From one KFTC Member to her friends and family:

Last weekend, I attended my first ever KFTC event - the Annual Membership Meeting in Jabez, KY.  At the risk of sounding melodramatic – it made my life finally make sense.

I went last weekend because in third grade I learned about endangered and extinct species, and I cried.  And then water conservation, and I demanded that my parents insulate the pipes so we wouldn’t run the water as long waiting for it to get hot.  I rode my bicycle up and down the alley behind my house near the middle of our small town, between the tree-lined train tracks and the cornfield with the rainbow-colored morning glories growing up the stalks.  And while I pedaled, I plotted how I would save the world.  I imagined myself giving grand speeches at the next school assembly after we all sang “Proud To Be An American” and then me and my classmates saving the environment.  But how, exactly?  It was too tall an order for a third grader, I felt too overwhelmed by the immensity of the task to save the planet and the people who called it home, and so I gave up.  Until last weekend.

I went last weekend, not because I still dreamed of being the planet’s champion, but because I wanted to meet people in Kentucky who cared about the same issues I care about, because I felt like my bumperstickers weren't really accomplishing as much as they might, because I was tired of feeling powerless to help the people and land I care about in real and meaningful ways.  What I witnessed and the people I met there shocked me.

And so, I have the following to report:

There were almost 200 KFTC members at this weekend meeting and there are over 7,000 KFTC members state-wide.  And they're really cool people.

I'm a member too, and I suspect many of you already are as well, so really I should say: WE'RE really cool people.  We come from all walks of life - all ages (babies to grannies were there!), all socioeconomic backgrounds, all different jobs, all different parts of the state (and country and world), all different religions, all ethnicities, all sexual orientations, all hair colors, all manner of life- and fashion-styles.  In other words, they weren't all tree-huggers or hippies or radicals (although you know my great affection for such folks).  Many of them looked like my mom and dad and grandma and grandpa.  Never before have I been in a room with such a diverse group of people who were getting along - sharing their differences and accepting those of others.

What we share as Kentuckians for the Commonwealth is a love of the people around us, the communities that support us, and a desire to make the world more awesome - to live somewhere surrounded by people and places who accept and support us and help us continue to be healthy and happy throughout our lives.
 
And what I learned this weekend is that that's actually not as overly-idealistic, or difficult, or overwhelming, or unrealistic as it may first seem.  That these inspirational KFTC members are able to sustain their  seemingly super-human energy and awareness and actions and vision for a healthier, more sustainable, more just Kentucky and world because they're not acting alone.  Because they have support.  That we have been and still are and can continue to be incredibly effective in creating positive changes for social, economic, and environmental justice.  And we don't even have to chain ourselves to buildings, or sit down in front of the White House and get arrested, or even carry a picket sign.  We don't have to get overwhelmed or burnt-out.  All we have to do is care and take small actions.  Because there are 7,000 of us taking small, medium, and big actions - and the cumulative results or our combined efforts make us super-powers as long as we are willing to make some action or effort.

And so, right now before the Nov. 2nd election, we have a chance to take a small step to make a big difference.  We can sign the New Power Pledge to let candidates and elected officials know we want them to work for policies that will create clean energy jobs, affordable renewable energy, and healthy communities and that will address the problems created by old power fossil fuels at www.newpowerky.org.  We can "be the change [we] wish to see in the world." Please take a few minutes to sign and ask your friends via email and Facebook to do the same because "each time [we] stand up for an ideal, or act to improve the lot of others, or strike out against injustice, [we] send forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."

Help me keep believing - take a small step, make a big difference,

                                                                      - Jennifer Wurts

                                                                        "Bowling Green and Friends" KFTC Chapter

Here are some more pictures from KFTC's Annual Meeting that concluded a few hours ago.  It was a packed weekend - with 200 KFTC members packed into the Kentucky Leadership Center, a wealth of knowledge packed into just one weekend of powerful workshops, and so much great work packed into the last year for us to reflect on and build on.

The focus on the weekend was on telling our stories - helping people to tell their own stories in a way that helps to challenge negative public frames about issues and instead connect with people on a human level in terms of our shared values.

You can view all of the pictures we took throughout the weekend by clicking here and visiting the photo set on Flickr.  We'll be adding more and more pictures to it over the next few days.

And below is a random set of some of the pictures that should give you a feel for the weekend.  

If you missed this year's KFTC Annual Meeting, I hope you can try to make it out to next year's - where we'll be celebrating KFTC 30th Anniversary.

Most of the 200 KFTC members have gathered at the Kentucky Leadership Center in Jabez tonight, and are socializing and catching up. We have members from all over the state, including new members, long-time members, young folks, old folks, and everything in between!

We're looking forward to two days of powerful training tomorrow and Sunday. 

Here are some pictures from the first evening.  Expect to get a full report from the weekend in a few days!

            “Our stories: the building blocks of New Power” is the theme for this year’s KFTC Annual Membership Meeting. The weekend gathering will take place October 8-9-10 at the Kentucky Leadership Center near Somerset and is open to all KFTC members and their families.
 
            Story-telling is an essential part of community organizing. The process of sharing and learning from one another’s stories is an important way that people share information, create connections with other people, and make sense of our world. During the annual meeting, participants will have an opportunity to reflect, listen and share stories about their lives, communities, and vision for a better world.
 
            “I think that lots of people can benefit from the chance to reflect on our own stories. Some folks may not even think that they have a story to tell, or feel that their story matters,” noted K.A. Owens, chairperson of KFTC and a member of the planning committee. “I’m looking forward to learning new ways to communicate ideas and messages through stories. That’s not my usual starting place, so it will be very interesting.”
 
            Participants will explore ways that stories, images and metaphors can be used to shape or frame the way our issues are understood by the others.  Together we will learn some of the components of an effective, compelling story. And we will have the opportunity to practice developing and sharing stories that can inspire and move others to action.
 
            Workshops at this year’s annual meeting will focus on communication skills that relate to story-telling, including using traditional and social media for social change, using stories effectively in lobbying and public speaking, what makes a compelling web-video, and ways that stories can strengthen grassroots organizing campaigns.
 
            The weekend event kicks off at 7 pm on Friday evening, October 8, with storytelling from KFTC members who recently traveled to the coalfields of Colombia, South America. With photos, audio recordings and music they will share the story of the people and communities they met and the memories and lessons they brought back home.
 
            After a full day of workshops on Saturday, participants can enjoy an afternoon hike down to Lake Cumberland or relax in a front porch rocking chair. Saturday evening will be capped off with a local foods banquet and awards ceremony, followed by an all-star talent show.
 
    The weekend will draw to a close on Sunday at noon, after the conclusion of energizing workshops and the Annual Business Meeting. That’s the time when members will elect new statewide officers and adopt KFTC’s revised issue platform, and accept new and returning chapters.
 
    The cost for the weekend is $70 per adult if you register by September 24th for the early bird discount, an amount that covers two nights of lodging, five meals and program expenses. If that fee is unworkable, members are invited to contribute what they can afford. Registration is available online at www.kftc.org/annual-meeting or by calling 606-878-2161. 

   “Going to the KFTC Annual Meeting and spending the weekend with KFTC members from all across the state feels like the best family reunion you could imagine. Every year, I feel more welcomed and more at home than the year before. What a blessing it is to share time with people of different backgrounds and beliefs who are all united in our vision of making our commonwealth a better place to live for ALL Kentuckians. Each annual meeting has yielded great learning experiences and cherished memories. For one weekend in Jabez, Kentucky, you get this amazing glimpse of the world we can create and you can't help but feel incredible and ready to act when you leave.”

Run, don't walk, to register now for the 2010 KFTC Annual Membership Meeting. Early-birds will get a $20 discount!

All KFTC members and families are invited to participate in this relaxed, informative, and energizing event. The  theme this year is “Our Stories: The Building Blocks For New Power."Our  program starts at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 8 and ends at noon on Sunday, October 10. All activities will take place at the beautiful Kentucky Leadership Center near Somerset.

Be sure to register by September 24th in order to take advantage of a reduced rate of just $70. After that date, the fee is $90. Your registration fees cover two nights of lodging, five meals, and program expenses. Free child care is also provided for those who request it.

(If the suggested registration fee is not workable, please make a contribution that fits your budget. We want all interested members to be able to participate.)

Highlights of this year’s annual meeting will include:

• Story-telling by KFTC members about their recent visit with coalfield communities in Colombia
• A local-foods banquet and awards ceremony
• Workshops about the power of stories to connect with an audience and inspire action for social change. We'll practice ways to develop and tell compelling stories about our lives and the issues we care about. And we'll explore how our stories can be used to build a stronger movement for social change in Kentucky.
  
• Numerous workshops related to the theme, including ways to use stories to be more effective at lobbying, community organizing, and getting the word out through new and traditional media.
  

• A silent auction. (Please bring items to donate, especially anything handmade or homegrown.)
• A talent show.
• The election of officers and adoption of KFTC’s issue platform.

For more information, including a program description, please click here.

The Annual Meeting re-energizes me. It’s an opportunity to be with so many good people. I never know what the highlights will be, but I go with the faith that I’ll learn something to help me along my path. Every time I encounter people and ideas I didn’t expect. It’s also a chance to relax and get away from the hassles of daily life. I appreciate the chance to have conversations with wonderful people I see only a couple times a year.

– KFTC member Becki Winchel

Register now to attend KFTC’s 2009 annual membership meeting and save $20!

Please join us for this relaxed, informative, and family-friendly event. Our theme this year is “Hope in Hard Times: Organizing for Change in Kentucky.” The program starts at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 9 and ends at noon on Sunday, October 12. All activities will take place at the beautiful Kentucky Leadership Center near Somerset.

Those who register by September 15th can take advantage of a reduced $70 rate. After that date, the fee is $90. Your registration fees cover two nights of lodging, five meals, and program expenses. Child care is also provided. (If the registration rate is not workable, please make a contribution that fits your budget. We want all interested members to be able to participate.)

Highlights of this year’s annual meeting will include:

• Music by Daniel Martin Moore and Ben Sollee, starting at 8 p.m. on Friday night.
• A local-foods banquet and keynote address by Randy Wilson on Saturday night.
• Workshops on lobbying, de-escalating tense situations, & other essential organizing skills.
• Workshops on a wide range of important issues, including our tax and budget crisis, restoration of voting rights, sustainable energy solutions, ideas for economic transition in Appalachia, ending mountaintop removal mining, and understanding proposed health care reforms.
• A silent auction. (Please bring items to donate)
• A home-grown talent show.
• The election of officers and adoption of KFTC’s issue platform.

For more information, including a tentative program description, please click here.

The Annual Meeting re-energizes me. It’s an opportunity to be with so many good people. I never know what the highlights will be, but I go with the faith that I’ll learn something to help me along my path. Every time I encounter people and ideas I didn’t expect. It’s also a chance to relax and get away from the hassles of daily life. I appreciate the chance to have conversations with wonderful people I see only a couple times a year.

– KFTC member Becki Winchel

We also have an mp3 of the audio available here for download.