Welcome! Take Action Webinar: We the People National Lobby Month July 10, 2017 The webinar will begin in a few moments.
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Agenda 1. Quick Overview of Move to Amend 2. August is We the People Lobby Month 3. Lobby Tips 4. How to Get Started 5. Questions 6. Next Steps
Mission Move to Amend is a coalition of hundreds of organizations and hundreds of thousands of individuals committed to social and economic justice, ending corporate rule, and building a vibrant democracy that is genuinely accountable to the people, not corporate interests.
Goals Pass the We the People Amendment to make clear that artificial entities do not have Constitutional rights and that money is not speech. Provoke discussion and organizing about how to make real the promise of American democracy through Constitutional renewal.
Our Principles & Values 1. Anti-Oppression and Solidarity Organizing 2. Coalition and Movement Building 3. Grassroots Organizing 4. Dedication to Political Education 5. Keep Our Political and Economic Independence
Amending the Constitution Congress 2/3 of both houses (House and Senate) must pass amendment resolution 3/4 of states must ratify (38 states) Constitutional Convention 2/3 of state legislatures call for a Convention to propose amendment (34 states) 3/4 of states must ratify (38 states)
Strategy Primary target is American people at this time (not Congress) to build a movement for power Coalition building reaching out to other organizations working on issues affected by corporate power Building a broad and diverse, multi-racial & inter-generational movement reaching out to those most affected by corporate rule Community organizing, not just activism Focus on grassroots organizing to pass local and state resolutions calling for amendment
Move to Amend Structure Grassroots Move to Amend Affiliates We the People Amendment Working Groups National National Leadership Team (Board) & Staff National Committees Issue/Sector Caucuses
August is We the People National Lobby Month Congress on recess and available to meet with constituents Affiliates will be visiting District and Senate offices in their states New volunteers can organize District meetings too All Move to Amend supporters will be calling offices we re visiting all month long
2017 Strategic Plan Goals for We the People Amendment in Congress 1. Reintroduction in House of Representatives ü Introduced by Rick Nolan (MN) on 1/30/17 2. 35 Co-Sponsors in House by December 2017 ü 44 as of today! 3. Introduced in the Senate with 5 sponsors More info at /plan
Purposes of Lobbying Educate an elected official about an issue Identify whether she is a supporter of your position, an opponent, or undecided Move a supporter to be a champion, or an undecided individual to be a supporter Soften or neutralize an opponent
Our Targets and Our Ask U.S. House of Representatives need to cosponsor House Joint Resolution 48 (the We the People Amendment) U.S. Senators need to introduce companion bill to House Joint Resolution 48
Current Co-Sponsors of HJR 48 Rick Nolan (MN) Barbara Lee (CA) John Conyers (MI) Eliot Engel (NY) Betty McCollum (MN) Paul Tonko (NY) Jamie Raskin (MD) Ro Khanna (CA) Matt Cartwright (PA) Michael Capuano (MA) Ted Lieu (CA) Donald Norcross (NJ) Keith Ellison (MN) Janice Schakowsky (IL) Donald Beyer (VA) Jose Serrano (NY) Mark Pocan (WI) Jared Huffman (CA) Danny Davis (IL) Derek Kilmer (WA) Mark Takano (CA) Suzanne Bonamici (OR) Alma Adams (NC) Pramila Jayapal (WA) Earl Blumenauer (OR) Eleanor Norton (DC) Marcia Fudge (OH) Tim Walz (MN) Peter DeFazio (OR) Elijah Cummings (MD) Ron Kind (WI) Tulsi Gabbard (HI) Louise Slaughter (NY) Peter Welch (VT) Jackie Speier (CA) Walter Jones (NC) Beto O Rourke (TX) Suzan DelBene (WA) Seth Moulton (MA) Marcy Kaptur (OH) Raul Grijalva (AZ) James McGovern (MA) Karen Bass (CA) Ed Perlmutter (CO)
Top Priority Senators Jon Tester (MT) Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) Sherrod Brown (OH) Kamala Harris (CA) Jeff Merkley (OR) Tammy Duckworth (IL) Elizabeth Warren (MA) Ed Markey (MA) Al Franken (MN) Amy Klobuchar (MN)
Move to Amend Will Provide ü Talking Points ü Educational Information to Leave with Your Legislator(s) ü List of Petition Signers in Your District (if you request) ü Connect you with others in your state ü Troubleshooting and support
What You ll Need to Prepare ü Decide Who You Will Target Existing Co-Sponsors: Thank and Ask for Additional Support New House Members: Educate and Ask to Co-Sponsor Senators: Educate and Ask to Introduce Companion Bill ü Schedule the Meeting(s) ü Research Your Representative(s) ü List of Endorsing Organizations in Your District
Before Your Meeting Get familiar with talking points (Move to Amend will provide) Practice telling your story why do you support the We the People Amendment? Learn more about your Representative(s) do a little research
At Your Meeting Dress appropriately (no jeans, sandals, flip flops, or tshirts) Be prepared to meet with legislative assistant Stay on topic a little chitchat is ok, but remember your time is limited Solicit your legislator s views on this issue Conclude the meeting leave educational info, your contact info, offer to be a resource Take a picture! Especially if you are a group, take your picture with your legislator or their staffer.
Tips Don t make statements that assume that others share your political views. Be respectful when talking about all political leaders. Stay focused on Move to Amend.
After Your Meeting Complete Report Form before you leave (Move to Amend will provide) Transcribe Report Form online Send a thank you letter as soon as you get home (Move to Amend will provide template) Plan to follow up by telephone early September
Get Started Go to /we-peoplelobby-2017 and sign up Familiarize yourself with materials Schedule your meeting(s) Recruit friends to join you! Let Move to Amend know your plans!
Questions?
Next Steps Complete the survey at the end of this webinar (you will automatically be directed there after we end) Contact Move to Amend if you have any questions info@movetoamend.org (916) 318-8040 Next Take Action webinar is August 14: RSVP at /webinars