Happy
V-DAY
Well,
it's that time again. You know: the holiday where
pink and red are splashed to display mismatched
motifs. Well, regardless of whether or not your
romantic love life is something to celebrate, be
sure to take some TLC time for yourself and the
people around you. Think of it as an affectionate
thanksgiving. Here are some fun, socially conscious
ways to make your V-day special, or to just help
you get through unscathed and feeling good.
1. Ways to love yourself.
2.
Valentine’s day for the environment.
3. Loving the people around you: Fun, political gifts
4.
Love your community.
5.
STAND
Announcements
1.
Ways
to Love Yourself
A)
Spruce up that resume by... getting published.
Sound too difficult? Well it's actually easier
than you think. STAND has some connections with
Teen Voices Magazine, and the Interfaith Justice
and Peace center. Send STAND articles relating
to your personal activism, or anything relating
to peace, equality, and progressive social change. We'll
have your articles sent out and who knows, you just
may be published!
B)
Have a good laugh! How
to be politically correct on Valentine's day: Check
it out.
2.
Valentine's
Day for the environment
Hold
up before you buy those lovely expensive pre-packaged
bouquets of last minute flowers. Instead, why don't
you try buying organic flowers instead?
Many
times they are cheaper; and if you buy them at a
local stand or farmers' market, they support local
and organic farming. Also, organic flowers do not
carry the pesticides and toxins that regular flowers
do, and they often last longer. You can also buy
organic flowers online at www.seabreezed.com.
Tip
of the day: many farmers' markets will
sell bags of flower or rose petals for super cheap;
buy a bunch and have yourself an organic bath!
Click
here to check it out.
3.
Loving
the people around you: Fun political gift ideas.
A) Instead
of a cheesy valentine card, send your favorite women
some feminist cards!
Click here
to find some doozies.
B) Take a
friend to see the Vagina Monologues. Many
colleges and local playhouses feature the Vagina
Monologues around Valentine’s day. This is a popular
play based on the book by Eve Ensler. It celebrates
femininity, self-discovery, anti-violence.
4.
Love your community
1) Whether you are surrounded by love or
feeling alone on this day, you always have
love to give. Bring a friend or go it alone,
do some volunteer work.
One
great place to spend some time visiting a retirement
home or reading to the elderly. Another great volunteer
idea to do with a friend is your local Meals on
Wheels program.
Tip
of the day: invite the guy or girl you've
had your eye on and spend the day together volunteering!
Doing something worthwhile while getting to know
someone! Unconventional, original, and free, you
really can't go wrong.
2)
Participate in the second international
"Love Feeding the Hungry and Freedom Day"
Check
it out here.
5.
STAND Announcements
1.
STAND cordially invites you to attend the
2005 WiLL/WAND September
conference as a student delegate. There
you will be able to participate in workshops, network
with national legislators, lobby on Capitol Hill,
see the Nation's Capitol, attend a Dine Around Dinner,
meet with other student activists and more!
If
you are interested in attending, please send an
email with your name, address, and phone number,
with the subject: "WiLL/Wand 2005 Conference"
to stand@wand.org, or fill out our conference flyer
that is coming in the mail. Hope to see you there!
2.
STAND's 2005 Activism Tracks are starting right
now!
Each
student will choose an area of focus: peace, equality,
or progressive social change. Staff and leadership
will work to incorporate individual tracks into
the bigger picture of their area focus.
In
particular, each individual will have an activism
track, but she will be working in conjunction with
other members in her focus area towards a unified
goal. This track should include a detailed timeline
outlining three major activism goals, it should
include a plan for internship in their field, consistent
check-ins, and quarterly reporting.
To
complete the STAND activism track program, each
individual must commit to:
1)
Writing one Article for the Holler (monthly e-newsletter)
2)
Internship/Volunteer
3) Completing 3 Measures of Activism
4)
Consistent Check Ins – via email
5)
Quarterly Reports
Goal:
To train to be a lively activist.
Each
member who completes the 5 Paths of the program
will be recognized with the "Standing Tall
Achievement Award."
The
woman who shows the most initiative as an activist
will win the secret grand prize (title and prize
TBA).
Peace
and love to you!
