The Mendocino Environmental Center (MEC) and KMEC-LP 105.1 FM Radio are currently seeking new members. Any MEC member can vote and run to be a board member in the next election April 1, 2007 (deadline mid-February to be nominated), when all seven seats come open. Memberships have been set at a minimum $35 OR five hours volunteer work for the MEC since April 1, 2005 OR by March 22 this year. Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted, since the MEC is a 501c(4) nonprofit; tax deductible donations can be made through the Cloud Forest Institute, the MEC's 501c(3) fiscal umbrella via Cloud Forest's website www.cloudforest.org.

Election Timeline

February 14: last day for a MEC member to declare oneself a candidate for the Board of Directors, and to submit a candidate's statement of 300 words or less.
February 28: ballots and candidates statements mailed to all members. Those becoming members after February 28 must obtain a ballot in person at the Center, 106 West Standley Street, Ukiah.
March 22: last day to become a MEC member eligible to vote in this election.
April 1: Ballots must be received by the MEC by 7pm, as required by the bylaws. The Board of Directors and the Election Committee do not have the authority to extend this deadline.
April 1: Annual meeting and election (time and place to be determined). Ballots will be counted and a new Board of Directors will take office.

What is the MEC?

The MEC (website: www.mecgrassroots.org) --committed to social justice and environmental issues through nonviolent grassroots action, education, lawsuits, mutual empowerment, and community organizing—has and will provide resources and maintain a strong voice on behalf of environmental and social justice issues. Right now the MEC is also a building in the middle of Ukiah available to the community for environmental and other progressive activities. It is, as it has been in the past, a resource center for the whole community.

What does the MEC do?

The MEC has a 20 year history of working for environmental and social justice. Beginning with the Save Trout Creek Campaign, we have given support, organization, office space, computers, insurance, a photocopier, fax, email, message phone, and a mailing address for many local and regional activists, campaigns, and issues. The Center has worked to maintain a close rapport with local watershed and direct action groups concerned mainly with forest issues, up to the late 90s, and now with economic and other localization, anti-war, alternative energy, land use issues concerning development and sprawl, disaster relief (Hurricane Katrina) and anti-GMO movements.

The MEC sends Action Alerts to the membership when time is of the essence between newsletters. MEC Alerts urge members to take action, whether writing a letter, or attending a hearing or demonstration. Free literature from various groups is available in the office. Many videos in our environmental peace and justice library can be borrowed for free. Others can be watched at the MEC (set up a video night for you and your friends!)

What is KMEC?

KMEC-LP Radio (website: www.kmecradio.org) is part of the MEC and owned and overseen by it. The radio station came about in 2002, when the FCC announced that it was going to be issuing a few lo power FM licenses. A committed group submitted an application, and the MEC was awarded one of the licenses. A low power license means the broadcast wattage is maximum 100 watts. The station is also broadcast on the Internet, available worldwide. KMEC is committed to programming that reflects the mission statement of the MEC and invites members of the MEC and the larger community to fill the gaps in the current schedule. There are presently shows ranging from youth talk to old time radio shows, jam bands, and electronica Democracy Now! And Free Speech Radio.

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