Ready for some really great news?
Mother engagement is at an all time high, in the flesh and especially online! The time is ripe to bring the world's children to the forefront of our conversations and our actions.

Sharing passion, commitment and brainy ideas on a DAILY BASIS. Actually, minute by minute in all the old ways, and by embracing new tools like twitter. This is revolutionary.
On Friday, MAU is launching our new Website designed to support this growing network of mothers acting on behalf of the world's children. You'll find tools, stories, twitter tips and daily actions. Did we mention videos? Stories from the Mother Front? Starring YOU? Here's a sneak peek:

Movie Mondays: movies to inspire our mother leadership.
Talk about it Tuesdays: juicy info to practice out loud and share with others.Write & Call Wednesdays: communicating with decision makers.Traction Thursdays: amplifying our voices. Friends Fridays: engaging friends in acting up.Spending Saturdays: spending money to benefit our global family.
Family Sundays: creating new habits & practices within our family.
Stay tuned for the launch of the NEW MAU website on Friday, Nov. 20, Universal Children's Day!

Reving it up

Hi Bend,

MAU central is evolving with the times. Here is the latest and greatest that they are doing:

Dear Mamas,
We've been experimenting with new ways to mobilize mothers to act on behalf of the world's children. Asking some hard questions. How DO we get the people of one country to care about the children of another? How do we bring the issue of the world's children to our dinner tables?
How can we talk about issues facing the world's children without overwhelming our audience, without pouring on more guilt, and in bite size pieces? How do we communicate with each other through all the noise?
And most importantly, are mothers collectively up for shaping the world our children will inherit? If so, can we make acting up more engrossing than losing weight?
Like President Sirleaf, MAU believes mothers are up for the challenge and we're launching a BRAND NEW WEBSITE on November 20, Universal Children's Day! The site will revolve around action: small daily actions that fit into a busy life, and collective actions in collaboration with other organizations. Because as we all know, numbers matter.
The best part of the new site is that it's going to put the spotlight on the people that matter most: all of YOU working on behalf of the world's children. As we build our numbers, we'll learn how to act from each other with plenty of inspiration and education sprinkled throughout the site.
Get involved: Join the MAU tweet-a-thon to bring the world's children and the new MAU website to the forefront of our collective tweeting. Prizes: A beautiful Juliana Forbes (MAU co-founder) print to the 1st 5 MAUs to sign-up, a MAU bumper sticker for all.Sign up to join the tweet-a-thon and get fabulous prizes!
In the meantime, don't forget to follow us on twitter and facebook!
Happy acting up,Joellen on behalf of all the mamas at MAU Central

Art for climate change

Let's make art for a safe climate future.
World leaders will gather in Copenhagen next month to negotiate a new international climate treaty.

We need to let President Obama and the Senate know that we want them to show leadership in enacting bold climate solutions.

Our partners at the 1Sky Campaign are coordinating "Make Art for Climate" gatherings across the country, where mothers and children can come together to decorate pieces of cloth with images reflecting the urgency of the climate challenge. Mail in your art projects by November 18 in a postage paid envelope supplied by 1Sky.

The art gatherings will culminate in a series of nationwide public actions during the first week of December - just before the international conference on climate change - to reinforce the need for strong action.

Visit MAU's take action page to learn more.

In spirited partnership,JoellenP.S. Have you heard about MAU's new website coming your way on November 20th, Universal Children's Day? Get ready to ACT UP, OUT AND OFTEN!

Summer

What does supporting our mission as consious mothers entail this summer?

MAU central posted the challenge. We raise $100. A kids/parent yoga class in the park will be announced soon, any volunteers?

On a more personal note, we are raising chickens and trying to learn the basics of organic gardening. We continually save the world one cloth diaper at a time and by trying our hearts out at peaceful negotiating 101.

The most brilliant thing I have read within the last hour is, "what people think of you is none of your buisness."

Dear Mother Leaders, Thank you for your tremendous efforts over the past few months. The awareness you raised in your communities and with your US Representatives has set the stage for gaining Congressional support when the bill is introduced. For the next phase of the campaign, we need your leadership in raising funds for MAU. This may sound daunting, but we believe that with a small effort from each of us, we can make a significant difference. We challenge each Mother Leader to raise $100 over the summer. This may look very different to each of us. For example: Elizabeth, in New York, is going to hold a garage sale and give the proceeds to MAU. This is awesome because it raises money and awareness (she'll have the petition to President Obama for people to sign)! Jean, in Montana, is offering reiki treatments in exchange for donations to MAUYou can use your social networking site to get the word out. Facebook Causes is great for small amounts and you could challenge 20 of your friends to give $5.00 each. Twitter your campaign and let your followers know that you’re raising $100 towards MAU. Give updates of what MAU is doing and why our work is important. You can pull this info off the STAND and MAU websites. You could involve your kids and set up a lemonade stand on a busy corner and give the proceeds to MAU. If you can, you could write a check yourself. You could ask your friends to honor your birthday with gifts to MAU as your birthday present. You can think of another clever and creative way to raise this money. If you choose this option, please share your experiences with other Mother Leaders so that we can continue to learn and be inspired from each other. In addition to the funds that we raise, we have received a matching grant from a generous donor who will match the money raised from Mother Leaders this summer. So essentially, your money is doubled!Are you scared to ask for money? If so, don’t worry, that is completely normal. If you would be interested in finding out some tips and practicing with another Mother Leader, email Amy Rosenblum (amyrosenblum@gmail.com). Amy is MAU's Sustainability Chair and a Mother Leader. She is also a fundraising professional who works with people in training them to ask for funds all the time. If there is enough interest, we might hold a few calls, or if you prefer to talk one-on-one, just let Amy know that too.Thank you for all that you do for MAU, and more importantly on behalf of the world’s children. In spirited partnership,Anjali and AmyP.S. If you haven't had a chance to complete the short Mother Leader survey, please click here!

Thanks for the event and happy SuMMEr

Hey Bend Maumas,

Thanks for the great Reclaiming Mothers Day Event!

As always, the cake was out of this world, and this one in fact was a globe of fantastic culinary confection with different color children holding hands over a star sprinkled blue sea. Many thanks to Magadalyne Hasse for all of her creative and DELICIOUS contributions.

Aspen and Charles came to play live music again this year and the weather was perfect for dancing, hooping, and bubble blowing festivities.

Our honorary Julia Ward Howe was Miss Erika Garvey of COCC. And the central purpose for this years event was to appoint a Children's Ambassador who would oversee and prioritize funding for programs that serve children internationally and to urge Congress to fully fund programs benefiting orphans and other vulnerable children.

For the first time in 48 years, our members of Congress are working to reform foreign aid!

Stay tuned for pictures off this years Reclaiming mothers day event.

Bend Mothers Acting Up is currently looking for volunteers. Please contact kate.r.ast@gmail.com if you are interested.

Happy Mothers Day Central Oregon Mamas

Happy Mother's Day,
First of all, take a moment to look in the mirror and recognize one of the most amazing humans on the planet. You have given your all, over and over again. On Sunday, our day of recognition, it matters most of all that YOU recognize the gift you are to this world.

In 1870 Julia Ward Howe wrote a Mother's Day Proclamation that called for a day when the world would honor what mothers hold most dear: the lives of our children, of all children. In honor of the world's children, take action and ask President Obama to designate a US Children's Ambassador to oversee and prioritize funding for programs that serve children internationally. Add your voice, sign the pledge.Watch the new MAU video about why mothers are stepping into leadership roles to protect the world's children, and then forward this email to your friends and family.

Join mothers and others at a Reclaiming Mother's Day event.
Click here to find an event near you.There's still time, make a donation of $25 or more in honor of a mother in your life and MAU will send a Mother's Day card. Cards will be mailed the day of the donation.

Julia wrote, "Arise, arise, all women who have hearts!" This Mother's Day, let's answer her call. Happy Mother's Day!

In grateful and spirited partnership,Joellen, Juliana, Beth, Erica, Anjali, Kay, Tina and Nini on behalf of the MAUship

For more information about reclaiming Mother's Day events, click on the cities below:Flagstaff, AZRedondo Beach, CABoulder, CODenver, CONiwot, COBend, ORCedar Falls, IAArlington Heights, ILKokomo, INOverland Park, KSHarbor Springs, MIHenderson, TNAustin, TXLubbock, TXSnohomish, WA

Come join in the fun

This Reclaiming Mothers Day Event is going to be fabulous. The weather is improving and we may have a sunny day in store!!
Just like last year, Magadalyne is making one of her creative confections to tantalize our taste buds. We have live bluegrass music, childrens activities and the ability to celebrate our collective Mothering grace through the STAND campaign. Looking fwd to seeing you there, start decorating your costumes and strollers now:)

Dreaming Initiative

Dear MAU Mavens,

I recently returned from the rainforests of Ecuador, meeting with indigenous families. While staying with the Achuar tribe, we partook in their daily ritual of waking up for a 4 a.m. tea ceremony and dream sharing. They use this information to plan each day. Believing we are all one, they use the power of collective dreams to create the world we want.

Returning to my hi-tech life with multiple synched calendars, I recognize that in my daily life I am led by the power of MAU's collective dream of happy, healthy and safe children. As mothers*, we know that when children everywhere thrive, humanity will thrive, a belief many indigenous people have held for thousands of years. The work of realizing this vision is what sustains me, and I thank you for sharing this vision.

Ok, now an update: The world of MAU is a-buzz with action, leadership and partnership and Mother's Day on the horizon. Here's the short story:

STAND FOR THE WORLD'S CHILDREN: More than 90 mothers* from 27 states and Canada are participating in this campaign by organizing gatherings on Mother's Day and field trips to their Congresswomen and men. You can participate too, by signing a pledge to President Obama on the STAND website. Please sign it and forward to everyone you know.

THE MOMENT, local action…global change: MAU has launched a TV show on Channel 8 in Boulder, highlighting people who are responding to moments of global concern by taking action. The best part of the WEB is that we can stream the show all over the world. If you are in Boulder, come see the BIG SCREEN PREMIERE on May 11th.

YOU: Mothers are stepping into new leadership roles across the country to create a more just, sustainable and peaceful world. The stories are inspiring and contagious. MAU Central is looking for better ways to facilitate MAU to MAU communication and action! If you have ideas for the MAU website, social networking tools etc., please email beheard@mothersactingup.org.

We are in a time of awakening, the dream of the modern world is shifting and new leaders are emerging, reaching across cultures to build a more sustainable future. There is a place for each and every one of us, whether we have 5 minutes or 5 hours to give.

I am grateful to be live amongst such inspired dreamers. Thank you for your partnership,Joellen on behalf of the MAU Central MavensPS. MAU will be featured in the June issue of Parents Magazine, within the "Power of Parents" column. PSS. To learn more about changing the dream of the modern world, visit the Awakening the Dreamer Initiative.

Gearing up to STAND for the worlds children

Hi. Our children are growing up in a global community that’s highly connected. I believe my child’s security and our country’s security depends on children thriving everywhere. I’ve joined Stand for the World’s Children. This spring, we are reaching 1 million mothers and others (through personal contact, media, FaceBook and Twitter) to influence our elected leaders to prioritize the lives of orphans and other vulnerable children. We are asking:
1. President Obama to designate a Children’s Ambassador - reporting directly to Secretary of State Clinton - to oversee and prioritize funding for programs that serve children internationally. 2. Congress to fully fund programs benefiting orphans and other vulnerable children.
Ensuring all children have access to what they need to grow and participate productively, is not only a moral decision, it’s a strategic one. As Secretary of State Clinton said, “Our security, our vitality, and our ability to lead in today’s world oblige us to recognize the overwhelming fact of our interdependence.”
Would you like to sign a postcard to your congressional member or get involved?

STAND

We are gearing up for the annual Mothers Day celebration. This years focus is on Stand for the Worlds children, and here in Central Oregon we are collaborating with a national movement, funded by Oprah, Mothers Acting Up, and STAND to urge Obama to elect a international child advocate. The advocate would be the voice for all children in the world and would report directly to Senator Clinton.
Please stay tuned for more announcements, our local event is scheduled to kick off on Sunday, May 10th at 11:30am at the top of Drake Park. We will parade down, in costume, on stilts or tricycles, using your wildest imagination, and making joyful noises to Harmon Park. Free cake, original mothers day proclamation read by a MAU maven in costume to resememble our beloved Julia Ward Howe.
We need help spreading the word, please save the date, and go to www.MothersActingUp.org to support and learn more.

What moves you to change, and what new changes moving you?

Happy freaky Friday!

These are the MAMA GREEN POWER tips of the week:

Sara Berger of Richmond, VA is raising chickens. She wants to build a home for 6 pullet hens with recycled or "found" materials. She is blogging about her experiences at citizenmama.blogspot.com.

Robine Bots-Jeffrey's of Central Oregon and her sister, Anna Marie, are investing in worm bins. Robine said the worm bin was her birthday present to herself. Anna Marie, is a worm bin enthusiasts and also proudly sports only using her dryer once a week. She uses the dry heat of her pellet stove to save energy by hanging her clothes dry. Turn on the ceiling fan, and she gets the bonus of humidifing her home.

We chatted about simple tips to conserve like vacuuming the coils under the fridge and making sure the dryer tubes are cleaned out properly.

Get creative with lessening your consumption and have a great weekend!

Dear MAU Mavens and Change Agents,

America cannot solve the most pressing problems on our own, and the world cannot solve them without America. The best way to advance America's interest in reducing global threats and seizing global opportunities is to design and implement global solutions. This isn't a philosophical point. This is our reality.
--Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in her confirmation testimony


MAUs have long recognized our role as world citizens, but doesn't it feel good to hear it from our leaders?! We now have an opportunity to support Secretary of State Clinton in crafting global solutions that benefit the world's children. She will need the support of a powerful constituency to realize her vision. Luckily she has one waiting in the wings: mothers.

Envision 1 million mother leaders shifting policy to create a better world for all children. Why mothers*? Because mothers are the ones primarily raising children around the world, we are already committed and concerned and we recognize that our security depends on children thriving everywhere.

PLUS we have STELLAR negotiating, organizing and communication skills. As MAU begins our second 7-year cycle, we will be promoting campaigns that shift policy to benefit the world's children. Our first campaign is called Stand for the World's Children.

Without further ado, here is your invitation to be one of the 100 Mother Leaders (as sexy as it sounds):Join 100+ mothers who will STAND FOR THE WORLD'S CHILDREN in communities across the U.S. between now and Mother's Day. We are asking President Obama and Congress to fulfill old promises to fund programs benefiting AIDS orphans and other vulnerable children and to designate a Children's Ambassador that reports directly to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Imagine a high-level position in the State Department given the mandate to champion programs that serve children! This is NOT too good to be true.

It's too important to remain an idea.

Here's the glorious truth of Mother Leverage:100Mother Leadersdonate 1 hr/wkthroughMother's Day.Reach1,000,000mothers* through media, social networking and face to face.Shift policy affecting 132,000,000 orphans in the world!

Click here for more info on the invitation.p.s. This invitation comes with all the materials you need (including 100 postcards for your community to sign - no sweat!)We are living in a time of tremendous opportunity; a veritable plethora of possibility.
I invite you to join the 100 Mother Leaders and, as always, send news of your actions on behalf of the world's children and MAU will shout out your glorious news from pillar to post.

In excited partnership, Joellen, on behalf of the MAU Mavens

It begins with energy!

Mamas in support of Obama lets look at our energy consumption. Here in Bend, we can utilize free services to have someone inspect our home and point out areas to improve our energy conservation.
Lets vow to conserve when we can, walk and bike more, buy local to reduce our carbon footprints and stimlate our local economy.
This week I am going to get a worm bin from wonderwormer.com and finally make a rain barrel for out down spouts. Use the glorious spring cleaning energy to revamp our homestead into a sustainable sanctuary.

Obama

It comes in waves. Election Day, Inaugration Day, seeing the Obamas on people magazine when I am in the super market in Central Oregon...
The joy, the amazement, the enlightening belief that we did it, we the United States elected President Barack Obama. We want change, we want to change for our dreams.
I hear many of my friends talking about how happy they feel to be American, for the first time in a long time. We are onto something good. We are listening to mothers and children who want peace, a healthy planet, and a sustainable future. Wow, MAUmas, can we breathe in a collective sigh of thank goddess, that our global villiage is making headlines. We matter to our current administration.
There are so many levels of why this is glorious, who Obama is, what he stands for, his family, his global relationships...
I will work along side him, I will have hope, I will weave motherhood into my politics with new vigor and commitment. I will let this hope waterfall over my dreams.