Interfaith Advocacy Day: February 9 in Olympia with Faith Action Network
Faith Action Network (FAN) – a coalition of congregations of all faiths, including First Church, who advocate for justice, peace, and a sustainable Earth – organizes a day near the start of the state legislative session when constituents can talk in person with their legislators to advocate for bills which reflect their values. This year Interfaith Advocacy Day is February 9.
A few members of the Church and Society/Social Justice Committee are planning on participating and carpooling to Olympia. If you are interested in joining them or if you have any questions, please contact:
Sue Porter- seporter29@gmail.com or Jackie Celin – jackie@firstchurchseattle.org
While it may sound intimidating to meet a legislator and voice your support for a particular piece of legislation, FAN provides guidance and training.
Faith Action Network Training for advocacy days:
Thursday, January 5, from 6 – 7 pm, online – FAN’s 2023 legislative agenda and an overview of what to expect this legislative session. Register for Zoom link here.
Sunday, January 8, from 2 – 3 pm, online– FAN Advocacy 101, presenting advocacy tools to use when meeting with legislators. Register for Zoom link here.
On the morning of the Feb. 9 Advocacy Day, FAN leaders and participants will divide into groups depending on the legislative bills each participant is most interested in. FAN provides talking points and one speaker may be designated to take the lead in presenting to the legislator, while also allowing others in each group to add comments. The meeting with each legislator is usually about 15 minutes.
Earth Ministry also offers advocacy training.
Earth Ministry/Washington Interfaith Power & Light (WAIPL) is offering an online faithful advocacy training on Thursday, January 12, from 6:30 – 7:30 pm. The training will include an overview of the bills Earth Ministry/WAIPL will support in 2023. For more information and to register for the online training, visit https://earthministry.org/event/earth-ministry-waipl-legislative-faithful-advocacy-training-event/.