<font size="4"><b>March 2009 EXCO Newsletter</b></font><br><br><u><font size="2"><i>In this issue: </i></font></u><br><b><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Facilitator Workshop #2: Facilitate an EXCO class!</span></b><br>
<b style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);">Teach a class this summer with EXCO!</b><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);"><br><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Join us on Facebook</span><br></span></b><b style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">March 1 EXCO Night</b><br>
<b><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">EXCO Spring Showcase and Awards Night</span></b><br>
<b style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">Class Profile: Dakota Solidarity</b><br><b style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">Check out these classes starting soon!</b><br><b style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Get involved</b><br><br><br>
<br><b><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Facilitator Workshop #2: Facilitate an EXCO class!</span></b><br>Thursday, March 19th from 7-8:30PM<br>Hamline-Midway Library in St. Paul (1558 West Minnehaha Ave)<br><br>Open to all facilitators past, present, or FUTURE!!<br>
This workshop/discussion will cover all the basics of facilitating an EXCO class!<br><br>*
If you've always wanted to facilitate a class, but are a bit confused
about the process, or just want to know more, this event is for you!<br>* If you just heard about EXCO and are looking for more information before you dive in to facilitating, this event is for you!<br>*
If you are a current or past facilitator looking for some useful
strategies and tips or just wanted to discuss your experience with
other facilitators, this event is for you!<br><br>The workshop will be
a combination of facilitated discussion and how to tutorials on
everything from filling out the application, to using the website, to
setting the tone for a good and productive class.<br><br>If you have input on things YOU would like to talk about on Thursday send an email to me at <a href="mailto:rosenblum34@gmail.com" target="_blank">rosenblum34@gmail.com</a> and I will try to work it into the agenda.<br>
<br>Last, but not least, some light snacks will be served!!<br><i>Aaron Rosenblum<br><br><br></i><b style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);">Teach a class this summer with EXCO!</b><br>It’s
not too early to start thinking about teaching a class with EXCO this
summer! EXCO is always looking for new facilitators. Classes may take
place anywhere around the Twin Cities, we strongly
encourage you to find space in your neighborhood such as at your local
library, community center, coffee shop, conference rooms, etc. Contact
us with ideas or questions: <a href="mailto:excotc@gmail.com" target="_blank">excotc@gmail.com</a>,
651-696-8010. We look forward to talking to you! <i>The deadline for summer facilitator applications is May 29. </i>(See the attached application).<b><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"></span></b><br><br><br><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Join us on Facebook</span></span></b><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);"></span></b><br>
Check out our Facebook page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2412587597" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2412587597</a><br>• Join the community and see who else is involved<br>
• Add to discussions about what EXCO means to you, what classes
you’d like to see in the future, what you have to offer, and more<br>• View photos from EXCO events and classes<br>
• Hear about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities<br><br><br><b style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">March 1 EXCO Night</b><br>Thanks to all of the bands that performed at the March EXCO Night: Old Man Orville, Nancy Drew Crew, and Best Friends Forever. And thanks to everyone that came out to support EXCO! There was a great turnout and some great collages made in the class crafting zone! Stay tuned to see these ideas turned into reality! Attached are some pictures from the evening. See more on our Facebook page.<br>
<br><br><b><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">EXCO Spring Showcase and Awards Night</span></b><br>We
sincerely hope you will join us for the upcoming April EXCO Night, our
first ever EXCO Showcase and Awards Night. We are looking for classes
or individuals that would be interested in participating in the
showcase: dance, theater, music, food, whatever you and/or your class
can contribute! Contact us by April 3 if you’d like to be involved in
some way: <a href="mailto:excotc@gmail.com" target="_blank">excotc@gmail.com</a>.<br>
<br>Other things to look forward to at the Showcase:<br>*All EXCO participants will receive a certificate of completion<br>*Get your picture taken with the giant EXCO letters<br>*Get your very own EXCO button<br>*Celebrate the end of this EXCO session!<br>
<br>More details to come- we hope you will join us for this exciting event!<br><br><br><b style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">Class Announcement: Dakota Solidarity- Return Coldwater Springs</b><br>Hello to those acting in solidarity with the Dakota Nation:<br>
<br>I'm writing to ask you for your solidarity in the struggle to
return Coldwater Springs to the Dakota Nation. Please sign the
petition linked below, and post a comment on the national park website.
These two - minute gestures, if widespread, will help to illustrate the
power and support behind Dakota communities as they struggle to have
regain this particularly sacred part of their ancestral homelands.<br>
<br>Background and Updates on the Coldwater situation: Coldwater
Springs is the most sacred place on earth to the Dakota people. It is
the site of the Dakota genesis story. It is also the site of the
genocidal concentration camp that followed the US - Dakota war of 1862.
This land has been fenced off, polluted, scattered with abandoned
buildings for many many years, under holding by the Department of the
Interior: Bureau of mines. Now, finally, the bureau of mines is going
to clean up and transfer the land out of their possession. The National
Park Service is trying to take over the land, with interest in turning
it into a tourist attraction and "historic site." Dakota people and
their allies see this as a further act of colonization within a long
history of genocide and the violent domination of Dakota land, people,
culture and history. If the National Park gains control of the land,
the Dakota will not have access to the site on their own terms. Dakota
people have been denied the ability to hold ceremony on this most
sacred site since colonization, and if the Park service takes the land,
this denial and colonization will be reaffirmed once again.<br>
<br>On February 23rd, Dakota people took over the "community" meeting
set up by the Park Board to marginalize Dakota voice. There is a
one-month comment period following this meeting, in which (you!) allies
to Dakota people are strongly encouraged to let the NPS hear their
opinions.<br>
<br>Here, with our voices, we can send a message to the government that
the Dakota Nation stands strong with many allies. There will be future
opportunities to continually show solidarity in other ways, but for
now, please sign the petition below, and post a comment on the National
Park Service website, linked below. On the NPS website, please make
sure to mention:<br>
<br> - Restoration of Coldwater Springs means restoration of Dakota rights to the land<br> - The federal government must clean up the land before returning it to the Dakota<br><br>To sign the petition to get the site returned:<br>
<a href="http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/return-coldwater-springs-to-the-dakota" target="_blank">http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/return-coldwater-springs-to-the-dakota</a><br><br>File a public comment with the National Park Service:<br>
<a href="http://www.nps.gov/MWR/sendmail.htm?o=11HS%28J%2A+%3AH%3BJ%3BFQV_ZEFLHE%20" target="_blank">http://www.nps.gov/MWR/sendmail.htm?o=11HS%28J%2A+%3AH%3BJ%3BFQV_ZEFLHE &r=/miss/parkmgmt/bomcurr.htm</a><br><br>Thank You!<br>
<i>Paper Buck, Dakota Decolonization: Solidarity Education for Allies EXCO facilitator</i><br>
<b><span style="color: rgb(204, 153, 51);"><br><br></span></b><b style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">Check out these classes starting soon</b><br><b>Basic Songwriting </b>starts March 24, check the website for details and to register today!<br>
<b><br>Universal Verbal Language: Tracks of the Infinite on the Human Race </b><br>March 26, 7-9pm Room 1200, first floor Helland Center MCTC 1501 Hennepin Ave.<br><br><br><b style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Get involved</b><br>
EXCO is a 100% volunteer-run organization. Donate what you can in time
or money to keep this amazing project and community alive. We have a
number of volunteer opportunities and ways for you to get involved.
Get in touch: <a href="mailto:excotc@gmail.com" target="_blank">excotc@gmail.com</a>, 651.696.8010. Thanks for your support. When you act, EXCO grows!<br>
<br><br><br><i>Happy Spring!<br>Callie and the EXCO Organizing Team</i><br><br><br><font size="1"><a href="http://www.excotc.org/" target="_blank">www.excotc.org</a><br><a href="mailto:excotc@gmail.com" target="_blank">excotc@gmail.com</a><br>
651.696.8010<br>
<br>EXCO: The Experimental College of the Twin Cities<br>Where everyone can teach or take classes and all classes are free!<br><br></font><br>