Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Thursday at 3:30

I hope everyone is having a great week, and keeping stress in check as finals/papers/deadlines loom!

We are going to have a quick meeting tomorrow at 3:30 in the Rec Center's downstairs conference room to go over our resource components that has now been assembled into one document. There are still some holes to fill, so even if you haven't made it to a meeting yet, come on, because we'd love to get your input! There will be snacks. :)

Also, we are going to have a student-group table during new student orientations this summer, so if you will be in town, please contact me so we can work out a staffing schedule.

Hope to see you tomorrow!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Grassroot efforts making a difference for Life

Check this out!

Some highlights:
— The Susan B. Anthony List says its supporters sent more anti-abortion-related letters, e-mails and faxes to Obama and lawmakers in the first quarter alone than during each of the last two years.

— The American Life League reported a 30 percent uptick in donations over last year.

— Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey Jr., an anti-abortion Democrat who campaigned vigorously for Obama, has received more mail on abortion than on any other issue in 2009, spokesman Larry Smar said.

Activists have sent more than 100,000 postcards urging Casey to oppose the Freedom of Choice Act, which would guarantee the right to abortion in federal law. Obama told the Planned Parenthood Action Fund in July 2007 that “the first thing I’d do as president” is sign the act. “It’s been our biggest organized mailing,” Smar said.

— More than 261,000 people have signed an online petition calling on Notre Dame to withdraw its invitation for Obama to speak at the Catholic university’s May 17 commencement. The petition says Obama has carried out “some of the most anti-life actions of any American president," including expanding taxpayer-funded research on embryonic stem cells.

— And Americans United for Life plans to expand its plans to expand its staff in Washington and, after the post-election crash, recently upgraded its computer system to handle the bump in online activism.

Just shows that while we may have a small voice in DC, that just makes our fight for Life across the country that much more important. Personally, I'm encouraged in numbers/statistics showing that we can make a difference!

Friday, April 10, 2009

Progress Report

Hey everyone! SORRY for the delay - I’m not sure where this week went! We had a really productive meeting last Friday. Thanks to all who came, and it was great to meet a new face. We compiled our different resource book sections, and sent them in to Jeanne to see what holes Sav-A-Life can plug for us. Major progress!

We discussed usability of the blog and FB group, and I need to remind everyone to make sure their personal FB settings allow you to receive group updates. And if you're not part of our group yet, join up!

We're looking into ways to become visible on-campus. Some ideas that were suggested:

freshman orientation student-group fairs that will run throughout the summer
(how do we get a table?)

running an article about the resource book in the Kaleidoscope
(how do we get published?)

Great ideas! What else?

We're contacting the Asst. Director of Student Programs to get his feedback on some questions. Hopefully those who attended can recall how we divided up who is asking Creston what...because I can’t. Although it’s not the worst thing to have more than one person ask – he’ll probably be relieved to see that I'm not making the group up!

Here’s what we want to know:

How can we get UAB web space?

What venue/events do student groups use for promotion of their group and events?

Are we allowed to post or display materials at designated spots throughout campus?

Can we put baskets of free pregnancy tests in bathrooms?

The first two are somewhat related and then the second two are also, so stake your claim on your questions! Creston Lynch will be our main point of contact and can be reached at 205-934-8020 or clynch@uab.edu. Let us know what you'll be following up on by leaving a comment.

Our next meeting is set for Friday, April 17 at 12 p.m. in the downstairs conference room of the Rec Center. We sure hope you can make it - and bring a friend!

I pray that you have a wonderful Easter weekend as we celebrate the One paid the ultimate price for life, with His own. So thankful for our risen Savior!

For Life,
Stacey