generated when the idea of creating a Department of Peace wins the final round will be beyond anything we could possibly create on our own. Greater networks and organizations will be supporting the idea. It will be presented to President Obama. There's not a single thing you could possibly do that takes such a short amount of time that is more important. So please, vote, and share this information with everyone you know, on your MySpace page, your Facebook page, and with every organization you belong to!

Yours in peace,

Terry Mason and Tory Haslinger
State co-coordinators, Los Angeles, Valley and Santa Barbara
areas -- Volunteers for the Department of Peace and Nonviolence campaign
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