Effortless Activism

RAPE AS GENOCIDE - MAKES MY HEART BLEED!

2009-02-09T17:16:00.000-08:00

Organic Cotton Not So Airy Fairy afterall!!!!

2009-02-02T11:02:00.000-08:00

I knew the cotton industry was dirty and polluted the environment, I never knew the full toll the industry took on the farmers, especially those in Africa where there's little regulation. Check out this video for more info and a horrific account of life growing cotton slowly being poisoned by pesticides.

EA founder Jeff Toolan heads to Sundance, DC and beyond to promote sustainable socially just thinking!

2009-01-29T06:15:00.001-08:00

Traveling first to Park City, UT for the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, then to DC for the single most incredible day of my life, the inauguration of President Barack Obama, our country's first NON-white president!

Needless to say, leaving the 80 degree smoggy town of LA for the slopes of Park City was a thankful change to the daily grind. The economic situation and housing bubble burst has pushed an additional 40,000 people into the streets. Ironically, I've noticed and influx of quite nice large "family" tents into the area known as Skid Row in LA. Let's just say that the demographics of homeless in LA have begun to switch turning to entire FAMILY's being sent to the streets!

Ready to forget about LA and all it's social ills, I was ready head to Utah where the air was clean, water pure and people open (yeah right!) to attend the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, one I thought was going to be at the cutting edge of Green Living and Sustainable Design. Boy, was I in for a surprise. Needless to say as the NY Times pointed out "The Films May be Green, but is the Festival?"

Surrounded by Hummers, Plasmas, Fur Coats, and A hundred thousand bottles of everything...I really began to wonder the same thing! Repurpose Compostables fortunately had partnered with us to help out the Queer Lounge Sponsored by Absolute as well as the Wire Image Puma Lounge, in addition we supplied a ton of cups until late in the morning at the infamous Ed Hardy Mansion Party!

Needless to say with back to back events and everyone trying to cram the entire festival into the first weekend to avoid overlap with President Obama's inauguration, the festival was a great Lineup of incredible films including my favorite the Only Good Indian among many others of substance and merit.

The festival had a number of green events and green themed venues, none of which screamed Green to me, some of which used styrofoam cups and plastic disposable plates. Needless to say, we do have a long way to go to get to authentic sustainable living.

Sundance was as you know the Film Festival founded by Robert Redford at the Original Sundance resort, which BTW is extremely Green, beautiful and thoughtfully preserved. I just didn't see much of that original vision built on respect for the planet and ecosystem in Park City - maybe it's because not much of the planet was visible beneath the Hummers, Plasmas and Plastic!

Following this amazing escapade in the land of Stars, Sunshine and Skiing, I headed to DC with acclaimed photojournalist Tish Lampert to capture history as Barack Obama was to become our next president!

Arriving in DC late on the 19th to bitter cold, I had missed a day with Tish shooting the images of shoes being thrown at Bush, but was going to be at the Mall at 4AM to capture the sunrise on the dawn of a new beginning for the United States of America.

The day was incredible, filled with sunshine and beauty! Unlike the DNC in Denver, where battering rams and riot gear were the norm, the Iraq Vets against the war caged with the college kids and hippies, over 400 Arrests and hundreds of injuries...including Tish's nose being broken (more to come)....the Inauguration in DC was incredible peaceful, joyous and amazing! It was truly remarkable that over 2 million people were gathered without a single arrest or injury...that's practically a miracle!

2009 is going to be an totally different year with a renewed approach to solution creating to get us out of the mess the last 8 years, the last 80 years of unsustainable extractive capitalism have created!

2009 Return of Traditional Knowledge

2009-01-05T07:52:00.000-08:00

2009 - The Year of the Return to Traditional Knowledge.

With society more wrecked than any point since the dark ages, isn't it time NOW to listen to our Indigenous Elders, those who have maintained their relationship to the planet for thousands of years.

I had the opportunity last Fall to cook for many of the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers at the Groton Hotel in Upstate NY's beautiful Fingerlakes Region. The Grandmother's were visiting for the Women's Gathering pioneered by Janet Fish, a good friend of mine, bringing together an intergenerational team of Indigenous Grandmothers and Leaders, locals, academics, cultural leaders and others for extended discussions of the relationship of humanity and the planet.

It was clear that all those attending were aware that human's were destined at this pace to outstrip resources, destroy biomass and pollute all the air and land on earth in a few short decades unless something dramatic was done. This is why the Grandmother's had come to this gathering, to share their respective traditional knowledge about mother earth.

I had the amazing opportunity during this amazing Week Long Event to make a fire with two sticks and a bow...what an amazing experience and in my home town of Groton, just 10 minutes from Ithaca and Cornell University.

I learned a lot from this experience...including how to make fire, but most of all I learned that there was still hope, that humanity could indeed return earth to Homeostasis using the technology we now have. I was most touched when the Grandmother from the Arctic shook her head at me and simply said..."no more down, only up up up!" The message was clear, no more looking back, pointing fingers or losing hope. The time to act is now. We must all make sacrifices and changes to our lives to end the continual pillage of our mother, the earth, and therefore improve our own relationships with each other in the process.

2009 is the year I dedicate to Traditional Knowledge and the Indigenous Around the World!

2009-01-03T14:51:00.000-08:00

New year, new approach to Effortless Activism. Look for a whole new approach, great new style and tons more content in 2009 at EA.

With the changes about to take place, it's now time for all of us to make a difference, contribute to change and recuperate our semi-failed society. With wars plaguing much of the planet, famine and natural disaster affecting many of the rest, we in the developed nation must thank our lucky stars for our food and shelter.

Never before has action been necessary and never before will inaction lead to so much devastation. Let's create a new world where each and everyone is filled with basic human dignity and has access to education and opportunity.

Look forward to much more to come in 2009 for EA, Multeepurpose and the rest of the team!

Jeff Toolan

Coming soon: Grand Opening of multeepurpose Innovative T3 Concept Store

2008-12-02T14:35:00.000-08:00

A diverse platform of technology, tea (and coffee) and tee shirts, we are bringing gourmet hot and cold beverages, snacks and specialty foods to a refreshingly simple and user-friendly environment, complete with free WIFI, and Print-Plus access to creating your full color documents, presentations, digital photos and videos.

Do They Know It's Christmas Time At All?

2008-12-02T14:31:00.000-08:00

Please join us December 6, 2008 for a charity fashion show produced by multeepurpose to benefit Help As One a non-profit that serves individuals and families in the poorest communities in the world.

5th Annual Hollywood Life Style Awards

2008-10-13T23:25:00.000-07:00

Multeepurpose participates in the 5th annual Hollywood Life Style Awards, gifting the hottest new designs to celebrities such as Kristen Bell, Molly Sims, AnnaLynne McCord, Holly Madison, Sophia Bush, Lily Collins, Rose McGowan, Emmy Rossum, Jamie Lynn Sigler, Eve, Ludacris, Tila Tequila, amongst many others.

City of Youth Benefit Concert October 11, 2008

2008-10-11T14:21:00.000-07:00

Multeepurpose and Effortless Activism Sponsors Benefit Concert for US Doctors for Africa and City of Youth founded by David Arquette.
City of Youth is a non-profit dedicated to providing the highest caliber programs and services to foster children and families as people in the community.

Multeepurpose Sponsors the Women's Gathering in Ithaca, NY

2008-10-07T12:05:00.000-07:00

Bringing together the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers from all over the world, North and South America, Asia, Africa and Europe.

Multeepurpose Sponsors Abbot Kinney Festival and their Green Fashion Market Place 'Connected' Produced by Pink Cloud Events

2008-09-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

The Abbot Kinney Festival welcomes people from all area codes to a celebration of community, beauty, and goodwill. Proceeds from activities support Venice-based organizations and efforts to improve the environs and quality of life for people from all walks, with an emphasis on support of youth and the Arts.

Multeepurpose and Effortless Activism Partner with Art Miles Project

2008-09-26T13:15:00.000-07:00

Multeepurpose signs partnership agreement with Art Miles Mural Project to promote global youth art projects culminating in the first ever youth art project which will be the shape and size of the 3rd largest pyramid in Egypt, and function to house a global peace summit in Cairo, Egypt 2010.

http://www.the-art-miles-mural-project.org/

multeepurpose embraces our youth

2008-08-18T16:42:00.000-07:00

Multeepurpose and Effortless Activism sponsor Facing History and Ourselves a genocide themed essay and poster contest in remembrance of the Raphael Lemkins 1948 Genocide Converntion.

July 2008 Multeepurpose launches a partnership with Art Miles Mural Project Joan Toffiellis will produce a full line of eco-friendly youth-inspired designs by children from all over the world.

June 20, 2008 multeepurpose mixer

2008-08-18T16:40:00.000-07:00

Multeepurpose celebrates the grand opening of their new downtown space. The mixer came together with a festive array of music, art, and fashion.

Multeepurpose helps Taste of Chaos rock out 11/2007

2008-08-18T16:35:00.000-07:00

Multeepurpose hits the road for a Taste of Chaos Japan with the Used
Multeepurpose helps Taste of Chaos rock out

multeepurpose sponsors yoshida brothers 5/12/08

2008-08-18T16:33:00.000-07:00

Multeepurpose sponsors the Yoshida Brothers with sophisticated tees at their 2008 concert. They performed in May 2008 at the Aqua Lounge in Beverly Hills, Ca.

Effortless Activism and multeepurpose featured on Discovery's Planet Green August 25-26th 2--8

2008-08-18T16:24:00.000-07:00

Innovative multeepurpose tees will be featured on Discovery Channel's new show Planet Green. Our 100% organic cotton "Be Green" tee will be featured on the show.

Helping Animals with the California Wildlife Center

2008-08-18T16:18:00.000-07:00

Multeepurpose CEO, Jeff Toolan, celebrates at the California Wildlife 10th Anniversary. Multeepurpose sponsors the California Wildlife Centers Way Wild Event in August 9, 2008

2008-06-21T08:36:00.000-07:00

Crazy we now have to see stuffed wolves in museum aquariums. Am I the only one who finds this a bit strange?

I'm officially joining the Barak Camp

2008-06-21T08:35:00.001-07:00

Some words from him about strategy

Since we announced our decision not to accept taxpayer funds for the general election, tens of thousands of people like you have come forward to declare their independence from a broken system.

This decision frees us to build a movement of millions of people giving whatever they can afford to a campaign that is truly reforming the way our political process works.

It also frees us to take our campaign for change to parts of the country where Democratic presidential candidates haven't spent too much time in the past.

Our first television ad of the general election season goes on the air today.

Sure, we're on the air in places like Ohio and Florida, the typical battleground states. But we're also on the air in North Dakota, Montana, and Alaska -- places that have emerged as competitive because of the unprecedented grassroots energy supporting our campaign.

These ads are supporting a 50-state ground operation that is being built right now by staff, volunteers, and thousands of Obama Organizing Fellows.

But we have our work cut out for us, and we need to grow this movement. Right now, you can declare your independence and help us run a campaign that is funded by the people and for the people.

If you make your first donation today, a fellow supporter is standing by to match your gift and double your impact. You can even choose to exchange a note with them and share why you are supporting this campaign.

Add your voice to our movement by making a matching donation now:

https://donate.barackobama.com/match

Choosing not to accept these taxpayer funds was not an easy decision. I remain committed to fundamental campaign finance reform, and as president I will work to fix this broken system.

But we're facing opponents who have become masters at gaming the broken system as it stands today -- collecting money from Washington lobbyists, special interest PACs, and relying on so-called 527 groups that can take unlimited contributions to peddle lies and smears.

We have chosen to do things differently. You can see for yourself what kind of people own our campaign -- each of these folks have made a donation in the last 24 hours:

Sandra from Tennessee:

"I'm on disability and can't afford to give much but I figure the $10 is worth it. This is the first time in a long time that even the ones who can't afford it are giving, and are excited about a candidate and excited about the process."

Monica from South Carolina:

"The way that this primary and now this general election campaign have been funded truly gives the power to the citizens that are voting. This administration will owe the American people, not lobbyists and special interests groups."

Mauve from Iowa:

"THIS is true public financing. Getting average Americans from all backgrounds and tax brackets to care enough and to believe enough and to hope enough to give what they can."

Tim from Texas:

"Today, for the first time in my life, I contributed to a political campaign. I did so because I have always believed that true power rests with the people, if only those people could be organized. We have the power to take back our country from the special interest groups. There are more of us and when we act together, we are the force that can dictate the direction our country will take."

Join Sandra, Monica, Mauve, and Tim in declaring your independence. Make a matching donation today:

https://donate.barackobama.com/match

Our fellow Americans are counting on us, and the stakes couldn't be higher -- we can't afford another term of George Bush's disastrous policies.

We have a responsibility to win this election and deliver for them.

But with Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs declaring that they will spend hundreds of millions to tear us down, it's up to us to stand up for the change we need.

More than 50,000 people declared their independence since our announcement. Support our campaign for change and declare your independence today to help reach our new July 4th goal of 75,000 donors.

https://donate.barackobama.com/match

Thank you for everything,

Barack

---Pretty Interesting Huh!

Some interesting resources

2008-06-21T08:33:00.001-07:00

0 Community Content records item(s)
Community Content records
1. Language, culture & the virus: A guide to Africa's AIDS slang
HIV has hit our lives, our families, our economies; it also shapes the way we talk. IRIN/PlusNews looks at how the virus and its impact translates into everyday speech from the streets of Lagos to the townships of Johannesburg, and finds that despite the billions of dollars spent on positive communi...
Date: Jun-19-2008
Contributed by: Laura Lopez Gonzalez, PlusNews

2. The Cambodia Communication Institute (CCI)
The Cambodia Communication Institute (CCI) was set up in 1994 as the first media training centre in the nation, intending to assist in the reconstruction and development of the communication sector. The IPDC, with the cooperation of the governments of Denmark and France, implemented the project of d...
Date: Jun-15-2008
Contributed by: Anuradha Bhattacharjee

3. Namma Dhwani Community Media Centre
Namma Dhwani means Our Voices in Kannada - the local language in the State of Karnataka in India. Namma Dhwani is a community media partnership between the community of Budikote and the NGOs VOICES and MYRADA, with the support of UNESCO. In 1999 a baseline survey conducted to assess information need...
Date: Jun-15-2008
Contributed by: Anuradha Bhattacharjee

4. International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC)
Fostering Media Development. Building Democratic Societies - Community Media. Community-based media ensure media pluralism, diversity of content, and the representation of a society’s different groups and interests. Community media encourage open dialogue and transparency of administration a...
Date: Jun-15-2008
Contributed by: Anuradha Bhattacharjee

5. Team Teaching English with International English Speaking Volunteers at Watphrathatwittaya School
Since 2003, Teachers from PTY (Watphrathatwittaya) and English speaking volunteers from Openmindprojects (Nong Khai, Thailand) have worked together to improve English teaching for PTY students. (Novices aged 13-18). It’s a small school with 150 students from very poor backgrounds with limited acad...
Date: Jun-15-2008
Contributed by: Anuradha Bhattacharjee

6. UNU - Global Virtual University
Under the auspices of the United Nations University (UNU) the Global Virtual University (GVU) is a consortium of universities that work together to enhance learning for environmental sustainability. Through a range of online study programmes and courses offered by partner universities, the mission o...
Date: Jun-15-2008
Contributed by: Anuradha Bhattacharjee

7. IFAP Success Stories - Open Source Software brings a new lease of life to libraries in Palestine
A few old computers, some freely available Open Source Software (OSS) and a little knowledge was all that it took to create a high-speed network that pleased staff and astonished students at Yusuf Ahmed Al-Ghanim Library, the Main Library at Birzeit University in Palestine’s West Bank. On returni...
Date: Jun-15-2008
Contributed by: Anuradha Bhattacharjee

8. IFAP Success Stories - Our City, Our Voices: Immigrant Newscasts in the Digital Age
The goal of our initiative, called “Our City, Our Voices”, was to do a series of workshops about audiovisual production with recent and immigrants from Latin America. Many of the participants were undocumented and many of those were from small villages in rural Mexico. Immigration to Philadelphi...
Date: Jun-15-2008
Contributed by: Anuradha Bhattacharjee

9. The e-Dialogues research project
The e-Dialogues research project attempts to push internet communication technologies (ICTs) to be forces of light rather than dark. They are designed to stimulate substantive dialogue between leading academics and diverse audiences, including the public policy community. Our objectives are to stimu...
Date: Jun-15-2008
Contributed by: Anuradha Bhattacharjee

10. The Calico Museum of Textiles
The Calico Museum of Textiles at Ahmedabad, India, is the premier textile museum of the country, and one of the most celebrated institutions of its kind in the world for its distinguished and comprehensive collection of textiles and artefacts. The Calico collection along with those of Sarabhai Found...
Date: Jun-15-2008
Contributed by: Shambhu Ghatak

Check out this amazing opportunity and these amazing stories!

2008-06-21T08:31:00.000-07:00

At age 14, Alabama native Ava Lowery launched a website with videos expressing her views on the war in Iraq. Today her site gets nearly two million hits a month, and has galvanized debate among young people about the war. Ava is one of This Brave Nation's heroes. Who's yours?

http://bravenation.com/heroes.php

At age 17, Ali Diaz insisted that all of her peers at Valley High School in West Des Moines should have their voices heard in the Iowa caucuses. She led the organizing efforts in her school to make sure that everyone eligible turned out -- and they did in record numbers.

We both know that working towards real change in a community is more often than not a thankless job. This Brave Nation and Rock the Vote are trying to change that. Can you nominate a young person in your community for the first-ever Brave Nation Young Activist Award?

http://bravenation.com/heroes.php

Since the beginning of June, The Nation and Brave New Films have been airing episodes of This Brave Nation, a documentary series featuring conversations between legendary social justice leaders and up-and-coming heroes of today, including Ava, who took a stand before she could even vote.

For the final episode, This Brave Nation and Rock the Vote need you. We are looking for unsung heroes in communities across the country. Between now and next Friday, This Brave Nation is accepting nominations for the award. The winner -- selected by the heroes featured so far in the series -- will earn a trip to Los Angeles, funding for their project, and will be featured in the 6th and final episode of This Brave Nation. Two winners will be chosen and dozens more will be highlighted online.

Rock the Vote is proud to have so many activists in our community. From those of us who table at concerts to register voters, to those that lobby to protect the rights of young voters, to all of you who are first-time voters this year, we are a community that values stepping up and taking action. Don't be shy; if you or someone you know has been working hard to make change in their community, let us know.

http://bravenation.com/heroes.php

multeepurpose lauches Genocide Inspired Fashion Line at AREA night club

2008-06-10T10:30:00.001-07:00

Check out these styles launched at the Concert to End Genocide Afterparty at AREA. Presenting a collection of one of a kind recycled vintage garments, as well as a Stop Genocide-inspired Tee Shirt Collection, Multeepurpose hopes to bring consciousness into clothing while creating "Effortless Activism" for our consumers, supporters and activist friends!

The Concert to End Genocide HUGE SUCCESS

2008-06-10T10:24:00.001-07:00

The Concert to End Genocide was a huge success, presented by UCLA Mighty Mic's and Participant Media's Darfur Now College Tour, this was a fun-filled evening of remembrance and dedication to ending the on-going genocide in Darfur and beyond. Grammy Award-winning OK Go, performed in addition to many others for the thousands of committed concert-goers. Raising thousands of dollars for US Doctor's for Africa (www.usdfa.org) and their new Mobile Clinic initiative, this concert marked the beginning of many more to come. 2008 is as you may or may not know, the 60th anniversary of Raphael Lempkin's 1948 Genocide Convention as well as the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, so it has never been more important to bring a renewed meaning to both of these important international documents.

2008-06-10T09:49:00.000-07:00

Wow! I saved a sick California Sea Lion in Paradise Cove - Malibu! Check out the pics of this one year old who seemed to be dehydrated and suffering from a Red Tide induced Neurological Problem. The Malibu Wildlife Rescue people said that this seems to be a common problem these days due to a bad red tide which occurred when they were pups last year! For more information on how you can save local wildlife please visit www.californiawildlifecenter.org

Where's the love?

2008-05-28T11:54:00.000-07:00

Just saw this at Santa Monica Pier and had to share. It's crazy that each of these represents a fallen soldier, and these don't even include the civilian casualties. I hope the new administration can bring a quick end to this international geo-political mess.

MulteePurpose and Effortless Activism Sponsor Breast Cancer Fund Benefit at V-Lounge

2008-05-28T11:46:00.001-07:00

Effortless Activism and MulteePurpose sponsor Breast Cancer Fund Benefit hosted by Sarah Carter and Kestrin Pantera! This evening was dedicated to raising funds and awareness of the urgent issue of breast cancer. With musical performances, celebrity appearances and all the breasts you can take in...this evening was an amazing time of partying for a purpose! For more information please visit www.breastcancerfund.org.

Discovery Channel's New Network Planet Green Shoots at Multee.Purpose

2008-05-08T16:22:00.001-07:00

Multee.Purpose will be featured on Episode 5 of Alter Eco a new nonfiction/reality series on Discovery Channel's newest network Planet Green, hosted by Adrienne Greenier, and the Green Team! Check out the pics below...the episode will air in July check back for more updates.

Discovery Channel's New Network Planet Green Shoots at Multee.Purpose

2008-05-08T16:22:00.000-07:00

Multee.Purpose will be featured on Episode 5 of Alter Eco a new nonfiction/reality series on Discovery Channel hosted by Adrienne Greenier, and the Green Team! Check out the pics below...the episode will air in July on this