|
|
|
CHOOSING YOUR ISSUE
The key is narrowing down to one or two issues!
You cannot afford to be so overwhelmed by all the issues that need your group’s attention that you throw up your hands and do nothing.
Hopefully, by spending a little time thinking about which issues make the most sense for your group, you will enter into the service and ministry of advocacy with a deep commitment and ability to make a difference.
In deciding which issue to pursue, some local groups have created a tier system: the top tier includes those issues to which the group makes a major commitment; the middle tier are those issues the group monitors and speaks up about when needed; and the bottom tier are those issues for which the group will simply show their support.
Use the following questions to begin your issue search:
What activities is our congregation/group heavily involved in at this time?
How many people in our state/synod geographic area/community are affected by this issue?
Do our members have direct experience with this issue?
Can we make a difference if we get involved?
Who else is working on this issue? With whom can we partner?
What are the Scriptural mandates concerning this issue?
What messages can we communicate?
Remember, A Good Issue:
- Affects an organization and its constituency in a tangible way
- Offers the opportunity to let many people become involved
- Should be specific and winnable*
- Should encourage your organization to enter into a new level of commitment
- Is *winnable – an issue that is vital may not be completely “winnable” but there are ways to setting realistic goals, such as keeping the budget the same or only 25 percent cuts.
|
|
 |
|
|
Center Priorities (.pdf)
Bulletin Inserts
Child Support (.pdf)
Environment (.pdf)
Housing Trust (.pdf)
Indigent Defense (.pdf)
Payday Lending (.pdf)
Minimum Wage (.pdf)
Advocacy Resources
Advocacy Guide (.doc)
Advocacy Portal (link)
Lending Info. (.ppt)
Richmond Map (.pdf)
For Small Groups
Eco-Stewardship (link)
Prayers for Creation (link)
Poverty Diet (link)
|
|
|
Policy Briefs
EITC (.doc)
TANF Child Support (.doc)
Payday Loans (.doc)
Healing Creation (.doc)
Child Ombudsman (.doc)
Affordable Housing (.doc)
Indigent Defense (.doc)
Minimum Wage (.doc)
Wage & EITC (.doc)
VA Tribes (.link)
Actions
Lending Petition (link)
Title Petition (link)
Wage Petition (link)
Reports
Budget Analysis (.pdf)
Food Stamps (.doc)
Lottery Study (link)
FAQ's (link)
|
|
|
Your donation helps the Interfaith Center advocate for a more compassionate Commonwealth. Your gifts support trainings, advocacy, community programs, and briefing development. Get involved and begin to Learn Pray and Act with us. Together we can!
|
|
|
