Speakers, NW Regional Conference, Dept. of Peace Campaign

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Marianne Williamson
Marianne Williamson is the founder of The Peace Alliance, the citizen lobbying organization for the Department of Peace legislation. She also founded Project Angel Food, a meals-on-wheels program that serves homebound people with AIDS in the Los Angeles area. Marianne has been a popular guest on numerous television programs and her newest professional venture is her own radio show, airing on the new XM Radio block called 'Oprah and Friends'.
She has published nine books, four of which - including the mega bestseller A Return to Love and Everyday Grace - have been #1 New York Times bestsellers. Her titles also include Illuminata, A Woman's Worth, and Healing the Soul of America. She also edited Imagine: What American Could Be in the 21st Century, a compilation of essays by some of America's most visionary thinkers. Marianne's newest book, The Age of Miracles: Embracing the New Midlife, was published by Hay House in January 2008.
In December 2006, a NEWSWEEK magazine poll named Marianne Williamson one of the fifty most influential baby boomers.

Lynn McMullen
Lynn McMullen, National Campaign Consultant, The Peace Alliance, has been a political activist and fundraiser working on national hunger and poverty legislation for over 20 years. Working as the National Grassroots Manager, Development Director and Executive Director for RESULTS, a citizens' advocacy network in the U.S., she organized and managed numerous successful lobbying and media campaigns on issues such as Head Start funding, Food Stamp Program, WIC funding levels, Child Survival foreign assistance, and international microcredit funding and policy.
Lynn's fundraising experience includes building the RESULTS annual organizational budget from $250,000 to over $2 million. She is a passionate champion of participatory democracy and citizen involvement in setting government policies and priorities. In addition to her position with The Peace Alliance, Lynn co-founded a new nonprofit and launched an initiative in South Africa to bring microfinance to AIDS orphans and vulnerable youth in rural areas of KwaZulu Natal. She has also served on the Grameen Foundation Board of Directors, and does consulting with the Center for Nonviolent Communication and Marshall Rosenberg. Lynn is an author, grandmother, and Quaker, living happily in the rain forest of western Washington.

Riane Eisler
Riane Eisler is an eminent social scientist, attorney, author, and social activist. She is best known for her international bestseller The Chalice and The Blade: Our History, Our Future, now in 23 languages. She is president of the Center for Partnership Studies, www.partnershipway.org, that develops research and education on the partnership model. She is also co-founder of the Spiritual Alliance to Stop Intimate Violence (SAIV), www.saiv.net.
Her newest book, The Real Wealth of Nations: Creating a Caring Economics, was hailed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu as "a template for the better world we have been so urgently seeking" proposes a new approach to economics that gives visibility and value to the most essential human work: the work of caring for people and nature. As Riane says, "caring pays - in dollars and cents."

Patty Kuderer

Patty Kuderer has been National Director of Communications for The Peace Alliance since 2005. She leads national media campaign, media planning and implementation, and grassroots media training and support. She is a past Co-Chair of the Washington State Department of Peace Campaign, Washington State Media Coordinator, National Liaison to Oregon for the Kucinich for President Campaign and a delegate to the Washington State Democratic Convention.
An attorney, Patty practiced law in Minnesota for 15 years, representing cities and nonprofit corporations in complex, multi-party litigation cases before moving to Washington in 1999. A wife and mother of two teenagers, Patty volunteered her time at church and schools, focusing on educational and social issues that ultimately led her to political activism. In 2006, she received the Washington State PTSA "Golden Acorn" award for outstanding volunteerism.
The Gift of Peace Play

Statement by the author, Stacey Martino: "The idea for this series of monologues grew out of a belief in The Department of Peace and Nonviolence bill that is coming before the US Congress. Once I read the specifics of the bill I felt compelled to be a part of encouraging other people to read and support The Department of Peace. Having always been inspired by Whitman's, Leaves Of Grass I began to think of each character as a "leaf of grass" in the American fiber. Regardless of one's politics, religion or race we have all had that moment when a deeper calling for a more peaceful world arose within us, even if only for a moment. The Gift of Peace was written to remind us to see a part of ourselves in every human being so that perhaps that moment may be extended and sustained."
Art For the Sky

Art For the Sky is a unique, large group, team building activity for schools, special events, festivals and corporations that awakens our ability to see that elusive Big Picture. These magnificent group creations, which only make sense when viewed from high above, are a whole-body way of stimulating our imagination and helping us understand our interconnection with one another and all life. With our "skysight" turned on, we can access our highest creative potential and better solve the problems we face as individuals and as a society. www.artforthesky.com
Mike Pryor

Mike Pryor is one of the Pacific Northwest's finest recording and performing songwriters. Mike is well known throughout the region, with lyrics that range from Intelligent Poetry to Gentle Satirical Comedy, with musical styles from Willie Nelson to Nightclub Crooner.
" I specialize in intelligent songs for intelligent audiences. I like quieter venues, where I can interact with audience members. I love making people laugh, cry and think. I believe in a future that works for everyone. I try to keep my lyrics positive, and entertaining. I believe that negative messages, whether from the right or from the left, while clearly having the power to gather people into tribes, lack the cohesive power to build a larger survivable future. A song can be a temporary refugee camp, where we honor the best values from the past, on this migration to our common future. "
Sky in the Road

Sky in the Road is the performing name of singer/songwriter threesome Daniel Rhiger, Dean Warner, and Rahmana Wiest, playing harmonium, guitar, mandolin with the addition of an occasional lap steel, banjo, or fiddle. Three-part harmonies are laced into their tunes, with the three of them trading lead. They describe themselves as carrying the torch of American folk paying homage to people and place in their songs, spicing them up with eastern european and celtic music, bluegrass, and jazz.
Satori

Satori is a multi-level choir of men's voices singing peace. We strive to create an environment where men can grow as singers and musicians, and enjoy fellowship and harmony with other men. Most have some music reading ability, many have joined without. We sing a variety of music, from classical to jazz to folk to gospel. Our musical selections range from standards to original compositions written specifically for us.

Links to schedule, tickets, and registration

Complete schedule (PDF format)
For online purchase of Marianne Williamson fundraiser, tickets for single events, and/or Full Registration, you may use your credit card
For Down Payments, Payment by check, and Partial Registration use Mail-in Registration(PDF format)

Links to flyer, sponsor and campaign information (PDF format)

Printable conference flyer
To purchase a listing or ad space in the conference program print the rate sheet
One-page summary of the Dept. of Peace legislation.
Two pages of Frequently Asked Questions about the Dept. of Peace.
History of the legislation and the campaign.
Real World examples of Dept. of Peace programs.
Peace is Inevitable, brief reasons for a Dept. of Peace.

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send the conference organizer, David Hazen, an e-mail.