Dear [[First_Name]],

As a new semester begins, change is definitely in the air. Whether it is Obama calling for change, or McCain reminding us to make the right change, people across the political spectrum are seeking new ways to organize our politics and to live our lives. We are clearly living in a unique moment, a moment that provides us with an opportunity to transform the way in which our communities and government prioritize peacebuilding.

Since we began organizing in 2006, SPA has formed into a united movement of over 100 chapters. In June 2007 we made a goal to reach 500 chapters in five years. More than a year into our 5 year initiative, we are well on our way of reaching our goal! How many chapters will we add this year? In October of 2007 we held our first national conference at Brandeis University which over 300 students from across the country attended. This school year we are holding our first joint National Conference with The Peace Alliance in DC. Can we organize over 300 students to attend that event? To make this organization as strong as it can be, we need you to continue to organize your campus or community, to inspire your friends to start up a SPA chapter, to get involved in the national SPA organization, and we need your presence at the D.C. national conference in March!

At an airport cafe I recently met a woman named Marilyn. Marilyn is a retired high school guidance councilor and is about the age of my grandmothers. As I told Marilyn about the work of the Student Peace Alliance, her eyes grew wide with excitement. She put her fork down, and asked if there were many youth out there seeking change. ''Oh yeah, everywhere!'' I responded with a smile, as I in turn put down my spoon. I explained that ''the world we want to live in is not the world we see, and we, like the generations that preceded us, want to change that.'' I told Marilyn that SPA was active in over 30 states across the country and that this summer we had tabled at Jack Johnson summer concert tour. As we left, Marilyn excitedly told me that our airport encounter was her most exciting to date.

In this moment of change, the eyes of the nation continue to fall upon our generation. Will we make change? Will we mobilize? Thank you for doing your part to demonstrate the passion and potential of our generation. Know that you are making a difference.

I hope you had a fulfilling summer and that you are ready to focus this semester. Because if there ever was a time we need your support, that time is now. Thank you for your efforts to build the foundation of this movement. To continue to build our movement, we must strengthen our organization, act strategically, communicate, and gather the resources necessary to make our work possible. Join us as we take our movement to the next level!

Aaron Voldman
Executive Director
Student Peace Alliance
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Peace Walks

We are very proud to say that we are partnering with the Peace Alliance in having our third annual Walks for Peace! What began in Michigan as an innovative idea from Dennis Mazurek has spread across the country to become fun events that raise money and awareness for the Department of Peace Campaign.

Enter your zip code here to see if there is a walk near you. Or join an existing walk in your area that another organization has created. Just set-up your personal fundraising page with us and circulate to your friends and family to raise money. Everyone wins! You support the turnout for an existing walk, and you support your commitment to this campaign.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for all you do to support this historic movement. Everything we do brings us closer to the world we dream of.

The Republican National Convention

It was no accident that “Peace" was Convention theme for the day when Peace Alliance Managing Director of Communications Patty Kuderer and Managing Director Wendy Greene joined Minnesota Co-state Coordinator Mary Jane LaVigne and Mel Duncan, Executive Director of Nonviolent PeaceForce, at the Open Forum stage outside the Republican National Convention.

Nearly a dozen incredible Minneapolis/St Paul area grassroots supporters came out, despite the very late night before, the cloudy and chill morning and the tense aura in town. It was a really wonderful show of support and the level of commitment in this campaign.

Several volunteers walked the Convention streets, handing out brochures to Delegates. At the Peace Island picnic, some Republican Delegates came by the Department of Peace table, said it sounded interesting, and took materials.

Our presence at the RNC allowed us to continue building important bridges and gained a powerful reminder of the deep need for this work.

The Democratic National Convention

The Democratic National Convention (DNC) has been the culmination of 24 months of hard work as Democrats across the country have organized to elect their delegates and Presidential Nominee. Thousands of people from around the world attended the event in anticipation of a strong Democratic presence in the next election year. The DNC was also an opportunity for social justice causes of every kind to make their case and demonstrate how their initiatives could move through the Democratic platform. The Colorado Student Peace Alliance decided to step up to the task and host a “Peace Journalism” event at the DNC.

“When I found out that the Peace Alliance was going to host an event either at the DNC or somewhere outside it I knew I had to get involved,” says Miranda Fisher, Regional Organizer from the Colorado Student Peace Alliance. “I am a Journalism major here at Colorado State University, and I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to use my background to support our movement for a U.S. Department of Peace.” Miranda is an excellent example of a young leader who has successfully matched enthusiasm for a culture of peace with educational passions and interests.

The Peace Journalism event was held at the Gelazzi Coffee Shop on August 26th from 1-4:00 p.m. A Peace Journalism blog was created to give both new and long-time members of the Student Peace Alliance the ability to dialogue with each other worldwide, and utilize this new smash-hit communication tool to take the SPA to the next level. The event also screened YouTube videos to showcase the need for a U.S. DOP and culture of peace worldwide.

For more information on the SPA presence at the DNC, and/or SPA Peace Journalism, contact Miranda Fisher at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

First Republican to Sign for U.S. Department of Peace
By Bria Anderson

The Student Peace Alliance honors and appreciates our first Republican co-sponsor, Representative Wayne Gilchrest of Maryland’s First Congressional District! Through Rep. Gilchrest’s commitment to peace beyond conventional party associations, he has helped us truly pioneer this bipartisan mission. Rep. Gilchrest and the Maryland Department of Peace campaign volunteers have taken this movement to the next step as our principles are proven in our politics, paving the way for the unity we will continue to build across the aisle. Call Rep. Gilchrest's office at (202) 225-5311 to thank him for his support, and join us by lobbying your Republican Representatives about the Department of Peace!

Peacebuilding Today: the Nonviolent Peaceforce
By Miranda Fisher

The Student Peace Alliance 1730 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Suite 712 | Washington, DC 20036 | Tel 202-296-1187 www.studentpeacealliance.org You received this email because you or someone else subscribed you to the Peace Alliance Mailing List.   This list is a subset of The Peace Alliance main mailing list. Unsubscribe: To be removed from Student Peace Alliance e-mails, click here. Update: You can change your contact information, including email address, via your profile page. Subscribe: If this email was forwarded to you and you would like to get your own copy, you can subscribe here. For General Inquiries, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it