Blog Archives

"Team-Building, the Relational Way"

3/21/2015

Leadership Training -

Practicing the art of listening in a House Meeting (a small group of people), to address a foundational question: "If you had the power to change one thing in your community, what would it be, and why?"
Creating an effective Organizational Core Team by focusing on a diverse cross-section of key leaders in one's institution.

Another Day at the Legislature

3/10/2015

Leaders from PCIC, Valley Interfaith and Yuma Interfaith met with legislators today. PCIC met with House Reps. Lisa Otondo and Charlene Fernandez LD4, Chris Ackerley and Rosana Gabaldon LD2, and Senators Steve Farley LD9 and Don Shooter LD13. There was much gnashing of teeth about the recently passed budget, that does serious damage to education, child welfare and health care. There was also discussion about how to stop some of the other bills out there: flex loans HB2611 (payday loans renamed), pro-gun HB2431 and some other voucher (ESA’s) bills. It looks like the legislature will end its session in about 3 weeks, so more bad bills are still possible. It’s on track to be the shortest and possibly the worst (for children and families) session on record.

PCIC 25th Anniversary Celebration!

3/8/2015

Over 250 Friends came to listen to good music, eat rich desserts and honor both long-time leaders and retirees Episcopal priest Paul Buckwalter, Methodist Pastor David Wilkinson, PCIC/AIN Lead Organizer Frank Pierson, former Diocesan CCHD rep. Joanne Welter, and deceased former Tucson Mayor and PCIC leader George Miller. Bishop Gerald Kicanas was the Master of Ceremonies and 6 young leaders shared their stories as well. Congressman Raúl Grijalva, Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, former State Rep. Ethan Orr and Southern Arizona Leadership Council Chair Lisa Lovallo from Cox Communications were among the speakers. Roughly $20,000 was raised and a good time was had by all!

Los Changuitos Feos launched PCIC's 25th Anniversary Celebration yesterday... and escorted the honorees & dignitaries into the hall.

Bishop Gerald Kicanas welcomed everyone, Rev. Canon John Kitagawa of St. Philip's delivered the opening prayer, and Pueblo High School student, Jorge Lopez, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mike Peel, PCC student & Government Relations Liaison, delivered the frame to 250+ people. KOLD TucsonNewsNow filmed the entire event.

Bishop Kicanas delivers the focus and Fr. Tom Tureman of Most Holy Trinity Parish introduces the first Champion of Justice honorees, Rev. Paul Buckwalter and Rev. David Wilkinson.

PCC student, Mike Peel, ScholarshipsAZ student, Ana Hernandez, and former State Rep. Ethan Orr told their stories and spoke with passion.

Entre Peruanos serenaded the crowd with lively South American tunes, while PCIC leaders served up dessert delights.

Susan Prescott-Smith of St Philip's introduces the next Champions of Justice honorees, Joanne Welter of the Diocese of Tucson and Roz Miller accepting on behalf of her husband, the late George Miller, Former Mayor of Tucson.

Lisa Lovallo & Bishop Kicanas join forces to present the "Working Together" - Cox Communications challenge grant.

One of PCIC's original leaders, Sr. Paulette Shaw, tells a humorous story about Frank Pierson - the next Champion of Justice honoree, and gets chuckles from the Bishop and others. Frank Pierson speaks!

The emerging power of PCIC in the 21st Century lies with young leaders like Ana Chavarin, Andrew Stocker, and Guillermo Huerta.

Mayor Jonathan Rothschild and Congressman Raúl Grijalva join in congratulating PCIC and speak of the ever-increasing need for broad based citizen power to face today's economic & political challenges.

Last but not least - the Trinity Missionary Baptist Choir raised the roof with their powerful voices and incredible harmonies. Rev. Elwood McDowell of Trinity MBC delivered a closing prayer.

25th Anniversary Program Line-up

3/2/2015

Bishop Gerald Kicanas will be our 25th Anniversary Master of Ceremonies! Bishop Kicanas arrived in Tucson in 2001. He has been a strong supporter of PCIC since his arrival. As rector of Mundelein Seminary in Chicago he attended IAF 10-day Leadership Training.

We are proud to have Lisa Lovallo, VP of Cox Communications co-hosting our 25th Anniversary Celebration! Ms. Lovallo, also Board Chair of the Southern Arizona Leadership Council, will soon be SALC's first Woman President. She and Cox have been strong supporters of PCIC's work for many years. She has committed Cox to a $5,000 matching challenge grant for PCIC’s 25th Anniversary.

Los Changuitos Feos will kick off our 25th Anniversary Celebration on March 8th! Los Changuitos Feos is the oldest youth, Non-Profit Mariachi organization in the United States. (They celebrated their 50-year reunion in 2014.) Its members are comprised of middle and high school students that continue onto college using a scholarship they earn while in the group.

Entre Peruanos, the Andean Folklore group, has been playing music in Tucson and Southern Arizona for over 6 years. They have played various concerts at Tucson Meet Yourself, folk festivals, schools, restaurants, fundraisers and private parties. The group is made up of Miguel Molina, Jesus Garcia, Dago Esquer, Tshilo Galup, Robert Ojeda, y Jimmy Ojeda. They hail from Peru, Columbia and Mexico and they play music from the Andes and all over Latin America, using varied instruments, such as the charango, zampoňa, quena, guitar, ronroco, bombo, cajón, guiro and chachas. Their songs are in Spanish and Quechua, the language of the Incas.

PCIC 25th Anniversary Honorees

3/2/2015

The Late Mayor George Miller.
He was delighted that PCIC wanted to honor him as part of our 25th Anniversary March 8th...
As a City Councilman and as Mayor he was a longtime PCIC ally. Afterwards he became a PCIC leader at Congregation Chaverim, a JobPath Board Member and a citizenship teacher at PCC Adult Education.
We will miss his wisdom, humor and righteous indignation on behalf of Tucson families.

The Rev. Paul Buckwalter - Episcopal Priest and community organizer.
He organized in Cincinnati for 10 years where he was cited by CINCINNATI MAGAZINE, as "one of the city's most expert organizers". He has worked in Arizona both as a parish priest and community organizer with Arizona Interfaith Network, an IAF affiliate. He was the first organizer in Yuma and North Arizona, and served as a leader in the formation of the Pima County Interfaith Council, and the Southern Arizona Interfaith Council.

Frank Pierson - retired after forty years of work with the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) as a professional organizer. PCIC's founding organizer, for nearly 30 years Frank was responsible for building and/or supervising IAF organizations in Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and Colorado.

Joanne Welter - became involved with PCIC at St. Cyril’s and then directed the Catholic Diocese of Tucson’s Office of Human Life and Dignity until last year. Over the years she reviewed and approved PCIC grant applications, avidly took pictures of our actions, advised organizers, and was a constant supporter of the organization’s work.

The Rev. David Wilkinson - embraced the vision and values of PCIC right from the beginning. HIs deep faith in community engagement inspired his congregation to take a prime leadership role both in the organization and in creative initiatives such as JobPath. Under David's leadership St. Francis in the Foothills UMC helped build relationships of power tempered by tolerance across Southern Arizona.

"Team-Building, the Relational Way"

Another Day at the Legislature

PCIC 25th Anniversary Celebration!

25th Anniversary Program Line-up

PCIC 25th Anniversary Honorees

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