Protecting the Common Good
Let justice roll down like waters… Amos 5:24
Additional information is now available about the Council’s Legislative Seminar taking place on April 5. You can still attend! If you have missed the registration deadline, we invite you to attend this event with the understanding that we cannot guarantee a lunch. We usually have cancellations and a lunch may be available. When you arrive, check in at the registration table and we will know if we can provide a lunch for you. Cost without lunch is $12.
Date, Time & Location
Tuesday, April 5, 2011, 8:45 – 3:30
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
1725 N. New Hope Road, Raleigh, NC
Program
- 8:45 Registration (coffee, juice and pastries)
- 9:30 Opening Session: Worship led by the Rev. Dr. Arnetta Beverly (St. Matthew United Methodist Church, Greensboro)
- 10:05 Workshops – Session 1
- 11:15 Annual Assembly and Awards Presentations
- 11:45 Lunch and Networking Time
- 12:45 Workshops – Session 2
- 2:00 Workshops – Session 3
- 3:15 Closing Session: Worship led by the Rev. Lorraine Ljunggren (St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Raleigh)
- 3:30 Adjourn
WORKSHOPS
Of General Interest Across Issues
People of Faith and the Common Good
An examination of Christian teachings about the doctrine of the common good. How is this relevant to issues before the General Assembly? Led by Fr. David McBriar, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Raleigh.
How to Be an Effective Grassroots Lobbyist
A training in the most effective ways to communicate with legislators. Led by Megan Nerz, former director of the Franciscan Coalition for Peace and Justice.
The Legislative Process
What do you need to know about how a bill becomes law? How can you use this knowledge to be as effective and efficient as possible? Led by George Reed, Executive Director, NC Council of Churches.
Messaging – Framing It and Getting It Heard
How we communicate our message is important. Should we be doing it differently this year than in previous years? Led by Stephanie Bass, Communications Director, Blueprint NC, and Aleta Payne, Communications Director, NC Council of Churches.
Social Networking for Social Justice
How can we use Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking sites to engage younger people in our work for social justice and to be more effective in working on current legislative issues? Led by Stephanie Bass, Communications Director, Blueprint NC; Alyssa Bryant (Assistant Professor) and Diane Chapman (Teaching Associate Professor), College of Education, NC State University.
Finding Narratives of Hope in Discouraging Times
This legislative session will be a discouraging one for most progressive and prophetic advocates. How can we cope with the discouragement, and how can we find signs of hope? Led by Jack McKinney, former pastor, Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, Raleigh.
On Specific Legislative Issues
Each workshop will deal with important legislation on the specific issue.
The Budget Crisis: Can We Cut Our Way Out?
Led by Louisa Warren, Senior Policy Advocate, NC Justice Center, and Rob Thompson, Executive Director, Covenant with NC’s Children.
Public Education
Led by Christopher Hill, Education and Law Project Director, NC Justice Center.
Preserving Health Care Reform
Led by Lynice Williams, Executive Director, NC Fair Share, and Sandy Irving, Healthcare Program Associate, North Carolina Council of Churches.
Immigration
Led by Irene Godínez, Legislative Director, Latin American Coalition.
Climate Change
Led by Brian Buzby, Executive Director, NC Conservation Network
GLBT Issues
Led by Ian Palmquist, Executive Director, Equality NC
Good Government (public financing for elections, early voting, photo ID)
Led by Bob Phillips, Executive Director, NC Common Cause
Jobs & Wages
Led by Alexandra Forter Sirota, Director, NC Budget & Tax Center, NC Justice Center
Early Childhood (Smart Start, More at Four, child care subsidies, NC Health Choice)
Led by Mandy Ableidinger, Director of Policy and Budget Analysis, Action for Children NC
Preventive Health (physical activity, nutrition, and tobacco-use cessation)
Led by Pam Seamans, Executive Director, NC Alliance for Health
Farms and Farmworkers
Led by Shivaugn Rayl, Campaign Coordinator, Sustainable Food NC, and Carol Brooke, Migrant Worker Attorney, NC Justice Center
Death Penalty (including Racial Justice Act)
Led by Tye Hunter, Executive Director, Center for Death Penalty Litigation
Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse
Led by Julia Adams, Assistant Director of Government Relations, The Arc of North Carolina
Annual Assembly and Awards Presentations
- Faith Active in Public Life Award
- Distinguished Service Award
