Blog Posts - PACG - Progressive Action for the Common Good

After Action Report - Caucus Training

1/22/2020

Caucus Training - After Action Report

Davenport Public Library
Eastern Avenue Branch

Civil Rights Forum

On January 15th, we had a full house at our final nonppartisan caucus training at Davenport Public Library, Eastern Avenue Branch. We are honored to have co-sponsored this training with the AAUW (American Association of University Women), QCAIR (Quad City Alliance for Immigrants and Refugees), and the Alliance for Retired Americans.

We mock-caucused both the Republican and Democrat formats, using fruit (oranges, apples, blueberries, tomatoes) as our candidates.

Iowans: the caucus will be held Monday, Feb. 3 at 7 pm. Doors open at 6:30 pm and you must be in line no later than 7 pm. Contact your local party to find your caucus location.

Democrat Caucus locations
Republican Caucus locations

Check out our photos from the training!

Julie Ross

Farming and the Climate Crisis Lunch & Learn

1/22/2020

How Farmers Can Help Solve the Climate Crisis -
Thursday, February 13th at 12:00 pm

Davenport Public Library
Eastern Avenue Branch, Room B
6000 Eastern Ave, Davenport (map)

Environmental Forum

Iowa Interfaith Power and Light will lead a Lunch & Learn, sharing the work they have done empowering farmers to help solve the climate crisis. Matt Russell, IIPL executive director and a farmer himself, will provide a summary of how IIPL is reshaping conventional wisdom about farmers and climate change, and will facilitate a Q and A. Since a light lunch will be provided, a $5 donation is requested. This event is co-sponsored with the Freight House Farmers Market.

Lori McCollum

What You Can Do Now - Attend the Davenport School Board Meeting for Juvenile Justice

1/22/2020

Attend the Davenport School Board Meeting -
Monday, January 27th at 6:00 pm

JB Young School
1702 N Main St, Davenport, IA (map)

Civil Rights Forum

The Mottet Institute Education group works with the
Juvenile Justice Coalition of the Quad Cities. They are asking people to attend the next Davenport School Board meeting to express their concerns about students who have been expelled not receiving their education. Even though it’s not required by state law (unless a student has an Individualized Educational Plan), the Davenport School Board should do what is needed to stop the school-to-prison pipeline. Providing an education for students who have been expelled is extremely important.

If you live or work in Davenport, and especially if you have children who attend or attended Davenport schools, the School Board needs to hear from you!

Contact Alta Price with questions.

Changing Systems, Changing Ourselves Webinar - Civil Rights Forum

1/15/2020

Changing Systems, Changing Ourselves Webinar - Update
Tuesday, January 28th at 7:00 pm

At home or at
the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Quad Cities
3704 Eastern Av, Davenport (map)

Civil Rights Forum

The PACG Civil Rights Forum invites you to sign up for a five-session monthly online series on immigration and race sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee, Church World Service, Freedom for Immigrants, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, and the Unitarian Universalist Association. The sessions are the fourth Tuesday of the month, usually from 7 - 8:30 pm central time.

Although you can sign up as an individual, there will be a group showing at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Quad Cities in the Board room to facilitate discussion after the webinars.

The January 28th session explores "anti-racist practice, to reflect on how to show up consciously to work alongside those most impacted by injustice, with caucus groups for people of color and white people."

For more information and to register, sign up at the American Friends Service Committee website.

Alta Price
PACG Civil Rights Forum Co-Facilitator

Paris to Pittsburgh Screening at Augustana College

1/15/2020

Paris to Pittsburgh Screening -
Wednesday, January 15th at 6:00 pm

Due to technical difficulties, our showing of Paris to Pittsburgh tonight at Augustana College has moved next door to Olin Hall: Hanson Science Bldg Room 102. Same time. Thanks for your patience.

Augustana College
Olin Auditorium
820 38th St, Rock Island (map)

Environmental Forum

If you haven't seen it already, come see the movie Paris to Pittsburgh at Augustana College - Olin Auditorium on Wednesday, January 15th from 6-8 pm. This 2018 documentary about climate change is directed by filmmakers Sidney Beaumont and Michael Bonfiglio and is produced by Bloomberg Philanthropies, National Geographic, and RadicalMedia. The screening will be followed by a panel presentation by local environmental experts Ray Wolf, Eric Sorensen, and Bobby Wengronowicz.

Lori McCollum

Next Iowa Nonpartisan Caucus Training - January 15th

1/9/2020

PACG Caucus Training - Wednesday, January 15th 5 - 7 pm

Eastern Avenue Branch of Davenport Library
6000 Eastern AV. Davenport (map)

PACG Nonpartisan Caucus Training

This training is designed for Iowans who'd like to be more familiar with the caucus process. Both Republican and Democratic caucus styles will be presented. Instead of candidate names, we will be demonstrating using food preferences. This is fun and informative and open to everyone.

NOTE: Caucus training is NOT mandatory to participate in the caucuses. This training is for individuals who'd like to understand more about what will happen in Iowa on Monday, Feb. 3rd.

Julie Ross

Green Drinks for January

1/9/2020

Green Drinks - Tuesday, January 7th at 5:00 pm

2232 18th Street, Rock Island, IL (map)

Environmental Forum

Our first Green Drinks of the year will be on Tuesday, Jan 7th at Huckleberry's in Rock Island from 5 pm to 7 pm. Sarah Gardner from the QC Regional Bi-Sate Commission will share with us information on Electric Vehicles.

Huckleberry's Great Pizza and Calzones will host our monthly meetings at the same time of 5-7 pm on the first Tuesday of every month.

Join with other like-minded people in the area to discuss issues involving the environment. Come to network, socialize, and learn, all while having drinks!

Message from the President About the New Year

1/9/2020

Happy New Year Progressives!

Message from the President

This is going to be a very active year for PACG!

A few things to look forward to is our involvement with the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and a 15th anniversary celebration for PACG!

And, of course, we have a national election, which is a great time to participate in our democracy as Americans.

I am looking forward to a great and progressive 2020 with you all!

Allison

What You Can Do Now - Call Your Senators About Impeachement

1/3/2020

Call Your Senators About the Impeachment Inquiry

A Message from the President

Considering the turmoil facing our democracy at this confusing time, we encourage all PACG members to call the offices of their US Senators daily to voice their opinions about the President being impeached and the next steps in the Senate. Which witnesses and documents do you think should be compelled to ensure a fair Senate trial? If you are unsure of these peoples' names, you can tell your Senator that you don't want witnesses and documents blocked.

Tell your friends and voting-age family members to contact their Senators as well..

This is very simple but has enormous impact. Each call takes one or two minutes. You either speak to a staffer or leave a message. State your name, address and your message. Be brief, respectful and stay on point. It's also a good idea to thank the staffer - if you speak to one - for doing their job during this stressful time. If your Senator is pursuing this situation to your satisfaction, tell them you are grateful for their diligence and hard work. If they are not, give them input.

Iowa Senators
Chuck Grassley - Davenport Office: 563-322-4331
WA DC Office: 202-224-3744

Joni Ernst - Davenport Office: 563-322-0677
WA DC Office: 202-224-3254

Illinois Senators
Dick Durbin - Rock Island: 309-786-5173
WA DC Office: 202-224-2152

Tammy Duckworth - Rock Island: 309-606-7060
WA DC Office: 202-224-2854

Your voice matters between elections - make it heard. Take 4 minutes out of your day to help make the change that you want to see. Put these numbers in your phone's Contacts and call daily. You will feel empowered.

Allison Ambrose

Climate Crisis Parade - Saturday, February 1st in Des Moines

1/1/2020

Climate Crisis Parade - Saturday, February 1st at 12:00 pm

Cowles Commons
221 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA (map)

Bold Iowa

The Iowa Coalition is planning a major climate action before the Caucuses.

Please note: We need a firm number of attendees for the organization chartering the bus by January 3rd.

Over forty organizations have come together to take collective climate action on Saturday, February 1st at noon in Des Moines just before the Iowa Caucuses. If you are interested in attending this event, there will be a bus leaving from Iowa City, early that morning and returning later that same day. It will cost only $12 round trip. We are also considering a local caravan and carpool. Contact Lori McCollum if you are interested.

The Climate Crisis Parade is only two days before the Iowa Caucuses in order to challenge voters and the media to act with urgency on behalf of our climate. This event marks the first time these local, state, and national groups have worked together to spotlight the urgent need for all to act on climate. Participants will gather at Cowles Commons, 221 Walnut Street, in Des Moines and parade to the Iowa Events Center, where media from around the world will assemble to report on the Iowa Caucuses. The action is non-partisan and not organized in support of any presidential candidate. You can learn more about the event by contacting the Steering Committee at communications@climatemarch.org.

Contacts are Samantha Kuhn at 847-682-2924 and Steve Shivvers at 515-468-3923.

Lori McCollum