As readers learned in our December issue, Real Change HQ is located right here in Belltown. This is where the editorial meetings take place, where the newspapers are distributed from, and where things happen. Understanding the organization and their mission makes the publication more human, and most of the humans involved are volunteers. In recognition of all the contributions, on December 15, the staff threw a holiday "Thank You" party honoring volunteers. The people who are the fuel that keep the newspaper going.

According to Real Change staff, there have been various RC parties over the publication's ten-year history, but now with a revamped volunteer database and a plan to change from a bi-weekly to a weekly publication, it's time to get serious and more stream-lined. The switch is expected to happen in February.

People associated with Real Change popped in throughout the evening, both excited and scared about the upcoming changes. The back meeting space was standing-room only and full of energy. Paper selling stories, conspiracy theories and more went around. (Ask Morrie Condit, a vendor who joined the editorial board last year, about his 83rd and Aurora story.) Even the cats were present. The eclectic smorgasbord included Vietnamese sandwiches, brownies, vegetable platters, cookies, filtered water....and a wee bit of wine. Conversations expanded from there.

Outstanding achievements were awarded with Certificates of Appreciation, chocolate and trips (The Puyallup Fair, SAM, etc). But most volunteers will tell you its just being involved that is the best reward.

Real Change hopes more people feeling this way, with realistic trepidation. The publication is banking on this backbone of volunteers to help carry the newspaper through the step up to being a weekly. This will mean twice as many issues, quicker deadlines and more content.

"We are totally reliant on the volunteers," said Editor Adam Holdorf. "Even as we expand we will continue to cover a broad range of community issues. There is a misperception that we only cover homelessness. We do, but we also cover the community. Our intent is to cover more as we get bigger within the community, such as labor, health care, environment, social justice."

Holdorf explained how this move is a gamble financially because there are no guarantees. Two new, part-time reporters are being hired, but he reiterates how dependant they are on volunteers for the publication to be successful.

Brooke Kempner, the new volunteer coordinator/office manager, is pivotal in making the change real. Kempner, who began in late October, is rallying. She coordinates the orchestra of volunteers: columnists, photographers, office workers, editors, workshop facilitators and so on. She greatly appreciates all the current voluntary work and is confident there will be more. It is community journalism.

"We are looking for people interested in covering social issues," Kempner explained. "People who will cover different beats and come to us with ideas, either consistently or from time-to-time. Photographers who tell stories with pictures, reporters who can cover issues fairly, facilitators and co-facilitators for our "Out of the Margins" writing workshops...we also have a lot of one time volunteer opportunities."

"When I talk about what I do, people always ask me if I have seen [the film] "Fritz Lang's Metropolis," J. Kemble, Real Change volunteer and webmaster, said. "I haven't, yet, but I do think one person can make a difference. There are things more valuable than money. There are so many detrimental things happening out there, we need to do positive...the noblest thing a human can do is sacrifice..." Kemble maintains Real Change's comprehensive web-site, www.realchangenews.org. The site features current and back issues, as well as loads of news and information about the publication, including how to volunteer.

With all the NYRs (New Year's Resolutions) floating around, what a perfect time to do a little something-something. Volunteers set their own schedule, work at their own pace and tend to enjoy what they do. For information see the Volunteer Newsletter, go to the website and click on "volunteer" or pop by the neighborhood office.

- Megan Lee

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