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NC Interfaith Power & Light

A program of the NC Council of Churches

Advocacy

The work of “Advocating with Compassion” is the faithful work of justice. This work is grounded in our values, faith traditions, spiritualities, and the work of countless colleagues who have committed themselves to doing climate activism in a more just way. As an organization, NCIPL and the NC Council of Churches’ Eco-Justice Connection uphold the Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Principles. We are guided by these principles, in addition to the Jemez Principles for Democratic Organizing. We are committed to advocating in a way that honors the experiences of those who are not in the room. When we “Advocate with Compassion,” we enter into relationship with our legislators in a way that acknowledges their humanity and calls on them to see the humanity in all whom they represent. When we “Advocate with Compassion,” we begin our conversations in a place of love, commit to honesty and truth-telling, and center the voices of marginalized communities.

What Does It Mean to Advocate with Compassion

  • Listen to impacted communities. Follow the leadership of Black, Brown, and Indigenous leaders in addition to communities in poverty.
  • Ask what the legislators you are speaking to love. Ask about their positive hopeful vision for NC, and then connect that to your vision for love and justice.
  • Stay grounded in love. Acknowledge the humanity of all you are working alongside.
  • Stay grounded in justice and truth-telling. Be clear, bold, and prophetic.
  • Learn how and why others do what they do. Try to understand their beliefs and values.
  • Include everyone.  It’s not us against them.
  • Love ourselves through the process. If you are becoming overcome with bitterness it may be time for a break. Activism is challenging, and we have to invest in our own self-care.
  • If we are practicing creation care, then as a part of that we are caring for ourselves. Emphasize this with legislators.
What is the difference between advocating and lobbying? The simplest explanation is lobbying happens when you ask an elected official to vote a certain way on legislation. Advocating is when you are educating officials on specific issues, expressing your opinion on issues, and/or asking for their opinion on a problem. How do I talk about my faith and advocate? Lawmakers, from legislators to county commissioners, have communicated with NCIPL time and time again that they want to hear what the faith community has to say about energy issues in our state. Policymakers do not expect people of faith to speak “as experts” in the field of science or the technology of energy (if you would like to address these issues, though, don’t hesitate) but rather look to the faith community for guidance on the morality concerning these issues.  Lay and ordained faith leaders from around the state have voiced theologically-based support for clean, renewable-based energy. Read some of the excerpts from recent faith-oriented testimonies here. We offer statements by various faith traditions and denominations and more on our faith-based resources page. Sign up to view our Advocating with Compassion Webinar. How can I put my faith in action? [/collapse]

Ways You Can Advocate With Compassion

There are many different actions you could take which are a vital part of the work NCIPL does. By taking action online or offline you help to educate your community, your elected officials, and raise the importance of an issue. This helps lay the ground work for advocacy organizations, like NCIPL, to have in depth and more technical conversations with our decision makers. Citizens can be involved in several different ways:
  • Personal Choices — decisions you can make every day that have an impact. These are also important stories you can tell when talking with your elected officials.
  • Advocacy — describes a way of engaging in the public policy process that helps build public awareness, adds the people’s voice to problems, & gets elected officials attention.
  • Lobbying – a form of advocacy more narrowly defined as asking an elected official to take a certain position on a specific piece of legislation.

What Can Citizens Do?

 Stay Informed

 Utilize The Written Word

 Use Your Voice!

  • Speak to your church, neighborhood association, or other community group. We can help you! Check out our resources.
  • Attend a public hearing or an elected body committee meeting.
  • Attend City Council or County Commissioner meetings.
  • Meet face-to-face with your elected officials.

 Get Together and Get Going

  • Circulate a petition in your community or church. Email us and request a petition.
  • Host a event.
  • Get together a group of your friends to show a relevant documentary film, take action by signing postcards or petitions, and/or helping to raise money to support NCIPL’s work. You can do this on your own or email us for help.
  • Facilitate an Earth Sabbath Celebration.

 Spread the Word

  • Help us spread the word and educate our communities by forwarding our emails, bring friends to events.
  • Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Then like or retweet our posts!

Meeting and Talking with Elected Officials

There are several different ways to go about meeting your elected officials. You can: 1) Meet one-on-one. 2) Get 2 or 3 friends together and setup a time to meet with your elected official. 3) Request a district meeting- This is a meeting to be held while they are at home in their district. For state legislators this is a very effective way to deliver your message because they are not distracted by the hustle and bustle in Raleigh. Click here to find your members’ contact information and request a meeting or make aphone call today!

Guidelines for effective conversations

  • If it is a meeting, make an appointment.
  • Know who they are.
    • Look up their campaign website and their profile on ncleg.net. See what types of bills they sponsor to get a sense of what they are interested in.
    • If possible identify their faith tradition, house of worship, and learn if there is policy or precedent from a faith perspective on the issue of interest.
  • Be respectful of their time: keep it short and to the point.
  • Say where you live in their district and that you vote.
  • Tell your official why you are talking with them and be able to make your “ask” within the first minute or two after the greetings.
  • Be politely persuasive.
  • Never lie.
  • Listen to what they say.
  • Focus on one issue.
    • Ask them what they think about the issue and how their policy solution would solve the problem.
    • Be ready to politely express alternative point of view if it is different – stressing your faith as the primary motivator, briefly telling your personal story
  • If they are supportive of your issue:
    • Thank them.
    • Be a resource – they can’t be experts on everything.
  • If they oppose you:
    • Thank them for their time and move on to officials who are more likely support you.
    • Stay cordial and friendly. Even if you disagree now you want to keep the door open for other issues.
  • Undecided or Non-committal:
    • Try to understand their reservations and continue to communicate with them.
    • Provide additional information in a timely manner in a form which is most useful to the official.
    • Never threaten, whine, misrepresent facts, or burn bridges.
    • Leave your contact information.
    • Follow-up with a brief e mail, thanking them for your time.
    • After any conversation please let us know how your Legislator stands on an environmental bill or issue. You can either give us a ring or drop us a line. This information is a great way you can help environmental advocacy organizations be more effective.
  • Follow-up – If you are asked a question you don’t know the answer too, say so but be sure to follow up later with the answer as agreed upon with the official (e-mail, letter, phone call, another meeting, contacting staffer). If you aren’t sure where to find the answer feel free to email us for help.
  • Say thank you
Important Note: Often when you call during the legislative session you will speak to the Legislative Assistant and not your elected official. This is still an important conversation and you should still tell your story and make your ask. Also be sure to state whether or not you want your elected official to return your phone call.

Writing An Effective Email or Letter

  • Keep It Short & Simple (KISS)
  • Be personal – tell a story – stress faith motivations. If you have questions about how to talk about your faith and advocate, check out our faith-based resources.
  • DO NOT USE ALL CAPS.
  • Avoid over punctuating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • Basic writing etiquette applies.
  • Be sure to state why you are writing, what you are asking for and thank them for reading your note.
  • Sharing your personal thoughts or experiences and expressing your motivation from your faith is never wrong. It makes your email more interesting to read and listen too. With very little time to read officials find it refreshing to read something more than a form letter.
Send your elected official a letter now!

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