<p>Hey fellow activists and organizers,<br>
</p>
<p>We're really excited after our annual SoJust
Visioning - STARZ Retreat last Saturday. Expect amazing events and
projects in 2012 and beyond!</p>
<p><b>UPCOMING EVENTS - RSVP @ <a href="http://www.sojust.org/">www.sojust.org</a></b><br>Skillshare: Art of the Schmooze - Thurs, Jan 12 @ 6PM <i>(full details below)</i><br>Connecting for Justice - Thurs, Jan 19 @ 6PM (our biggest networking event!)<br>
Skillshare: Value-Based Time Management - Mon, Feb 6 @ 6PM<br>Dating While Progressive - Tues, Feb 14 @ 6PM (Valentine's Day Singles Party)<br></p>
<p><b>Socializing for Justice (SoJust) </b><b>is all about building a cross-cultural, cross-issue progressive community,
network and movement in Boston. </b>We're doing it by putting the SOCIAL
back in SOCIAL JUSTICE. We focus on creating welcoming spaces that
foster relationship-building across issue silos.</p>
<p><strong>SoJust isn't a non-profit 501(c)(3) and receives no outside funding.</strong>
We're a grassroots, volunteer-run, member-supported, cross-cultural, cross-issue
progressive community that's been growing steadily since August 2006. We
have almost 2000 members, hosted 110+ events and manage an
online hub of progressive events and resources at <a href="http://www.sojust.org/">www.sojust.org</a>. We also organize several projects: <a href="http://www.sojust.org/calendar">Progressive Events Calendar</a>, <a href="http://www.sojust.org/boards">Progressive Message Board</a>, <a href="http://www.campus2community.net/">Campus2Community.net</a>, <a href="http://www.progressivevoterindex.com/">ProgressiveVoterIndex.com</a>, <a href="http://www.bit.ly/BostonCalendars">Event Promo Resources</a> and <a href="http://www.bit.ly/BostonVenues">Venue Referral Resources</a>.<br>
</p>
<p><b>If
you've benefited from this cross-issue progressive network</b> please
contribute the suggested annual membership fee of $25. You may do this <a href="http://www.sojust.org/dues/" target="_blank">online</a> or at any of our events. Thank you for helping us continue to provide a space for like-minded progressives of all stripes.</p>
<p>Thank you!<br>Robbie</p>
<p>Robbie Samuels<br>SoJust Co-Founder<br><a href="http://www.twitter.com/robbiesamuels">@RobbieSamuels</a> <a href="http://www.sojust.org/">@SoJust</a><br></p>
<br>
<p><b style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">ART OF THE SCHMOOZE</b><br>Thursday, January 12, 6:00-8:30PM at The NonProfit Center<br></p>
<p>Get
ready for Connecting for Justice on January 19th - SoJust's biggest
networking event of the year! Sharpen your skills so you won't get stuck
in conversations or not know how to approach people. <strong>Join Socializing for Justice for a <em>fast-paced,</em> <em>fun & interactive</em> Skillshare on the Art of the Schmooze.<br></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">RSVP</span> at <a href="http://www.sojust.org/">www.sojust.org</a> <i style="font-weight:normal">(limited seats available)</i><br>Fee: </strong>$10-$20 cash at the door (sliding scale)</p>
<p>SoJust hosts events that draw progressives of all stripes that share
common values but may work on different issues. We host monthly socials
that allow for the possibility of cross-issue connections and run a
monthly Skillshare Series, hosted by The NonProfit Center*, which
increases our individual capacity for movement building.</p>
<p>SCHEDULE <br>
6:00-6:30 Socializing - <strong>bring your own dinner</strong> <br>
6:30-8:30 Training and Q&A</p>
<p><em>SoJust's Co-Founder, Robbie Samuels, who is well known for his schmoozing skills, is this month's facilitator.</em></p>
<p><strong>Art of the Schmooze</strong> <br>
Forming and cultivating relationships is at the heart of any successful
fundraising campaign, volunteer drive, committee effort or community
building activity. This training will give you the confidence to pursue
your personal goals - from the importance of shaking hands and making
eye contact, to tips on the best opening line and how to exit a
conversation gracefully. An amazing side benefit is that you'll learn
how to create a welcoming community space by keeping an eye out for
outliers, considering yourself a host instead of a guest and knowing how
to compliment someone without "othering" them.</p>
<p>ABOUT OUR PRESENTER <br>
<strong>Robbie Samuels</strong> has extensive community organizing,
events logistics and fundraising experience. In 2006 he co-founded
Socializing for Justice to build a cross-issue progressive community,
network and movement in Boston based on the philosophy of abundance. He
is the Senior Manager of Events and Donor Engagement at Gay &
Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), an adjunct professor at Lesley
College teaching “Activism and Change in Communities”, and a 2011
Fellow at the New Leaders Council Institute. On the side he offers
trainings and consultation to non-profit boards, venture capitalists and
grassroots organizers. In 2011, Boston City Council named September 16
"Robbie Samuels Day". Learn more about his networking and fundraising
trainings at <a href="http://www.robbiesamuels.com/">www.robbiesamuels.com</a>.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>* <a href="http://www.nonprofitcenterboston.org/site/c.ddKGIQNuEmG/b.1363373/k.5381/About_Us__Directions.htm" target="_blank">DIRECTIONS</a> - The NonProfit Center</strong> is located one block from South Station at 89 South Street. The Center is physically accessible through the main lobby. <br>
_________________________________________________________ <br>
<strong>Socializing for Justice - <a href="http://www.sojust.org">www.sojust.org</a></strong> <br>
Since 2006, we've been building this great sandbox where we can bring
progressives of all stripes together and try out new ideas in this
"Movement Moment". Spaces like this are crucial as we start to reframe
and build new visions for our movement(s).</p>
<p>With almost 2000 members and 5 years of creating a diverse cross-issue
community in Boston (110 events!), Socializing for Justice is the best
place to find the great people, organizations and community you're
looking for while putting the SOCIAL back in social justice.</p>
<p><strong>YES, WE MEAN YOU.</strong> We've got members of all ages,
races, genders, sexual orientations, levels of activism and professions.
We hope you see someone like yourself and meet someone you otherwise
wouldn't have.</p>
<p><strong>Want to know more about SoJust?</strong> Check out our <a href="http://sojust.meetup.com/1/messages/boards/view/viewthread?thread=3187615">Frequently Asked Questions</a> and <a href="http://sojust.meetup.com/1/photos/">past event photos</a>!</p>
<p><br></p>