Calling all non-profits! The CTK Foundation is launching the 2011 Heart and Soul Grant Competition. Nonprofits of all sizes and types are invited to apply their creativity to win major grants of funds and technology. The contest is now open to all nonprofits in the United States, Canada and the UK. As a blogger, I was asked to promote this contest and get the word out because this is an amazing opportunity . So to all my friends in the non-profit world: APPLY!
To win, you have to get creative and write an original four- to eight-line poem or stanza that reflects the work or mission of your nonprofit. No poets on staff? Ask one of your members/supporters to write a poem for you.
The 1st place winner will receive $10,000 and will have their submission turned into a song to be used in public education or awareness. The song will be written and recorded by songwriter Bill Dillon — who was recently exonerated after 27 years in prison thanks to Innocence Project of Florida — and produced by Jim Tullio of Butcher Boy Studios.
The winning nonprofits will receive one of the following awards:
1st place award in the U.S., U.K. or Canada is a cash grant of $10,000 (US)
2nd place award in the U.S., U.K. or Canada is a cash grant of $5,000 (US)
The 2011 Blogger’s Choice Award, whereby a randomly selected blogger participating in “spreading the word” among nonprofits about the H&S Grant Award Program will choose an applicant of his or her choice to receive a $1,000 cash grant
2 steel-stringed guitars, signed by all members of Los Lonely Boys, the Grammy Award winning, internationally-acclaimed band, for auction and fund raising
Up to 20 technology grants, valued at $10,000, to nonprofits that indicate an interest
The only eligibility requirement is that the submitting nonprofit must be a registered 501(c)3, charity or voluntary organization and that all grant award guidelines regarding manner and timing of submission have been followed; these guidelines will be posted TODAY, March 1st on the Foundation tab located on the www.communitytech.net website.
Applications will be accepted from March 1st to March 28th, 2011. Winners will be notified by April 10th and celebrated at the Heart and Soul Grant Award Gala on April 14th in Austin, Texas. Questions? Email inquiries@ctkfoundation.org. No phone calls accepted.
So it seems that Obama has made good on his promise to defend the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender citizens. First by the repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” and now by refusing to defend the “Defense of Marriage Act” as Federal Law, and declaring a key section unconstitutional.
“After careful consideration, including review of a recommendation from me, the President of the United States has made the determination that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (“DOMA”), 1 U.S.C. § 7, i as applied to same-sex couples who are legally married under state law, violates the equal protection component of the Fifth Amendment.”
This is an extremely BIG and strategic move by the Obama Administration to defend the rights of those same-sex couples who have legally been married by law in states where their love is recognized (Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Iowa, Connecticut & Washington, D.C.). I have previously written posts about the effect DOMA has had on same-sex couples’ ability to relocate for jobs where marriage isn’t recognized and its effect on those couples in which one partner is not a U.S. Citizen. This new recognition of Section 3 of DOMA as unconstitutional will allow for Federal recognition of same-sex marriages that have been performed in those states and countries where its recognized. This means that same-sex couples could file their Federal Income Taxes jointly, and perhaps even apply for spousal Citizenship.
The best part of the Administration’s argument against Section 3 of DOMA’s constitutionality is that they can demonstrate that GLBT citizens are a protected class under the “Equal Protection Clause.” Despite the fact that the “political process is not closed entirely to gay and lesbian people” the courts have judged ”political powerlessness” based upon the class of people having been subject to “heightened scrutiny.” To prove this “heightened scrutiny” – the Justice Department is using the Congressional record from the dates on which the passage of DOMA is being argued:
“The record contains numerous expressions reflecting moral disapproval of gays and lesbians and their intimate and family relationships – precisely the kind of stereotype-based thinking and animus the Equal Protection Clause is designed to guard against.vii See Cleburne, 473 U.S. at 448″ (Holder’s Letter to Boehner)
Holder has given the Speaker until March 11th, only two weeks to act and respond. All this in the middle of a major budget debate, with the possibility of a government shutdown. Speaker Boehner & the House GOP Majority is not too pleased with this, as noted in this statement:
“While Americans want Washington to focus on creating jobs and cutting spending, the President will have to explain why he thinks now is the appropriate time to stir up a controversial issue that sharply divides the nation.” – Office of Speaker Boehner
To which I reply: “what jobs?!” – the last month the GOP has been cutting funding to vital services that aid women and families, while simultaneously cutting 800,000 federal jobs. The Republicans have used “controversial issues” like “gay marriage” and “abortion” to win multiple elections and ballot initiatives across the country for the past 20-30 years. Stop being a hypocrite and take it like a man (or maybe you should just cry, like you usually do).
If you are like me, you’ve been receiving multiple action alerts from women’s groups and democratic leaders on a daily basis the past 2-3 weeks about the GOP assault on women. The purpose of this post is to simply layout the pieces and intentions of the GOP’s attacks on American women, and What YOU Can DO About It!
So much for the November 2010 Election platform of ”Jobs, Jobs, Jobs” . . . because it seems that all the GOP has been doing since taking control of the House in January is attempt to chip away at my right to reproductive choice, privacy and health services. And boy have they been busy – in the past month 4 bills have been introduced that cut funding and restrict women’s access to vital programs that support women and families.
1) H.R. 3—the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act – This is the infamous bill introduced by Chris Smith (R-NJ) that would make it illegal for even private insurance companies to offer health coverage for abortion. But, thats not all – it also takes things a thousand steps further by redefining the term RAPE, by only allowing victims who are subjected to “forcible rape” to have access to abortion services. I don’t know about you, but last I checked no means no, and rape is rape, plain and simple. So congress has decided if the victim of a rape is drugged, mentally handicapped, under age (statutory) or a victim of incest its not “really rape” because it wasn’t “forced.” Now when people started speaking out and putting the pressure on – the GOP said they’d remove that language from the bill. But, surprise, surprise as of today the “forcible rape” language is still there and the bill has over 163 sponsors.
2) The Pence Bill or H.R. 217, the “Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act” - Introduced by Mike Pence, this bill’s only goal is to restrict Planned Parenthood from receiving Federal funds for family planning services that have helped millions of women by providing access to basic reproductive healthcare. With over 160 GOP sponsors the bill plans on cutting more than $70 million in funds provided by the federal government, that often go to serve those women who can normally not afford basic medical care. The majority of Planned Parenthood funding doesn’t go towards abortion, but to health services like annual GYN check-ups, birth control, and STI/STD testing.
TAKE ACTION against “The Pence Bill” and cuts to Planned Parenthood funding by calling (202) 730-9001 for the Congressional switch board or get patched through to your Congressman HERE.
*The only TAKE ACTION alert I could find for this bill was from the Catholic Advocate urging their members to support the “Protect Life Act” and allow doctors to let their pregnant patients die.
4) The Continuing Resolution for FY 2011 – proposed by House Republican leaders, according to the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) this resolution cuts support for women and girls at every stage of life:
Eliminates the Title X family planning programs that provide funding for contraception and other preventive care to over five million women and men each year
Cuts Head Start and child care for 368,000 children
Cuts millions from nutrition programs for pregnant women and their children
Cuts funding for prenatal care
Eliminates funding for the Women’s Educational Equity Program that helps schools comply with Title IX
Cuts funding for Pell grants, which help low-income women afford college, by more than $800 per student
Cuts funding needed to keep Social Security offices open and for meals, housing, and other supports for elderly women
Make no mistake, this is a full assault against women! Make sure you take action against each of these attempts to limit women’s access to vital services and programs. The only “jobs” bill the GOP leadership has introduced was the “Repeal of the Job Killing Healthcare Law” which as studies and numerous statistics have already proven actually decreases the deficit and definitely does not “kill” any jobs. In fact, the new “Affordable Care Act” has already helped thousands of my generation who are unemployed and now allowed to stay on their parents health insurance until the age of 26.
The GOP claims to be acting on a “mandate” from the people – but, the majority of Americans when asked about specific provisions within the “Affordable Care Act” overwhelmingly support the new law. Meanwhile, the majority of Americans also respect and support a woman’s right to choose – yet it appears that the GOP is allowing the conservative minority dictate their actions and could care less about the needs of the American people.
We are paying attention and we don’t like what we see! As clearly stated in MoveOn’s most recent ad against these malicious attacks on Women & Girls – We Will Never Go Back!
“So what you’re voting here isn’t to change us. It’s not to change our families. It’s to change how the law views us, how the law treats us. . .You are voting for the first time in the history of our state to codifiy discrimination into our Constitution. . . . So will this vote effect my family – will it effect yours?” – Zach Wahls
I first watched and shared this YouTube video on February 1st. Now it appears that over 1 Million people have had the opportunity to hear 19 year old Zach Wahls of Iowa speak on behalf of his family and in defense of equal marriage/civil unions, which the Iowa State Legislature is voting to make illegal.** In his words, “Our family really isn’t so different than any other Iowa family . . . we’ve had our struggles, but we are Iowans, we don’t expect anyone to to solve our problems for us we’ll fight our own battles – we just hope for equal and fair treatment from our government.”
When I first heard Zach’s speech, I was immediately taken aback by how articulate and moving his words were. He made the kind of speech that doesn’t attack or defend, but is simply truth to its core. He even calls out the Republican Chairman (my favorite line of the whole speech):
“I scored in the 99 percentile on the ACT, I am actually an Eagle Scout, I own and operate my own small business. If I was your son Mr. Chairman I believe I’d make you very proud. I’m not really so different from any of your children, my family really isn’t so different from yours. After all your family doesn’t derive its sense of worth from being told by the state, ‘you’re married congratulations.’ No the sense of family comes from the commitment we make to each other to work through the hard times so we can enjoy the good ones. It comes from the love that binds us, thats what makes a family.”
Zach, you are not a leader in the making — you are a leader today. Millenials & GenY are unique in that we were brought up in a truly integrated society where diversity of race and sexual orientation are commonplace and socio-economic status is a greater concern. Young people like Barbara Bush and Meagan McCain are making waves in the Republican Party by standing up in favor of same-sex marriage, but we need more young people in decision making positions to really make waves. You are a rational and true voice that Iowan’s and this country need. I don’t care if you are a Democrat, Republican or Independent – you should run for elected office. We need more public servants, like you, who have integrity, are genuine and speak out in support equal treatment of all citizens.
I’d be happy to put you in touch with some great people involved with the Young Democrats of America and the New Leaders Council, an organization dedicated to training progressive young leaders across the country.
**House Joint Resolution 6 would not only make same-sex marriage illegal, but also deny state recognition to civil unions and domestic partnerships for same-sex couples. Lawmakers voted 62 to 37 in favor of the resolution, which now heads to the Senate, where Majority Leader Michael Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, said he will block a vote.
Shock, Sadness and Frustration . . . those are the only words I can think of to describe this horrible tragedy. Below is Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) herself speaking out against hate filled rhetoric used by politicians, which can incite violence. Things need to change, they need to change now. I am terrified by the direction the extreme polarization of our country is taking us . . .
My deepest sympathies and prayers go out to the families who have lost someone and to those who were injured in this senseless act of violence. Six innocent lives have been lost, including the young life of a 9 year old girl, who had recently been elected to her school’s student council. Her name was Christina Taylor Greene and she was born September 11th 2001. No more words can be said.
Calling all non-profits! The CTK Foundation is launching the 2011 Heart and Soul Grant Competition. Nonprofits of all sizes and types are invited to apply their creativity to win major grants of funds and technology. The contest is now open to all nonprofits in the United States, Canada and the UK. As a blogger, I was asked to promote this contest and get the word out because this is an amazing opportunity . So to all my friends in the non-profit world: APPLY!
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