building legislative relationships

7/30/2019 Building Legislative Relationships

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Faith inDemocracyThe Why, What and How of Religious SocialAction


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The Big Questions

Why should people of faith participate in politics and policy?

What aspects of public policy does our faith call us toaddress?

Howcan local congregations become effectively involved inpolicy advocacy, and integrate it within the life of the congregation?


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The Why of

Faith in Democracy?

_____________

Why should people of faith participate in

developing public policies?


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What does our faith tell us about ourrole in community?


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From Judaism:Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyselfWhat ishurtful to yourself do not to your fellow man. That is

the whole of the Torah and the remainder is but

commentary.

From Christianity:A new commandment I give to you, That you love one another even as I haveloved you

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, for this is the law and the

prophets.


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From Islam:No one is a believer until he loves for his

neighbor, and for his brother, what he loves forhimself.

From Hinduism:A man obtains a proper rule of action by looking on hisneighbor as himself.

From Buddhism:Full of love for all things in the world, practicing virtue in

order to benefit others, this man alone is happy.


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From Taoism:

Regard your neighbors gain as your owngain; and regard your neighbors loss as

your own loss, even as though you were in

their place.

From Native American:God is the Father, Earth the Mother. Withall things and in all things, we are relatives.


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Who is our neighbor?


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There are many neighbors that we never see.


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In the United States, participating in democracy

is one important way we love our neighbors,especially those we never see.


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In a democracy we all share responsibility for the

public policies that structure our lives.

.


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The What ofFaith in Democracy

_______________

Whataspects of public policy in Texas

are we called to address as people of

faith?


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Faith and Policy

Protecting the Most Vulnerable

Stewardship of Human and Natural Resources

Economic and Racial Injustice

Diversity Peace


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Religious Policy Concerns

Protecting Those Most

Vulnerable

Stewardship of Human and

Natural Resources Economic and Racial Injustice

Diversity

Peace


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How Are We Guided in

Policy Issues?

Basic religious teachings

Social justice teachings of

denomination or other equivalent body

Group study

Historical experience

Scientific studies

Perspectives of experts on issue


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The Wesleyan Quadrilateral


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Scripture

Tradition

Experience

Reason


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Examples of ConsensusJustice Issues in Texas

Gambling

Healthcare Tax Fairness

Air Pollution

Wrongful Conviction

Campaign Ethics Public School Funding

Inmate Rehabilitation


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Texas Religious AdvocacyOrganizations

Texas Impact

Baptist Christian Life Commission Texas Catholic Conference

American Jewish Committee

Freedom and Justice Foundation


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The How of

Faith in Democracy__________

How can a congregation effectively

influence public policy?

How can faith advocacy be integratedwithin the life of the congregation ?


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Faithful Participation inDemocracy Means

learn about the issuesparticipate in the public policy debate

express your faith values

honor diversity of opinionwork together with others in yourcongregation to be effective advocates


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Interacting with the Legislative Process

www.capitol.state.tx.us

National model of transparency

Just like being therealmost!
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/


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People


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Bills


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Committees


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Making Your Voice Count

Who?

What?

When?

Where?

Why?


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WHO do you need to influence?

Your member

Legislative staff

Leadership

Another influencer

An outside group

f


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WHAT do you want from them?

Promise to do something?

Vote on specific bill?

Talk to someone for you?

Pass a resolution, send a letter, sign a

postcard, come to an event?

WHEN do you need to get your


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WHEN do you need to get yourmessage out?

Do you want them to file abill?

Do you want them to

support a bill or concept? Do you want them to

support or oppose specificamendments?

Do you want them to try tokill a bill?

WHERE is the best place to


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WHERE is the best place tocommunicate with them?

In their district office?

At the Capitol?

In public?

In private?

s ou ey s en o


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s ou ey s en o

Constituent

Group Member

Expert

StakeholderTaxpayer

Trusted Voice


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First Level Engagement

Emails

Petitions

Demonstrations/vigils

Impersonal, little effort


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Second Level Engagement

Letters Phone calls

Personal, little effort


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Third Level Engagement

Letters to the editor Testimony

Press conferences

Impersonal, big effort


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Fourth Level Engagement

Personal Meetings

Personal, big effort

The Magic Formula


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The Magic Formula(works with non-legislators, too!)

WERE ALL BUSY, SO.

No creative writing

No mystery stories

Think elevator speech


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1-2-31. Who you are, and why they should care

2. What youre concerned about

3. The legislative outcome you want


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Inside The Pink Building

Have a successful meeting: Make an appointment, even at the last minute

Take one or two leave-behinds

Practice your talking points

Set your priorities Know your time constraints

Know what you want to achieve

Love the staff

Thank everyone

Have Fun!

building legislative relationships

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