Fostering the Power of Community, Service and the Arts

2003 Annual Report – A Year of Engagement ver the last year, Rex has benefit concerts and a doubling of ties and community support which reached out to its wider contributions have increased our have made them possible. A list of O community and collabo- grant giving capacity. This report awards and grants since 1984 and rated with other groups in new and describes the 2003 Rex Awards and updates on current activities are productive ways. Two successful Grants, and the fund raising activi- available on our web site.

RALPH J. GLEASON AWARD The High School Lecture Series has In memory of music journalist Ralph J. Gleason, a major figure in the advancement of music in proven to be a highly effective America in the 1960s, whose openness to new tool in introducing youth to no- music and ideas transcended differences between generations and styles. tions of tolerance and compro- mise as a means to solving the Chris Strachwitz, conflict, of choosing reconcilia- The Arhoolie Foundation tion over revenge. Chris Strachwitz established Parents’ Circle, Gon Kafri, Dir. of Develop- the Arhoolie Foundation for the ment, 30 Wall St., New York, NY 10005, 212- purpose of helping to docu- 509-2407 www.theparentscircle.com ment, present, and disseminate AWARD authentic traditional and re- In memory of guitarist and found- ing Rex board member Jerry Garcia, this award gional vernacular music. The is designed to honor and support individuals and goal is to educate the public groups that work to encourage creativity in about the history and present young people. state of such music by making Mission Neighborhood research publications available Centers to the communities of origin as Precita Center after schoolers The Mission Neighborhood well as to the public at large. Centers strive to improve the qual- Chris Strachwitz, Arhoolie Foundation, 10341 San revenge which have been the pre- Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530, 510-525-7471 vailing responses of Palestinians and ity of life in the greater Mission com- www.arhoolie.com Israelis to the ongoing violence in the munity of San Francisco by provid- AWARD region. The Award is supporting the ing culturally sensitive human ser- In memory of pioneering producer and founding Rex Parents’ Circle programs that specifi- vices that support and empower in- board member Bill Graham, himself a refugee, this award is for those working to assist children who are victims of cally involve young people: dividuals and families. political oppression and human rights violations. The Hello Shalom, Hello Salaam The Precita Center after school Parents’ Circle: Families Forum project has succeeded in establishing enrichment program offers compre- of Israeli and Palestinian routes of personal, direct contact be- hensive, quality programming for Bereaved Families tween Israelis and Palestinians youth ages 5 to 18, which addresses The Families Forum members have through telephone calls. By increas- individual needs of each youth, en- all lost a close relative due to the on- ing the communication between Is- couraging them to engage in their going violence in the Middle East. raeli and Palestinians both sides will own education and to make healthy Since its founding in1955, the Fami- become aware of the rival sides suf- choices in the process. lies Forum has promoted reconcili- fering, enhancing empathy and re- Precita Center, Mission Neighborhood Center, Tracy Brown-Gallardo, Director of Youth Services, ation as an alternative to hatred and ducing the level of hatred. 534 Precita Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94110 From the Executive Director The Rex Foundation launched its renewal efforts in December 2001 in the wake of the horror and tragedy of the September 11th attacks. Since that time there has been continuing global unrest, economic uncertainty and frightening lev- BOARD OF DIRECTORS els of national politicking that seem to polarize rather than unite. In both 2002 and 2003 we have sought to counteract these negative forces by funding as Cameron Sears many programs as we can, demonstrating the power of community engage- Sage Scully John Scher ment in all our activities, and maintaining a commitment to radical optimism. Cliff Palefsky Roger McNamee Since our first renewal benefit, The Healing Power of Music, we’ve granted $390,000 Nicholas Morgan John Leopold to some 60 programs in a number of different areas, including advancing the Michael Klein arts, preserving endangered music, protecting the environment, providing im- Rosalie Howarth portant enrichment and social services and promoting community leadership Freddie Hahne among youth. This spectrum of grassroots programs reflects our core mission Carolyn Garcia Barry Caplan areas. We are also supporting what is common across this spectrum: the vision, Larry Brilliant creativity, resourcefulness and tenacity of individuals and small groups to pro- Diane Blagman duce outstanding programs and enhance the well-being of tens of thousands of ADVISORY BOARD people across the world. Bill Walton Danny Rifkin Jon McIntire This report describes each of our 2003 beneficiaries, as well as the fund-raising Bernie Bildman and community activities we undertook during the year. As you read through, we hope you’ll feel inspired by and hopeful about the positive results of people Emeritus Hal Kant connecting with each other and engaging in activities that serve the common Bill Graham (1984 – d.1991) good. Jerry Garcia (1984 – d.1995) – Sandy Sohcot Mission Statement Executive Director Sandy Sohcot The Rex Foundation continues to embody the spirit of generosity and concern Administration that evolved in the culture of the Dead Heads and the Grateful Dead, aiming to Chris Meharg help secure a healthy environment, promote individuality in the arts, provide Volunteers Alan Trist support to critical and necessary social services, assist others less fortunate than Andrea Sahli ourselves, protect the rights of indigenous people and ensure their cultural sur- Debbie Matson David Large vival, build a stronger community, and educate children and adults everywhere. Bob Hollis Guiding Principles and Values The Rex Foundation is named after Rex Jackson, • We respect traditional wisdom cultures. a Grateful Dead roadie • We respect individual rights and differences. and later road manager until his untimely death in 1976 • We are willing to take risks and trust people. • We help people who are helping others and are trying to make a difference. HOW REX WORKS • We help people develop bold new solutions to problems. The Rex Foundation has no • We benefit the broader community and the broader good. paid board members. Virtually • We practice inclusiveness and open-mindedness. all of our grant recipients are selected through the personal • We support organizations committed to grassroots action. knowledge and outreach of our • We seek to identify entities doing good work that might otherwise be decision makers – as a result, grant requests are not solicited. overlooked. We have no application forms • Our support helps beyond direct funding by boosting the visibility of the and no published guidelines. recipient’s work. Grants are made once or twice a year, and our report • We want to be a catalytic agent of change, where our involvement helps is published annually. leverage greater impact. • We are non-partisan. REX FOUNDATION • We promote an active, informed citizenry. P.O. Box 29608 San Francisco, CA 94129-0608 • The Foundation is an efficient conduit for supporting the community. (415) 561-3134 • Being part of the Rex Foundation is enjoyable. www.rexfoundation.org • We carry on the best of the spirit of the 60’s to create a more Federal ID # 68-0033257 harmonious world.

2 Community of Supporters REX EVENTS The success of this second year of renewal efforts arises In 2003 the Rex Foundation continued its renewal from the participation of many people from across the efforts with benefit concerts and collaborative events United States and abroad: charitable and in-kind con- which engaged the wider community. tributors, benefit performers, program attendees and sponsors, musicians and volunteers – all of whom com- BENEFIT CONCERT prise our community of supporters. Life, Music, and the Pursuit of Happiness Friday, March 28, 2003, Marin Civic Auditorium We wish to thank the hundreds of individuals who have generously contributed to the Rex Foundation in 2003, The very first Rex benefit concert took place at the Marin along with the musicians, performers, artists, busi- Civic Auditorium in the spring of 1984. How great it nesses, food and beverage purveyors and volunteers was to return March 28, 2003 and fill the hall with music who have given their resources, time and energy to help by Mickey Hart and Friends, , and Bob the Rex Foundation present its benefit concerts and pro- Weir with DJ Logic and Rob Wasserman to support the grams and carry out its mission. Please visit our web Rex Foundation’s continuing renewal. site to view the lists of all the people we have acknowl- edged for their support of each of our programs.

On Being Part of the Rex Community Supporting Rex has been a way for me to give back in some way having received so much from the music of the Grateful Dead. Particularly meaningful to me was playing a role in bringing attention to programs in my community. Rex is now a supporter of the Chicago Women's Health Center and the Albany Park Theater Project, two programs I have supported locally. Rex has become a vehicle for connecting what was impor- tant in my community and broadcasting to a much larger universe. When I pass the Albany Park Theater Project I feel great to see my wish to be involved come full circle. – Aaron Gadiel In November 2002, Aaron produced a fundraiser for Rex Foundation in Chicago featuring the Steve Kimock Band. In 2004, Aaron was part of the Chicago Host Committee for the Rex Foundation's Black Tie-Dye Ball Benefit.

Statement of Revenue and Disbursements and changes in Unrestricted Net Assets

REVENUE Contributions $ 110,262 Special Events: Revenue 313,746 Less Event costs (130,095) Net Revenue from Special Events 183,651

Photo: Susana Millman Merchandise Income 4,204 Revelers at Life, Music and the Pursuit of Happiness Dividends/Interest 2,281 Total Revenue $ 300,398 The following excerpt from the event program describes DISBURSEMENTS: the context in which the benefit took place. Our second Grants $ 151,500 Supporting services: annual benefit takes place in the midst of unsettling times, as Management and General 118,911 we all grapple with economic and global instability. Grassroots Fundraising 4,296 programs are struggling to survive, and many people face per- Total Supporting Services 123,207 Total Disbursements $ 274,707 sonal challenges. Yet, it is in difficult times when grassroots activity is most important. We come together, particularly Increase in Unrestricted Net Assets $ 25,692 now, to brighten our spirits and share good will. Unrestricted Net Assets Start of Year $ 246,835 Unrestricted Net Assets End of Year $ 272,527 Thanks to everyone participating in this event – musi- Audited Financial Statements available cians, production staff, in-kind contributors, ticket pur- chasers, supporters and volunteers – we raised $150,000.

3 of extremism, fear-mongering and gov- ernment intrusion. The keel, hidden from direct observation below the wa- terline, is comprised of we the people – humanity with its fundamental de- cency and generosity. It is this basic, free-spiritedness, inventiveness, con- cern for fairness, and respect for dif- ference that will right the sailboat. This metaphor was honored on Oc- tober 4th with our Open Conspiracy to Right the Boat. The evening be- gan with storytelling about com- munity engagement by Carolyn Garcia of the Rex Foundation, Jodie Evans, co-founder of Code Pink: Women for Peace and Chet Helms,

Photo: Susana Millman Wake The Dead raconteur extraordinaire and BENEFIT CONCERT founder of the Family Dog. The San Francisco Mime Worlds Together – An evening to celebrate Troupe performed their 2003 season’s Veronique of the community connections Mounties, providing clever, satirical observations about Saturday, November 8, 2003, Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco the war on terrorism. The evening ended with music led by David Gans. Dinner music provided by Potaje Flamenco Concert featured Bobi Cespedes, Mickey Hart The evening was a special celebration of people of all with Marley’s Ghost, and Wake the Dead ages and varied community interests coming together to connect and comprise the keel. The Bill Graham Foundation and Rex Foundation share long-standing support of art and music programs. Ap- preciating our common scope and mission in these ar- eas and desire to bring our wonderful communities to- gether, we created Worlds Together. Multiple worlds connected – music across a range of cultural genres, food with international influence, and friends who came as fans of the music and of our organizations. The evening was a great celebration, demonstrating the positive effects of collaboration in generating good will and contributing to the greater community. Proceeds from the event will support art and music programs for youth.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Open Conspiracy to Right the Boat Saturday, October 4, 2003, , San Francisco The September 2003 Rex Foundation Newsletter – Per- spectives on Community Engagement was all about the profound power of small groups of people to forge their ideas and energy into actions and help solve challeng- ing problems. A compelling metaphor emerged from an interview with Peter Coyote about the power of people, individually and collectively, to make a differ- ence, even under the most challenging of circumstances: A sailboat has a counterbalancing keel that serves to right the boat if it heels over. America is sailing amid heavy winds Photo: Susana Millman The Mime Troupe conspires to inspire 4 REX 2003 GRANTS Endangered Music Project The Endangered Music Project was Beyond Borders originally established to fund the A five-week summer program and artists featured on the series of five on-going connecting activities, serv- Endangered Music Project CDs. The ing an ethnically and economically Rex Foundation grant will help ex- diverse group of fifty 9-11 year olds pand this effort to fund an even from 18 different schools throughout broader group of indigenous com- Marin and San Francisco. Beyond munities and artists throughout the Borders’ mission is to develop future world to support the preservation of leaders by 1) Inspiring children to their endangered music. reach beyond borders of race, eco- Endangered Music Project, Kelsand Aukatsang, Tides Foundation, P.O. Box 29903, nomic circumstances, culture and San Francisco, CA , 415-561-6384 language; 2) Nurturing a deeper un- LandPaths derstanding of backgrounds, iden- tities and values; 3) Challenging chil- LandPaths works with local, public dren to explore and celebrate differ- and private organizations to: 1) Se- ences and discover and appreciate cure, develop and manage access to commonalities; and 4) Fostering preserved lands that otherwise these perspectives within their Drums Not Guns: Fiesta De Tambores would be restricted from commu- nity use; 2) Conduct ongoing land schools and communities. Drums Not Guns management through development Beyond Borders, Lisa Pavlovsky, 5221 Paradise Dr., The goal of Drums Not Guns is to Corte Madera, CA 94925-2107, 415-927-5973, and implementation of stewardship www.mcds.org reduce the number of guns available plans including native habitat resto- to youth in the community by offer- Trees Foundation ration and enhancement when nec- ing participation in an inspirational Seed money disbursement to di- essary; 3) Encourage responsible performing arts program in ex- rectly support and encourage others land stewardship by working with change for a weapon. They seek to to be part of the overall fundraising both users and owners of preserved create an atmosphere of trust be- effort to purchase seven acres of old lands to identify and maintain prac- tween youth and select staff men- growth trees along the Freshwater tices that conserve lands for the long- tors. Artist instructors mentor the Creek in Humboldt County, or to term enjoyment of all potential us- youth individually and as a group protect those trees in perpetuity. The ers, and 4) Provide education pro- in community locations designated grove of trees in this acreage in- grams teaching youth to be respon- cludes the tree named “Jerry.” (Note: safe havens from gang activities. Drums Not Guns, Roberto Hernandez, Mission sible stewards of the land. as of this writing, the fundraising ef- Neighborhood Centers, 1333 Florida Street, LandPaths, Craig Anderson, P.O. Box 4648, Santa San Francisco, CA 94110, 415-206-0577 Rosa, CA 95402, 707-544-7284, fort has been discontinued, though www.landpaths.org efforts to protect the trees continue.) Camp Winnarainbow Mwangaza Tanzania Trees Foundation, Barbara Ristow, P.O. Box 2202, Camp Winnarainbow is a non-profit Redway, CA 95560. 707-923-4377 Mwangaza Tanzania is dedicated to circus and performing arts summer improving the quality of life for in- JustAct camp that provides a small, pro- dividuals, especially children, in JustAct coordinates a national U.S. tected environment where each underserved, rural northern Tanza- network of about 30 progressive summer, 700 children try new activi- nia by providing medical, rehabili- grassroots organizations, led prima- ties and ways of interrelating to one tative and educational services for rily by youth of color. The organiza- another. The Camp values the the physically disabled. The focus is tions work on a variety of local is- uniqueness of each individual on grassroots, community-based sues including the prison industrial within the diverse racial, cultural, projects that foster long-term self- complex, education, and environ- economic and religious back- sufficiency. Mwangaza Tanzania has mental justice. The purpose for the grounds that comprise the commu- created a model of working with lo- network is to develop common goals nity. Camp Winnarainbow provides cal communities to overcome barri- and strategies for the member orga- a training ground to nurture leaders ers to obtaining needed health care nizations to collectively organize for a peaceful, harmonious and sus- and to carrying out educational pro- around and be more effective in tainable culture. The Rex Founda- terms of movement building and grams for preventative action. tion grant funds the Camp’s schol- Mwangaza Tanzania, David Greenwald, social justice organizing. arship program. P.O. Box 1004, Chicago, IL 60610-0074, JustAct, Colin Rajah, 333 Valencia Street, Suite 325, Camp Winnarainbow, , 510-525-4304, 312-923-2774, San Francisco, CA 94103, 415-431-4204 x206, www.campwinnarainbow.org www.mwangaza.org www.justact.org

5 Art in Action Camp Art in Action Camp is dedicated to bringing tools for personal and so- cial empowerment to young people through art and music. The camps support youth leadership in com- munities most impacted by poverty, pollution, violence and exploitation, providing supportive space for shar- ing stories, cultural rituals and dreams. Participants, ages 16-25 are lower-income youth of color, working class youth and other burgeoning art- ists and activists who are working for justice in their communities. Art in Action Camp, Alli Star, 1002 1⁄2 Dolores Street, San Francisco, CA 94110, 415-285-9734, www.yesworld.org/www.cultural-links.org

Heart, Mind, Body and Soul Art in Action, dance workshop Heart, Mind, Body and Soul is a plug in music program that provides The process whereby this art is cre- Sierra Madre Alliance quality music instruction in grades ated, the means by which it is dis- The mission of Sierra Madre Alliance K-3. Each class receives one half played and the character of the work is to advise and support their Mexi- hour of instruction per week for 32 itself should inspire immediate ac- can partners to advance community weeks in vocal, rhythm, dance and tions that connect people to one an- based conservation, appropriate de- music appreciation. The program other in a larger communal context. velopment, and environmental and serves 10 schools throughout Son- The programs and goals are fivefold agrarian justice in the Sierra Madre oma County, helping to keep music and include: furnishing artists with Occidental of Mexico. One of the programs for elementary school chil- direct financial aid for production principal goals is to empower indig- dren despite severe school budget and display; assisting artists in de- enous people. Bilingual education cuts. veloping communal networks; iden- and leadership training, community Heart, Mind, Body and Soul, Jim Corbett, 7869 tifying sites for public presentation; planning and mapping of resources Washington Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472, are focus areas. Inclusion of tradi- 707-823-5849, [email protected] educating a larger public concerning interactive art and assisting artists in tional knowledge into the education Adopt a Family of Marin career development strengthens the culture. Adopt a Family of Marin provides Black Rock Arts Foundation, Jess Bobier, 1900 3rd Sierra Madre Alliance, Randy Gingrich, Box 41416, emergency financial assistance and Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94158, Tucson, AZ 85717, www.sierramadrealliance.org 415-626-1248, www.balckrockarts.org emotional support to families in Mattole Salmon Group Marin County that, due to illness, The Center for Cognitive The Mattole Salmon Group is dedi- abandonment, loss of employment, Liberty and Ethics cated to restoring Salmon popula- work hours reduction or other catas- The Center for Cognitive Liberty & tions along the Mattole River. The trophes are in need of temporary Ethics (CCLE) works solely to ad- group has developed a protocol help. The organization’s primary vance sustainable social policies that from the best available scientific goal is preventing homelessness. It protect freedom of thought. CCLE sources to measure eight parameters provides temporary rent subsidies was founded to promote public of salmonid habitat and water qual- or security deposits and food money awareness and legal recognition of ity. Through Rescue Rearing and to keep families from falling apart cognitive liberty – the right of each Hatchbox programs they have been and becoming homeless. individual to think independently, to able to both maintain Salmon Adopt a Family of Marin, Anya Grange, 1930 have decision-making authority trapped by silting and to propagate Fourth Street, San Rafael, CA 94901, 415-456-7805, over matters affecting his or her www.adoptafamily.org genetically wild Chinook Salmon mind, and to engage in the full spec- Black Rock Arts Foundation and later release them as the mouth trum of possible thought. CCLE of the River opens. The group works The mission of the Black Rock Arts bases its policies on the guiding val- Foundation is to support and pro- closely with the Mattole Restoration ues of privacy, autonomy and choice. Council mote community-based interactive Center for Cognitive Liberty & Ethics, Wrye Mattole Salmon Group, Ray Lingel, PO Box 188, Sententia, 231 G Street, Suite 7, Davis, CA 95616, art that includes social participation. Petrolia, CA 95558, 707-629-3433, www.mattole.org www.cognitiveliberty.org

6 Children’s Book Project The purpose of the Children’s Book Project is to help economically dis- advantaged children learn to read by providing the children and their shelters, schools and daycare facili- ties with books and other resources. Since its beginning in January 1992, the Children’s Book Project has given over 500,000 free books to hun- dreds of facilities serving thousands of children. Children’s Book Project, Vicky Pollack, 45 Holly Park Circle, San Francisco, Ca 94110, 415-647-2042, www.childrensbookproject.org Seeds of Learning The mission of Seeds of Learning is to promote conditions for quality Childrens’ Book Project learning in developing countries and Bonita House autonomy, particularly in defense of communities of the Americas. They Bonita House has developed inno- the lethal effects of petroleum extrac- seek to educate North Americans vative approaches to the delivery of tion. UDP is currently focused on about the rich cultural diversity and community-based care for adults building the leadership and techni- social needs of the poorer rural com- with dual diagnoses of both a psy- cal capacity of U’wa youth and a Le- munities of Central America. The chiatric and substance use disorders. gal Defense program enabling the Rex grant helps with the construc- Its mission is to build community, U’wa to further a number of prece- tion of a two classroom school and dignity and hope in people recover- dent setting legal cases in Columbian latrine in El Continental, Usulutan, ing from disabilities by providing a and international courts to stop drill- El Salvador. full range of integrated services in- Seeds of Learning, Tania Carlone, Executive ing on U’wa land. All of UDP’s pro- Director, 585 Fifth Street, West Sonoma, CA 95476, cluding programs for residential treat- jects are created under the guidance www.seedsoflearning.org ment and supported independent liv- of the U’wa Traditional Authorities, Water Information Network ing, and a creative living center. the legal and community-elected rep- The Water Information Network fo- Bonita House, Rick Crispino, 6333 Telegraph resentatives of the U’wa. Avenue, Suite 102, Oakland, CA 94609-1328, cuses on issues of the environment 510-923-1099, www.bonitahouse.org U’wa Defense Project (UDP), Ana Maria Murillo, Presidio P.O. Box 29457, San Francisco, CA 94129, and of environmental justice for Shared Adventures 415-561-4518, 456-7805 Native Americans and Mexican- Shared Adventures is a non-profit Amicus Foundation Americans and other low-income organization dedicated to improving Amicus Foundation is the parent residents of New Mexico, the Four the quality of life of people living organization of a family of philan- Corners area, West Texas and the US- with disabilities. For over a decade thropic endeavors. Amicus is cur- Mexican border regions. The Rex Shared Adventures has offered hun- rently concentrating its efforts in grant will support the Zuni Salt Lake dreds of life enriching recreational both the kingdom of Bhutan and in Campaign, the goal of which is to and social opportunities, such as Thailand, providing women and permanently stop the development kayaking, surfing, outrigger canoe- children with improved living con- of a new 18,000 acre coal strip mine ing, river rafting, dance parties, and ditions and education opportunities. near Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico. yoga, to people in and around Santa One of the programs the Rex grant Water Information Network, Jaime Chavez, Regional Coordinator, Box 4524, Albuquerque, Cruz County with special needs. will help support is the matching of NM 87106, 505-255-4072 Shared Adventures, Foster Anderson, 90 orphaned children with older people Grandview Street #B101, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, Watsonville por la Paz 831-459-7210, www.sharedadventures.com who would otherwise be alone. The The goal of Watsonville por la Paz is organization is committed to pre- U’wa Defense Project to empower the Latino community serve and maintain the spiritual and UDP provides legal, community de- at the local level in a manner that re- cultural integrity of ancient and tra- velopment, advocacy and research flects and respects the culture of the ditional cultures as they transition support to the Indigenous U’wa community. Their aim is threefold: people in Colombia as they work to into a global community. Amicus Foundation, James Winkler, 4217 Waipua St., 1) To educate the community on is- defend their life, land and cultural Kilauea, HI 96754, 808-826-4434, amicusfoundation.org sues relating to war and peace that

7 Mattole The Living Wage Coalition of restoration project: Sonoma County treeplanting The LWCSC believes that the dig- are not generally covered in the Mattole Restoration Council nity of all work demands just wages mainstream media; 2) To encourage The Mattole Restoration Council is to meet today’s living costs. A liv- Latinos to become more politically committed to restoring health to the ing wage includes income and ben- active – to use their political voice; Mattole River watershed. Through efits sufficient for basic housing, 3) To educate youth and their par- the Mattole Good Roads and Clear healthcare, child care, nutrition, ents on post-secondary education Creeks programs the council aims to transportation, education and retire- opportunities and alternatives to reduce sediment inputs into the wild ment. The LWSA is focused on edu- military service, as a counterweight Mattole River and its tributaries. The cation in the community about leg- to the heavy military recruitment in Council works closely with the islating living wages to foster a bet- local schools and in the media. Mattole Salmon Group. ter society. Watsonville por la Paz, Consuela Alba, Mattole Restoration Council, Chris Larson, Living Wage Coalition of Sonoma County, 1215 5th Avenue, Watsonville, CA 95076, PO Box 160, Petrolia, CA 95558, 707-629-3514, Marty Bennett, PO Box 427, Santa Rosa, CA 95402, 831-761-2830 www.mattole.org www.livingwagesonoma.org Perspectives on Community Engagement

n 2003, the Rex Foundation pub- However, if we maintain a “we don’t egon Country Fair family, and the lished the second newsletter, know what will happen” attitude, Hog Farm, “the tribes” as these and I Perspectives on Community En- this is enough of a rational ledge on others were called in the sixties.... gagement, in its series exploring ideas which to get a toe-hold for feeling op- Carolyn continues to be engaged in and directions in support of its core timistic. “Doing nothing is surrender.” a number of communities, such as mission (see page 2). We interviewed Engage with intent rather than ide- the Rainforest Action Network, the actor Peter Coyote and Rex board ology. Intention identifies a problem Rex Foundation and tribes, such as member Carolyn Garcia. The follow- we must address and clarifies the the Hog Farm and Oregon Country ing are excerpts: manner in which to address the Fair, that continue to flourish. What Radical Optimism problem. With identification of the attracts Carolyn’s engagement is the When asked how he overcomes the intent, we can be flexible and adopt commitment people have to make forces that deter engagement, Peter whatever strategies are useful to something happen and to maintain describeds several effective remedies: solving the problem. Ideology ham- the effort over the long term. “It is pers solution because it limits action heartwarming to revisit groups and Acknowledging that the news pro- to what the ideology proscribes.... see that many of the same people are vides no rational basis to be cheer- still there, and that their efforts have ful, Peter notes that equally rational Chosen Communities persisted.” Carolyn believes these is the notion that we never know Asked to describe her first experi- communities reflect the human need how things will turn out, so it’s more ences with community engagement, for long-term relationships, and that powerful to be optimistic. On the Carolyn Garcia centers on what she people who have that need strongly other hand, if we surrender to de- calls her “chosen communities,” in their personal make-up will last pression and disengagement, noth- among which are the extended fam- in these groups. ing is going to happen – this will lead ily of the Grateful Dead, The Newsletters can be downloaded from our to a self-fulfilling prophecy of doom. and the , the Or- website at www.rexfoundation.org.

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