Greetings, ArcBenders!
This week, there are two opportunities to help get Democrats elected all the way down the ballot.
Tuesday, August 18, 6-8 pm: Betsy Campaign Phone Bank co-sponsored by Bend the Arc:CU and Indivisible Illinois
Want to help Betsy Dirksen Londrigan win in November from the comfort of your own couch? Then come participate in the phone bank phenomenon that's taking over Illinois—Zoom phone bank parties! It’s a way to meet other phone bankers, get expert help if you have trouble getting started, then trade stories after an hour of phone-banking. Mallory Wentworth from the Betsy campaign will be running the Zoom party again to help you with any problems you may have. Sign up here for the appropriate time slot (do an hour, do all two hours, just sign up for the appropriate time slot). Once you've signed up, you'll receive the Zoom link for the Zoom party. It's a great way to meet folks from around the county all working to help elect Betsy!
Saturday, August 22: Champaign County Democratic Lit Drop
The Champaign County Democrats will be doing collaborative candidate lit (i.e., literature) drops on 8/22. What’s a lit drop? You’re provided with a door-hanger bag with literature on several candidates plus a list of doors to hang them on--no door knocking involved! Bag pickup is at the Champaign County Democratic Headquarters at 110 S. Neil, Champaign, just south of University Ave. To provide for social distancing, only 3 people are allowed to pick up lit at one time, so everyone must sign up for a time to go to the office. Use the SignUp Genius below. Three ArcBenders did the August 8 lit drop and had a great time. Why not join them? This is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise while helping our Democratic candidates! http://ow.ly/UwCf50ANYSi
Many thanks to Robin, loyal Bend the Arc:CU supporter and activist, for taking on the Bend the Arc volunteer coordinator role for the Trauma and Resilience Empathy Basket project! Robin will be working with Sheri, another Bend the Arc:CU member, who is also a leader in the Altrusa organization that is donating $200 to this fund. Interested in donating to this great group? Go to https://www.traumaresilienceinc.org/get-involved.
Member News:
Please welcome new member Sherry to Bend the Arc:CU. You might also know Sherry from her role as the CU Plant Lady for many years. Now retired, Sherry is anxious to join Bend the Arc as a volunteer in this election cycle. If you know her or even if you don't, please welcome her at [email protected] and we will pass on your comments.
Coming Up on Aug. 27: Zoom Event Addressing “Finding Common Ground--Silence is Not an Option”
On August 27, from 7-8 pm, Bend the Arc:CU will host a Zoom event centered around the recent CNN Podcast Finding Common Ground – Silence Is Not An Option, featuring Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, historian Marc Dollinger, and political strategist Ginna Green, former Bend the Arc Chief Strategy Officer. Following the podcast, we’ll hold a panel discussion with Joycelyn Landrum-Brown of the Office of Cultural Diversity and Inclusion and Rabbi Ari Naveh of the Cohen Center for Jewish Life at U of I. The impetus for the event was the spate of antisemitic remarks from Black athletes and entertainers in July. After viewing the podcast, our panelists will answer questions related to building Black/Jewish solidarity in and from Champaign-Urbana.
Please register for this important event HERE.
