Working Groups and other Events + Jan. 17th Lunch Info

 Stand Outs and Other Activities  --With winter here people are continuing to Stand Out every Saturday from 11-12noon.  Dress warm!  We had about 60 people last week, and people wanted to continue.  New signs highlighting ICE (Stop, DE-ICE, etc.) and Venezuela (e.g. No War for Oil, etc.) may be something to think about in light of this week's news.

Below is information about our working groups and then some links to other things happening in MA.  Check out the information below. 

Working Groups -- Get involved in one this winter:

Peacekeepers Focus Group -- "The first INQ sponsored Peacekeeper focus group "Peacekeeping in Action: An Interactive Conversation"  was held at the First Universalist Church of Orange on 12/13/25. The agenda/ topics for conversation were well received by all attendees. They evoked lively and interesting discussions.  It was clear that all attendees and the group facilitators were fully engaged in listening, learning and teaching as they shared experiences, wisdom and knowledge gleaned from others in the field of Peacekeeping, peaceful protest and resistance. .   

We will meet again in the New Year to continue our somewhat organic listening, learning/teaching process. Feel free to join us for Part II " Peacekeeping, in Action an Opportunity" . The meeting is open to all, there is no requirement that you attended meeting one in order to attend our second meeting. 

Date:  Saturday January 10, 2026

Time: 11:45 AM -1:30 PM (warm beverages and nutritious snacks will be available)

Place: First Universalist Church of Orange

RSVP  Dee Burroughs-Biron -dbb2743@gmail.com

            Tom Ziniti- zinitit@gmail.com        Michael  Ruocco    - mruocco.graphics@gmail.com

Voting Team -- Team Leader Ruth will be scheduling meetings in January

Mutual Aid and COSS -- Keri is working with Jessie to help put together a flyer about Orange Food Pantry with hours and needs as they settle into the new site.

   The Steering/Planning Group will also meet on Sat., Jan. 10th at 9:30.

Actions and Activities with other groups --

Personal Note:  In light of all that is happening it is difficult to know what to do so I have included some links related to Indivisible.org  and other group calendars -- ICE, Venezuela, etc.

·       I’ve signed up to attend a meeting with Indivisible on Thursday, Jan 8, 2026 at 8p.m. Are you free to join me? Use this link to sign up: https://mobilize.us/s/hKwovk

·       Western MA Calendar -- https://in-slwm.org/wp-content/uploads/Calendar/cal.html?version=1#week

·       See attached RRN notice from Franklin County Rapid Response Network – Event List

·        Wednesday, Jan 28, 11 am - 1 pm: WMILAN is organizing a group to join the weekly vigil at the ICE Detention Center in Burlington, MA that is run by Bearing Witness at Burlington MA ICE Office. Leaving WMASS at 8:30 AM. Please register here if you plan on attending, regardless of whether you will be getting there on your own or using our carpool site.  We want to stay in touch with you with essential updates! You are welcome to arrange your own transportation if you prefer. If you'd like to carpool, please use this user friendly sign up site.  Sign up as soon as possible if you are willing to be a driver, and sign up starting Jan. 10 if you need a ride.