KC ONE Campaign

August In-District Meetings

2007-07-20T07:34:00.000-07:00

Katie Andrews, ONE's Field Organizer who works in Kansas & Missouri, sent me this message:

I am sending you all a message is to see if any of you are interested in leading an in-district meeting during the August Congressional Recess. The meetings should be held sometime during August 6^th – August 31^st. We are still working out the details on what we would like the visits to address and they may be geared towards any or all of the following: Farm Bill, the Education for All Act and the Global Child Survival Act. Depending on what district or Senator you are able to reach out to, we may adapt the request since many will be key in the Farm Bill Reform process and others would be great co-sponsors for the other two pieces of legislation. Please let me know if you are available and interested in setting up a meeting and please respond to me with who you are interested in scheduling a meeting with—your representative (with district #) or one of your senators. Also, let me know if you already have a connection with the office (you’ve met with staff or the member before, you are a personal friend with staff or the member, etc.). We are hoping to confirm some meetings this week or the next so that we can post information about the meetings on our website for others to sign-up and participate in. Just remember the actual meetings would take place some time between August 6^th – August 31^st..

If you are interested, contact me at maureendidde@gmail.com and I will get you connected with Katie.

KC Harvesters Food Stamp Challenge!

2007-05-25T15:57:00.000-07:00

Take the Food Stamp Challenge!

Could you live on Food Stamps for a week? Find out by taking the Food Stamp Challenge.

As part of Hunger Awareness Week June 2-10, Harvesters is issuing a challenge to the community to live on a Food Stamp budget for just one week. You may know what it's like to have hunger pangs, but do you really know about the physical, emotional and social difficulties of poverty, food insecurity and hunger? Register today for the Food Stamp Challenge and find out!

During Hunger Awareness Week June 2-10, Harvesters is asking participants in the Food Stamp Challenge to see if they can make ends meet on a Food Stamp budget. You will buy your groceries using the maximum Food Stamp benefit for your household size. For a household of one, that’s $38.75 for the week—$5.54 per day or $1.85 per meal.

Calling all Kansans

2007-04-27T12:05:00.001-07:00

This message came from Anne Batchelder at ONE:

For over a week, ONE members have been writing and calling their senators asking them to sign on to the "Feinstein-Hagel" Dear Colleague letter asking for $39.8 billion for the international affairs budget (IAB). Senator Brownback hasn’t signed on yet. WE NEED YOUR HELP! CALL SENATOR BROWNBACK!!! Ask your friends and family to call Senator Brownback! Let him know that Kansans care about global poverty and AIDS.

It's easy and only takes a few minutes - Below is a call in script, just give them a call or you can print out the attached letters, sign your name/ address and fax them in to their office ( fax number is listed on the letter)

Please try to get 5-10 friends, family, and co-workers to call or sign on to a letter. You can print out the letters and fax them in for them, just ask them to sign!

We can make poverty history if we work together with ONE Voice! So please call or fax your letters today! Don't be nervous, our leaders are there because of us and they want to hear from people who live in their states.

Call TODAY and fight for life-saving Funding!

Right now members of Congress are deciding how much money will be dedicated to fighting extreme poverty and HIV/AIDS in the world’s poorest countries.

Call 1-800-786-2ONE (1-800-786-2663) today and ask both your Senators to sign on to the Feinstein-Hagel “Dear Colleague” letter that supports $39.8 billion for the International Affairs Budget.

We need your voice, if we work together as ONE we can change the lives of millions of the world’s poorest people. Urge your congressional leaders to sign onto this “Dear Colleague” letter today!

Make the difference and call your Senators today: call 1-800-786-2ONE (1-800-786-2663) today to be connected to your Senators. Remember to tell them:

• I am a constituent of YOUR TOWN in YOUR STATE.

• You're calling with the ONE campaign- an effort started by Americans to unite as ONE voice to fight extreme poverty and global HIV/AIDS.

• You're calling to ask your Senator to sign on to the Feinstein-Hagel “Dear Colleague” letter that supports the $39.8 billion for the International Affairs Budget.
Thank you for joining ONE in taking action to fight global AIDS and extreme poverty. Your voice will make a difference!

Kansas City ONE Update

2007-04-19T08:40:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

Many of you have noticed that the KC volunteer chapter of the ONE Campaign has been on a bit of a hiatus. I wanted to let you know that we have not disappeared, however currently are not able to facilitate our regular meetings and monthly awareness-raising events. Therefore, if you are interested in being a part of this coordinating process, please let me know by emailing me at maureendidde@gmail.com or posting a comment here, leaving your contact information. Peter, Bill, and myself are still involved at our own levels, but unable to lead the group at this time.

One of the ways Bill Salyer is continuing is by using his business to spread the word about ONE. The first Monday of each month, he is hosting an informational meeting at 6pm for anyone to come and learn more about ONE or share their experiences. While this is not a meeting meant for event planning, it is a great way to get connected with other interested people. You can join in the first Monday of May at 6pm at Thyme Capsule Nutrition.

A few other ways you can be involved right now is by participating in Displace Me, a nationwide event to raise awareness and support for the Invisible Children campaign. You can attend the Kansas City event on Saturday, April 28 from 3pm until Sunday April 9th at 9am at Kaw Point Riverfront Park at 1401 Fairfax Trafficway in KCK.

Also, AIDS Walk Kansas City takes place on the same day and is a great way to support the fight against AIDS locally and internationally.

Finally, please remember to respond to the emails that you receive from one.org and send emails and make phone calls to your Senators, remembering that it DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE! You can keep tabs on what is happening with US and UN Funding for extreme poverty via Bread for the World, Care, The Global Fund, The ONE Campaign and others linked here on our site. Also, use the link on the right to subscribe to our email list.

Press on in doing your part to fight extreme poverty!

Bread for the World Offering of Letters

2007-02-26T08:48:00.000-08:00

Bread for the World is a nationwide faith-based movement that seeks justice for the world’s hungry people by lobbying our nation’s decision makers.

Bread for the World will be conducting an Offering of Letters Workshop on April 22, 2007 at St. Marks Catholic Church in Independence, Missouri. St. Mark’s is located at 3736 Lee’s Summit Road. The workshop will be held at 2 p.m.

In this year’s Offering of Letters, church congregations across the nation will urge Congress to take the opportunity presented by the reauthorization of the Farm Bill to increase its capacity to reduce hunger and poverty in the United States. The Farm Bill includes vital nutrition safety nets that our government provides for those most in need. For instance, the School Lunch Program and Food Stamp Program are part of the Farm Bill.

Please send a representative from your church or organization who would like to be or is involved in addressing hunger

1/22 KC ONE Campaign Meeting Information

2007-01-17T09:22:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

We will meet again this coming Monday, the 22nd as planned and then pick up again on the first Monday of February and continue forward with the 1st and 3rd Monday's of each month. The meeting on the 22nd will follow a slightly different format:

Monday, 7:00 PM @ Thyme Capsule Nutrition, 2627 Burlington, North Kansas City

Located just across the street from PetCo

For directions, call the store at 816-472-7035

We will view a video on AIDS, hunger, and child soldiers in Africa

Be prepared to watch and discuss with fellow ONE Campaign Members!

Have a great week,

Peter & Bill

KC ONE Campaign Coordinators

www.one.org

kc-one.blogspot.com

KC ONE 2007 Kick-Off Notes

2007-01-08T19:32:00.000-08:00

Thank you to our new members who came to join us tonight for the 2007 kick off! We had some scheduling trouble with certain sporting events as well as the Governor's inaguration in Kansas tonight as well. That being said, we had a very productive and exciting kick off.

We are ready to start taking action! The areas of focus for us in town this year are going to be:

Local Non-Profits

Who is in town and interested in poverty reduction?

Academic Institutions

How do we start groups at the various Universities, what are their connections?

Faith-Based Organizations

Connecting the various churches and organizations already doing great work in town and overseas.

Corporate Citizenship

Most companies do something for social awareness, what and where?

Social Awareness

First Friday's, Art Fairs, great opportunities to be out showing films, participating interacting.

This is where you come in...are you an artist interested in having ONE at a show or sponsoring a show at First Friday's? Do you work for a major company in town that does work with poverty? What can you bring to the table to help?

Many came tonight motivated by New Year's resolutions, lets all start the year charged and ready to get involved, if it is even donating a little time or a friend who knows a friend who wants to become involved.

Our next meeting will be in 2 weeks, which we will then continue 1st and 3rd Monday of every week in February. Send us your ideas, your thoughts, your time or simply your passion to the cause all are helpful and needed.

Cheers,

Peter & Bill

KC ONE Campaign Coordinators

www.one.org

kc-one.blogspot.com

2007 Kick Off Meeting Update

2007-01-02T14:16:00.000-08:00

As an update to the message sent last week, the meeting location for the meeting on the 8th will be the Central Library downtown (the Plaza Branch was booked) in Meeting Room 312. For more information on the Central Library please visit (http://www.kclibrary.org/about/locations.cfm?locID=2).

2007 Kick Off Meeting

2007-01-02T14:15:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

As 2007 is upon us and we get ready for this weekend's celebrations and perhaps broader resolutions and plans for the year it is also time that we begin to plan for the Kansas City ONE Campaign's 2007 goals.

First off, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Renee Ruiz the new Regional Field Organizer for Kansas City and the surrounding areas. She comes with years of experience that will be a very valuable asset for us and the Campaign at large. Welcome Renee!

We are planning on having our first meeting of the year on Monday, January 8th at a location and time to be determined soon, but wanted to get the message out to the group to block some time in the early evening off for that day. We are looking for a slightly larger, central location to hold the meeting because we are hoping to have a large turn out.

Myself and Bill will still be coordinating the specific events in Kansas City in 2007 but are looking for input and assistance from yourselves. Many of you have expressed interest in various aspects of what make up the ONE Campaign in a broader sense.

We are looking to invite several new leaders for Kansas City to help us investigate these areas in more detail and develop them in Kansas City. Some areas we are suggesting are, Faith Based Organizations, Corporate Involvement, Academic Programs, Legislative Initiatives, etc. Likewise, what character do we want to take in the new year? Are we going to table events, start mailing and calling campaigns to our elected officials, poster, or socialize more? Many decisions to be made.

We plan on continuing the bi-weekly meeting structure and potentially to add a monthly social event at a floating location throughout the broader metro area so Northlanders and Southlanders do not always have to hike into the metro on work nights.

Exciting changes on the way we want YOU to be involved in! We have well over 250 people in Kansas City that have joined the mailing list and signed the Declaration to Make Poverty History. Here is a chance to become more involved, we would love to have your voice as a leader, a voter, or even a person of interest that just attends meetings, all are welcome.

Happy New Year and look for a follow up in the coming days on logistics for the 8th.

Peter & Bill

KC ONE Campaign Coordinators

www.one.org

kc-one.blogspot.com

Help! Please call Senator Pat Roberts office

2006-12-15T14:11:00.000-08:00

Help! zPlease call Senator Pat Roberts office

Sen. Pat Roberts KS R
(202) 224-4774 (202) 224-3514

Ask him to sign on to the bi-partisen letter to the President asking
that he continue to increase funding in his FY08 International Affairs
Budget request.

It is greatly important for the US to remain engaged in the world and
utilize all the tools and resources needed to strengthen US national
interests and values.

It takes two minutes---

"Hi my name is _________ from ________ Kansas. I am calling Senator
Roberts to urge him to sign on to the bi-partisen letter to the
President to continue to increase funding in his International Affairs
Budget request."

Please let me know if you were able to call and what response you were
given.

Thanks in advance!

Renee Ruiz

Regional Field Organizer, ONE Campaign

KC ONE Campaign Update

2006-12-02T12:58:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Broadway Cafe and braved the weather yesterday for World AIDS Day. Just a quick note to everyone letting you know that we will be taking a break this December from messages and meetings and rejoin in a month to kick off the 2007 KC ONE Campaign planning, which we hope all of you are able to make it and join!

In the mean time we will continue to post messages to the Blog (http://kc-one.blogspot.com/) with any events that will be taking place in Kansas City in the interim. Like the below:

"My name is Jeff Semple. I am traveling to Cambodia in January to meet with organizations and ministries who are working against human trafficking. I am hoping to come back with a better idea of how we can be involved at the local level in helping to stop modern day slavery. In order to raise awareness and support for this trip I am playing at Coffee Girls (310 Southwest Blvd) on Dec 15th from 7-9pm."

Cheers, Happy Holidays!

Peter & Bill

KC ONE Campaign Volunteer Co-Coordinators

www.one.org

kc-one.blogspot.com

World AIDS Day Rally Cancelled

2006-11-30T18:15:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Please note that due to the weather the World AIDS Day Rally in the Plaza has been cancelled for tomorrow. As soon as information about rescheduling is available I will be sure to pass along. As far as we have word, the Broadway Cafe event will still be on, so swing by and say hi to the ONE Campaign tomorrow if you are in the Westport neighborhood!

Be warm, be safe.

Peter & Bill

TED Talks on End of Poverty

2006-11-27T11:08:00.000-08:00

Bono speaking about the End of Poverty:

http://www.ted.com/tedtalks/tedtalksplayer.cfm?key=bono&flashEnabled=1

Some additional videos of potential interest:

http://www.ted.com/tedtalks/tedtalksplayer.cfm?key=j_novogratz
http://www.ted.com/tedtalks/tedtalksplayer.cfm?key=i_quadir

KC One Campaign Update

2006-11-26T18:53:00.000-08:00

I hope that everyone had a restful and enjoyable Holiday weekend.

This Friday is The UN's World AIDS Day. Locally, we will be involved in two separate events that we would love to have yourself in attendance for or assisting in participating with.

We will be joining The Good Samaritan Project, a local organization here in Kansas City at the Broadway Cafe and Roastery. For more information or to help out with this event, please e-mail Bill at (thyme4u@sbcglobal.net).

We are also planning on attending a rally for International AIDS Workers at JC Nichols Fountain next to the Country Club Plaza. For more information regarding this event, or to help out, please e-mail Peter at (pfberger@gmail.com).

Stay tuned for additional e-mails and eyes on the news for International events and announcements regarding World AIDS Day!

Cheers,

Peter & Bill

www.one.org

kc-one.blogspot.com

New global AIDS figures for 2006

2006-11-21T08:28:00.000-08:00

For Immediate Release
PRESS RELEASE
21 November 2006

New global AIDS figures for 2006 - When will we "Keep the
Promise"?

Religious leaders, faith communities, and faith-based
organizations are questioning the global political will to fight
HIV and AIDS in light of the new 2006 AIDS Epidemic Update issued
by UNAIDS today.

The report indicates that the number of people living with HIV
increased in every region of the world from 2004 to 2006, with
the greatest increases in East Asia, Eastern Europe, and Central
Asia. Currently:
· 39.5 million people are living with HIV; 2.3 million are
children under 15.
· 4.3 million people were newly infected; 530,000 of them
children.
· 2.9 million died of AIDS-related illness; 380,000 of them
children.

The human toll of the epidemic is undeniable and increasing. The
statistics represent the lives of our families and friends, our
faith communities and our religious leaders. We all must do more,
says Dr. Manoj Kurian of the World Council of Churches.

Among the more important trends noted by faith communities is
that new infections are concentrated among young people age
15-24. In sub-Saharan Africa, where the epidemic is strongest,
there are mixed experiences by country in behaviour change among
young people to prevent transmission (delay of sexual debut,
avoiding sex with a non-regular partner, use of condom during sex
with non regular partner).

We must focus on the vulnerability of young people - insuring
that they understand the risks they take, have complete
information and access to resources to prevent infection, and
that they chose to change risky behaviours, says Anne-Marie
Helland of Norwegian Church Aid. But we must also give strong
attention to high-risk behaviour - such as injecting drug use,
unprotected paid sex, and unprotected sex between men - if we are
to save lives.

Helland also emphasizes that People need support from their
community, including faith communities, compassion and accepting
engagement to change behaviour that puts them at risk.

The report also indicates that:
· less than 1 out of every 5 people at risk of infection have
access to basic prevention services.
· only 1 of every 8 people who want to be tested, to know their
status and protect others, are currently able to do so.

The good news reflected in the report is that lifesaving access
to treatment has increased with more than 1.65 million people now
receiving anti-retroviral treatment. However, this is still far
short of the global need.

Missing from the report is specific analysis of childrens access
to treatment (pediatric AIDS drugs) and prevention of
mother-to-child transmission. Father Robert Vitillo of Caritas
Internationalis states, The pharmaceutical industry needs to make
even greater efforts make these drugs available in better
formulations for use with children and to do so at affordable
prices. And our governments have failed to keep the simple and
affordable promise of preventing transmission of HIV from
mother-to-child.

Governments met in June 2006 to re-commit themselves to the
global response to HIV, and to Universal Access to care,
treatment and support. Campaigners emphasize that this must be
translated in to political will, programmatic response, and
financial resources.

Our governments must still learn to keep their promises -- and
we will not let them forget, says Dr. Sheila Shyamprasad of The
Lutheran World Federation. 189 countries signed the Declaration
of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, but only 126 submitted their reports
on how they have delivered. Only 84 have completed setting their
national level targets - as they promised. And the measure of
faithfulness will also come in closing the global funding gap
which was USD$ 5 billion in 2006 (USD$ 14.9 million required,
only USD$ 8.9 provided).

Shyamprasad concludes, This is simply not enough.

The December 2006 AIDS epidemic update published by UNAIDS is
found at: www.unaids.org

For more information, contact Sara Speicher,
sspeicher@e-alliance.ch ,
+ 44 1524 727 651

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Laura Frye

Global AIDS Fellow

American Medical Student Association

1902 Association Dr.

Reston, VA 20191

Tel: 703-620-6600 x 220

Tel: 888-956.9966 x 220

Fax: 703-620-5873

gaf@amsa.org

www.amsa.org

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meeting Reminder

2006-11-19T19:58:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone

Just a friendly reminder that we will still be meeting tomorrow night 11/19 at Westport Coffee House per our regular first and third Monday schedule. Being a Holiday week, the meeting will most likely be brief as we are still working on the World AIDS Day Events and will most likely discuss a few items pertaining to it.

Please come by if you are new and say hello or come and discuss World AIDS Day or any other ONE Campaign topic!

Peter Berger & Bill Slayer

www.one.org

kc-one.blogspot.com

KC ONE Update

2006-11-13T18:35:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone

I hope this e-mail finds you well. Not many updates this week, but a definite reminder for our next KC ONE Campaign meeting at Westport Coffee House, Monday, November 20th at 7:00 PM. We do realize this is a Holiday week and many people may be out of town, but we want to keep consistency in the meetings, so please come if you can make it!

Also, for those that did not recieve the message from our good friend Annie:

Hello friends, this is Annie Gill-Bloyer, Bread for the World's ONE Campaign Faith Outreach Organizer. This week we are urging everyone to call their Senators as well as their Representative in the House (to find your senators and rep, visit www.bread.org), urging them to increase spending for Poverty-Focused Development Assistance in the budget for 2007. Watch this short video on youtube to find out how to call and what to say:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puBTSSqMP_g

Please continue to think of other ideas for World AIDS Day in December. We are in touch with other local organizations and there are a few events we will discuss with the group.

Take Care,

Peter & Bill

Kansas City ONE Campaign Co-Coordinators

Kris Kristofferson Event

2006-10-30T19:10:00.000-08:00

Attached are some pictures from the recent Kris Kristofferson concert where KC ONE had a table set up!

KC One Update

2006-10-30T09:16:00.000-08:00

Greetings KC ONE Campaigners!

Just a reminder: NEXTMonday, November 6th AT 7PM we will be having our next regular ONE volunteer meetings @ Westport Coffeehouse - 4010 Pennsylvania.

Additional information for this meeting to follow in next week's message. In the interim, some local events and news to be aware of.

-The ONE Campaign has launched its new television ad, please take a moment to check it out (http://www.youtube.com/theonecampaign).

-If you have not made it to one of the local stores supporting Product RED, please read more at our blog or www.joinred.com for more info!

-World AIDS Day is still coming up and we will be discussing at the next meeting. Please come ready to discuss some ideas of how best to represent this day in our community.

-Attached is a posting for several local Campaign Coordinators from the local office. Please follow up if you are interested or know of someone who would make a great fit!

Other Events Coming Up:

-On Monday, October 30th, from 7-9pm @ Christ Church (91st & Nall), Alison Barfoot (once a pastor at Christ Church & now working with Archbishop Henry in Uganda) & Yetem (from East Africa) will be speaking.

-U2 2B a Part of a Very Special Worship Service at St. Paul’s Nov. 12. In response to the ONE campaign to Make Poverty History (www.one.org), St. Paul’s will celebrate a special U2 Communion service at 7 p.m. on Sunday, November 12. This service will feature U2 music, including such favorites as Where the Streets Have No Name, Yahweh, Pride (In the Name of Love), One and Mysterious Ways. More info at (http://stpaulslenexa.org/Nxoops/html/modules/news/article.php?storyid=14).

Peter Berger & Bill Slayer

KC ONE Campaign Volunteers

www.one.org

http://kc-one.blogspot.com

How Rich ARE You?

2006-10-25T15:51:00.000-07:00

Do you ever get envious when you see one of those lists of the world's richest people? Where do you think you would fit on the "world's richest" list? Find out now!
Check out www.globalrichlist.com
It just might make your day!

Live Rock Band, U2 songs--In Church!

2006-10-21T12:43:00.000-07:00

St Pauls UMC, 7740 Lackman, Lenexa, will host a U2charist on Sunday, Nov 12, 7pm. This special evening will feature U2 music performed by local rock band, Bixby Lane. The service combines song, prayer, communion from traditional and contemporary resources. U2charists have been held across the nation. This is the first for St Pauls. Let's show our support for their involvement in this ONE Campaign initiative. For more info on this event, and the history of the U2charist, visit www.stpaulslenexa.org

Monday Morning News for the Week

2006-10-16T10:45:00.000-07:00

Just so that everyone is aware, today is also the UN's World Food Day which kicks off Anti-Poverty Week for Australia:

"The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations celebrates World Food Day each year on 16 October, the day on which the Organization was founded in 1945. The World Food Day and TeleFood theme for 2006 is "Investing in agriculture for food security".

Agriculture may have become a minor player in many industrialized economies, but it must play a starring role on the world stage if we are to bring down the curtain on hunger."

Bono is also in the news this week in New Zealand, starting dialogue with that country's leadership and announcing upcoming concerts and other events to raise awareness in that country.

Volunteer Meeting TONIGHT

2006-10-16T08:51:00.000-07:00

Greetings KC ONE Campaigners!

Just a reminder: TONIGHT: MONDAY OCTOBER 16 AT 7PM we'll be resuming our regular ONE volunteer meetings, Westport Coffeehouse at 4010 Pennsylvania.

A few things we'll be covering include:
-Product RED release! See our blog or www.joinred.com for more info!

-Upcoming events, like concert volunteer opportunities, and World AIDS Day. We'll also be brainstorming ideas for new events for this fall and winter.

-Introducing our new local volunteer coordinators (that's right, plural!) and talking about what things will look like with KC ONE this year.

If you've been waiting for the opportunity to come by one of our Monday meetings, this is a GREAT time to start! Meanwhile, get out there and buy your RED products to benefit the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria.

See you tonight!

Product Red Reminder

2006-10-13T06:40:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder to everyone that today, Product Red will be launched at local retailers in support of The Global Fund.

Also, exciting news that the Nobel Prize winner for Peace was announced this morning. This year's winner is Muhammad Yunus and the bank he founded, Grameen Bank. You can read the linked press release for more details about his, and the banks, work. By providing micro-financing loans to primarily women in poverty stricken areas they have given opportunity, culturally, to a segment that is typically suppressed in poverty while also allowing for an economic base to be established within areas that had little opportunity.

Bono & Product RED

2006-10-11T08:38:00.000-07:00

This Friday, Bono will be a guest on Oprah to help introduce [Product] RED to the United States. [RED] is the simple idea that what we buy can change the world. It's not a charity. It's a brand created to raise money for the Global Fund by teaming up with the world's most iconic brands including Armani, Converse, GAP, American Express, and Motorola. Every [RED] product will raise not only money, but awareness.

Purchase your own Gap [RED] products beginning this Friday, October 13 at GAP stores here in Kansas City.

Chris Rock, actor and comedian featured in new Gap (PRODUCT) RED ad campaign photographed by Annie Leibovitz. Chris is wearing the new Gap (PRODUCT) RED jean jacket. (PRNewsFoto/Gap Inc., Annie Leibovitz)

SAN FRANCISCO, CA UNITED STATES 10/08/2006

Host a House Party and Stand Up Against Poverty

2006-10-04T14:33:00.000-07:00

On October 15th, ONE members will take a stand against extreme poverty by hosting house parties and events across the country.

At the events, members will:
1) Educate their friends and family about extreme poverty and global AIDS
2) Sign the ONE Voter Pledge
3) Literally stand up to ask our leaders to make poverty history

Sign up here to host your own house party or other ONE event. By registering, you are making sure that everyone at your event who takes a stand against poverty is officially counted.

If you indicate that your event is "public" we will promote it on our site and allow others in your community to register for it online. After you sign up, we will provide you with materials to help you organize your event and instructions on how to manage registrations through our website.

Visit www.one.org/DayAgainstPoverty/ for more info.

Volunteer Meetings Resume!

2006-10-02T20:32:00.000-07:00

Greetings KC ONE Campaigners:

It has been a while since you have heard from us, for we have been in a time of transition. But beginning Monday, October 16, we will be resuming our twice-a-month volunteer meetings! We will gather at Westport Coffeehouse (4010 Pennsylvania) at 7pm, and continue to do so on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month.

On October 16, you will have the pleasure of meeting Bill Salyer, the new local volunteer coordinator! Please come with ideas for ways that we can spread the word about ONE here in Kansas City.

Don't hesitate to leave a comment with any questions or ideas in the meantime. Look forward to seeing you on October 16 at Westport Coffeehouse.

DATA updates

2006-09-27T21:18:00.000-07:00

Click here to read a Guardian article "Extreme poverty up in poorest nations."

www.data.org

COMING SOON: Local Kansas City ONE events. Don't fret! In the meantime, keep yourselves educated!

Volunteer Coordinator

2006-09-05T13:40:00.000-07:00

We have not been meeting regularly nor planning many events for the past month or so here in Kansas City. If you are interested in being a part of doing so again, we need someone who is willing to be the KC ONE Campaign Volunteer Coordinator! If you're interested, leave a post here and I (Maureen) will contact you about what that looks like. Cheers!

Gates gives $500 million to Global AIDS, TB fund

2006-08-09T10:54:00.000-07:00

Good news for the Global Fund, full story here.

Event-based Calendar for the Fall

2006-08-09T10:48:00.000-07:00

Hello KC ONE Campaigners:

This is a friendly disclaimer from your volunteer coordinator here in KC--this Fall, we will not be having regular volunteer meetings nor sending out regular emails. But we will be keeping our eyes peeled for opportunities to attend events where we can spread the word about the ONE Campaign. So, stay tuned for that and let us know if you have any ideas!
Have a great fall, and we will see you at our next campaign event.

Maureen Didde
mdidde@youthfront.com

One Art & Monday Meeting

2006-08-03T08:57:00.000-07:00

"Extend" OneArt photograph by local Springfield artist, Sesha Shannon. www.conveystudios.com

-For those of you who remember our One Art show which displayed at the Arts Incubator in February, and for those of you who missed it--a portion of that show is on display at the Coffee Girls Coffeeshop at 310 Southwest Blvd in the Crossroads District. One Art is a collaboration of art work inspired by extreme poverty and AIDS. It is intended to raise awareness about the emergency abroad and connect individuals with the ONE Campaign to make poverty history. Please stop by the Coffee Girls this month and have a look!

-The third week of August, ONE members all over the country will be visiting the district offices of their members of Congress. If you would like to help set this up and/or be a part of the visit, please reply to this email expressing your interest.

-This Monday, August 7, please join us for our local volunteer meeting at Jacob's Well Church, 1617 W. 42nd St., KC, MO at 7pm. If you intend to volunteer locally in any capacity throughout the fall, this is a very important meeting to attend! See you then.
Thank you!

World Trade Talks Suspended

2006-07-24T13:34:00.000-07:00

Today, the Doha round for trade talks came to a close without resolve. Read about it here.
To learn more about fair trade, visit Oxfam and DATA's websites.

Thanks to all of you who came to the Living Hope Bus Trip as well as the "Learn about Fair Trade" presentation last week. Our next local volunteer meeting is Monday, August 7.

This Week's Events

2006-07-16T12:04:00.000-07:00

Just a quick heads up on two important events happening this week!

MONDAY, JULY 17 at 7:00 pm
Five people will die this minute - What will you do? Living Hope Bus Trip is a national tour which will come to discuss the AIDS crisis in Africa and what you can do to help. Please visit www.lhbustrip.com or contact philipl@jacobswellchurch.org for more info.
Jacob's Well Church
1617 W. 42nd St., KC, MO

FRIDAY, JULY 21 at 6:30 pm
"Learn about Fair Trade" presentation, with a speaker from local non-profit 10,000 Villages. Coffee and refreshments will be served.
Trinity Church of the Nazarene
4418 Rainbow Blvd
KCK, 66103
913-384-1919

Our next local volunteer meeting will be at Jacob's Well Church on Monday, August 7 at 7:00pm.

G8 Weekend Events

2006-07-10T11:18:00.000-07:00

1-Kansas City ONE Aid - coinciding with this weekend's G8 Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia and inspired by the original Live Aid and Live 8 concerts, Kansas City musicians will be playing a role in fighting global poverty through the ONE Campaign. Venues and artists will be supporting ONE at various music events throughout the city this weekend, July 14-16.

2006 Kansas City ONE Aid Concert Listings

Come to hear music and learn how to get involved in the fight to end global poverty.

“We don’t want your money, we want your voice."

Thursday, July 13^th(Special Opening Concert)
8:00pm – 12:00am Jardine’s Sons of Brasil

Friday, July 14^th
*5:00pm - 9:00pm The Phoenix Piano Bar & Grill Lonnie McFadden & Mark Lowrey

*8:30 pm – 12:30am The Blue Room Ida McBeth

*10:00pm-1:30am Raoul’s Velvet Room Dr. Zhivegas

Saturday, July 15^th
7:00pm – 11:00pm Jardine’s Ida McBeth

11:30pm - 2:30am Jardine’s Valery Price

*8:30pm – 12:30am The Blue Room Westport Art Emsemble

*9:00pm - 1:00am The Phoenix Piano Bar & Grill Mama Ray & Friends

9:00pm – 1:00am W.J. McBrides at the Kansas Speedway The Sean McNown Band

Sunday, July 16^th
2:00pm – 5:00pm Guadelupe Center Trio Epoca de Or0, Boss Nova, Trio Aztlan

6:00pm – 8:00pm City of Fairway Concert in the Park Series Candace Evans

8:00pm -11:30pm 75^th Street Brewery Brew Jam

11:00pm- 2:00am Granfalloon - Plaza Brendan MacNaughton

*Venues were not asked to waive pre-existing cover charges. All cover charges are pre-existing.

Other Sponsoring Artists: Angela Hagenbach

Other Sponsoring Venues: Grand Emporium, Karma, Gem Theatre, American Jazz Museum, Beaumont Club, Fuel, Hattie’s Coffee House, Homer’s Coffee House, Quaff, Westport Beach Club, Westport Coffee House
Contact: Tim Sweeney, 913-341-1289, sweeneytjs@yahoo.com, www.one.org

2-Five people will die this minute - What will you do? Living Hope Bus Trip is a national tour which will come to Jacob's Well Church
Monday, July 17th - 7:00PM. Come discuss the AIDS crisis in Africa and what you can do to help. philipl@jacobswellchurch.org for more info.

3-Please visit www.one.org this week and sign the petition asking America's leaders to keep the G8 promise as they travel to St. Petersburg.

2006 DATA Report

2006-07-04T10:24:00.000-07:00

DATA (Debt AIDS Trade Africa) last week released its annual report on the progress of the G8 Nations towards fulfilling their promises of funding to fight extreme poverty. Go to their website
to read updates on different issues of poverty as well as an analysis of each country's contribution.

Bono: Rich nations get mixed report card on Africa aid

2006-06-29T13:15:00.000-07:00

Today at CNN.com, watch a video on what Bono has to say about the political roadblocks the world still faces in fighting poverty.

Read the article and watch the video

Don't forget to come to the Plaza Library this Saturday at 10am to view the documentary "The Lost Boys of Sudan" and find out how you can get more involved!

July 3 Meeting & Other Events!

2006-06-28T09:03:00.000-07:00

As we move quickly through the summer, we have a lot of opportunities coming up this month:
1. This Saturday, July 1, at 10:00 am there will be a "Lost Boys of Sudan" screening at the KC Public Library at the Plaza (48th & Broadway). "Lost Boys" is a documentary that follows two Sudanese refugees on an extraordinary journey from Africa to America. Here in Kansas City there is a local organization for these refugees who live in the area. Come at 10am and learn more. www.lostboysfilm.com

2. This Monday, July 3, at 7:00 pm we'll have our local volunteer meeting at Jacob's Well Church in Midtown, 42nd & Wyoming, 3rd floor. THERE WILL BE NO MEETING JULY 17 (the third Monday) due to another event that you can read about next, so please come this Monday so we can discuss July's volunteer opportunities!

3. Monday, July 17, at Jacob's Well Church in Midtown, (instead of our usual meeting) we'll be attending a presentation by "Living Hope"-five guys traveling the country who are passionate about those affected by AIDS and want to convey the pressing urgency of this emergency. Likewise, we'll need some volunteers to man the ONE table at this event. www.lhbustrip.com

4. If you're interested in contacting local musicians or venues and distributing ONE literature for the "Summer of ONE," please contact Tim at sweeneytjs@yahoo.com.

5. Finally, the national ONE office has requested Kansas volunteers to target Senator Brownback as we move into an important time for Appropriations. We are particularly looking for faith leaders or people of faith who might be interested in speaking with the Senator (or his staff), since he is most affected by this group of people. Please contact me if you are willing to be a part of this! We're going to move on it fairly quickly.

Thanks! See you Monday!

Monday Meeting & Warped Tour

2006-06-17T20:25:00.000-07:00

Hey ONE Campaigners:
1-Local Volunteer Meeting Monday Night, June 19, at the Black Dog Coffeehouse at 12815 W. 87th St. in Lenexa. 7pm in the meeting room. We'll be discussing upcoming ways to get involved and spread the word about ONE in Greater Kansas City, including concerts and mayor visits! Please join us.
2-Also this Monday, ONE is going to be at the Warped Tour at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. We need 5 - 6 volunteers who can be there from 11 am to 5 pm. The outreach team who we'll be working with has all the materials and will train you if you haven't done concert outreach before. It's really fun and an incredible way to get involved in spreading the word about ONE and learning more yourself, not to mention the free live concert. If you'd like to volunteer, contact Sarah immediately at 913-648-6467 and she'll get you the details.
3-Saturday, July 1 there will be a screening of the Lost Boys of Sudan at the Plaza Library at 10am.
Thanks! See you Monday.

Interview on Progress of Millenium Development Goals

2006-06-12T21:24:00.000-07:00

"In September 2000, world leaders gathered at the United Nations for the Millennium Assembly promised to halve extreme hunger and poverty, halt the spread of HIV/AIDS and provide universal primary education, all by 2015. The series of targets, known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), also include promoting gender equality, reducing child and maternal mortality, ensuring environmental sustainability and building a global partnership for development. Salil Shetty, who will address hundreds of civil society leaders at the CIVICUS World Assembly in Glasgow, Scotland later this month, is the director of the U.N. Millennium Campaign to help achieve these goals. With less than a decade to go before the deadline, he spoke to IPS about the current status of the MDGs. "

Please visit this website to read the complete interview with Salil Shetty: http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=33583

Donors to Africa urged to ‘think local’

2006-06-07T15:20:00.000-07:00

In a story published in the Financial Times today, Archbishop Desmond Tutu said “I’m of the attitude that, like in politics, development is local. You can have the grand view, but if you don’t infuse people at a grass-roots level you’re playing marbles.”
Read the article on Archbishop Tutu's ideas to accomplish the Millenium Development Goals and the full interview here .

Thanks, Senator Brownback

2006-06-05T15:48:00.000-07:00

A coalition of Kansas City ONE Campaign and Bread for the World members recently visited with staff in Senator Sam Brownback's Overland Park office. Elise Young, regional coordinator for Bread for the World, Tim Sweeney of the KC ONE Campaign, and several local Bread for the World members met with staff there to thank Senator Brownback for requesting more funding in international aid. By recently signing the DeWine-Feinstein letter advocating for more funds being allocated to international poverty related issues and going on a fact-finding mission to Rwanda last year, Senator Brownback has represented the hearts and minds of many Kansans who sympathize with those less fortunate. We appreciate his staff's openness to meeting with us and assured them that Kansans, the Kansas City ONE Campaign and Bread for the World members would be fully supportive of him in his efforts to bring aid to the poor all over the world.

Monday Meeting & Summer Events

2006-06-03T13:51:00.000-07:00

First, and once again, a tremendous thanks to all the volunteers that came out to the Dave Matthews Band concert last Wednesday—nearly 700 signatures were collected on the ONE Declaration, solely by our local Kansas City ONE volunteers! Likewise, if you attended the Bread for the World Summer Kick off meeting, thanks so much for showing your support! Bread for the World (www.bread.org) is an incredible organization that we find ourselves working alongside more and more, so keep your eyes peeled for more events with them.
A new event has hit the schedule, so clear your calendars on Saturday, July 1 tentatively around 10:30 am for a free screening of The Lost Boys of Sudan at the Plaza Library. Some Sudanese refugees/Lost Boys who live in the Kansas City area will be joining us to help us understand more of the crisis in Sudan.

Finally, this Monday, June 5 at 7pm is our first-of-the-month local ONE volunteer meeting at Jacob’s Well Church in KC, MO. If you’d like to get more involved this summer in the ONE Campaign and related events, please come to the meeting to find out how! 7pm at 1617 W. 42nd St. 3rd floor.

Bread for the World Kick-off & Upcoming Events

2006-05-25T15:15:00.000-07:00

Next Wednesday, May 31 at 7pm, join us for the KC ONE/Bread for the World Summer Kick-Off! www.bread.org
Elise Young, Bread for the World Regional Coordinator, will be here from Washington DC to lead this effort and also will visit with Senator Brownback's office in Overland Park concerning how we might assist him and the nation in bringing help to poverty stricken parts of the world.
Attending this meeting is a great way to get connected locally, as well as to learn the basics of the ONE Campaign.
See you Wednesday at the Social Hall of Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 12800 W. 75th Street, Shawnee, KS at 7pm.

Also, a huge thanks to all who helped out or attended the Troost Fest last Sunday! It was a perfect day and we collected almost 150 signatures on the ONE Declaration.
Finally, if you missed our NBC News Watch Party on Tuesday night where we watched coverage of Bono's efforts in Ghana, you can watch pieces of Brian William's report here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12958852/

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS-Mark your calendars!

Monday, June 5
Local Volunteer Meeting
Jacob’s Well Church, 1617 W. 42nd St. KC, MO. 3rd floor. 7pm.

Monday, June 19
Local Volunteer Meeting
Black Dog Coffeehouse
12815 W. 87th St, Lenexa
Meeting Room, 7pm.

June 13
Bread for the World Lobby Day
Washington DC www.bread.org

Monday, July 3
Local Volunteer MeetingJacob’s Well Church, 1617 W. 42nd St. KC, MO. 3rd floor. 7pm.

Monday, July 17
Local Volunteer Meeting
Black Dog Coffeehouse
12815 W. 87th St, Lenexa
Meeting Room, 7pm.

Also, keep your eyes peeled for information TBA regarding a Lost Boys of Sudan screening in June and the KC ONE AID concert in mid-July!

Tuesday Night NBC News

2006-05-19T07:58:00.000-07:00

Dear ONE Member,

This week Bono begins a six country tour of Africa. His trip will shine the global spotlight on some of Africa's poorest nations. On Tuesday evening, May 23rd, for the first time in history, NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams will broadcast live from Africa; we are going to make sure this is an event to remember.That night, ONE members all across the country will be hosting house parties to watch this historic broadcast and get their community involved in the movement that is making poverty history. Please join us as we help Bono focus the world's attention on stories of hope and inspiration from Africa.

In Kansas City, we’ll gather at the home of Sarah & Thomas Mueller in Prairie Village from 5:00-7:00. Details about the evening are found here .
In order to sign up and get directions, you must go to this website. Thanks! It’s going to be an excellent evening of conversation about these issues and an opportunity to sound our voices. See you Tuesday night!

(If you reside outside of this area and would like to host your own Watch Party, please sign up to do so here .)

Peru needs your help (and so does the Troost Fest)

2006-05-16T19:50:00.000-07:00

The KC ONE Campaign has a new friend, Emily Broxterman, who works in Peru in health and education services with an organization called Kindness Connection Peru. She's pretty awesome and she needs our help! Over the next few weeks, the Applebee's located at College and Metcalf will be sponsoring Emily by giving either a percentage of or the total profits of certain meals to Kindness Connection. In order for this to happen--all you have to do is go there to eat and to have this flyer with you! You can copy it straight from this website and print it out! Dates and times are located there--and remember, this only takes place at the Applebee's at College and Metcalf.
Finally, the Troost Fest is this Sunday, May 21. If you would like to volunteer to spread the word about ONE during any hour or 2-hour period between 1pm and 8pm, please leave a post here and you'll be contacted!

Monday!

2006-05-14T17:39:00.000-07:00

We will have our local ONE Campaign volunteer meeting tomorrow night, Monday May 15, at 7pm at the Black Dog Coffeehouse in Lenexa, 12815 W. 87th Street. This is an important meeting as we enter into summer. If you are interested in volunteering at any of this summer's concerts and events, this is the meeting to come to! We'll be in the meeting room in the back of the coffeehouse.
Also, next Sunday, May 21, we need your help at the Troost Fest, anytime between 1pm-8pm on the 3100 block of Troost. It's an all day festival celebrating the history and restoration of Troost Avenue and it's neighboring areas. It's going to be a great time, but we need all the volunteers we can get. Come tomorrow night, or leave a comment on this blog if you can help! More info at : http://creativeprocess.net/cgc/troost/

Join Matt Damon in fighting poverty!

2006-05-09T09:15:00.000-07:00

Matt Damon just returned from a 7 day trip to South Africa and Zambia. "What I saw changed my life. I want to tell you about my trip and let you know about billions of dollars in development assistance that is at risk this week."

Ask your Senators to support critical development assistance:
Within the next 2 weeks the U.S. Senate is poised to slash billions of dollars from President Bush's plan to fight AIDS and poverty. This is an outrage - and it can be stopped. Senators Mike DeWine (R-OH), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Richard Durbin (D-IL) have written a letter to their colleagues in the Senate asking them to stop these devastating cuts in funding for the fight against AIDS and extreme poverty.
With just 30 seconds of your time, you can send a quick note to your Senators asking them to support this funding and add their signature to this important letter. Please join us in speaking out right now.

FINAL Night Commute Details

2006-04-28T01:16:00.000-07:00

The overnight location for the Invisible Children Global Night Commute will be at Jacob's Well Church in midtown. It is forecasted to rain, so sleeping will happen indoors unless the skies are clear. Meet at the JC Nichols Fountain at 6pm, then the commute will begin around 8pm. Many activities will take place throughout the night. See two posts below for more info and contacts. Spread the word!

Also, KU for Uganda is holding a benefit concert/CD release party this Friday (April 28th) at 10:00 PM at the Jackpot (943 Massachusetts, Lawrence, KS) to help with relief efforts for northern Ugandans. The concert is called SLAM AIDS, and all profits will go to the Kairos Medical Clinic in Kampala, which serves the displaced population, especially HIV patients. The CD is called Emirembe Now! ("emirembe" is the Luganda word for "hope"), and the profits from it will go to the Hope Integrity Orphanage, which is home to formerly abducted child soldiers and AIDS orphans.

This could be you. . .

2006-04-25T03:28:00.000-07:00

Here's a few pictures from the AIDS Walk in Kansas City last Saturday, April 22. Thanks so much to everyone who helped out both with the Walk and especially with the ONE table. You all are the best!

Top: Tim Sweeney and Rachel Bonar working the ONE table at AIDS Walk.
Bottom: Rachel and Matt Pierce, showing off his ONE art.
Thanks to Nate Jackson for the photography!

Also, please read the previous post (below) for details on the Invisible Chidren Global Night Commute this Saturday!

Global Night Commute Details!

2006-04-23T22:54:00.000-07:00

We want YOU to join us.

Every night for 20 years, thousands of children in Northern Uganda have commuted on foot from their rural villages to sleep in the center of their cities for fear of abduction from a violent rebel army, the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army). On April 29th in over 130 cities across the country, thousands are lying down demanding that our government take a stand. We can be the catalyst that puts an end to night commuting, mass child abduction, and the horrific 20-year war in NORTHERN UGANDA.

The Global Night Commute in Kansas City

Hundreds of us in Kansas City will be meeting at the JC Nichols Fountain (on the Plaza - West 47th Street, between JC Nichols Parkway and Main Street, KCMO) on Saturday, April 29th from 6-10 pm. Come be part of the movement. Bring your energy…as well as paper, markers and pens. We’ll be writing letters to our government and the children in Uganda. Walking around the park. Talking with each other and those passing by. Waving signs.

The filmmakers met with key senators, lobbyists, non-governmental organization leaders in Washington DC and were told a gathering such as this will be instrumental in urging action that will lead to peace in this region of the world. You can be a voice that says: “The people and children of Uganda are deeply valuable. This war must end.”

The Pre-Event

Tuesday, April 25th at Jacob’s Well (1617 W 42nd St, KCMO) from 6-9 pm. Come see the screening of “Invisible Children: Rough Cut.” Connect with like-hearted people. Get more details about the crisis in Northern Uganda and the Kansas City Commute. Bring a t-shirt (we’ll be making shirts to wear on Saturday).

All are invited. Yes dad, even you. And grandma too!
Have questions? Email Ivy: iveslife@yahoo.com

The Facts
Northern Ugandan is called the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today because of the lack of international attention
2 million people forced from their homes
30,000 children abducted to fight as soldiers
More than 40,000 children commuting nightly
130 people die each day in Northern Uganda due to violence

The start of Invisible Children came in 2003 when three naïve filmmakers from Southern California flew to Africa in search of a story that would change the world. What they discovered in Northern Uganda both disgusted and inspired them. They documented their findings in a film called “Invisible Children: Rough Cut.” The organization is dedicated to ending the war in Northern Uganda when children are abducted and forced to fight with the rebel army as soldiers. For more information go to www.invisiblechildren.com

“If you will protest courageously, and yet with dignity…when the history books are written in future generations, the historians will have to pause and say, “There lived a great people…who injected new meaning and dignity into the veins of civilization. Almost always, the creative, dedicated minority has made the world better.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Education awareness!

2006-04-18T12:50:00.000-07:00

Want to be a part of giving every child a good education? Click here to be a part of "Send my friend to school" Week!

Also, we're looking for volunteers to help set-up and tear-down for the 18th Annual AIDS Walk this weekend. If you can help, show up at Theis Park south of the Nelson Art Gallery at 1pm-4pm on Friday the 21st, or Noon-2pm on Saturday the 22nd!

Otherwise, don't forget about all the other upcoming events listed in the previous post.
Additionally, on TUESDAY the 25th there will be an Invisible Children Global Night Commute Rally at Jacob's Well Church. Please spread the word about the Commute happening the evening of April 29th, kicking off from JC Nichols Fountain at 6pm!

Finally, a few people have been interested in the upcoming Troost Festival. Click here for more info.

Monday Meeting & Upcoming Events

2006-04-15T10:05:00.000-07:00

Our third-Monday-of-the-month meeting is this Monday the 17th at Black Dog Coffeehouse in Lenexa. 12815 W. 87th Street. In the meeting room, 7pm. It's going to be a good one as we begin to gear up for summer and will participate in a lot of cool events, festivals, concerts, etc. Also, Monday we'll be educating ourselves on some different issues related to ONE so that when we go to these events, we'll know what we're talking about! So we'll see you Monday at 7.

Below is the upcoming events calendar! Please note the local volunteer meeting dates and locations!

Saturday, April 22
AIDS Walk Kansas City
Theis Park (across from the
Nelson Art Gallery)
8am Registration, 9:30am Walk

Saturday, April 29 (thru Sunday AM)
Global Night Commute
JC Nichols Fountain (Plaza)
6pm

Monday, May 1
Local Volunteer Meeting
Jacob’s Well Church, 1617 W. 42nd St. KC, MO. 3rd floor. 7pm.

Monday, May 15
Local Volunteer Meeting
Black Dog Coffeehouse
12815 W. 87th St, Lenexa
Meeting Room, 7pm.

Sunday, May 21
Troost Festival
3100 block of Troost Ave.
1pm-8pm

Wednesday, May 31
Dave Matthews Band Concert
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

Likewise, if you would like to volunteer at any of the above events at the ONE table, please comment on this blog and we'll contact you! (OR come to the meetings) ;)

Aid flows top USD 100 billion in 2005

2006-04-06T12:29:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been telling someone about the ONE Declaration and the US Government giving more aid to poverty issues, and they doubt that our government helps at all, more or less that it's willing to reach the ONE goal? Read below for some good statistics on the US and other countries' assistance for global poverty. And be encouraged--it's a long journey--but progress IS being made!
This article is on DATA.org today:
"Official development assistance (ODA) to developing countries from member countries of the OECD’s (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) Development Assistance Committee rose 31.4% to USD 106.5 billion in 2005 – a record high. It represents 0.33% of the Committee members’ combined Gross National Income in 2005, up from 0.26% in 2004. Aid in the form of debt relief grants increased more than 400% between 2004 and 2005, while other aid increased 8.7% in the same period. . . . "
"The largest donor in 2005 was the United States, followed by Japan, the United Kingdom, France and Germany. The only countries to exceed the United Nations target for ODA of 0.7% of GNI were, as for some years now, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. . . "
Click here for the complete article

Heads Up!

2006-04-05T12:07:00.000-07:00

A little heads up about our upcoming local volunteer meetings. Due to a growing interest of volunteers who live on the Kansas side, we're going to accomodate one another a bit more. Therefore, the first Monday of the month, we'll meet at Jacob's Well in Midtown, and the THIRD Monday of the month, we'll meet at the BLACK DOG COFFEEHOUSE @ 12815 W 87th Street Pkwy, Lenexa, KS (in the meeting room). So...we'll remind you as our third monday meeting draws near, but just get ready to cross the state line once a month, one way or the other! See you then.

Local Volunteer Meeting on Monday!

2006-04-01T20:13:00.000-08:00

1. Our next regular volunteer meeting is this Monday, April 3, at 7pm at Jacob's Well Church, 1617 W. 42nd St., 3rd floor. We'll be getting back to our schedule of meeting on the 1st and 3rd Mondays ofthe month.
2. Over the course of our next handful of Monday meetings (excluding this week's), we'll be informing one another on different issues of poverty, and how ONE approaches them. So if you're hesitant to volunteer at an event or come to a meeting because you feel uninformed--then we're about to fix that--together! So don't miss the upcoming volunteer meetings.
3. Everyone say a big THANK YOU to Sarah Mueller, the beautiful lady who usually sends your emails, for putting so much time and effort into helping US get involved with ONE. She's the best..and her efforts are never-ceasing.
4. For those of you interested in more about "Invisible Children", here's a great source for balanced, accurate news from Uganda--keep yourself informed about what's happening there! http://www.monitor.co.ug

Another viewpoint

2006-03-29T12:07:00.001-08:00

Interesting author who believes Sach's and the Millenium Development Goals have got it wrong. Read here. What do you think?

Another viewpoint

2006-03-29T12:07:00.000-08:00

Interesting author who believes Sach's and the Millenium Development Goals have got it wrong. Read here. What do you think?

We did it!

2006-03-22T08:08:00.000-08:00

Thanks for calling your senators! Here's the word from the ONE HQ in DC:

"You did it! Working as ONE, call by call, you let our leaders know that you wanted America to do more to fight AIDS and extreme poverty-- and they heard you.

Late last week, the Senate agreed to two amendments that will add hundreds of millions of dollars to the fight against AIDS, TB and malaria and save the lives of mothers and children around the world.

Thank you for speaking up and standing by four Senators who worked together to do the right thing: save lives. Senators Santorum, Durbin, DeWine and Leahy demonstrated real leadership by doing something we don’t see everyday: reaching across political divides to help people in the world’s poorest countries lift themselves out of poverty. To see if YOUR Senators supported this life-saving funding, check out the ONE blog.
Your calls helped change minds and votes, proving that when we come together as ONE, we really can do more."

If you're from the Missouri side of KC, take a minute to write Sen. Jim Talent to thank him for the extra support he lent the bill.

Invisible Children Monday Night!

2006-03-19T18:55:00.000-08:00

Instead of our regular volunteer meeting, we're going to be working a ONE table at a screening of the documentary Invisible Children. Be there!

Monday, March 20, 7 pm: Invisible Children documentary showing and Q&A afterward at Jacob's Well, 1617 West 42nd Street, in the sanctuary.

Call now!

2006-03-13T10:58:00.000-08:00

From the folks at ONE HQ:

Dear Friend:

Last Thursday, the Senate Budget Committee cut back funds to the President's plan to fight global AIDS and extreme poverty-but we still have a chance to make a difference!

Right now, two U.S. Senators are reaching across political divides and asking the Senate to add $566 million to fund critical AIDS, TB and malaria programs running around the world. Senators Rick Santorum, a Republican from Pennsylvania, and Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, have proposed an amendment to ensure America continues funding the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.

Call 1-800-786-2663 TODAY and help make AIDS, TB and malaria history.

The Global Fund saves lives. Please call the two Senators from your state TODAY and ask them to support the Santorum-Durbin Amendment for global AIDS funding.

Call 1-800-786-2663 to be connected directly to your Senators and ask them to support the Santorum-Durbin Amendment.

Remember, AIDS kills 8,500 people every day, TB kills 5,000 and malaria kills over 3,000 in Africa alone-- every day. Together, we can help fight back against these killer diseases.

Volunteer meeting on Monday

2006-03-12T12:19:00.000-08:00

Our next local volunteer meeting will be tomorrow, Monday, March 13, at 7 pm at Jacob's Well, 1617 West 42nd Street. (Go in the north door and follow the steps up to the third floor.)

Looking ahead:

Monday, March 20, 7 pm: Invisible Children documentary showing and Q&A with the film's creators at Jacob's Well, 1617 West 42nd Street.

Monday, March 27, 7 pm: Local ONE meeting at Jacob's Well, 1617 West 42nd Street.

April 8: Africa Night at Jacob's Well, 1617 West 42nd Street, 7 pm. $2 for food,music, and fun.

May: Faith-based ONE luncheons. Contact Matt Campos to help organize these events at seriesofdreams@gmail.com.

ONEart a success!

2006-03-12T12:18:00.000-08:00

Thanks so much for your hard work on the ONEart show last week. With your support, we gathered 225 new signatures for the ONE Campaign in just one night! Fabulous work, everybody! The art will be up almost all month, so stop by the Arts Incubator (115 West 18th Street, Kansas City, MO) if you missed the show last week. And if you were one of the new signees, welcome! Glad to have you onboard.

Volunteer for ONEart!

2006-02-23T06:09:00.001-08:00

ONEart is coming! March 3 at Arts Incubator, 115 West 18th Street, Kansas City, MO. The fun starts at 5:30 pm.

We need you:

You can still bring art: Just drop it off this week at A.I. (11-5 pm Thursday and Friday, and Saturday from 10-2) and fill out the artist info sheet. E-mail oneartkc@yahoo.com with questions.

You can help paint: Monday, February 27, we're cleaning up the gallery. Wear your paintin' clothes and show up at A.I. from 6-8ish.

You can pour wine: From 5:30 to 7:30 the night of the show, we need two 21+ wine pourers. E-mail sweeneytjs@yahoo.com to volunteer.

You can sign people up: We?re sending volunteers to the streets to sign people up for the ONE pledge. Come at 5 pm for a quick orientation. E-mail sarah@soonverysoon if interested.

You can rove: We'll need some people to be available at the gallery to answer questions about ONE. Come at 5 pm for a quick orientation. E-mail sarah@soonverysoon.com if interested.

Faith event changes shape

2006-02-23T06:09:00.000-08:00

The ONE faith event is morphing into several smaller events. So take May 6 off your calendars, but e-mail Matt Campos to help organize these personalized events: seriesofdreams@gmail.com.

Spring ONE Calendar!

2006-02-23T06:01:00.000-08:00

Friday, March 3: ONEart exhibit opens at Arts Incubator, 115 West 18th Street, Kansas City, MO, 5:30 - 10ish pm. Art, activism, and wine. Can it get any better?

Sunday, February 26, 4 pm: First organizational meeting for the Africa Night event at Jacob's Well, 1617 West 42nd Street, third floor of the church.

Monday, March 20, 7 pm: Invisible Children documentary showing and Q&A with the film's creators at Jacob's Well, 1617 West 42nd Street.

April 8: Africa Night at Jacob's Well, 1617 West 42nd Street, 7 pm. $2 for food, music, and fun.

Friends of ONE upcoming events

2006-02-23T05:55:00.000-08:00

Sunday, February 26, 2:30: Bread for the World workshop. Come learn about BFW (one of ONE's founders) 2006 legislative agenda and learn to write effective letters to our leaders. St. Mark's Catholic Church, 3736 S Lee's Summit Rd, Independence, MO 64055, 2:30-5:30pm.

Wednesday, March 8: International Women's Day Luncheon presented by Women Vision International and Flourish! Magazine. 11:00 - 12:30 pm at the Overland Park Convention Center, 6000 College Blvd, OP, KS. Tickets are $45 in advance (RSVP with WVI at 913-432-2883 by Feb. 28) and $50 at the door.

Where theology and social justice colide

2006-02-16T09:49:00.000-08:00

Check out the latest edition of The Other Journal. It's all about Africa. Great reading in preparation for the May 6 faith event. Remember, the first planning meeting is tonight, 7 pm, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church at 119th and Lowell in Overland Park, KS.

Faith event date change

2006-02-14T06:04:00.000-08:00

Hey everybody! The faith event has been moved to May 6. Put it on your calendars!

Meeting recap and update

2006-02-12T13:29:00.000-08:00

It's a little late, I know, but here's a meeting recap from February 6 and an update on upcoming projects!

1. The ONE art show is on for March 3, 5:30 pm, at the Arts Incubator in the Crossroads District.
* It is not too late to submit art! Simply e-mail oneartkc@yahoo.com what you intend to bring (and include a note if the work is especially small or large), and deliver to the Arts Incubator anytime on Tuesday, Feb. 21 - Friday, Feb. 24 from 11 am to 5 pm and Saturday Feb. 25 from 10 am to 2 pm.
* Volunteer needs (e-mail Tim Sweeney if interested, sweeneytjs@yahoo.com) :
- Someone to make labels for the artwork out of printable card stock
- at least 3-4 people to help paint and clean the gallery on Monday, February 27 from 6-9 pm
- a few people to help hang the artwork a few days before the show
- two people to serve wine and cheese from 5:30 -7 pm the night of the show
- people to sign gallery-goers up for the ONE pledge the night of the show
- and possibly one or two people to help take down the works on Monday, March 20.

2. Jacob's Well Church is hosting an Africa Night on April 8. There will be food, music, and possibly speakers. E-mail Phil Lesniewski if interested in helping, philipl@jacobswellchurch.org.

3. ONE will host a faith-based event on May 1. The next planning meeting for the event will be this Thursday, February 16 at 7 pm at Holy Cross Lutheran Church at 119th and Lowell in Overland Park, KS. Meetings will be held every two weeks after. Matt Campos is organizing this event and is happy to give anyone a ride to the meeting. E-mail him at seriesofdreams@gmail.com. Here's a note from Matt about the event:

"We had our first meeting a couple of nights ago. We didn't have a huge turnout, in part because I didn't give enough advance notice, and in part because I am not terribly experienced in organizing this kind of an event. However, tonight, things have changed. I met with Susan Vicory tonight. Susan is quite an impressive advocate for homeless people in our community and across the country. She is the founder of Heartland Films and a really great video about homelessness called "The Power of One."

Unlike myself, Susan has experience with this kind of event planning. She put together a huge event for her video and she has an extensive network of people who are already wanting to put something like this together. In short, Susan has the knowledge, contacts, and experience to take this event to the next level. When I first started planning this event, my goal was 30-40 people. Now we are thinking about 500 or more. *This is a defining moment for the ONE Campaign in Kansas City*. We could help spread the ONE Campaign message to churches across the Kansas City area!

This is an awesome opportunity. Let's really try to take advantage of it! Please try to make arrangements to come to the meeting. Also, take a look at the organization Susan has started at www.filmsfromtheheart.com ."

One step forward, one step back...

2006-02-07T06:48:00.000-08:00

See DATA's analysis of the President's budget proposal here.

Meeting on Monday!

2006-02-05T16:29:00.000-08:00

We'll be meeting Monday, February 6 at 7 pm at Jacob's Well (1617 W 42nd St). We'll be talking about the March 3 art show (still need art!), the April 8 Africa Night, and the May 1 faith event. We need your help!

Bono speaks at the National Prayer Breakfast

2006-02-03T10:32:00.000-08:00

See the transcript of his speech here.

Our favorite rock star takes on the tough questions

2006-01-31T12:39:00.000-08:00

See how Bono answers some tough questions on the effectiveness of aid to Africa from the German publication Spiegelhere.

NIgeria's not-so-fair debt deal

2006-01-28T12:29:00.000-08:00

See the Jubilee Campaign's action letter on justice for Nigeria here.

We love you, Bill Gates!

2006-01-27T10:47:00.000-08:00

Bill Gates promises his foundation will triple their tuberculosis giving to $900 million by 2015. Read full story here.

Meeting on Monday and letter-writing workshop on Feb. 26

2006-01-27T07:33:00.000-08:00

Meeting for faith-leaders event on Monday, January 30: Matt Campos will be organizing an event this spring to introduce faith community leaders to the ONE Campaign. Join him at Westport Coffeehouse at 7 pm.

And put this on your calendars: Ann Varghese, Bread For the World's ONE Campaign faith outreach organizer is holding a letter-writing workshop on February 26. Learn how to host an effective letter-writing campaign:
St. Marks Catholic Church
3736 Lee's Summit Rd.
Independence, MO 64055
2:30-5:30pm

Ask Bush to keep his promise to the poor!

2006-01-16T07:20:00.000-08:00

Go here to ask President Bush to remember the promises he made during the G8 Summit as he makes budget decisions in the next several weeks.

No meeting tonight!

2006-01-16T07:15:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder that our local volunteer meeting will be NEXT Monday, January 23rd. We'll meet at 7 pm at Jacob's Well (on the corner of Genessee and 42nd in Westport). Enter the Northwest door and follow the signs up to the 3rd floor Common Room.

We'll be discussing the March 3rd art show, Jacob's Well's Africa night in April, and other upcoming events.

Thanks to everyone who came to the MLK event this Saturday! Special thanks to FOX News, Channel 4, for getting ONE on TV! (See online story here.)

In other news,i If anyone is interested in a service trip to Kenya this summer, please go here for details. Sarah Were of Soulfaria Kenya told us they have about 8 spaces left on the trip.

MLK/ONE event this Saturday!

2006-01-12T05:09:00.000-08:00

1. Be there on Saturday: "MLK and ONE: Common Visions." See details in the post below!

2. Normally, we meet the first and third Mondays of each month, but we're changing the second meeting to Monday, January 23rd to give everyone MLK day off. We'll meet at 7 pm at Jacob's Well (on the corner of Genessee and 42nd in Westport). Enter the Northwest door and follow the signs up to the 3rd floor Common Room. See you there!

3. Remember to forward the call to artists (see post below) for our March art show to your artist friends!

ONE honors MLK

2006-01-06T05:15:00.000-08:00

Martin Luther King, Jr. once said "Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. "You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love, and you can be that servant." On January 14, the ONE Campaign's Kansas City Chapter will honor King by exploring how Americans can apply King's dreams of equality to the struggles of developing countries worldwide. Join KC ONE for "MLK and ONE: Common Visions" on Saturday, January 14, at 11 am at the Plaza Library, 4801 Main Street.

Pass this event info along to your friends! If you'd like to help set up, you can come at 10:30. Let Tim Sweeney know if you'd like to help: sweeneytjs@yahoo.com.

After the event, we're going to be going to lunch with some guests from Mexico, MO, to share ONE ideas. Please plan on joining us if you're interested!

We're putting on an art show!

2005-12-29T18:16:00.000-08:00

Calling all artists! If you are an artist in any media, see below. Please pass this along to all your artist friends, too. And join us for our next volunteer meeting: Monday, January 2, 2006, at 7 pm at Jacob's Well (on the corner of Genessee and 42nd in Westport). Enter the Northwest door and follow the signs up to the 3rd floor Common Room. See you there!

A CALL TO ARTISTS

The Kansas City Chapter of the ONE Campaign would like to invite all artists to create a work for the ONE art exhibit. All works will be displayed at the Arts Incubator located in the Crossroads Arts District on the First Friday of March 2006. The objective of this exhibition is to provide a connecting point for discovery and discussion that leads to ideas and action toward solutions to unnecessary human suffering.

The ONE Campaign and the Arts Incubator would like to encourage artists to submit works that reflect that search. All media will be included. The artist will be responsible for all shipping expenses and insurance of works. The Arts Incubator will retain 30 percent commission of works sold and the ONE Campaign will accept any additional contributions to support its fight on global poverty
and disease.

To submit, please send examples of previous work by email to oneartkc@yahoo.com or contact the Kansas City ONE Campaign at oneartkc@yahoo.com by February 10th, 2006. All works must be delivered to the Arts Incubator by 5:00 pm, February 24th.

Artists are invited to attend the next local ONE event, "MLK and ONE: Common Visions" on Saturday, January 14, at 11 am at the Plaza Library. Artists may also visit www.one.org and http://kc-one.blogspot.com to find out more about the ONE Campaign's work to make poverty history.

EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION

Visual artists using their voice to speak about the grave reality, intrinsic beauty, and lasting hope for the millions of people world wide that endure extreme poverty and disease in their daily lives. Despite a reality filled with poverty and pain, beauty survives. Its small triumphs are everywhere if we look closely enough. And where we discover beauty, we also find hope for the future.

ONE art is an exhibit of works by a diverse group of artists that lead us on a search through the tragedies of disease, poverty, and global greed to find moments of beauty and reasons for hope.

The exhibit will be held at the Arts Incubator, 115 W. 18th Street, Kansas City, MO, during the First Friday Art Walk on March 3, 2006.

NYTimes sounds off on Hong Kong

2005-12-20T07:05:00.000-08:00

Read the editorial here.

Hong Kong WTO negotiations disappointing

2005-12-19T13:32:00.000-08:00

In spite of the almost 18 million people worldwide who signed the Big Noise petition calling on WTO leaders to make trade fair, the outcomes of last week's trade negotiations are disappointing. See the Make Trade Fair website for a run-downer.

Meeting Monday, Dec. 19 at new location!

2005-12-18T15:33:00.000-08:00

Happy week before Christmas and Hanukkah! We're meeting this Monday, December 19, at my house, 7 pm. E-mail me (sarah@soonverysoon.com)or comment here, and I'll get you directions.

Once again, fabulous job at the ONE Plaza outreach last Saturday. You collected 300+ signatures! Way to go! Tomorrow we'll be going over plans for a MLK/ONE event on Saturday, January 14; a simple fundraiser (no selling required); a March art event; and an African night at Jacob's Well. As you can tell, there's lots of things going on, and many ways you can get involved.

ONE at U2

2005-12-16T11:56:00.000-08:00

A last minute invite from some ONE folks in Omaha sent Maureen and me up north volunteer for ONE at the U2 show yesterday. It was hard getting rabid fans on their way to their seats and the beer line to slow down long enough to sign the declaration, but we fought the crowds and won a bunch of people over to the good side! Over all, our 10 volunteers got an estimated 1500+ sigs and sold a bunch of wristbands. (We give them away here, but they sell them for $1 at concerts to defray administrative costs.) The show rocked as well, of course. Bono asked everyone to hold their cell phones up during "One", and the screens flashed instructions for texting your name to the ONE Campaign. We saw lots of people doing just that around us; we're well on our way to the 5-million mark we hope to reach by 2008! (We're at about 2 million now.)

Trade negotiations start in Hong Kong today

2005-12-13T06:30:00.000-08:00

Fair trade reforms could bring $200 billion into developing countries' economies -- many times over the amount of development aid rich countries give. Learn more about what's at stake at the trade negotiations beginning today at the Center for Global Development site. And if you haven't already, sign the ONE Big Noise petition asking President Bush to work for trade reforms that can help lift developing countries out of extreme poverty.

Complete Instructions for Saturday

2005-12-06T19:48:00.000-08:00

ONE Goes to the PLAZA

December 10, 2005

Headquarters: J.C. Nichols Fountain (47th Street and J.C. Nichols Parkway)

Goals: To introduce as many people as possible to the ONE Campaign. To increase ONE’s visibility in Kansas City. To get as many signatures on the ONE pledge as possible. To direct people to the ONE website to sign the ONE Big Noise petition.

Volunteer orientations: 10:30 am for the 11:00 – 1:00 pm shift
12:30 pm for the 1:00 – 3:00 pm shift

Volunteer positions (pick one):

Mobile Pledge Team member: You’ll be assigned to a small team, and you’ll be taking the pledge, white bands, balloons and ONE info to people shopping on the Plaza. You’ll be assigned a specific territory and we’ll provide you with all the materials you’ll need.

Balloon Runner: You’ll be in charge of filling and distributing white balloons to the mobile teams as needed.

Headquarters Table: You’ll be stationed at the HQ table to help answer questions about the ONE Campaign and be a runner for the mobile teams as needed.

Street Artist/Musician: You’ll find a good spot on the Plaza and do your thing. When people stop to watch/listen, you’ll give them ONE info and sign them up on the ONE Campaign pledge. (We’ll provide the materials for you.)

Contact info: E-mail Sarah before the event to volunteer: sarah@soonverysoon.com
During the event, call Sarah’s cell: 573-268-0929.

Info for mobile team members and artists/musicians:

1. Read the talking points below; the afternoon will be more fun if you’re prepared to share about ONE!

2. Be respectful of the businesses on the Plaza. Don’t block entrances to stores and don’t solicit people inside of stores. (Feel free to go inside your favorite shops to get warmed up for a minute, however.) Look for people who have just come out of stores because they are generally warm and happy. (People who are hurrying to get out of the cold will be less inclined to listen to you.)

3. Dress warm! Temps should be up this weekend (42! Woohoo!) but be prepared.

4. Keep my cell phone number with you for emergencies: 573-268-0929. And all youth group members traveling with a sponsor should have their sponsor’s number as well.

Three Things to Remember

1. Smile! You’re inviting people to take part in a world-changing movement. If they say no, it’s their loss!

2. Inspire, don’t guilt. (See suggestions for opening lines below.)

3. Be honest. If you don’t know an answer to a question, just say so! (Then direct them to the headquarters table at the fountain or the ONE website.)

4. Arguments aren’t worth it; if someone wants to start one with you, empathize with their anger (maybe you felt similarly before learning more about the issues), repeat #1, direct them to the HQ table or the website, then keep on walkin’.

Pick-up Lines

Suggestions for that all-important first line:

“Would you like to save lives with your signature?”
“Want to fight poverty with your signature?”
“Want to fight poverty?”
…quickly followed by “We don’t want your money – just your voice.”

So… what do I say when they say “Yes”?

Try:

“The ONE Campaign is a non-partisan group asking our government to give more and better aid to the world’s poorest countries. Almost 2 million people have signed; would you like to add your name?”

“The ONE Campaign is non-partisan and lobbies for more and better aid to fight hunger, poverty, and diseases like AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Almost 2 million people have signed; would you like to add your name?”

“The ONE Campaign is non-partisan and is asking for our government to spend 1% more of our budget on fighting global poverty. Almost 2 million people have signed; would you like to add your name?”

So they signed… Now what?

(Accept all signatures, even if they don’t want to give any other contact info.)

Say thanks! Then ask them if they want to be on the local e-mail list. If so, star their name. And hand them our local calendar of events (ask them if they want this even if they don’t want to be on the local e-mail list). Congrats! You’ve got your first signature.

What if they start asking questions?

Here are some answers to the most common questions you might get:

Doesn’t the U.S. give enough money already?
Individually, Americans give a lot of time and services to help the poor. And our government has drastically increased the money it gives to fight poverty and diseases like AIDS and malaria. But we believe we can give more – 1% more of our U.S. budget. Our leaders have made promises to increase our giving, and we’d just like them to follow through on those.

Subquestion: What kind of promises?
In the ‘70s, the US and other rich nations agreed to raise their level of giving to .7% of our gross national product. But we only give .16% of our GNP today – that’s the lowest percentage given by a wealthy country. In recent years, the president created and pledged money to programs like the President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief and the Millennium Challenge Account; we’d like to see those programs funded at the levels pledged.

How much is 1%?
One percent is roughly $25 billion. Or you could look at it as 10 million children who won’t become AIDS orphans because we could get their parents on medications. Or 104 million kids who will get to go to grade school. Or 900 million people who will get access to clean water that don’t have it now.

How does ONE fit in with international poverty groups?
ONE is a part of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty, a coalition of “white band” groups working for change inside their own countries. You may have heard of the UK’s successful campaign, called Make Poverty History.

Will you send me a bunch of e-mails?
Occasionally, you’ll get an e-mail asking you to call or e-mail your Senator or Representative, or the President. They always make it easy, though, with a one-stop e-mail or call center. It’s your choice whether to act on those e-mails.

Does the ONE Campaign collect money?
NO! You’ve already given your tax dollars; the ONE Campaign is just asking you to give our leaders permission to spend them on fighting extreme poverty and diseases like AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

What does the money our government gives go to?
Believe it or not, there’s a plan! In 2000, world leaders set concrete Millennium Development Goals, which include halving extreme poverty, getting AIDS drugs to all who need them, universal access to clean water and grade school education, among other things. Every country is supposed to have a plan for how they are going to meet those goals by 2015. But the world’s poorest countries don’t have a chance of meeting them without aid from wealthy nations. Which is where ONE comes in.

Why should we help countries who can’t get it together?
Besides the pure moral arguments, there are some selfish reasons. Poverty breeds desperation, and desperation breeds terrorism. Fighting poverty increases our national security in the long run. The 9/11 Commission recommends raising development aid for this reason. In addition, poor countries can’t buy the products our companies make. Lifting countries out of poverty will create more trade partners for our companies and a stronger world economy.

Doesn’t all the money we give just go to corrupt governments?
The ONE Campaign lobbies for quality aid that gets to the people who need it. For example, the U.S. is the major funder of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, a UN initiative that has a strict accountability structure and gives grants to local programs that can prove they are honest and effective. Aid like that gets to the people who need it most.

Who started the ONE Campaign?
The ONE Campaign was founded by a collection of nonprofits that serve and speak for the world’s poorest people, such as Bread for the World, DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa), Oxfam, World Vision, CARE, International Medical Corps, International Rescue Committee, Mercy Corps, Plan USA, Save the Children, and others. They realized that in order to make a dent in the problems extreme poverty causes, they needed the big dollars only wealthy governments can supply. The ONE Campaign is basically a large group of people who are giving our leaders permission to spend our tax dollars on fighting extreme poverty and diseases like AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

If I sign, will I get to meet Bono/Brad Pitt/Famous Person?
Probably not, but you may get an e-mail from one of them from time to time.

[Insert weird question here]
Well, you know, I’m not sure about that. But you could bring that question to our headquarters table over at JC Nichols Fountain or go to the website.

For more info, read up at www.one.org or www.data.org.

Coming Soon!

2005-12-06T04:55:00.000-08:00

Look for complete volunteering instructions and the revised "Talking Points" sheet tonight.

Thanks to everybody for an incredible meeting yesterday. I never guessed that twelve people could have so many balloon connections, cliboard connections, pen connections, etc. For those of you who couldn't make it, rest assured that Saturday's event has been planned within an inch of its life and all necessary materials have been delegated. Now all we need is you! Shifts will start at 10:30 (for the 11-1 shift) and 12:30 (for the 1-3 shift). Complete instructions to come...

Press Release for Saturday's Event

2005-12-06T04:52:00.000-08:00

This has been sent out to local media contacts. If you've got a media connection, however, feel free to copy and send along with a personal note!

Press Release

LOCAL ONE CAMPAIGNERS TAKE
THE ONE PLEDGE AND WHITE BANDS TO THE PLAZA

December 6, 2005
Contact: Sarah Mueller
Phone: 913-648-6467
E-mail: sarah@soonverysoon.com
Blog: http://kc-one.blogspot.com
Resources: http://www.one.org
http://www.whiteband.org

KANSAS CITY, MO -- In solidarity with Global Call to Action Against Poverty groups all around the world, Kansas City ONE Campaign volunteers will be bringing the ONE message to the Country Club Plaza area this Saturday, December 10. From 11 am to 3 pm, volunteers will be collecting signatures for the ONE pledge and giving away ONE white wristbands. White bands -- symbolizing support for the fight against extreme poverty -- are worn by almost 2 million Americans and 150 million people worldwide. ONE volunteers hope to add 1,000 more to that number this Saturday.

Volunteers will also direct people to the ONE website, www.one.org, to sign the ONE Big Noise online letter. The letter encourages President Bush to work for reforms that could make trade part of the solution to poverty, not the cause, at the December 13-18 WTO trade summit in Hong Kong.

Volunteers will have their home base at the J.C. Nichols Fountain, W. 47th Street and J.C. Nichols Parkway. To volunteer, e-mail Sarah Mueller at sarah@soonverysoon.com.

ONE is a new effort by Americans to rally Americans ? through a diverse coalition of faith-based and anti-poverty organizers ? to fight the emergency of global AIDS and extreme poverty. The ONE Campaign believes that allocating an additional 1 percent of the U.S. budget toward providing basic needs like health, education, clean water and food, would transform the futures and hopes of an entire generation of the poorest countries.

The ONE Campaign was founded by Bread for the World, CARE, DATA, International Medical Corps, International Rescue Committee, Mercy Corps, Oxfam America, Plan USA, Save the Children US, World Concern, and World Vision, and works closely with the Millennium Campaign. The ONE Campaign is supported by Bill and Melinda Gates and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
###

2005-12-04T14:09:00.000-08:00

Sign the ONE Big Noise petition to encourage President Bush to work for fairer trade at the December 13th trade talks in Hong Kong.

If you want to learn more about the trade issues developing nations are facing, check out Oxfam's trade page. They've got a good report on what African nations in particular needs from this round of trade negotiations.

Meeting on Monday

2005-12-04T14:07:00.000-08:00

We're meeting tomorrow (Monday, Dec. 5) at Westport Coffeehouse (4010 Pennsylvania, KC, MO) at 7 pm. We'll be finalizing plans for our Saturday trip to the Plaza.

World AIDS Day event tonight

2005-12-01T05:22:00.000-08:00

Meet us at the Johnson County Library, 9875 w. 87th Street, Overland Park, KS, at 6:30 pm. (Come at 6 pm, if you want to help set up!)

Fighting Global AIDS from the Heartland: What can the average Midwesterner do to help the world’s 38 MILLION people with AIDS?

Come watch a documentary on the 2002 Heart of America Tour, when Bono and others asked the Heartland to join the fight against global AIDS and extreme poverty. What happened afterward, and what can we do today? Come find out.

There will be COOKIES. Yum.

If you've got cable...

2005-11-28T18:33:00.000-08:00

Check out what VH1 is doing on World AIDS Day:

"AIDS: A Pop Culture History" 12/01/05, 11 am
"Tracking the Monster": A VH1 News Documentary with Ashley Judd and India.Arie 12/01/05, 4pm

Anybody want to wo/man a ONE table on Saturday?

2005-11-28T18:14:00.000-08:00

Join me at Shawnee Mission West's Hunger Banquet this Saturday night. ONE will be signing people up for the ONE declaration and passing out wristbands and ONE info. Plus, you'll get to be part of SMW's interactive demonstration of world food issues. Good times. E-mail me -- only three spots left: sarah@soonverysoon.com

December Events!

2005-11-23T17:11:00.000-08:00

1. World AIDS Day
Thursday, December 1
6:30 pm
Johnson County Central Resource Library
9875 w. 87th Street, Overland Park, KS

Fighting Global AIDS from the Heartland: What can the average Midwesterner do to help the world’s 38 MILLION people with AIDS?

Come watch a documentary on the 2002 Heart of America Tour, when Bono and others asked the Heartland to join the fight against global AIDS and extreme poverty. What happened afterward, and what can we do today? Come find out.

2. Saturday, Dec. 10 from 11-3 pm we'll be taking the ONE Campaign to the Plaza. We'll be signing people up for the ONE pledge, passing out white bands, and talking to people about how trade affects global poverty. There are plenty of ways you can help with this event, from staffing a headquarters table, being a mobile pledge carrier, or "go undercover" as a street musician or street artist who also happens to have ONE Campaign info on hand. We're especially looking for youth groups or other service communities who would like to work together. We'll have two shifts available -- 11-1 and 1-3. E-mail me if you're interested! (sarah@soonverysoon.com)

3. Saw this in the Star: Shawnee Mission West High School (8800 W. 85th St.) is having a Hunger Banquet on Dec. 3 at 7 pm. Tickets are $5 and can be bought at the school or from John Wiley at 913-993-7969 or wewiley@smsd.org between Nov. 28 and Dec. 2. Proceeds go to Oxfam America and Heifer International, both ONE sponsors.

Meeting on Monday!

2005-11-17T18:42:00.000-08:00

Meeting on Monday, November 21 at 7 pm at Westport Coffeehouse (4010 Pennsylvania, KC, MO). We'll talk about the December 1 event at the JoCo library (poster image below) and the December 10 trade event. Be there!

Couple volunteer opportunities

2005-11-17T18:39:00.000-08:00

1. Last minute volunteer opportunity: Matt heard that this SATURDAY event could use some volunteers: Lovelight Presents Art for Africa: A Kansas City Holiday Art Fair and Benefit in support of the Children orphaned by AIDS in South Africa
Saturday, November 19th, 10-6
Belger Art Center, 2100 Walnut, Kansas City, Mo. 64108
If you're interested in helping out, e-mail tlc@lightcenterks.org.

2. More long-term volunteer opportunity: Mercy Ships has an opportunity for writers. There's an open writing position on board the ship (now docked in Liberia), and they are looking to fill it with volunteers in shifts from a couple weeks to a couple months until they find a full-timer. If you're interested, let me know (sarah@soonverysoon.com), and I'll send you the full scoop.

Good links

2005-11-12T11:17:00.000-08:00

Hey -- check out Kofi Annan, Secretary-General United Nations, and Bono talking about the funding needed for global health issues at the Time Global Health Summit.

Also, the New York Times editorial board urges developing countries to stick to their demands in current trade discussions. Read more here.

What do we want? Fair trade!

2005-11-12T11:11:00.000-08:00

You'll be hearing a lot about the WTO, something called the "Doha Round," and an important meeting in Hong Kong during the next two months. From the wonderful people at Bread for the World, here's a primer that will get you up to speed on how trade issues affect global extreme poverty.

The WTO, Doha and Hong Kong
The World Trade Organization (WTO) came into being on January 1, 1995. It is the successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). GATT was created in 1946 to help prevent a repetition of the tumultuous period between the world wars, when global economic conflict, at the expense of cooperation, led to the devastation of World War II.

The WTO has little power in and of itself. Rather, it provides a forum for member nations to discuss and approve international trade rules. GATT/WTO holds periodic "rounds" of trade negotiations, where participants negotiate binding reductions in trade barriers. The current round, launched in Doha, Qatar, has been ongoing since November 2001. Because it is supposed to have the concerns of developing countries, notably agriculture, at its core, it is often called the Doha Development Round. An important WTO principle is that each round of negotiations must be comprehensive, a ‘single undertaking’ in WTO jargon. Negotiators must deal with all sectors simultaneously to reach one all-encompassing agreement. Failure in one sector means the failure of the entire round.

Bread for the World’s interest in the negotiations centers on agriculture. Most citizens of developing countries derive their incomes from agriculture, either directly or indirectly. Nearly three-fourths of all people who live on less than $1 a day live in the rural areas of developing countries. In 2000, more than half of the developing world's workers were in agriculture. The average for sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and East Asia was 64 percent. Agriculture also serves as many developing countries’ major - sometimes only - source of export earnings, making it crucial to their economic development. So it is clear that rural agricultural development is key to increasing poor people’s access to both food and income.

Agricultural exports could also be a powerful tool for poverty reduction. But the rules that govern global agricultural trade need to change if developing countries are going to be able to use trading opportunities to grow their economies and reduce poverty. The Doha round provides an opportunity to reform these rules. Bread for the World supports three goals for the Doha round: (a) reduction of trade-distorting agricultural subsidies; (b) better access to industrialized country markets; and (c) additional aid to low-income countries for trade capacity building.

The next major event in the Doha Round will take place December 13-18, 2005, when each member country’s highest-level trade negotiators will come to Hong Kong. Their purpose will be to hammer out all of the major parts of a complete agreement. If they succeed, the details will be worked out over the course of 2006. Many analysts think that if the Doha round is to succeed, negotiations must be completed by early 2007, before U.S. "fast-track" authority (meaning that Congress cannot amend a trade agreement but only vote it up or down) expires. Consequently, the Hong Kong meeting, usually called the "Hong Kong Ministerial," presents an important opportunity for progress toward a fairer global trading system.