Joan Blades MoveOn.org MomsRising.org Living Room Conversations June 14, 2012 From the Globe to the Living Room: Changing Conversations in Today's Complex Environment

Congress must immediately censure the President and move on to pressing issues facing the nation. MoveOn.ORG’s first message:

MoveOn’s Growth in First Four Days (in 1998)

MoveOn Pac makes internet history in 2000 $2.3 Million 60,000 Donations (~$35 each)

Washington, DC

Provost, Armenia

Ladakh, India

“The fracturing of the Western alliance over Iraq and the huge antiwar demonstrations around the world this weekend are reminders that there may still be two superpowers on the planet: the United States and world opinion.” Patrick E. Tyler, Feb 17, 2003, NY Times

Strong Vision, Big Ears

Disruptive Technology

3 viral moments Massive citizen engagement The ability to raise big $ from average citizens Thousands of online/offline organizations empowering citizens to work on the issues they care about SignOn.org MoveOn.org

$100$90$73~$60 The Pay Gap (Same Education & Experience) Waldfogel, J Journal of Economic Perspectives, 12(1)

80% of American women become moms Mothers are more than 80% LESS LIKELY to be HIRED than non-mothers with the same resumes US Census Bureau, Fertility of American Women Corell, S. et al American Journal of Sociology 112

M Maternity/Paternity Leave (paid) O Outstanding Flexible Work T Toxics- Free Childhood H Healthcare for All E Early Care and Education R Realistic Fair Wages for Mothers S Sick Days (paid) for All

Stories Across the Nation “As a self-employed professional I’ve always had to secure my own health insurance. In the past, whenever I’ve gotten a plan, there was always…” READ FULL STORY Dawn “I am very concerned about people trying to repeal healthcare reform. My 8 month old son was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis when…” READ FULL STORY Deirdre “When I gave birth to my daughter three years ago, not only was I fired from my position but my health insurance was terminated the day she was born... READ FULL STORY Rachel

Sandwich Mom!

Defining the Conversation A 2007 newly coined buzzword -- 'Maternal Profiling' Defined in the New York Times as:New York Times "Employment discrimination against a woman who has, or will have, children. The term has been popularized by members of MomsRising, an advocacy group promoting the rights of mothers in the workplace."

Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act Affordable Care Act Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act Multiple extensions of unemployment insurance Won paid family leave in NJ and WA Change powered by Moms

The next wave of the Women’s Movement Collaborating with over 100 policy partners to turn up the heat on back burner issues Maternal Profiling/Sexual Harassment MomsRising.org

flexible work virtual work / telework modern career tracks contract work babies at work high commitment work practices Work Practice Options

Disruptive Technology

Tipping Towards Telework Increased Worker Happiness; Better Work/Life Fit Reduces Trade Deficit Reduces Smog and Carbon Dioxide Increased Business Productivity and Profit Reduces Traffic Congestion Good for National Security Tradition – Fear of Change DISTRUST

Business: $242 billion Employees: $2-9 K per* Community: $19 billion** Total: $631 billion Green Savings: 235 million barrels of oil 43 million tons of greenhouse gases *Assuming 50 million additional teleworkers ** Oil not burned Huge annual savings from part-time Telework

Business Government Workers Academics Business Consultants Environmentalists Telework-Many players facing the same direction

So far, 27 states support telecommuting… Sloan Work and Family Research Network, 2010

At the leading edge of a culture shift Telework appears to be a foot in the door Strategic engagement of many potential champions The Custom-Fit Workplace

A Future We All Want…

We live in self-segregated communities. Most people have deep anxiety about speaking to people with different views. We were unable to create a fact sheet that felt non-partisan to participants. The climate change issue now carries a partisan taint. Pilot Project’s Key Findings: The Challenges

Every conversation was a success. Participants found common ground on conserving energy, and creating greater energy independence. People felt they were heard and learned something about others’ views. Pilot Project’s Key Findings: The Successes

“This evening exceeded my expectations. I was skeptical when you asked me to co-host. I expected more strident views from the other side and thought that they would expect the same from my side. This was a great dialogue and I have genuine interest in continuing.” DW, California (conservative)

Be Curious and Open to Learning Conversation Ground Rules

Be Curious and Open to Learning Balance Advocacy and Inquiry Show Respect and Suspend Judgment Seek Alignment Rather Than Agreement Be Authentic, & Welcome It from Others Be Purposeful and to the Point Own and Guide the Conversation Conversation Ground Rules

Living Room Conversations – Could This Spark a Civility Revolution?

Energy Money in politics Immigration Food/obesity/health Parents and the media Voting practices Faith community Tea Party/ Occupy Wall St. Conversations in the Mix

Citizens are sick of the status quo Empower citizens to lead and tap the wisdom of crowds- Wikipedia/YouTube/Open Source Make it simple and trust people Living Room Conversations

Crisis Opportunity “Crisitunity”

Snowmageddon/hurricane/earthquak e Oil shortage Bird flu Deep ocean spill that we are unable to plug Consider the value of having telework policy and capacity ready for the next…

Concern About Climate Change Brulle, RJ Climate Change Feb 2012 DOI /s y

“ Research shows that many of our assumptions about how to reach people different from us are flat wrong. We can't count on facts to change minds - emotions and values trump facts almost every time. ” Chris Mooney (author)

What Citizens United means… BILLION $ Obama’s 2008 Election Campaign Warren Buffet’s 2008 Profits [Richest Man 2008] Exxon Mobil’s 2008 Profits

Fill vacuums of leadership Leverage disruptive technologies Listen & Serve/Strong vision–Big ears Tap into cultural and media hot spots Persistence- Goldie Locks moments Trust Citizens Theory of Change

Rainbow Picture

“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice” ― Martin Luther King Jr.Martin Luther King Jr.