Elders Action Network

Elders for Sound Democracy
2023-04-19 10:00 - 11:30, 2023-05-17 10:00 - 11:30, 2023-08-16 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom video conferencing
Join us at our next Community Meeting to hear Vicki Shapiro of The Civics Center talk about our upcoming collaboration with that group’s PROMOTE THE VOTE Fall Campaign! (You can also go to TheCivicsCenter.org to read about their work.)
We will be:

Providing get-out-the-vote (GOTV) volunteers the process for interacting with high school vice principals and senior class leaders to launch registration-to-vote class campaigns in collaboration with The Civics Center;

Ramping up understanding of anti-democracy activity (e.g., book banning, government workers intimidation) and how we can counter these activities at the local level;

Developing and launching state GOTV teams in collaboration with Third Act, beginning with Arizona. Florida and Wisconsin are next.

ESD’s Community meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month for 90 minutes, beginning at 10:00 am PT / 1:00 pm ET. Join us and help evolve our 2023 plan of action. We need and value your ideas and input for tackling these challenges!
register
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing the link to join the meeting. You will receive a resend of this confirmation email from Zoom on Wednesday morning as a reminder and so that you have your unique link handy.

Elders for Social Justice Monthly Meeting
2023-04-20 09:00 - 10:30, 2023-05-18 09:00 - 10:30, 2023-06-15 09:00 - 10:30, 2023-07-20 09:00 - 10:30
Third Thursday of each month
9:00 – 10:30 am PT / 12:00 – 1:30 pm ET

At Elders for Social Justice (ESJ) we create an inclusive education and advocacy environment for social and environmental justice. We work with other EAN groups, external organizations, elder activists, youth and visionary leaders as we act on behalf of Earth and all life. We gather to focus on current social justice issues so we can take informed collective and local actions.
Register for the ESJ monthly meeting here. Once you’ve registered for the series, you’ll receive your unique link for joining all the meetings, and a reminder the day before each meeting.

FixMyFunds Investor Working Group
2023-04-25 10:00 - 11:30
FixMyFunds Investor Working Group
Tuesday, April 25
10:00 – 11:30 am PT / 1:00 – 2:30 pm ET

register

Becoming Good Ancestors – How We Can Change the Future
2023-04-28 10:00 - 11:00
Keynote Launch of EAN’s Take the Pledge Environmental Campaign with John Izzo
Friday, April 28
10:00–11:00 am PT / 1:00–2:00 pm ET
Dr. John Izzo is a bestselling author of nine books and a professional speaker who has spoken to over a million people worldwide about activating social responsibility and purpose. John is currently an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia, where he is a co-founder of Blueprint, serves on the board of Sustainable Brands and co-hosts The Way Forward Regenerative Conversations podcast. He also presented a powerful Ted talk on the Legacy of the Boomer Generation.
Many people contend that we are living in a unique moment of human history in which people and the planet are threatened by collapsing ecosystems and a growing lack of international cooperation to solve global issues. Yet, the future isn’t set; it is created by the actions that we take and those we fail to take. The present generations have the opportunity to set Earth on a path toward a brighter future. Now is the time to act! In this opening keynote we will discover how we can become Good Ancestors. Dr. Izzo will help us see the major challenges we face alongside hopeful suggestions of what is possible if we act collectively now.
The Emerging Future

The overarching purpose is to help people realize that the way we live is directly connected to climate disruption and biodiversity loss. We seek to encourage people to replace the inertia of their current habits with a consumption-reduction mentality and sustainable behavioral change.

What are some of the internal resources we need to effectively awaken our capacities for necessary existential change.
How people can build physical, emotional, and psychological resilience in the face of our uncertain future.
How the experience of our collective action can build community, be fun, improve our health, add meaning and even joy.
The long view “Good Ancestors” who care deeply about the future of the planet and our youth for the next seven generations must take.
Learn the important role Elders can play in the emerging future.

This event is free and open to all ages. We hope you will consider a donation to help support EAN’s programming and campaigns. Suggested donation: $10
register
After registering for the meeting using the REGISTER button above, you will receive a confirmation email from Zoom containing a unique link to join the meeting.

Welcome to EAN Webinar
2023-05-05 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-06-02 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-07-07 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-08-04 10:00 - 11:00
10:00 – 11:00 am PT / 1:00 – 2:00 pm ET
Join us for a one hour gathering for new members of Elders Action Network (EAN) to learn about the work we do and how you might participate in the network.
This will be an in depth introduction to the different areas of our Elder Action Groups and an opportunity to meet other Elders and EAN leaders, ask questions and determine how you might like to get involved.
We offer this gathering on the first Friday of each month, so you can register for a future date if you missed the current month’s meeting (choose the date when registering below).

How to join the meeting
register
After registering for the meeting using the REGISTER button above, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
We will be using Zoom video conferencing technology, which is straightforward to join by computer. Simply click on the link that was provided to you in the registration confirmation email from Zoom. (If this is your first time using Zoom, please arrive 15 minutes early in case any help is needed.)

Electrify Everything: Your Home and Your Ride
2023-05-05 13:00 - 14:00
Friday, May 5
1:00–2:00 pm PT / 4:00–5:00 pm ET

In this program you will learn how to electrify your home and your vehicles, including preparing a plan, and learning about local rebates, as well as federal tax credits and rebates through the game changing Inflation Reduction Act.
To eliminate fossil fuel use in our lives, the speakers will also show you how to develop an equitable strategy of advocacy in your own community for clean power, local rebates, and the successful local implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act. You will receive an example of how other communities have created a “Pathway to Success”.
Host Robert Whitehair has 50 years of experience in the building trades and has electrified his own home, with the help of local action groups. He has opened his home for tours and tips: residential electrification.
Speaker Brian Stewart, of Electrify Now, a program dedicated to helping everyone create a clean energy future, will provide information on getting started, as well as the latest equipment and technologies that you can use to electrify your home and ride. And it is helpful to know the right questions to ask of heating and cooling contractors.
The electrification of your home, using only clean energy, can seem like a daunting challenge, but with the Inflation Reduction Act and other rebates, electrification has become very doable. There is strength in locally focused strategies as is happening from Maryland to California, and from Missouri to Oregon.
This event is free and open to all ages. We hope you will consider a donation to help support EAN’s programming and campaigns. Suggested donation: $10
register
After registering for the meeting using the REGISTER button above, you will receive a confirmation email from Zoom containing a unique link to join the meeting.

Climate Change & The Future of Food with Dr. Michael Hoffmann
2023-05-11 12:00 - 13:30
Thursday, May 11
12:00–1:30 pm PT / 3:00–4:30 pm ET
What does the future of food hold?
If you’re curious you won’t want to miss hearing Dr. Hoffmann speak about the subtle to profound changes that are happening to our food as our world warms. It’s a mostly untold story and relevant to everyone.
He will take us on a journey with stories and fascinating facts about what it takes for us to get food on our table and its source. He will educate us about the world of the crop plants we depend on for life and how the flavors, nutritional quality, and availability of the foods we love and need, are all undergoing change. Everyone can tap into the power of food to bring about the rapid and at scale changes that are so desperately needed to keep our favorite foods on the menu.

Dr. Michael P. Hoffmann, who likes to be called Mike, is warm, personable and down to earth. He was raised close to the land and has gone on to become an expert on food. He received his Ph. D. from the University of California, Davis and now holds the title of Professor Emeritus at Cornell University. He is dedicating his life to helping us understand what is happening with food and the climate and will tell the story until he no longer can.

This event is free and open to all ages. We hope you will consider a donation to help support EAN’s programming and campaigns. Suggested donation: $10
register
After registering for the meeting using the REGISTER button above, you will receive a confirmation email from Zoom containing a unique link to join the meeting.

Cutting Ties With Plastic – Making Progress!
2023-05-18 13:00 - 14:00
Thursday, May 18
1:00–2:00 pm PT / 4:00–5:00 pm ET
What are you doing and learning about single-use plastic (SUP) reduction? Your ideas are important so we share what positive solutions are possible. We will be sharing about lots of new things happening at all levels from industry redesign of plastic to be recyclable, state and local ordinances to ban SUPs, and new reprocessing methods. Each action adds up to CHANGE. We must work together to reduce the methane emissions by SAYING NO and finding alternatives. Push back to the fossil fuel companies and the packaging industry, and to stores we frequent. Filter out Microplastics. Watch what we buy – reduce consumption. Our collective health and lives are at stake! Some ideas for starters:

Start a local single-use food ware disposables initiative, and styrofoam ban
What programs does your city and state have that you can work toward getting accepted widely? Heard about JUST ASK?
Microplastic awareness is vital
Join US and Global Extended Producer Responsibility actions to pass legislation in your state and our nation
Lobby our national government to sign the Global Plastics Treaty
Learn about Plastic-Free July and how to make it a special focus www.plasticfreejuly.org

This event is free and open to all ages. We hope you will consider a donation to help support EAN’s programming and campaigns. Suggested donation: $10
register
After registering for the meeting using the REGISTER button above, you will receive a confirmation email from Zoom containing a unique link to join the meeting.
This event is being offered as part of the Take the Pledge initiative. Learn more here.

FixMyFunds Investor Working Group
2023-05-23 11:00 - 12:30
FixMyFunds Investor Working Group
Tuesday, May 23
11:00 am – 12:30 pm PT / 2:00 – 3:30 pm ET
Our monthly group is an opportunity to ask questions and share ideas about how we can use our retirement savings to align with our values – of a thriving and just world, both as individuals and collectively to maximize our impact. Join us to learn more, meet others with shared concerns, and become part of this EAN team as we plan future webinars and campaigns with our global network.

register

Take the Pledge Living Room Conversation
2023-05-25 10:30 - 12:00
Thursday, May 25
10:30 am–12:00 pm PT / 1:30–3:00 pm ET
Reaching Across the Table
The Building Bridges Initiative is bringing Living Room Conversations to Elders Action Network.
Throughout history, elders have been expected to live by what they teach and in service to others, helping to improve individual and community wellbeing. In these times of polarization and crisis we are working to restore this tradition through meaningful guided conversations among people from diverse perspectives.

Although we may disagree on issues, by getting to the heart of our common values we often find that our interests align. These conversations have powerful, positive impacts across society – including a sense of respect, understanding, and even friendship in unexpected places!
This conversation will be about “Climate Unity.” Rather than debating or convincing others, we will share, learn, and be curious. We all want to live in a healthy environment, yet most of us make compromises to enjoy the beneﬁts of modern society. And some forms of pollution we have more control over than others. How much inﬂuence do we citizens really have over the quality of the environment we live in? What is our role in protecting the environment?
This event is free and open to all ages. We hope you will consider a donation to help support EAN’s programming and campaigns. Suggested donation: $10
register
After registering for the meeting using the REGISTER button above, you will receive a confirmation email from Zoom containing a unique link to join the meeting.
This event is being offered as part of the Take the Pledge initiative. Learn more here.

Take the Pledge World Cafe
2023-05-31 10:00 - 12:00
Wednesday, May 31
10:00 am–12:00 pm PT / 1:00–3:00 pm ET
Beyond the Pledge
Engaging in What Really Matters, Next…
The World Café is a process used around the world that enables generative conversation, in small groups. Focusing on questions that matter to all, the Café conversations enable the coalescence of our collective wisdom.
Think of it as similar to when our earliest ancestors gathered around the warmth of a fire, as a primary means for discovery, sharing knowledge, imagining the future and cooperating to survive and thrive.
The natural cross-pollination of ideas and meaning as people move from one conversational group to another, supports emergent discoveries, connects diverse perspectives and explores new possibilities to co-create where we go from here to move the spirit of our pledge to become a regenerative and vital future force.
New insights will be captured in words and images then shared with the entire group. We will close the Take the Pledge Campaign with celebration and appreciation for everyone’s efforts.
This event is free and open to all ages. We hope you will consider a donation to help support EAN’s programming and campaigns. Suggested donation: $10
register
After registering for the meeting using the REGISTER button above, you will receive a confirmation email from Zoom containing a unique link to join the meeting.
This event is being offered as part of the Take the Pledge initiative. Learn more here.

Elders for Sound Democracy
2023-06-21 10:00 - 11:30
Join us to hear from Kim Craig, Moms Demand Action Florida leader about our gun violence culture and actions that we can take as elders to confront this threat to all Americans, especially our children.
ESD’s Community meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month for 90 minutes, beginning at 10:00 am PT / 1:00 pm ET. Join us and help evolve our 2023 plan of action. We need and value your ideas and input for tackling these challenges!
register
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing the link to join the meeting. You will receive a resend of this confirmation email from Zoom on Wednesday morning as a reminder and so that you have your unique link handy.

FixMyFunds “Move Your Money Team” Meeting
2023-07-05 11:00 - 12:30
FixMyFunds “Move Your Money Team” Meeting
Wednesday, July 5
11:00 am – 12:30 pm PT / 2:00 – 3:30 pm ET
Many of you have expressed your discomfort with having your investments funding fossil fuel companies, and you have wanted to move your money. Listening to your needs, our Fix My Funds Investor Working Group decided, last Tuesday, to move forward with researching a “Never Vanguard/Move Your Money” campaign for our EAN folks.
Here is what Michael Mulligan, an EAN member, wrote: My purpose for working toward a “Never Vanguard” (Move Your Money) campaign is two-fold. First, I want my invested retirement money to reflect my values, which Vanguard, by continuing to invest in fossil fuels, does not. Secondly, I hope that by many of us divesting, we can send a message to the financial industry and alter their positions and business practices.
This is not a done deal! We still intend to pressure Vanguard, and other investment companies, with petitions, letters, and conversations with our asset/financial managers as we determine the best tactics for this campaign. And, we’ll have to careful consider how to divest, and where to re-invest – but we’re doing this together, to help ensure a thriving future for those we love.
If you wish, prepare by reviewing this webpage. Scroll down for the FAQs. Please do NOT fill out the Pledge, as we will do that as an EAN group.
register

Using Your Power as an Investor to Create a Better World Webinar
2023-07-12 10:00 - 11:30
Using Your Power as an Investor to Create a Better World
A 90-minute webinar
Wednesday, July 12
10:00 – 11:30 am PT / 1:00 – 2:30 pm ET
Facilitated by Andrew Behar from As You Sow
This 90-minute webinar will introduce you to a suite of tools provided free of cost by As You Sow to align your investing with your values. The tools include Invest Your Values which gives you a window into the holdings within your mutual funds and ETF’s as well as any funds you might have in a corporate retirement plan. By understanding how your investments align with your values you can optimize your portfolio to assist our trajectory toward a livable planet.
We will also explore company-level scorecards looking at how individual corporations rank on racial justice, diversity equity and inclusion, ocean plastics, pesticides, excessive CEO compensation, climate transition plans, and other environmental social, and governance issues. Every dollar you invest or spend sends a signal that has an impact. This webinar will help you to align your banking and consumer purchasing with your values.

Andrew Behar is CEO of As You Sow, the nation’s leading non-profit practitioner of shareholder advocacy and engagement. With a 30-year track record of success, As You Sow advances values-aligned investing and uses shareholder power to compel companies to reduce material risk on critical issues.
This event is part of EAN’s FixMyFunds campaign. Learn more HERE.
Suggested donation of $10 – $25, which directly supports EAN’s programming and campaigns.
register
After registering you will receive a confirmation email from Zoom with a unique link to join the webinar.

Elders for Sound Democracy
2023-07-19 10:00 - 11:30
The July ESD community meeting will take an in-depth look at the radical right’s campaign to destroy representative democracy and eliminate basic human rights including reproductive freedom, freedom from wanton gun violence and the right of free expression. We present solutions – specifically actions that the EAN community can take to empower young voters and others who have been the targets of vote suppression.
ESD’s Community meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month for 90 minutes, beginning at 10:00 am PT / 1:00 pm ET.
register
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing the link to join the meeting. You will receive a resend of this confirmation email from Zoom on Wednesday morning as a reminder and so that you have your unique link handy.

The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations
2023-07-20 10:30 - 13:30, 2023-07-27 10:30 - 13:30
Part I: Thursday, July 20
Part II: Thursday, July 27
10:30 am – 1:30 pm PT / 1:30 – 4:30 pm ET
Join Kern Beare in an engaging exploration of difficult conversations. Learn about the neuroscience behind human interactions and how you can apply this knowledge to reduce reactivity and build empathy. Great for the merely curious or for those looking to work with the Building Bridges program.
Expect to:

Gain a greater understanding of the dynamics that turn conversations into conflicts.
Discover how one critical shift in thinking can turn a negative interaction into a creative and constructive engagement.
Understand how our personal story can be a tool to both build bridges and burn them.
Learn to access more easily and deeply your inborn capacity for connection and compassion.
Learn about the four principles that can turn a dialogue into a powerful tool for personal and collective transformation.

What people have to say about taking this workshop:
“Can we rebuild trust today? Difficult Conversations shows that it’s possible.” –David Bornstein, New York Times Columnist
“Kern is a steady, compassionate guide and an expert facilitator. We’re already planning to have him come back, due to critical acclaim in the community.” –Janessa Gans Wilder, Founder and CEO, Euphrates Institute
“The recent experience and interaction with Kern Beare and his workshop was instructive, inspiring and timely!” –Mike Dahl, Mayor Emeritus, Redding, California
Registration is for BOTH sessions—this is a two-part workshop.
register

FixMyFunds Investor’s Working Group
2023-08-02 11:00 - 12:30
FixMyFunds Investor’s Working Group
Wednesday, August 2
11:00 am – 12:30 pm PT / 2:00 – 3:30 pm ET
Many of you have expressed your discomfort with having your investments funding fossil fuel companies, and you have wanted to move your money. Listening to your needs, our Fix My Funds Investor Working Group decided to move forward with researching a “Never Vanguard/Move Your Money” campaign for our EAN folks.
Here is what Michael Mulligan, an EAN member, wrote: My purpose for working toward a “Never Vanguard” (Move Your Money) campaign is two-fold. First, I want my invested retirement money to reflect my values, which Vanguard, by continuing to invest in fossil fuels, does not. Secondly, I hope that by many of us divesting, we can send a message to the financial industry and alter their positions and business practices.
This is not a done deal! We still intend to pressure Vanguard, and other investment companies, with petitions, letters, and conversations with our asset/financial managers as we determine the best tactics for this campaign. And, we’ll have to careful consider how to divest, and where to re-invest – but we’re doing this together, to help ensure a thriving future for those we love.
register

Elders for Social Justice Monthly Meeting
2023-08-17 09:00 - 10:30
Third Thursday of each month
9:00 – 10:30 am PT / 12:00 – 1:30 pm ET
Join the ESJ Building Bridges Project on August 17 in a structured conversation on “Democracy, Extremism and Outliers”. Our team of facilitators is learning to engage people of widely differing views in conversation. By promoting conversation instead of insurrection we support democracy instead of autocracy.

At Elders for Social Justice (ESJ) we create an inclusive education and advocacy environment for social and environmental justice. We work with other EAN groups, external organizations, elder activists, youth and visionary leaders as we act on behalf of Earth and all life. We gather to focus on current social justice issues so we can take informed collective and local actions.
Register for the ESJ monthly meeting here. Once you’ve registered for the series, you’ll receive your unique link for joining all the meetings, and a reminder the day before each meeting.

Promote the Youth Vote Orientation Session
2023-08-22 13:00 - 14:00
Tuesday, August 22
1:00 – 2:00 pm PT / 4:00 – 5:00 pm ET
Looking for meaningful and effective ways to help elect local and national leaders who care about the environment and democracy?
You can volunteer now with EAN to help The Civics Center, a national nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, to “make voter registration part of every American high school”.
Click here more information
register

FixMyFunds Investor Working Group
2023-08-23 11:00 - 12:30
FixMyFunds Investor Working Group
Wednesday, August 23
11:00 am – 12:30 pm PT / 2:00 – 3:30 pm ET
Our monthly group is an opportunity to ask questions and share ideas about how we can use our retirement savings to align with our values – of a thriving and just world, both as individuals and collectively to maximize our impact. Join us to learn more, meet others with shared concerns, and become part of this EAN team as we plan future webinars and campaigns with our global network.

register

Promote the Youth Vote Orientation Session
2023-08-29 16:00 - 17:00
Tuesday, August 29
4:00 – 5:00 pm PT / 7:00 – 8:00 pm ET
Looking for meaningful and effective ways to help elect local and national leaders who care about the environment and democracy?
You can volunteer now with EAN to help The Civics Center, a national nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, to “make voter registration part of every American high school”.
Click here more information
register
