Weekly Call To Action - March 17, 2024

Quote of the Week:

Remember that guy? The one who talked about hope and change? He pushed hope instead of fear and he won, won big. Twice. –Jim Wright, Stonekettle Station

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Federal Actions:

Tell EPA: Upgrade Transportation Standards

Photo Source: Canva

Source: from our friends at Earthjustice

Nearly 60 years ago, Congress preserved California’s explicit authority to adopt standards that are more protective than the federal government’s in order to protect California residents from vehicle pollution and to continue to lead in the area of vehicle pollution control innovation. The Clean Air Act directs EPA to review California standards and to waive federal preemption if the standards meet minimum requirements. After the EPA grants a waiver for one of these new standards, other states can then adopt them for the health of their own residents. 

EPA should quickly sign the waivers for four life-saving transportation standards that can be adopted by states from coast to coast. 

In the face of gridlock in Congress, this is an easy win for the EPA and the Biden administration. California has already developed the regulations and states are eager to adopt them on their own — all the EPA needs to do is grant states the green light to proceed. It’s a win-win-win for EPA, states, and our lungs. 

Action: Tell the EPA to upgrade transportation standards. 

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Can You Help Us Out?

Our Stuff Needs New Digs!

Photo Credit: Melinda Holman

We've Outgrown Our Storage Area! OI has accumulated seven years of “stuff”, all the material we use at meetings, rallies and to run the group. The member currently housing our "Stuff" can no longer store it and needs our help to find someone to take over the storage. She will help in inventory management but just can't house it any longer.

Here's what is needed:

• space for 11 average totes and a 3'x3'x5' space for banners & pop-up canopy 
• dry space, no mold
• somewhat easy to access as we often need just select items
• central location to Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater to save on time and gas
• available by end of June
• Communication & Flexibility in meeting members who will come to pick stuff up when needed. This is very sporadic and not very often.
• 
  

If you might be the wonderful person who can take over storage, a certain member will be very grateful and may even throw in a few dozen cookies when delivering the materials to your care. 

Photo Credit: Melinda Holman

Action: Send an email HERE for questions or to offer your space. ​

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Have You Scheduled These Events?

​Free Public Presentation to Focus on Bush Prairie Endangered Species in Tumwater

​Photo Source: Port of Olympia

The public is invited to attend a rare presentation about the endangered prairie species and their habitat at a Port Commissioners’ Work Session on Monday, March 18 at 3:30 p.m. The habitat for the endangered species includes property owned by the Port of Olympia. The public is invited to attend in person, on Zoom, or by telephone.

Action: Attend presentation about endangered species on the Bush
Prairie. Monday, March 18 at 3:30 p.m., Percival Plaza- Olympics Room, 626 Columbia Street NW, Olympia, WA 98501, via Zoom, or by telephone 1 253 215 8782, Webinar ID: 822 2857 7847. For additional information contact Shawn Gilbertson, Director of Environmental & Planning Programs for the Port of Olympia. [email protected] 

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Port of Olympia to Host an Executive Director Town Hall with the new Executive Director, Alex Smith
When: March 27, 2024, from 5:30pm to 6:30pm.
Where: Percival Plaza – Olympics Room 626 Columbia Street NW, Suite 1B Olympia, WA 98501. 
Details: HERE

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Inhale! Exhale!
You Just Helped Create Our Atmosphere.
Now Help Us Make a Video About It.

​Photo Credit: Heather Taylor Zimmerman

Surveys show that the environment and climate change are priority topics for Indivisible members. OI member Pat Wald and artist Heather Taylor Zimmerman are developing a video to help educate people about those important issues. 

Based on feedback from an earlier Cookies and Conversation* session, Pat and Heather are back with a newly redesigned “The Nature of Climate” video. This time we will talk about the new video format and explore ways to share this information with others.

If you were at the first conversation, we look forward to continuing that very productive discussion. We are also excited to welcome new people. We are very interested in your experience with this learning opportunity and hope you will join us for this review.

When: Thursday, March 28, 1:30pm to 3:30 pm
What: Conversation with Pat and Heather about their one hour video.
​Where: RSVP to Olympia Indivisible's “Cookies and Conversations” host Glen Hubbard by email here for location directions and a link to the video to review prior to the meeting.

We look forward to seeing you and getting your input. Climate change is real, and we all need to understand it better.

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*Cookies and Conversation is a periodic in-person get together at the home of one of Olympia Indivisible’s members to discuss a topic of interest. 

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Action Cafe 2024, Every Monday at Noon
OI members meet, make new friends, and take actions together. Every Cafe comes with a side order of live music and a heapin’ helpin’ of good cheer!

Cafe patrons receive an email on Sunday with a sneak-peek at what we'll do at the cafe the next day. On Monday morning, Chef Lisa will send you a pdf "Menu" which has links to the actions we'll take together at the Cafe. 

Action: Register HERE. We will send you a Zoom link and tomorrow morning, Chef Lisa will send your "menu." 

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Indivisibles Persuasion to Power Series
Wednesday, March 20th, 5:00 pm-6:00 pm, Know Your Audience with Loretta Ross 

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​You Might Also Like to Attend:

Campaign Support – Skills Training

Photo Credit: vecteezy.com

Because Representative Marie Glusenkamp Perez in Washington's Third Congressional District has attracted national attention to retain her seat in a swing district, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is offering a series of campaign trainings that are open to all of us. 

The skills being taught are exactly what we all need to be able to do to improve our effectiveness as volunteers for campaign support for all our candidates in 2024.

PERSUASION: March 21 at 6:00pm
Persuasion is a big deal in field organizing, especially when volunteers connect with people face-to-face or over the phone. It helps volunteers build trust, get support, and tailor their messages to what matters to each person. Whether talking in person or on the phone, being good at persuading allows volunteers to bring people together, change opinions, and create a strong community that supports the campaign's goals.
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OWNING YOUR PERSONAL STORY: March 28 at 6:00pm
In the realm of field organizing, the significance of personal stories cannot be overstated. These narratives serve as compelling tools to mobilize communities, illustrating the real-world impact of policy decisions and galvanizing individuals to actively engage in grassroots movements. By weaving personal experiences into the fabric of political campaigns, organizers can create a sense of shared purpose and urgency, motivating volunteers and supporters to work collectively toward common goals and effect tangible change at the local level. 

RELATIONAL ORGANIZING: April 4 at 6:00pm
Relational organizing involves mobilizing supporters to leverage their personal networks, such as friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues, to expand the reach of a political campaign. It focuses on building relationships and trust within communities to amplify the campaign's message and influence. By engaging with individuals who already have connections and shared interests, relational organizing aims to create a grassroots movement that drives voter turnout, volunteer recruitment, and overall campaign success.

CANVASSING 101: April 11 at 6:00pm
Canvassing 101 training is essential in the field because it equips volunteers with the fundamental skills needed to engage effectively with voters. This training covers the basics of door-to-door interactions, teaching volunteers how to communicate the campaign message, handle common questions, and encourage voter participation. By providing this foundational knowledge, canvassing 101 ensures that volunteers feel confident and prepared, ultimately contributing to the success of the campaign by fostering meaningful connections with the community.

PHONE AND TEXT BANKING 101: April 18 at 6:00pm
Phone-banking and text-banking 101 training is super important in the field because it teaches volunteers how to talk to people and share the campaign message over the phone or through texts. The training helps them handle different situations and connect with voters effectively. By learning these skills, volunteers become a powerful force in reaching out to the community, making sure more people know about the campaign and encouraging them to get involved. 

REGISTER HERE for any or all events 

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​In Case You Missed This:

Sheriff Sanders Town Hall on 3/12/2024
Sheriff Sanders offered to report to Olympia Indivisible on his first year in office, and we are happy to make that happen. If you missed this excellent question and answer session, here is the video. 

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​Your Work Pays Off:

Reproductive Legislation
Keep Our Care Act (KOCA), SB 5241, for tighter control of mergers in health care, didn't make it over the finish line this year, but we had huge wins with all of the other reproductive legislation we worked on. Thanks to you, important legislation passed: medication abortion labeling protections, protections for survivors of condom stealthing, fixes for abortion provider protections, ultrasound regulation, protections for adult entertainment workers, expanding access to PEP, and codifying ACA services. Thanks all for hanging in there with us - your hard work is both noted and appreciated. 

Bills That Did Pass
And despite MAGA ultra-conservative groups coming out hard against these bills, they have both passed both chambers and are awaiting the Governor's signature. Thank you for your advocacy. 

SB 5462: Inclusive learning standards - make sure “diversity, equity, and inclusion are interwoven throughout curricula and not treated as a stand-alone topic.” 
HB 2331: Public school materials - making it harder for people to challenge books in our schools by prohibiting censorship based on content related to the lives of protected minorities.