Celebrate the Season!

As GCN closes its 20th year anniversary, we reflect on how we’ve celebrated…

            in song and dance, in merry meals, in coffee & tea times, in projects and shared work,  in humility, in ceremony, in collecting donations and giving financial contributions, in sacred circle, in forgiveness, in the comings and goings…..

2012 brought exciting experiences both here and there, new learnings, deeper understanding and many new friendships.  Is there something you understand now that you did not before?  In what ways do you honor your relationships? How will we carry our gratitude for our diversity and constant change?
We extend one last wish to you… may you recognize and appreciate the interdependence of people around the world.   Let us keep up our cooperative efforts, where individuals of all cultures are invited to participate in making a difference locally and globally.

Peace,

Linda Stuart, GCN Director

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The Mayan Story...told by the Maya People

According to the Mayan Calendar, the year 2012 marks the end of an important era.  It is a long awaited moment that has stirred speculation and hearsay of a prophecy signifying the end of the world with an apocalypse, a global cataclysm.  International hype has included everything from end-of-world films in Hollywo0d to scientific responses from US scholars and even a short film from NASA!

As the world questions the 2012 prophesy, the Maya, K’iche speaking people face discrimination and mistrust in their own community.  Leadership from different religious sectors are already blaming the Mayan spiritual leadership for natural disasters, and claim that if disasters are to come, it is these few individuals who are at fault.  The Mayan spiritual council hopes to inspire Cantel’s population to embrace and commemorate their ancestor’s traditions and not allow the uncertainty to create a rift in the community.

In solidarity with our partners in Cantel, GCN is excited to send a team to the village this coming week.  Thirteen participants, ranging from  12 yrs. to 74 yrs. old will participate in our 10th visit to Guatemala. 

Visit our blog page to hear words shared by Rigoberta Menchu to the Global Citizens Network in 2012  We invite you to share a messages that respect and honor our Mayan friends.  Share this blog post on facebook, twitter and during your holiday celebrations with family, friends and colleagues.

Gracias.

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Make a New Years Commitment with Fundraising!

Whether you enroll on a GCN team to travel to one of our Host Communities or want to volunteer to raise funds for our GCN Project Fund, fundraising is an exciting and meaningful way to share your global cause through local action with others.

Why is fundraising important? Fundraising increases awareness about your cause and provides an opportunity for others to give, while supporting means for you to obtain financial resources for grassroots initiatives of local communities throughout the world.

Learn how 12 participants raised over $11,000 in the past 2 years and how you can fundraise for your own trip in 2013 or support our upcoming programs!

http://www.globalcitizens.org/fundraising

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Register for Spring Spanish Classes Today!

Global Citizens Network is proud to offer our second session of Spanish Language classes in collaboration with our alliance partner Intercultural Student Experiences. These classes were formerly delivered by La Conexion  de Las Americas. Classes are offered at all levels – from Beginner (for those just starting to learn the language) to Advanced (for more experienced learners who want to refine their conversational skills).

The Winter 2013 Session of classes will begin the week of January 14th and run through the week of March 23rd.  Visit our website for more information: Spanish Classes

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