Committee Information

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Steering Committee

The guiding body of CVR. The steering members, with ongoing input from members, provides direction, make sure there is effective internal communication among committees. The steering committee and members creates governing documents and processes, works with other like minded groups, creates events, and works to keep CVR functioning to promote our progressive goals. Members are encouraged to attend steering committee meetings. Feel free to contact steering members at cumberlandvalleyrising@gmail.com

Communications

The goal of the communications committee is to make sure that internal communication processes are effective and that CVR is properly represented in the press and on social media.They also work to communicate with other organizations, businesses, educational institutions, etc. to insure accurate information concerning our progressive agenda is available in the community.

Economic Justice

CVR believes that poverty can be addressed through education and ensuring greater equity in our nation. The economic justice committee plans events to help educate the public on the state of the economy and the issues facing the unemployed and working poor, such as lack of affordable housing, transportation, childcare, and health care. The economic justice committee also explores potential real world solutions. They work with other community groups to help end the systemic problem of economic insecurity through assistance programs and opportunities to fulfill the dreams of all Americans.

Elections

The elections committee is more important than ever in 2020. Members of this committee keep up on important information regarding elections on all levels: local, state, and federal. They keep the membership updated through social media, press releases, and in person updates at events. They work to contact candidates to complete surveys and interviews to share their views on issues important to CVR members. This committee works to set up candidate meet and greats and other related events.

This committee has not been active since 2018. We are looking for members to lead and re-establish it.

Environmental

The environmental committee works to educate the public on the dire state of our environment through rallies and other events. They also work to help people learn what they can do to protect our world. They work with local government to create laws and regulations to protect our resources.

Events

The events committee organizes events and fundraisers for CVR. They are in charge of the logistics such as venues and set up, menus, music, entertainment, etc.

Immigration

The state of the world, politically and environmentally, have lead to the displacement of millions of people. Humane treatment of those in need is a core value of CVR, and this committee works with like minded groups to hold our government accountable for the treatment of immigrants and refugees. Immigrant rights are human rights.

We are in great need of members for this committee.

Membership

The membership committee works to grow CVR membership, support current members, and keep membership information organized.

Racial Justice

The Racial Justice Committee will undertake, co-ordinate and support local action projects in Cumberland County aimed at drawing attention to and mitigating the effects of racism in our community. The group will consult with other organizations that share similar goals in order to act in a supportive role and avoid duplication of efforts.
Efforts to date include:
Serve as liaison participants in other racial justice organizations (Moving Circles, YWCA);Tutor English and science classes to enable young athletes to play in the 2019 summer basketball program sponsored by Carlisle Community Coalition;
Purchase/distribute books to Project Share, Hope Station, CASD Middle School Social Justice book club;
Participate in Black Culture Day, “Not in Our Town” workshops; also letter-writing and phone calls to representatives on a variety of issues;
Volunteer for ‘Lunch and Learn’ at Hope Station and leading club sessions for Carlisle Victory Circle at CASD.
Started a racial justice book club which has met for 3 years and is ongoing. Usually 15 to 20 people attend monthly.
Organized two workshops of several sessions each on the subject of white privilege.
Some areas for investigation—Research into our own community:
1. School district
a. Curriculum in English and American History as it covers the experience of Black people, slavery, Jim Crow and beyond.
b. Discipline in the schools- racial discrimination- historically and current.
2. Carlisle Policing— What is the experience of Black people in this town with police
3. Housing discrimination

Racial Justice Book Group

The Racial Justice Book Group reads a book about race once a month and meets for a discussion. Group members are welcome to attend the meeting and to participate in the discussion regardless of whether they have finished the books. The works have ranged from heavily researched volumes such as Ibram X. Kendi’s “Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, ” to novels such as Colson Whitehead’s “The Underground Railroad” and Angie Thomas’s “The Hate U Give.” Books have also included personal accounts such as John Lewis’s “Across that Bridge,” and essays such as “The Fire This Time: A New Generation Speaks about Race.” Recently, we read “White Fragility,” a sociologist’s book about the defensiveness of white people when they feel implicated in white supremacy. Through these books, group members strive to become more knowledgeable about the role that race and racism have played in our country’s history and continue to play today, to understand better both past and present manifestations of racism, and to explore visions for change.