From the President’s Desk, Meg Sheketoff
F
rom the President’s Desk
Meg Makransky Sheketoff
Be The Change Baederwood has come a long way since it’s inception December 2008. We have done a lot of community service, helped with passing legislation, learned about politics, been informed about some of the crises in the world, tried and sometimes succeeded in getting jobs and bonded.
Our first meetings were to get the group off the ground through supporting our new President, Barak Obama. He called for a day of community service for Martin Luthor King Day 2009 (which coincided with the inauguration). We joined with millions across the country to give over 600 bags of groceries to the Abington Food Bank and donated countless quarts of blood to the Red Cross.
In July 2009, we had a health care summit which was attended by many people and we learned from the experts what health care reform was all about. Our wishes for specifics for the bill may not have come true, but after phone banks and rallies and phone banks and visits to legislators’ offices and phone banks and marches and, did I mention phone banks, a monumental bill was passed. I commend you all for that tremendous effort.
One fantastic meeting was on job networking and we had speakers tell us how to improve the job search. My younger daughter was in from LA and attended and now she has a job! There are many sources out there for help in this search and if you are interested in getting involved in a job club, let me know.
A time bank was organized. The concept is similar to a barter system, but without the tax implications. If you have a skill and / or need help with something, email me and I will put you in touch with the time bank coordinator.
Politically, we have elected local officials in Cheltenham Township (Art Haywood and Kathy Hampton) and have had many speakers come to let us know what is going on. State Representative Larry Curry has been to almost all of our meetings and has updated us about Pennsylvania Concerns from the budget to BPT in almost everything from baby bottles to tuna cans. People from State Senator Leanne Washington’s office, Representative Allyson Schwartz (thanks for health care and your influential role in getting it passed), Representative Chakkah Fattah (thanks for your vote on health care) and others have come to hear what we want. Our town hall meeting with Joe Sestak was amazing. We have met with other democratic organizations in the area (Abington/Rockledge Dems, Cheltenham Dems, DFA, Horsham Dems, Jenkintown Dems, and Springfield Dems,) to work together to get the people we want elected.
On a cold day in January we heard about crises in the world from three women who work in international development in DC and a representative from the American Friends Service Committee. I admit, I’m biased, but my other daughter was awesome.
We have had two social events which were great and a fundraiser which enabled us to give a scholarship to a political training for a student member of BTCB.
I’m pretty proud of what you all have accomplished.
But, what is in the future? We need your help. First of all, please let me know what you like about BTCB and what you would like to see for our future. Keep in touch either through email, facebook (join Be The Change Baederwood), or our web site (bethechangebaederwood.com). Let us know what meetings draw you and why you might not be attending. What issues concern you most? Who do you support in the Senate primary? Governor’s primary?
Just, let me know.
Thanks for taking the time to respond.
Meg
