Progressive Democrat Issue 68: VIRGINIA FOCUS

The Virginia Grassroots Coalition is a non-partisan progressive community network working to educate, enable, and connect communities across the state. VGC’s mission is to promote and foster progressive grassroots activism in Virginia, with the goal of advancing more equitable social and economic policies at local, regional, and state levels. Our primary means for achieving this mission is to work within communities to equip citizens with the skills and knowledge to fight the battle for social and economic justice in their own neighborhood. In order to do this, they need the resources to be able to help you and Virginia’s grassroots organizations. The following is a wish list they have put together of resources they need so that they can make resources available to groups who are doing progressive outreach work in Virginia and around the region. From the Virginia Grassroots Coalition: an offer of help and a request for help

As I watch groups produce events, it breaks my heart to see them pay several hundred to several thousand dollars to rent equipment for a rally. We currently own a very small sound system and a projection system. We are also fortunate enough to have “borrowing rights” on a larger sound system for small indoor events. As a community, however, we are unable to produce larger rallies and events. The Wish List approach is to start by augmenting the resources already available to us so we spend the least amount of money for the biggest return. Rather than spending lots of money for a single event, progressive groups could contribute $100-200 to help expand and maintain the system. Please email me if you have questions or would like to fund the purchase of something. You can contribute $5 or $500 and we’ll guarantee the money will go toward making more outreach affordable for progressive groups in the region. eric@vagrassroots.org

2 15’-25’ long grounded (3 prong) extension cords ($15)
1 straight microphone stand, w/gooseneck ($6)
2 hyper-cardiod microphones ($100 each)
2 50’ microphone cables
2 JBL EON 15 powered speakers ($700 each)
2 JBL speaker stands ($300)
The list above gets us to the point that we could do a daytime, outdoor event for 600 people or an indoor event for 1000. THAT kind of reach is important and making that reach available to progressives across the region IS a big deal.

If you need resources in Virginia, contact VGC. If you can provide resources, contact VGC. THAT is how a coalition is built.