ListeningProject.info
Title
Listening Project - Sponsored by Rural Southern Voice for Peace
Description
About Us
Rural Southern Voice for Peace (RSVP) which serves as the Listening Project Training and Resource Center, is a 501-c-3 tax exempt, non-profit organization. RSVP was founded in 1981 by Herb and Marnie Walters, with support from the Celo Friends Meeting, Arthur Morgan School and the wider Celo community in the mountains of western North Carolina. We currently have two staff members, Herb Walters, director/trainer, and Kathlene Stith, office manager; a seven-member board of directors; and a network of experienced LP organizers and trainers.
RSVP's initial activity was publication of a newsletter that carried stories and information about effective work for peace, justice and the environment in the rural south. RSVP articles and information came from our readers who often worked in very difficult and isolated conditions throughout the rural South. We promoted methods of working for social change based on models from the civil rights movement as well as new, culturally sensitive approaches that could be effective in conservative, rural southern communities.
As early as 1981 Herb had begun, outside of his RSVP work, developing the first Listening Project prototypes. In 1984 RSVP's newsletter continued as a vital networking tool for activists, and Herb began to travel throughout the southeast region, providing direct assistance and networking opportunities to social change groups. As Herb listened to the people he visited, it became clear that people everywhere were looking for more inclusive, effective and less polarizing methods of working for social change. Thus in 1985 Herb began developing the Listening Project as a part of RSVP’s program work. The first RSVP Listening Project was organized at the east coast home of the Trident nuclear submarine base in St. Marys Georgia, in 1986. This project helped peace activists build common ground, friendship and support with community residents and naval base personnel. Within several years time, RSVP's training and organizing expanded to both a national and international focus with continued development of the Listening Project.
Languages
English
Contact
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- Burnsville NC
- US 28714
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