My Schedule of Workshops & Talks
Upcoming Events:
During most of the period that Occupy Portland's downtown encampment existed, in the Fall of 2011, I led 2.5-hour mini-workshops there in their Library Workshop tent once or twice each week, usually attended by 8 to 20 folks at a time, to help this fast growing occupation to think strategically about what their larger goals should be. When the Mayor shut down the camp, I started leading the workshops all over the city in people's homes, and continued doing so for many months afterwards.
In January 2012, four of us co-founded Community Rights PDX, and I (and two new trainees) continued to lead these orientation 2-hour workshops across the city in service to the capacity building of our fledgling group. (We'll have a website up very soon, at CommunityRightsPDX.org.)
Confirmed dates for this ongoing workshop series in Portland include:
• Tuesday, June 11th, 3-5pm, in SE Portland in a private home (1612 SE 46th Ave, just south of Hawthorne), led by Paul Cienfuegos. RSVP please: paul@100fires.com or 503-233-1166.
* Sunday, June 23rd, 11am-1pm, in NE Portland in a private home (446 NE Fargo St, just east of MLK Blvd), led by Kenny Jones. RSVP please: kennykaren1@yahoo.com or 503-853-9121.
* Wednesday, July 3rd, 7-9pm, in NE Portland in a private home (446 NE Fargo St, just east of MLK Blvd), led by Kenny Jones. RSVP please: kennykaren1@yahoo.com or 503-853-9121.
• Tuesday, July 16th, 2-4pm, in SE Portland in a private home (1612 SE 46th Ave, just south of Hawthorne), led by Paul Cienfuegos. RSVP please: paul@100fires.com or 503-233-1166.
- more dates to be confirmed soon - for more info, contact me, Paul Cienfuegos, at <paul@100fires.com>
See the rest of my events schedule below.....
I am available to travel to ANY communities to offer my workshops and talks. Please contact me to discuss options!
January 22 through March 8, my first-ever 16-hour Workshop Intensive via TeleConference:
I have postponed the start date for these sessions till Summer. Check back here for more details soon. We will "meet" for 16 hours in two-hour segments - every Tuesday evening from 6 to 8pm Pacific Time. For more information, or to pre-register, click HERE.
{ONGOING DATES} - My Introductory Workshop via TeleConference:
Listen to an mp3 recording of my 3-hour Introductory Workshop, via my website, anytime, and then join me for a lively Q&A 90-minute discussion via phone afterwards. For more information, or to pre-register, click HERE.
June 13, 2013 in Eugene, Oregon:
I will be leading my introductory evening workshop, with a focus on the Food Bill of Rights local ordinance, which both Benton and Lane counties (Oregon) have filed with their county elections offices, to be placed on the ballot May 2014. The workshop is from 6pm to 9pm, at Lane Community College, Main Campus, Bldg 17, Room 308. Requested donation of $10 to $20. (More info HERE or connect@CommunityRightsLaneCounty.org.)
June 14, 2013 in Florence, Oregon:
I will be leading my introductory evening workshop from 530 to 830pm, with a focus on the Food Bill of Rights local ordinance, which both Benton and Lane counties (Oregon) have filed with their county elections offices, to be placed on the ballot May 2014. The workshop is at the Florence Public Library, 530pm to 830pm. (More info: Stuart Henderson <shenderson88@hotmail.com>.)
July 1, 2013 in Willits, Mendocino County, California:
I will be leading my introductory evening workshop in Willits from 6 to 9pm at the Little Lake Willits Grange. (More info: Peter Norris <petersnorris@gmail.com>.)
Fall 2013 in Portland, Oregon:
I will be leading my full-weekend workshop, titled "We The People Are More Powerful Than We Dare to Believe: First Steps in Dismantling Corporate Rule". Dates will be confirmed shortly. If you're wishing to attend, please get in touch soon <paul@100fires.com> and tell me which dates are best for YOU.
August 2-4, 2013, in Forest Grove, Oregon:
September 20-22, 2013 in Portland, Oregon: CELDF's Executive Director, Thomas Linzey, will be in town giving two major public talks. October 2013 in Decorah, Iowa and other nearby locations: Sometime in October, I will likely be leading a repeat weekend-long workshop with song-leader Laurence Cole to the one we co-led in May of this year. Details similar to that workshop are still listed HERE. I look forward to invitations from other nearby communities that I can visit during this trip to Iowa. [POSTPONED till Fall], 2013 in Vancouver, Washington: I will be leading a variation of my full-weekend workshop. This specific workshop is titled"Reclaiming Mental Health Care From the Psychiatric Establishment & Pharmaceutical Industry: A Community Bill of Rights Workshop". This two-day workshop will be co-led with my colleague Cindi Fisher, who has for years been active in the movement to end the abuse and forced drugging of those in our society who are struggling with mental health issues. Workshop details and registration HERE. For more info about the work of Cindi Fisher <cindipacha@gmail.com>, check out her two websites HERE and HERE. Fall 2013, Speaking tour in Idaho & eastern WA?:
April 4-6, 2014 in Portland, Oregon:
I will be co-leading a weekend workshop with famed song-circle leader Laurence Cole, sponsored/hosted by Mother Earth School. (Details to follow.)
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Previous Events:
May 29 & 30, 2013 in Portland, Oregon:
I was invited to coordinate/facilitate an evening at the annual Village Building Convergence, titled "Sprouting a Local Culture Where We The People Govern. After giving a 50-minute talk, I was joined on stage for a panel discussion with city council member Amanda Fritz, City Repair founder Mark Lakeman, Occupy activist and previous city council candidate Cameron Whitten, and local neighborhood activist Emi Soga. We then broke into four-person groups for further conversation. The following afternoon, 16 people attended my follow-up workshop. (Details HERE.)
May 25, 2013 in Portland, Oregon:
I gave a rousing 15-minute speech at the March Against Monsanto, in a Portland park, to a crowd estimated by the police at 6000 people. You can read the text of my speech HERE. You can watch my speech HERE, starting at 25:30 on the tape. (Event details HERE.)
May 14, 2013 in Viroqua, Wisconsin:
I led my introductory evening workshop, focusing on a Food Bill of Rights local ordinance. Rumor has it I will be invited back this Summer or Fall to lead my full-weekend workshop intensive. (Details HERE.)
May 10-12, 2013 in Decorah, Iowa:
A co-led a weekend workshop for 30 participants, with famed song leader Laurence Cole. The event was titled: "Becoming We The People: Learning to Make a Sound That's Greater Than the Sum of the Parts". It was so successful that we will most likely be invited back to do the same workshop again this Summer or Fall with a whole new set of participants. (Details HERE.)
May 9, 2013 in Decorah, Iowa:
I spoke to a class at Luther College and then met with some professors over lunch.
May 2 to 5, 2013 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota:
I gave two speeches on Thursday, May 2nd, and led a full-day workshop on Friday, May 3, attended by 21 engaged participants, three of whom were current or recent town council members. I gave a guest sermon at the Unitarian Church the morning of May 5th, and a 3-hour workshop extra session that afternoon.
April 25, 2013 in Portland, Oregon:
I led a short presentation about the fast growing Community Rights movement, preceded by a short presentation by my colleague Cindi Fisher, a leading advocate for the rights of people labeled as mentally ill. The event was a teaser for our upcoming 2-day workshop on May 31 & June 1, on creating a local Mental Health Community Bill of Rights - see above calendar for details.
April 18, 2013 in East Oakland, California:
Because of major airline delays, I was unable to reach the San Francisco Bay Area in time that evening to give a talk in Oakland. Very upsetting indeed.
[I will be leading a discussion at Canticle Farm. This event is hosted by Joanna Macy and Anne Symens-Bucher.]
March 2, 2013, in Eugene, Oregon:
The Community Rights movement presented three back-to-back sessions at the annual Public Interest Environmental Law Conference (PIELC.org) on Saturday, March 2 at the U of Oregon. Executive Director Thomas Linzey of CELDF.org gave a fiery keynote speech, immediately followed by a breakout session with Thomas Linzey and Kai Huschke (300 attended), immediately followed by a Panel of Community Rights organizers from four local campaigns (75 attended) - Spokane and Bellingham, WA, and Portland (myself) and Benton County, Oregon.
February 23/24, 2013 in Port Townsend, Washington:
I led my full-weekend workshop, titled "We The People Are More Powerful Than We Dare to Believe: First Steps in Dismantling Corporate Rule". 29 people were in attendance, and are now intending to launch a Jefferson-County-based Community Rights campaign group.
February 9/10, 2013, in McMinnville, Oregon:
I led my full-weekend workshop, titled "We The People Are More Powerful Than We Dare to Believe: First Steps in Dismantling Corporate Rule". Details HERE. 17 people attended, and are now intending to launch a Yamhill-County-based Community Rights campaign group.
February 5, 2013, in Portland, Oregon
I was invited to give a talk at the monthly Eastside Democratic Club. The other speaker was famed local progressive talk show host Carl (in the Morning). About 20 folks were in attendance.
January 23, 2013, in Salem, Oregon:
Fifteen local Community Rights active citizens from five nearby counties converged at the fourth of four Oregon Dept of Agriculture (ODA) regulatory hearings on the planting of canola in the Willamette Valley, to educate those in attendance about the profound fraud of the regulatory hearings process. Regardless of how huge a majority of local residents oppose new corporate activities in their backyards, the regulatory process all but guarantees that they will be utterly ignored and the corporate activity approved. As usual, this is what happened here, when the ODA approved the planting of canola on 2/8/2013. There IS a better way. But it requires We The People of our local places standing up collectively and EXERCISING our inherent right of local self-government. The fifteen of us used the opportunity of this public hearing to create a teachable moment for the approx 80 mostly farmers who were in attendance. Quite a few of those farmers stayed after the hearing was over to chat with our folks about other possibilities for more effective political control of our communities' futures.
December 20, 2012, in Portland, Oregon:
I gave a brief talk to the Democratic Breakfast Forum in SE Portland.
December 15, 2012, in McMinnville, Oregon:
I led my introductory 3-hour workshop at the First Baptist Church. About 20+ folks in attendance. They're now meeting regularly and hope to launch a Community Rights ordinance campaign soon for Yamhill County - more info here: Linda Grove <lgrove@onlinenw.com>. Click HERE for a printable flyer with additional details.
December 6, 2012 - my first-ever Introductory Workshop via TeleConference:
Listen to an mp3 recording of my 2.5 hour Introductory Workshop, via my website, anytime between November 17 and December 14, and then join me for a lively Q&A 90-minute discussion via phone on December 6, at 6pm Pacific Time. This was a wonderful first try, with one participant calling in from Manitoba, Canada! We had a GREAT conversation. See my current schedule for more of these.
My 3rd nationally broadcast speech was broadcast in late October 2012 and rebroadcast the first week of 2013...
... on David Barsamian's 'Alternative Radio' show, on 240 radio stations. Click HERE to find out which stations play this show in YOUR community.
Weekend of October 5, 2012 in/near Port Townsend, WA:
I gave a brief talk, led an intro workshop, and ran booksales, at the Permaculture Convergence at Fort Flagler near Port Townsend, WA. (Event details HERE.)
In addition, I led an intro workshop in Port Townsend at the Unitarian Fellowship on Monday, October 8th. 75 people were in attendance!
The Benton County Community Rights Coalition launched its county-ordinance campaign "Securing a People's Food Bill of Rights and Seed Heritage" in events across the county. I was instrumental in getting the group launched last Winter, and was in attendance with a big smile on my face! (More info: <rebelfarms@peak.org>.)
I led an introductory workshop at SolWest Renewable Energy Fair in John Day, OR. Here's the description of the workshop (page 7 of the pdf).
Colleague Matt Guynn and I co-led a 2-day intensive Organizers Training for the Community Rights movement's increasing number of active local groups in OR and WA. 24 folks attended from seven towns and cities in OR and WA. A good time was had by all! (Details HERE.)
I led a 4-hour introductory "Community vs Corporate Rights". We spent the first two hours (10am to noon) focusing on the rise of corporate dominance - a 200-year US history review - "from the Gilded Age to corporate personhood". After lunch, we spent the second two hours (1pm to 3pm) learning about the rapidly growing Community Rights movement that has already successfully passed laws in 150 communities in seven states that reign in corporate "rights" and enshrine the right of communities to govern themselves. Sponsored by Medford's Congregational United Church of Christ.
I led my full-weekend workshop in Portland, titled "We The People Are More Powerful Than We Dare to Believe: First Steps in Dismantling Corporate Rule". 18 people attended from Portland, Vancouver, McMinnville, and Hood River. For more details about the content of the workshop, click HERE.
May 10 through 29, 2012, I traveled in seven NE states:
• May 11-13: A full-weekend workshop at the Rowe Conference Center in Rowe, (northwest corner of) MA. Details HERE.
May 6, 2012 in McMinnville, Oregon:
I led a repeat special issue-specific introductory workshop to support a newly formed rights-based local group which intends to pass, by popular vote, a county-wide ordinance banning all GMO agriculture within the county. About 25 folks in attendance.
April 25, 2012 in Portland, Oregon:
I led a mini-workshop 10am to 1130am at the Global Teach-In Portland. I combined my workshop with Barbara Dudley's workshop on setting up state banks, as there were too few folks at the event. It was a lively mix of topics!
April 23, 2012 in Philomath (near Corvallis), Oregon:
I led a repeat special issue-specific introductory workshop to support the newly formed rights-based local group, GMO-Free Benton County, which intends to pass, by popular vote, a county-wide ordinance banning all GMO agriculture within the county. Sponsored by Oregon Tilth and GMO-Free Benton County.
April 22, 2012 in Vancouver, Washington:
I led my second workshop for the newly formed Community Rights group there. Dozens of people attended.
April 21, 2012 in Portland, Oregon:
I led a 75-minute mini-workshop at the Earth Day conference at PCC Sylvania. (Conference details HERE.)
April 14, 2012 in Bellingham, Washington:
I led a shortened one-day version of my two-day intensive workshop for the Coal Free Bellingham group's educational wing at WWU. 20 folks attended.
March 25, 2012 in Portland, Oregon:
Dana Lyons (songs) & Paul Cienfuegos (songs & spoken word) about democratic uprising. It was an amazing House Concert at Albert Kaufman's home. We both had a blast, and will be trying to figure out how and when to do this again. Please invite us to YOUR town!
March 15, 2012 in Seattle, Washington:
I led my intro workshop for students of a medical anthropology class at the U of Washington.
March 10-12, 2012 in Corvallis, Oregon:
On the Saturday, I led a special 3-hour intro workshop specifically for organic farmers, food processors, and food activists, to introduce the idea of people in the Willamette Valley working together to pass local ordinances that would ban GMO agriculture in the valley, county by county. There was tremendous energy for organizing an ordinance campaign in Benton County coming out of the workshop. About 54 folks attended.
On the Sunday, I led my regular 2-hour intro workshop at Corvallis Friends Meeting House. About 46 people in attendance, and afterwards we continued informally for another full hour talking about the relationship between the Community Rights movement and MoveToAmend. Very productive and provocative afternoon!
On the Monday, I was one of three panelists who spoke about the grave danger of GMO agriculture, and what can be done to end this menace in our local communities. At Oddfellows Hall downtown.
March 2-4, 2012 in Missoula, Montana:
I presented a new public talk on March 2nd at the U of Montana, titled "Cities Across the Country Are Exercising Their Right of Self-Governance: Will Missoula Be Next?". There were about 140 people in attendance. David Barsamian has shown interest in possibly broadcasting it this summer on his A.R. radio show.
And I led my two-day intensive workshop "First Steps in Dismantling Corporate Rule" over that weekend. About 27 folks in attendance. An amazing bunch of people, with terrific age diversity.
February 24, 2012 in Portland, Oregon:
I was interviewed by Jim Lockhart on his cable access TV show 'A Growing Concern'. You can watch it on youtube HERE or on Ustream HERE.
February 11, 2012 in Shelton, Washington:
I led my 2-hour intro workshop, followed by a new 2-hour follow-up more advanced workshop, back to back, at the PUD3 building downtown. About 25 folks were there from Shelton/ Mason County, and another 25 or so from Olympia/ Thurston County. A VERY high energy event!
February 5, 2012 in Portland, Oregon:
My 2-hour workshop presented for the Living Earth group, followed by a potluck dinner. About 16 folks attended.
January 22, 2012 in Newport, Oregon:
Two hour introductory workshop, sponsored by Occupy Newport. At Newport Visual Arts Center. A few dozen folks were in attendance.
January 20 & 21, 2012 in Eugene, Oregon:
I gave a 15-minute speech at the rally on the 20th commemorating the 2nd anniversary of the Citizens United Supreme Court decision. About 70 in attendance. I'll have the audio of my speech online soon.
And I led a three-hour introductory workshop in downtown Eugene on the 22nd. About 25 folks in attendance.
January 18, 2012 in Portland, Oregon:
I was the guest speaker at the regular Portland Transition Town monthly meeting at 7pm at St Francis Church Dining Room at 1131 SE Oak. I gave a talk proposing that Portland Transition begin to seriously consider collaborating with the local Community Rights group to envision turning local sustainability policy into legally-binding law. You can read or listen to my talk HERE. There were about 35 folks in attendance.
January 14/15, 2012 in Portland, Oregon:
Full weekend workshop: "We the People Are More Powerful Than We Dare to Believe: first steps in dismantling corporate rule." 33 folks attended, from Portland, Newport, The Dalles, & Hood River, OR, and from Vancouver and Olympia, WA. I'll be leading another one of these intensives in the Spring. Stay tuned for details.
January 11, 2012 in Vancouver, Washington:
Two hour introductory workshop from 7 to 9pm, sponsored by Occupy Vancouver. About 24 folks attended. Excellent group, including many from Occupy Vancouver.
January 8, 2012 in Portland, Oregon:
Occupy Portland Legislative Action Forum at Project Grow, sponsored by Occupy Solutions committee. About 60 folks were in attendance. A lively conversation.
December 5, 2011 in Hood River, OR
Two-hour workshop at the Hood River Library Meeting Room. Attended by 40 energetic folks!
November 27 & 28, 2011 in Olympia, WA:
2-hour workshop in Olympia on the 27th, attended by approx 50 people (!) at the Labor Council Bldg, speech in Sylvester Park downtown to a few hundred people, sponsored by Occupy Olympia, approx 10am on the 28th and a few hours later again at the Capitol Steps to about 2000 people.
Live radio interview with CFUV-FM's 'Gorilla Radio' in Victoria, BC, Canada scheduled for Monday, November 28 from 5 to 6pm.
November 25, 2011 in Portland, OR:
November 19/20, 2011 in Eugene, Oregon:
Full weekend workshop: "Dismantling Corporate 'Rights' and Seizing Back the People's Rights! We The People Are More Powerful Than We Dare to Believe!". 22 people were in attendance. A very energetic group!
November 1, 2011 in downtown Portland's Pioneer Square:
I gave a brief speech to a crowd of more than 5000 people on Oct 28th at Pioneer Square, at a rally in solidarity with Occupy Portland. In my speech, I invited those present to return to this same location on Tuesday, November 1 at 5pm to continue this critical conversation about launching a rights-based local ordinance campaign in Portland. 40 folks returned for that conversation, and are now beginning to self-organize towards preparing a Portland-based Community Rights ordinance.
September 13, 2011 in Portland, Oregon:
Public Talk, Sponsored/hosted byOccupation/Preoccupation at the TBA Festival at Washington School.
July 31, 2011 in John Day, Oregon:
2-hour workshop: Sustainable Energy Policy vs Corporate "Rights". At the annual Sol-West Renewable Energy Fair
July 25, 2011 at Aprovecho in Cottage Grove, Oregon:
3-hour workshop: Can we achieve a truly sustainable path if we continue to allow corporate constitutional "rights" to block our desires and goals?
May 16, 2011 in Eugene, OR:
Public talk: “We Need Much Bolder Thinking & Action to Wrest Our Country Back From Corporate Rule”, sponsored by the WeThePeopleEugene. It will be broadcast nationally on David Barsamian's 'Alternative Radio' series in October 2011. DVD's of the talk are available now. Contact paul@100fires.com to order one.
Cosponsored by:
Lane Peace Center, Civil Liberties Defense Center (CLDC) Eugene, Community Alliance of Lane County (CALC), Oregon State Public Interest Research Group (OSPIRG), Univ of Oregon Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Springfield
Endorsed by:
Women’s Action for New Directions (WAND), Eugene Springfield Solidarity Network (ESSN), Healthcare for All Oregon, MindFreedom International, Unitarian Universalist Church in Eugene, Lane County Fair Trade Campaign
September 25/26, 2010 in Arcata, CA:
Two-day Workshop: "First Steps in Dismantling Corporate Rule: We the People are More Powerful Than We Dare to Believe"
June 8, 2010 in Portland, OR:
Panel and Community Fishbowl Conversation with Paul Cienfuegos and Barbara Ford: “Despair and Personal Power in an Age of Corporate Rule and Climate Crisis”
June 4, 2010 in Portland, OR:
Workshop at the Village Building Convergence: "How would We The People design and implement a plan which cuts Portland's car use by 80% within 20 years?"
June 3, 2010 in Portland, OR:
Public talk at the Village Building Convergence: "Are We The People? Striving for a Future Where Our Actions Match the Crises/ Opportunities We Face"
(You can listen to the entire 68-minute speech here or watch it here.)
May 26, 2010 in Portland, OR:
"Lecture & Community Discussion with Paul Cienfuegos" hosted by Transition PDX
May 22/23, 2010 in Bellingham, WA:
Two-day workshop: "Understanding Corporate Rule (and ending it)"
May 15/16, 2010 in Seattle, WA:
Two-day workshop: "Governing as We the People: Reclaiming Our Society From Corporate Rule" - with a special focus on how working people (union and not) can reclaim their power
April 24, 2010 in Redding, CA:
Public talk at a house meeting
February 27/28, 2010 in Portland, OR:
Two-day Workshop: "First Steps in Dismantling Corporate Rule"
February 26, 2010 in Portland, OR:
Public talk: "Is a Truly Sustainable Society Achievable As Long As Corporate Rights Trump the Rights of People?"
(You can listen to the entire hour-long speech here.)
January 16, 2010 in Mount Vernon, WA:
Public talk at the 8th Annual Martin Luther King Celebration titled "Corporate Rule, Climate Change, the Economy: Everything is Connected"
January 9/10, 2010 in Mount Vernon, WA:
Two-day Workshop: "First Steps in Dismantling Corporate Rule"
October 2, 2009 in Portland, OR:
Public talk on a panel with Mari Margil (CELDF) at the Econvergence Conference
August 12, 2009 near Jacksonville, OR:
Workshop on how to use a sliding scale for conferences, teach-ins, retreats - and the feelings that arise in the process
June 8 & 11, 2009 in Portland, OR:
Public talk and workshop at the Village Building Convergence titled "Thinking Like Citizens, Acting Like Citizens"
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