Notes from the Front

“We will not fix San Francisco one project at a time. We must fight for structural change, which includes electing better officials and passing legislation.” - GrowSF Mission

Hello everybody -

Welcome to Notes from the Front. 

This episode features Steven Buss & Sachin Agarwal, two former tech executives now dedicating their time to building GrowSF, a nonprofit focused on advocating for common sense policy in San Francisco. From writing voter guides to running political education events, Steven & Sachin are working tirelessly to turn around the city they love. Their vision is for a growing, safe, vibrant, family-oriented future.  

I found this conversation fascinating, and I hope you will too. 

~ Michelle 

📺 To Watch on YouTube

🎧 Other audio versions: Spotify, Apple, Overcast

📖 Learn More:

* GrowSF voter guide

* GrowSF Feb Poll 

* Lanier Coles for DCCC (Notes from the Front episode)

* On defunding SFPD: “Did S.F. deliver on promise to redirect $120 million from law enforcement to Black community? (SF Chronicle)

* On SF Board of Supervisors part time vs full time: “S.F. supervisor moonlighting ban a burden” (SF Gate)

* Are There More Dogs Than Children in S.F.? (KQED)

* San Francisco has more drug users than public high school students (KTVU)

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.notesfromthefront.com

Hello everybody -

Welcome to Notes from the Front! This episode features Lanier Coles, a San Francisco resident running for the Democratic County Central Committee (aka DCCC). It will be a tight race, and she will need all the support she can get. Our conversation about her run for office (and views on San Francisco politics) is attached.

Have a great week!

~ Michelle

Links for viewing & sharing:

* YouTube (video version)

* Spotify

* Apple Podcasts

* Overcast

* Lanier’s Campaign Website

* SF Register to Vote (Deadline is Feb 20)

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.notesfromthefront.com

Hello everybody,

In this episode, we're speaking with Sam Lessin, a prominent figure in tech and venture capital. Sam has held several exciting roles in his career. He was VP of Product at Facebook and subsequently founded two companies - drop.io and Fin. Most recently, he co-founded and is a General Partner at Slow Ventures, a VC firm that has raised over $750 million. He’s invested in dozens of innovative startups like Venmo, Solana, and Teamshares. Sam also writes prolifically, both on X/Twitter and The Information. 

In this conversation, we'll explore Sam's latest endeavor: an against-all-odds run for the Harvard Board of Overseers. Sam, a Harvard alum, has grown increasingly alarmed by changes on the Harvard campus in recent years. He believes that the school requires serious reform - and must focus on academic excellence above all else while embracing free speech in the classroom & beyond. To reach the ballot, he must receive 3,300 write-in nominations.

We'll delve into what this role entails, the significance of the Harvard example in higher education, and the challenges of running as a write-in candidate. I found the conversation fascinating, and I hope you will, too.

~ Michelle

🎥 P.S. If you prefer to watch the video, you can find it below or on YouTube.

Resources/links:

* Sam for Overseer Website (includes instructions for nomination)

* Sample email template

Chapters:

* Introduction and Background: 00:00

* The Harvard Overseer Board: 03:20

* Confusion between Harvard Corporation and Harvard Overseers: 05:20

* Election and Term of the Overseers: 07:40

* Running as a Write-In Candidate: 09:10

* Challenges and Requirements for Nomination: 10:00

* Multiple Candidates and Bill Ackman's Slate: 13:50

* Power Dynamics and Administrative Reform: 17:00

* The Importance of Harvard's Example: 18:40

* Consistency in Political Statements: 22:10

* Advocating for Change as an Insider-Outsider: 25:40

* How to Support Sam's Campaign: 28:30

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.notesfromthefront.com

Hello everybody —

Please find attached a draft of The New Meth & Fentanyl Crisis. It features Sam Quinones, author of Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic & The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth.

The episode covers a wide range of topics. From the Sacklers & role that McKinsey played in the Opioid crisis, to the dangers associated with the new synthetic versions of meth & fentanyl, and the new supply chain from China to Mexico. We wrap with a discussion of what could be done to reduce overdose deaths & turn things around.

If you have any feedback or ideas for how this could be better, please leave a comment or email me.

Notes & timestamps will be posted soon.

Hope you find this thought-provoking,

Michelle

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.notesfromthefront.com

Hi everybody -

This is a working draft of our launch episode, How to Fight the Overdose Crisis in San Francisco. If you have any feedback or ideas about how it could be better, please email us or leave a comment below.

Also, if you would like to watch the episode on YouTube, click here.

Thank you for listening/watching!

~ Michelle

*Notes coming soon.*

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.notesfromthefront.com