Elders for Sound Democracy
2023-06-21 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom video conferencing
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

Welcome to EAN Webinar
2023-07-07 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-08-04 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-09-01 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-10-06 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-11-03 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.)

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.

Elders for Social Justice Monthly Meeting
2023-07-20 09:00 - 10:30, 2023-10-19 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.

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 Sound Democracy
2023-08-16 10:00 - 11:30
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
2023-08-17 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

Taking Action to Confront Authoritarianism
2023-09-07 09:00 - 10:30
Thursday, September 7
9:00 – 10:30 am PT / 12:00 – 1:30 pm ET

We’ll continue exploring what actions that we, as elders, can take to push back against extremist attacks. We’re focusing on right-wing efforts to undermine public education, including restricting curricula, punishing discussion of targeted topics, and eliminating programs (like DEI) that make a school environment safe and welcoming for all students.
When we come together on September 7, we’ll continue sharing what we’ve learned so far through our research on how these issues are playing out in our own local school districts, including the actions of extremist protesters like Moms4Liberty, or of right-wing school board members.

register

Elders for Sound Democracy
2023-09-20 10:00 - 11:30
Florida is the canary in the coal mine. It leads the way in censorship and book-banning, and in dumbing down school curricula so as to prettify some of the blemishes in our nation’s history. Join us at our September community meeting, which will focus on the threat of authoritarianism. Our featured speaker will be Juliana Pare-Blagoev, Professor at Johns Hopkins University and a leader of Save New College of Florida, which is pushing back against Gov. DeSantis’s “hostile takeover” of this well-respected, welcoming liberal arts honors college.
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
2023-09-21 09:00 - 10:30
Third Thursday of each month
9:00 – 10:30 am PT / 12:00 – 1:30 pm ET
Understanding Book Banning
Join us to hear our invited speaker Dr. Carl Lashley. Dr. Lashley is a retired professor of Educational Leadership. His work centers around special education law, policy, and practice; students’ rights and responsibilities; and leadership and culture. Dr. Lashley resides in Greensboro, NC where he continues his work with schools and districts and pursues his lifelong interests in music and writing.

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 Investors Working Group
2023-09-26 10:00 - 11:30
FixMyFunds Investors Working Group
Tuesday, September 26
10:00 – 11:30 am PT / 1:00 – 2:30 pm ET
Our monthly working group is an opportunity to learn more about how we can use our retirement savings to align with our values – of a thriving and just world. To maximize our collective impact our we are also researching and planning actions with our partners to limit the financing of fossil fuel development and deforestation.
For more information take a look at our FixMyFunds page, and our Never Vanguard campaign.
At our September 26 meeting we will be reviewing the preliminary results of our FixMyFunds survey. We discuss what we’re learning from this survey and where we might want to go next with learning and action regarding the financing of fossil fuels.
Join Us…to learn more, meet others with shared concerns, and become part of this EAN team.

register

Taking Action to Confront Authoritarianism
2023-09-28 09:00 - 10:30, 2023-10-12 09:00 - 10:30, 2023-10-26 09:00 - 10:30
Second and Fourth Thursday of the month
9:00 – 10:30 am PT / 12:00 – 1:30 pm ET

We’ll continue exploring what actions that we, as elders, can take to push back against extremist attacks. We’re focusing on right-wing efforts to undermine public education, including restricting curricula, punishing discussion of targeted topics, and eliminating programs (like DEI) that make a school environment safe and welcoming for all students.
We’ll continue sharing what we’ve learned so far through our research on how these issues are playing out in our own local school districts, including the actions of extremist protesters like Moms4Liberty, or of right-wing school board members.

register

Campaign to Learn & Understand Book Banning (CLUBB) Meeting
2023-09-29 09:00 - 10:30
Friday, September 29
9:00 – 10:30 am PT / 12:00 – 1:30 pm ET
Join us in reading a banned book, The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, published in 1970. The Bluest Eye appeared on the American Library Association’s 2022 Top Banned Books list. Morrison’s book appeared on the Top Ten list six times in the last twenty years, appearing on the list in 2006, 2013, 2014, 2020, and 2021. At the first meeting, we will discuss the section, Autumn, and set the dates for the next two meetings. At the last meeting, you will receive an Awareness and Action Resource List.
register

Elders for Sound Democracy Town Hall
2023-10-18 10:00 - 11:30
Join us at our next Town Hall Meeting to hear Featured Speaker David Pepper, a lawyer, writer, political activist, adjunct professor (teaching election and voting rights law), and former Chair of the Ohio Democratic Party, who earned his BA from Yale University and his JD from Yale Law School. He is the author of two (2) non fiction books: Saving Democracy – A User’s Manual for Every American (2023), Laboratories of Autocracy – A Wake – Up Call From Behind the Lines (2021) and four (4) novels: A Simple Choice (2022), The Voter File (2020), The Wingman – A Jack Sharpe Political Thriller (2018), The People’s House (2016).
David’s more than insightful understanding of what is happening to our democracy and what we each can do to support and protect it is on display in both his non fiction writing and his novels which have been described as “political thrillers”.
He has redefined the basis for the viewpoints and policies taken by those who stand on either side of the political chasm that currently exists in the United States. He does not see the divide as the Republican vs Democratic point of view, but rather a difference between:

those who know our democracy is fragile, know their viewpoints and policies are not supported by the majority of voters and hence seek to manipulate the voting process

and

those who falsely believe our democracy is solid, know that their viewpoints and policies are supported by the majority and assume that the votes of an educated public will be fairly counted.

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.

A Conversation About Aligning Money and Values
2023-10-23 16:00 - 16:30
Monday, October 23
4:00 – 5:30 pm PT / 7:00 – 8:30 pm ET
Wondering if you should move your money out of fossil fuels but not sure when, where, and how? Join us in a Zoom webinar for meaningful conversation about “investing our values” and learning about specific tools you can use.
Although we are not able to give financial advice, Earth Quaker Action Team will share the sources we’ve learned about, Elders Action Network will share other steps people can take, and together we will make space for participants to wrestle with the emotional and financial dilemma of owning funds that are burning up our grandchildren’s future.
This workshop is jointly sponsored by Elders Action Network and Earth Quaker Action Team.
register

Building Community: Having Real Conversations
2023-11-08 10:00 - 11:00
Building Community: Having Real Conversations
Wednesday, November 8
10:00 am PT / 1:00 pm ET
Good questions build good conversations, and good conversations build community. As elders we want to have real conversations with others, but how do we do that when everything feels so polarized? Join us for a glimpse into why conversations get derailed and then experience for yourself what a difference a Living Room Conversation can make!
register
