‘Stick your neck out’

Grassroots Central Mass member Colin Brown joined the podcast "Be the Change," to discuss his activism with the group to support progressive candidates, promote government transparency, and work for climate justice. Hear about his inspiration, aspiration, and advice for young people beginning their activism. Listen to the podcast. Thanks for being a voice for change, Colin!

Biden’s accomplishments

Compiled by Eric von Bleicken Legislation and executive orders Biden accomplished or helped accomplish: CHIPS AND SCIENCE ACT – Focused on international companies to build and reinvest in the US with good-paying union job – supply chain to come home $1.2 trillion bipartisan INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE - $ to fund bridges, highways, upgrade airports, ports, electrical and internet, solar and wind $1.2 trillion INFLATION REDUCTION ACT - $369 billion to climate change – goal on target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to pre-2005 levels and achieve net zero before 2050 Rejoined the Paris Climate Accord to help accelerate climate legislation and…

A Tree-mendous Success!

Grassroots Central Mass hosted its third Trees are Treasures Earth Day celebration at Wells State Park in Sturbridge on Saturday, April 22, 2023. We treated families and park-goers to music, stories, climate resources, crafts and activities. Interpretive stops along the nature trails told the story of New England's stone walls and why beavers and muskrats are key to the health of our wetlands. And we gave away 162 trees to plant! Check out the feature in the Quaboag Current, and enjoy some pictures below. Many thanks to our volunteers and our sponsors, Brookfields Fight Fear and Indivisible Mass Coalition!

Why we need to change the Massachusetts flag

Join us Thursday, May 25, 6:30 p.m., at the Merriam-Gilbert Public Library in West Brookfield to learn the history of the Massachusetts flag and seal, and the effort to create a new flag and seal to represent peace, justice, equality, and inclusion for the Commonwealth. A resolution on the June Annual Town Meeting warrants in West Brookfield, Brookfield and Oakham will ask voters if they are in support of changing the flag and seal of Massachusetts. More than 20 percent of the towns and cities in Massachusetts are already formally on record in support of changing the flag and seal.…

GCM Meeting Minutes — 3.18.23

Attendees introduced themselves and welcomed Councilor Jackie Ryan from Southbridge; Ms. Ryan has accomplished a lot as a public servant and is running for re-election to the Southbridge Town Council in a competitive race. As Town Councilor she demonstrated her support for public safety, the need to invest in infrastructure, promoting transparency and providing quality education to all students. She has helped revitalize Southbridge while also decreasing the tax rate and delivering on the promise to develop a rail trail for residents. Councilor Ryan believes in granting everyone basic dignity and respect and enjoys meeting constituents face to face; her…

GCM Meeting Minutes — 2.25.23

Announcements Indivisible Mass Coalition Election: Congratulations to Karen Nothe-Valley for being re-elected to the Board of Indivisible Mass Coalition from CD-1. We love having two Grassroots members on the IMC Board with Patricia O'Connor continuing to represent CD-2. We feel that this gives our rural region more visibility, especially on the state level issues. Southbridge Town Election: Four excellent candidates are running for office in Southbridge: Jacqueline Ryan (a strong advocate for those facing mental health challenges) for re-election to Town Council, Andrew Murch (currently on School Committee) and Maria Torres (fairly new to Southbridge, involved in housing issues, has…

Patricia O’Connor organizes Oakham DTC

Patricia O'Connor serves on the leadership committees of Brookfields Fight Fear and Grassroots Central Mass, and is on the Coordinating Board of Indivisible Mass Coalition, representing Congressional District 2. She is chair of the newly established Oakham Democratic Town Committee.

Welcome new member Colin R Brown

From Hardwick, Mass., Colin, 18, is a senior in high school and a state leader for Teens 4 Change. He is an advocate and activist for climate action, climate justice, education, and common sense gun laws.