“Here’s a copy of anti-FOX news,” says the woman with a warming smile as she hands a folded newspaper from her purse to a passerby on the street in midtown Sacramento. This woman is Jeanie Keltner, longtime coordinating editor of Sacramento’s progressive bimonthly newspaper Because People Matter.

Tonight Keltner and fellow coordinating editor Joanne Fuller spearheaded a community meeting to discuss the future of the newspaper with the publication’s volunteers and supporters. Due to the anticipated resignation of Fuller and Keltner, and the absence of several other key contributors, BPM organizers asked supporters and volunteers whether or not they could commit to keeping the newspaper alive.

“The paper is not in jeopardy because of distribution or readership,” said coordinating editor Jackie Diaz.

“It’s people to do the work that we’re missing—it needs people power.”

Because People Matter is looking for the dedication of likeminded writers, distributors, proofreaders, and photographers to keep the publication going. The nonprofit newspaper has been distributed in Sacramento for the past 15 years, and relies entirely on the dedication of volunteers for production.

“It’s true there’s no pay involved, but it has been one of the richest experiences of my life,” says Keltner.

The publication prides itself on being a progressive and “left-wing” publication, providing news that “you can’t find in other papers”.

Keltner adds that “The richness of this paper is to be able to hand it to people who don’t have access to this information.”

“I always have five in my purse,” she says with a grin.

Although Fuller determined that there was enough volunteer support at the meeting to keep BPM running, members of the meeting agreed that the publication would do better with more volunteers.

The planning meeting for BPM’s next issue is May 1, 2009.

To become involved in planning or production process of the publication, send an email to bpmnews@nicetechnology.com.