At Headwaters' Demonstrations there is a man who carries a sign that says, "WHAT ON EARTH ARE WE LEAVING OUR CHILDREN?" I can't help but wonder what on earth are we teaching them? Are they being raised to be self-absorbed consumers concerned with talents and things? Are we raising aware citizens who know their rights and responsibilities? Are they being given a sense of community? Do they know the power of one person? Have they felt the self-esteem and pure joy that comes from giving back? Do they know they have choices and their choices have consequences? Who are we teaching them to serve and what are they learning from our example?
For the past thirteen years the MEC has provided support, information and networking for a myriad of environmental and social justice issues. It has provided a conduit that connects information, ideas and people from all over. We are now making alliances with similar organizations around the country.
Although our mission remains the same, we have restructured our leadership; we operate and govern ourselves with a Coordinators Council, without hierarchy. The Board and Council carry out decisions and responsibilities. In the past three months we have gained over a hundred new members, rearranged the office space, organized our files and archives, and established a book and video lending library.
Like public radio, we are a community resource sustained by memberships and contributions. For your membership dollars you receive the quarterly newsletter, action alerts and a lot of bang for your buck. Please join, renew your memberships, ask your friends and family to support us and consider a donation of time or money. Together we can move forward to insure that our children will grow free and strong.
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 2000
Permission granted to excerpt or use this article if source is cited