The Board keeps FNVW focused on our mission and provides organizational leadership and oversight.

Mike Texler representing FNVW at a community event. 

I would like to invite you to join the FNVW Board. Now is an exciting time to become a member of the FNVW board because we are embarking on several initiatives to bring our programs to serve more individuals and communities.

They say that you don't always want to know how the organizational sausage is made, but this is not true at FNVW. I admire and enjoy the people I've worked with, and the decision-making process has been uniquely positive, based as it is in consensus, and utilizes the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) cultural norms.

We are hopeful to collaborate with someone who is familiar with our organization and sees the value in our programming or people from the wider community who have not yet had the opportunity to join the FNVW community.

If you are are eager to use your skills and networks to build a nonviolent world, there is still time to apply to join the FNVW Board of Directors!

Please contact us at board@fnvw.org to discuss this opportunity.

Thanks,
Mike

The FNVW Board of Directors invites you to attend FNVW's Annual Meeting! This is a special time to be together as an FNVW community to: 

• Meet and appreciate one another
• Celebrate our accomplishments in 2022
• Learn about FNVW's plans for the future
• Welcome new Board Members

FNVW Annual Meeting
Saturday, April 1st
9 am - 12 pm 
Twin Cities Friends Meeting
725 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105

  -or- 

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 840 8245 2330
Passcode: 894621

Breakfast and FNVW give-aways will be shared with in-person attendees!

Leah Robshaw Robinson, James Bradford III, Samantha Alexander and Sydney Comeau at the MN State Capitol for Second Chance Day on the Hill.

Thank you to the Second Chance Coalition for your organizing and advocacy work!

FNVW took part in the Second Chance Day on the Hill on Wednesday, March 8th. Dozens of other community members and organizations showed up to support second chances for individuals impacted by the criminal legal system.

Together with legislators, we celebrated the passage of the Restore the Vote Act last week. At last, after 20 years of organizing efforts, all formerly incarcerated Minnesotans will regain the right to vote when they've finished serving their prison time.

We also advocated for the Clean Slate Act - a bipartisan legislation that would create an automatic expungement mechanism for certain low-level petty misdemeanor, misdemeanor, and gross misdemeanor offenses after the conditions of sentence and crime-free waiting period requirements are satisfied. Expungement of these records will allow many individuals to find safe housing and good jobs, key factors in reducing recidivism. 

FNVW's been invited to lead an AVP mini-session at the Bodily Autonomy Event! 

What? Discuss solutions and identify collective actions we can collectively take to reduce domestic violence, rape, and sex trafficking. 

When? Saturday, March 25th: 10am - 3pm

Where? First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis

Hosted by Changemakers Alliance, an affiliate of Minnesota Women’s Press.

For more info, visit: www.womenspress.com/upcoming-events/

Register here:
Bodily Autonomy Event Registration

The AVP Inside Out Newsletter publication provides an opportunity for members of the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) community, inside and outside correctional facilities, to connect with one another about the effects of violence on us all and the strategies we use to transform the violence in our lives and communities.

Click on the links below to read the past two issues.

• March 2023
• February 2023

We are seeking submissions for future issues! Review the submission guidelines here and email submissions to: AVP@fnvw.org.

The cover of the March 2023 issue of the Minnesota Women's Press. Pick up a copy at the FNVW office.

Some of the many people in the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) community in Minnesota.
(Photo by Sarah Whiting)  

Click the link below to read the MN Women's Press article that includes the voices of four of our Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) facilitators:

Roots of Violence: A Changemakers Alliance Discussion Series

April 2023 AVP Basic, Advanced and Training For Facilitators (T4F) Combo Virtual Workshop

Wed, April 12, 6-9 pm CST, with a 30 min. break

Sat, April 15, 11-6 pm CST, with a 1 hour break

Wed, April 19, 6-9 pm CST, with a 30 min. break

Sat, April 22, 11-6 pm CST, with a 1 hour break
 

Sign up now using the  AVP-MN Combo Community Virtual Workshop - April 2023 Registration Form to guarantee your spot!