CrushOnHolyoke

Subject: Farewell CRUSH
Dear CRUSH community,
About six years ago a small group of thoughtful Holyokers, who desired to be informed about current events in the city and to make positive change, dreamed up and created the CRUSH networking site.
The Ning site opened a window on people, activities, passions, interests, politics, events, and challenges that may not have been accessible to Holyokers and potential Holyokers alike previously.
The organization gained momentum through the networking site and also through signature events like Party With A Purpose and The Great Holyoke Block Party.
CRUSH became a hub of sorts; a place where people with ideas for making positive change could go to build a spoke and get connected to a part of the wheel that turns the city.
Over time CRUSH has become a way of life in the fine city. Although connection-making and networking at a lively, active, progressive core were already happening, CRUSH activity broadened the scope of connection and information sharing. Every day people with ideas get connected through a strong and vibrant network of Holyokers dedicated to making positive change in our city. In this way CRUSH has become a verb (something we do) rather than a noun (the organization).
Of course, there is plenty of room for growth as we continue to CRUSH, for example, efficiency in organizing, fostering a climate of social justice in our individual interactions and project designs, and exercising compassion and clear communication, are just a few ideas and some of them are already developing.
Challenges are simply invitations to keep working at it! So, in formal closure of CRUSH, the organization, I invite you to keep CRUSHing in the ways that you already do with a passion for creating positive change in Holyoke by making connections between people, resources, and ideas. Onward!
Sincerely,
Lauren Helm

Are you passionate about making positive change in this city and as a result you are active at community meetings multiple evenings every week? Do you wish you could spend more time at home in the evenings without giving up your commitment to your values?

Food for thought:
What would it be like if there was one "Community Meeting Night" each week?
An example of what this might look like: Community orgs only plan meetings on Monday nights between 5:30-8:30pm, to take place in the community room of the library. Each org has their own table to meet at and an agenda posted at the door (and ahead of time online somewhere). Meeting-goers can go to their main meeting, but show up at other meetings when necessary or only for the agenda item that is relevant to them. Option to attend a brief check-in at the end of the evening to make connections and operate efficiently as fellow organizers in this lively city without having to attend meetings multiple nights a week!

There are so many worthy projects going on in Holyoke, and this is true for tomorrow night, which is the Crush monthly meeting. So instead of having the Crush meeting in one location (the library) and then trying to sqeeze in the other stuff, lets bring a Crush presence to the other stuff!

In lieu of the 2-hr, Crush Monthly Meeting September 8:
6-7pm, Senior Center: Passport Holyoke meeting to Viva Great Holyoke Block Party (official meeting start time is 5pm)
7-8, White Rose Book Store: Holyoke Food Co-op meeting (official meeting start time is 6pm)

Reminder: Tonight is the Crush Monthly Meeting, 7-9pm
Location: White Rose Bookstore
Agenda:
1. Great Holyoke Block Party, Viva Holyoke, and Next Stop Holyoke collaboration
2. Politics 101 collaboration with Neighbor to Neighbor and HAP
3. High Street After Five

Reminder: tonight is our monthly meeting. 7-9pm at the Holyoke Public Library, community room. Everyone's invited!
Agenda:
1. High Street After 5 event
2. Next Crush Panel update
3. Politics 101 update
4. Block party update
(This meeting is always the second Monday of each month, same time, same place).