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EDUCAUSE helps institutions of higher education, corporations serving the higher education information technology market, associations and organizations by promoting the intelligent use of information technology. Lisa Gasner, communications director, explains their programs to host Nikki Kayser which include professional development activities, applied research, strategic policy advocacy, teaching and learning initiatives, online information services, and awards for leadership and innovation.

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Domestic abuse is a pattern of physical, emotional or sexual abuse used by one intimate partner to obtain and maintain power and control over the other. Domestic abuse crosses all ethnic, religious, and educational and socio-economic lines. Children in homes where domestic abuse occurs are profoundly affected emotionally and psychologically by witnessing the abuse and are at high risk of becoming victims or even perpetrators themselves later in life. Jackie List of St. Vrain Safe Shelter explains the TERA program that helps teens recognize controlling relationships that could lead to abuse.

St. Vrain Safe Shelter provides a 24-hour anonymous crisis line 303-772-4422 (office line 303-772-0432), Emergency and transitional shelter, counseling , information, legal advocacy, and community and peer education.

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Family Hospice has been helping families in  Longmont  with end-of-life care for fifteen years. They are holding their annual butterfly release in August as part of a memorial for friends who have passed this year. Director Talia Spencer explains to host Nikki Kayser that they provide information to those with terminal illness so that they can make informed decisions about their treatment and care.

Family Hospice

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Collecting native seeds to plant next year and eliminating  invasive plants are just some of the ways Wildland Restoration volunteers preserve habitat under the direction of botanist Claire DeLeo. Our open spaces, forests, streams, and high country are experiencing numerous impacts due to their close proximity to a fast growing urban population. Development, increasing recreational use and other human activities, have taken their toll on vulnerable ecosystems and wildlife habitat. Jarret Robert, city program director and Alisha Urbiztondo, seed collection coordinator explain to host, Nikki Kayser that teams of volunteers have fun taking on a variety of projects and the food in the filed is not bad either.

Wildland Restoration Volunteers

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A group of women in Nederland, Colorado involve their mountain community in promoting peace and removing the threat of nuclear annihilation. They organize speakers, antinuclear demonstrations,  journeys to bare witness at the Nevada Test sight , a peace garden, recycling, raising funds for worthy causes, and even committing civil disobedience. Their website keeps a running total of dollars spent on the war in Iraq and covers the latest anti-war news.

Mountain Forum for Peace

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Matt Bruce explains some of the many projects volunteers can help take on. This summer Hall Ranch trails were repaired to prevent erosion amd old fences were taken down. They organize teams groups from businesses or clubs  to work together outside of the office, while giving back to the community. In an effort to improve plant and wildlife habitat, restore natural ecosystems and maintain local trails, the department is enlisting volunteer groups to help with forestry, weed pulling, trail maintenance and native seed collections.

Wild Work Volunteers

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In public schools, we do not always learn how to lobby our elected representatives. Betty Harris, founder, wants to give citizens direct experience in the legislative process through workshops and activism. Here are some tips:

Start first with your own representatives and elected officials.
Be sure your subject matter is at the right level- federal, state or city.
When writing include support or oppose  to specific bill name and number in the subject line.
Mention if you are a constituent in their district.
Thank the elected official for their service irrespective of party.
Be brief- one page or two minutes. Give a short personal story or example, if you can.
Give any pertinent facts you know; don’t over-state your case.
Establish your credibility: brief background, your expertise or why you care.
State the result, help or action you want him or her to take.
Offer to make yourself available as a consultant or advisor on related issues in future.
If you agree with official, ask what else you can do to help with support or opposition.
If you don’t agree with official find out what, if anything, would change their mind.
Be pleasant: avoid hostility, accusations, name-calling or insults.
Customize letters, calls, emails, to each person; avoid appearance of bulk letters or email.
Get to know the aides, interns and staff. Schedule a lunch with your elected official in the off season.
Get to know www.leg.state.co.us
Follow up with thank you when official votes your way or helps you.

This is the only way to offset the influence of the professional lobbyists and special interests. Do not underestimate the power of contacting your elected officials.

Colorado Citizen Lobby

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The Colorado Nonprofit Association, is a statewide nonprofit membership coalition connecting nonprofits of all sizes, missions and geographic locations. They lead the nonprofit sector in influencing public policy and public opinion, they serve members by providing tools for communication, networking and administration.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Strengthening Communities Fund program, awarded the Colorado Nonprofit Association a $250,000 grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to help nonprofits across Colorado create jobs and economic growth in their communities. Renny Fagan, president and CEO, spoke with host Nikki Kayser.

Colorado Nonprofit Association

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Summer collection sites for backpacks and school supplies open in Boulder and St. Vrain Valley. Catherine Bedell explains what supplies are needed to host Nikki Kayser.

Did you know that as many as 5,000 students in Boulder Valley and over 7,000 students in St. Vrain Valley have difficulty affording the $60 -$100 that it takes to start school with basic school supplies? The website lists supplies and drop-of locations.

Crayons to Calculators

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Associate Director, Carol Norton was in town last year for Fossil’s Fool Day. She returns to Denver to dispel some myths about Clean Coal and help guide policy reform. Burning fossil fuels in our power plants, in our homes and in our cars accounts for nearing 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and over 90 percent of smog-forming nitrogen oxides and acid rain and haze-forming sulfur dioxide emission. Mercury, lead, arsenic, dioxin, radioactive material and a whole host of other toxins are also released by our coal-fired power plants. Power plants are also usually one of the biggest consumers of water, second only to agriculture.

Wildearth Guardians