Who We Are
We are young and old, friends, neighbors, individuals, groups and communities in Mendocino that see challenges to the well being of ourselves and our communities. We come together to improve our community because we value peace, justice, equity and environmental sustainability for our families, community, county, state, nation and planet. Through education, reasoned analysis and principles of inclusion & non-violence we work collectively and collaboratively to prosper.
What GRI Does
GRI is a tool for people interested in contributing to the common good. The Institute researches and educates the public about systemic political, environmental and economic problems confronting our communities. We act as a catalyst for developing beneficial progressive solutions, and advocate for changes in our economy, society and governance. We work to:
1. Strengthen bottom up democratic civic institutions sensitive to local communities. Increase respect for diversity and civic tolerance in order to strengthen the social fabric of our communities.
2. Promote representative democracy in government institutions. Encourage efficient, effective, and responsive governance that is transparent and accountable to the public.
3. Create and support economic institutions that serve and are accountable to our communities. Encourage the transition to an environmentally sustainable green economy that is socially and economically fair and just.
4. Mitigate and remediate environmental damage and insure a healthy environment now and in the future.
5. Address bigotry, prejudice, racism and exploitation in all forms, taking action to correct injustices and promote equity, tolerance & harmony in our community.
1. Strengthen bottom up democratic civic institutions sensitive to local communities. Increase respect for diversity and civic tolerance in order to strengthen the social fabric of our communities.
2. Promote representative democracy in government institutions. Encourage efficient, effective, and responsive governance that is transparent and accountable to the public.
3. Create and support economic institutions that serve and are accountable to our communities. Encourage the transition to an environmentally sustainable green economy that is socially and economically fair and just.
4. Mitigate and remediate environmental damage and insure a healthy environment now and in the future.
5. Address bigotry, prejudice, racism and exploitation in all forms, taking action to correct injustices and promote equity, tolerance & harmony in our community.
Where will you find GRI? |
Collaboration is a core value of Grassroots Institute. Since 2015, GRI has utilized different modalities to pursue solutions for the common good. Going forward it is important to keep all of these practices in our toolkit and develop new modalities that fit the needs of the moment. At our core, one value stands out. GRI is committed to collaborative community driven social action rooted in the fabric of the communities where we live.
Working within government structure to educate, encourage, and endorse decisions for the common good.
You will find us learning and speaking in government offices and Town Halls. Top photo is a Town Hall meeting with Senator Mike McGuire.
Standing strong next to partners whose goals align with ours. You will find us joining other organizations engaged in educational and local campaigns. Image 3 is GRI volunteers standing alongside the citizens advocating on behalf of Jackson State Forest. [Result of this effort. Successful?]
We are the friendly smiles standing behind the ironing board in front of the post office.
Stop for a few minutes. The social problems we address affect everyone in Mendocino County. Maybe you just want to understand something a little better; maybe something has been troubling you and you'd like answers; maybe it's just a beautiful day and you'd like to enjoy talking to a neighbor for a few minutes. issues will be different depending on what the current local efforts might determine. We are there to share information that we believe you'd appreciate knowing about as we all aspire for a just, economically strong, and environmentally healthy community and planet. You'll see neighbors on the land looking like they are having a good time working together.
You will find us on the land putting, in this case, our muscles to where our mouth is. This is HEART (Headlands Eradication and Restoration Team) , the Working Group with a goal of restoring the Mendocino Headlands to a native plant environment. In this case, they are working with California State Parks. We are all learning how to restore the earth that our inattention or ignorance allowed to become less that healthy. That ice plant is non-native and invasive. Replacing it with native flora will make space for native fauna to return.
|
We are your neighbors and we'd like to know you better.
Check out GRI Work Groups to see if there is a group you would like to join. We also are always eager to welcome concerned citizens to our efforts. Check out our Volunteer page. We need a variety of skills, experience, and knowledge to reach our goals and objectives. We'd love to get to know you.