The Rappahannock County Democratic Committee would like to invite you to join them next Tuesday evening to meet long-time activist and community organizer Joe Szakos at Tula’s Off Main in Washington, Virginia.
The founding executive director of the Virginia Organizing Project (now Virginia Organizing), Szakos emphasized in 2005 the need for a collective recruitment plan for community organizers.
Virginia Organizing is a statewide grassroots organization dedicated to challenging injustice by empowering people in local communities to address issues that affect the quality of their lives. Virginia Organizing especially encourages the participation of those who have traditionally had little or no voice in our society. By building relationships with individuals and groups throughout the state, Virginia Organizing strives to get them to work together, democratically and non-violently, for change.
Szakos has completed two books on community organizing, We Make Change (2007, based on more than 75 interviews with community organizers across the country about what they do and why they do it), and Lessons from the Field (2008, a compilation of essays written by experienced rural community organizers, sharing lessons they have learned).
Szakos was arrested in 2009 by his own health insurance company, Anthem Blue Cross, after he tried to ask why his organization’s premiums had risen 14%.
Hint: you don’t want to miss this one!
Tuesday, May 7th 5:00-6:30 pm
Tula’s Off Main
311 Gay Street, Suite A
Washington, VA 22747
For more information, please call Jed Duvall at 540-937-3780.