OCTOBER VALLEY GRASSROOTS MEETING

>>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN. NEVER AGAIN!

Now that it's over.... for now.... what happened over the last few weeks and what can we local activists do to see that it never happens again? Also, how does this set the stage for the 2014 mid-term elections?

Let's provide some answers!

>>> LIES, DAMNED LIES & STATISTICS

Mark Twain popularized this now famous quote: 

There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.

Former club president Adrienne Burk will lead us in a discussion of how to read charts intelligently and understand how data is often misused to reach false conclusions and.... wait.... here it comes..... lie with conviction. Adrienne will also be presenting an introduction to infographics. What is an infographic, you ask? Come to find out!


>>> MATERNAL HEALTH AWARENESS IN CALIFORNIA 

Every day in the U.S., 2 women die as a result of complications from pregnancy and childbirth.

Since 1999, the number of women that have died in childbirth annually has doubled in California. There has also has been a similar increase in "near misses," where mothers have ended up in ICU postpartum, required transfusions and/or hysterectomies and almost died.

We are asking our state to have a structured regional registry of these deaths and near miss incidents to guide making the necessary improvements to maternal health care. This will not cost a lot of money; it is about saving lives.

Incoming board member Karleen Basch speaks from experience and will lead us in an eye-opening presentation and call to action.


>>> VOTER REGISTRATION TRAINING

If we're going to do it -- and we are, preparing now to ramp up our outreach -- then let's do it correctly when we sign up new voters. Even if you're an old pro at registering, this is an important refresher.

All people attending will be guaranteed a chance to speak or ask a question!!!