[CRNMC] Celebration Party Campfire Comments

[Charles Cresson Wood]

Celebration Party Campfire Comments
===================================

I’m sending a big shout out all those people who helped make "Measure S" a reality in Mendocino County! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! [Words can’t really convey my heart-felt appreciation.]

I know there were many people who contributed, who couldn’t make the celebration party in the town of Mendocino. The event was on the beach during a beautiful clear evening with a bright big white moon, on Friday, November 7th. It was a very special and inspiring evening. Many amazing things got said there. I thought the ones who were not able to make it might like to read a sample of what folks were saying at the celebration. Those who were there might like to read the following comments as a way to reconnect with that energy.

I captured the following comments for Shannon Biggs, who will be writing a few articles about our historical efforts. My advance apologies are extended to those whose words I didn’t capture accurately -- if I’ve seriously misquoted you, please correct it directly on this list. 

Kelly – “I’m excited because people are taking back their inherent right to be self-governed.”

Acorn – “It gives me more hope for the future that people passed this measure with such a strong mandate.”

Michael – “We’ve set a stunning precedent.”

Peggy – “I’m truly gratified that people grabbed hold of this issue and ran with it.”

Tim – “The adventure continues.”

Beth – “Our learning curve helped us because we were under the radar, but now things have changed…”

Ali – “This is a good example of what people can do when they come together and collectively say ‘this is what we want’.”

Sheila – “I know the people have the power, and this effort demonstrates that.”

Robin – “We’re rocking the world.”

Matt – “We’re changing the world – keep going.”

Tim – “We need to overcome the geographical separation between the people in Mendocino County and use new automated tools to take this effort to the next level.”

Ed – “Yea for us. I would never have imagined we would have done this so soon.”

Doug – “Thanks for making this happen! Let’s keep this going.”

Sheila – “This is the future: people fighting for their rights.”

Tim – “There were no leaders; things got done by groups and that’s a new way to work.”

Carrie – “We’ve sprouted a seed. Lets grow it so that we have it flower.”

Millie – “I’m in awe that we brought about this miraculous change.”

David – “You guys are leaders and an inspiration. You can see the results of your organizing.”

Melissa – “What you guys have done is very inspiring.”

Baile – “I’m inspired and hoping that this could be a real and fundamental change for community rights.”

Barbara – “We have to convince other areas to do the same. We also need to speak to Governor Brown because he speaks with a forked tongue.”

Charles – “What we’re doing is spiritually right. We are all connected, and our ordinance recognizes that. We are moving the laws of nature into the laws of man.”

Agnes – “It was my pleasure to work with you all and assert our rights… please continue to spread the word.”

Linda – “My life changed when I went to the Paul Cienfuegos workshop. This is magic. I’m amazed that it only took eight months.”

Jim – “I’ve been continually impressed with this group. It’s a historical event – getting 67% of the vote.”

Peggy – “While we can’t herd cats, we proved that we can convince cats to herd themselves. The people of Mendocino County trusted us even though we had no history, no credibility, and no money – Wow!”

Sue – “I thank God for helping us conduct a reasonably friendly campaign. I love what has happened to this group. We’ve had fights, times when some people didn’t speak to each other, and some people going away, but in the end, Measure S passed, and that was thanks to people power.”

Robin – “We raised $5,000 in only two weeks, and that’s amazing. Let’s make Mendocino County an oasis of justice and peace. Dillon’s Rule is next – it’s archaic.”

Steve – “We stuck with this and it happened.”

Robin – “Now we have political clout.”

Annie – “It was a combination of spirit and guts that got this passed.”

Bob – “It was a privilege to be a small part of this effort.”

Maria Theresa – “I missed the workshop with Paul Cienfuegos, but I studied under and worked with Carrie on the signature campaign. I bow to her, her determination, her grace, and the way she works with people who have so many different and sometimes troublesome personalities.”

Acorn – “Thank you all for caring, and the heart to make this happen.”

Ali – “This movement is like mycelium (mushrooms) – we’re moving through our hearts and connections with each other.”

Jungle – “Working at the grassroots level -- that’s the only way it’s going to happen.”

Kelly – “I wanted to honor and thank everybody who made it happen, especially those who showed up when it got rocky. This was organic and not organized. It happened because the people involved have both heart and connection. We’re at the beginning of something that could be earth shattering, could be a sea change. In the future, we need to make sure that everyone feels welcome and learn to better build community.”

Shannon – “It’s been an honor to hear from you all, and go around the circle. You folks are why I get up in the morning. There is something like this heart connection in every community that I work with, of course, since we are all one. But Mendocino is a special place, a place where I genuinely thought this could happen. You folks are fearless and bold, and you do things your own way. I’m so proud to be part of this effort. Already we are a part of a national conversation. I’m overcome with emotion…”