This election is unusual in the large number of positions for which no incumbent is running. This goes for school boards, city councils, board of supervisors, state assembly, all the way up to one of our congressional representatives (we will miss you, Congresswoman Jackie Speier!). Additionally, many jurisdictions have gone to by-district voting, creating new opportunities.
The last day to vote is November 8. Please remember to sign your envelope on your mail-in ballot if that is how you choose to vote! If you need to re-register or register for the first time, it is not too late - go to a vote center in person. The governor signed some significant housing bills this session (see below) that will increase the ability to build more housing. Locally, the housing elements plans for each city and the County are due soon, and you still have a chance to influence them. Sign on to our housing letter asking local city councils to seek robust community input!
We invite you to participate in the second Annual Racial Justice Summit hosted by Thrive and the Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits. Join us on Monday, October 31, 10:00 - 12:00 pm for Regional Pathways to Racial Healing, an in-person conversation between our County’s Chief Equity Officer, Shireen Malekafzali, and her counterpart in Santa Clara to get updates on what they see as our biggest issues and the progress our local governments have made. On Tuesday, Art as Healing, will feature art exhibitions, youth poets, and a hands-on Día de Los Muertos activity presented by Casa Circulo Cultural at the CZI Community Space.
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For more Thrive and Community events, visit Thrive's Event Page.
Thrive & SVCN Host Second Annual Nonprofit Racial Justice Summit
Mon, October 31 - Thurs, November 3, Hybrid
We believe healing justice is an action and that, as nonprofits, we should actively work to transform the conditions that have caused harm.
The Summit is designed for the region's nonprofit organizations' leadership, staff, and board members to engage in dialogue about how to meet the promises made in the nonprofit racial equity pledge, as well as to gain tools and learn strategies to advance racial justice and equity within their institutions and in our community.
The second annual Nonprofit Racial Justice Summit will create an environment for nonprofit leaders across Silicon Valley to:
Renew our collective commitment to fight against systemic racism
Reflect on and learn how we can do better as organizations
Be inspired and move forward to co-create, centered by community, a racially just community
Gain tools for healing and dismantling institutions and practices that have caused harm
Hear and share compelling examples of how institutions have used healing justice to advance racial equity
Put your name or your organization's name on Thrive's Housing Element Sign-on Letter to send to Elected Representatives and Planning Commissioners throughout San Mateo County urging them to support the community’s efforts to create a legally compliant housing element that plans for the housing needs of all residents. Read more how housing elements work here. Would you like to continue the conversation around housing elements? Reach out to Jeremy Levine of the Housing Leadership Council.
Deadline for signing on: Friday, November 4
County and State Updates
Board of Supervisors Adopt $4.2 Billion Budget
On Tuesday, September 27, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted an updated $4.2 billion budget focused on long-term goals, including ending homelessness, supporting the County’s COVID-19 recovery, and advancing social justice and equity.
The County put $2 million in funding over the next two years into a new Gun Violence Prevention Program to keep guns out of the hands of individuals who are prevented by law from possessing firearms by better implementation of existing laws.
San Mateo County Immigrant Inclusion Survey Data
The Office of Community Affairs' Immigrant Services embarked on a countywide, multi-sector Immigrant Integration and Inclusion strategic planning process this year. A survey over 2,700 immigrants gave us interesting data about their perception of access to services, safety, civic participation, and more. Click here for a summary of the survey results. In addition, the county's Chief Equity Officer, Shireen Malekafzali, gave a year-in-review presentation on inclusion, belonging, and equity.
Partner Highlight: CalNonprofits
CalNonprofits is working with the California Coalition on Government Contracting to improve nonprofit contracts with the government. Join the effort, read the full letter, and spread the word using their social media toolkit.
Are you interested in learning how the bills important to nonprofits did statewide? Read the full article to learn more about CalNonprofit's budget and legislative highlights.
Important State Updates
This is a significant year for housing and transportation legislation, including the ability to build housing in areas that have been zoned for commercial use and decreasing parking requirements for housing near transportation. Here's a great article explaining the impact of these measures.
The redistricting process is not only not working, but it is "undermining California's historic commitment to nonpartisan local government." Read the full article here.
Environment & Sustainability Thrive Action Group (TAG)
Post-Climate Summit: From Collective Commitment to Action
Tuesday, November 15, 2:00 - 3:30 pm, In Person
There was a fantastic turnout at the first annual Climate Summit for San Mateo County, which brought forth commitments to equitable climate adaptation from community organizations, government, funders, and community members. This is the right moment to turn stated commitments into action.
We will use the foundation of the collective commitments made at the Summit and develop actionable strategies for realizing them. Our strategy building will focus on these topics:
Education
Relationships and Power Dynamics
Funding and Resources
Policy
Government Structure and Practices
Join us in translating collective commitments into action!
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