Olympia Indivisible Teams
Operational Teams:
Ensure Olympia Indivisible's operational efficacy, outreach, and sustainability.
Action Team
We create and publish the weekly Call To Action. We creates Urgent Calls To Action when needed.
Details:
The Call to Action is a foundational weekly activity of Olympia Indivisible: it is our “one-stop-shopping” source for OI’s members to respond meaningfully and in a timely way to what is happening at the White House, the federal Congress, the State Legislature and in Thurston County. The team meets Sunday mornings and after lively discussion, selects a handful of federal, state, and/or county issues which are current, important, and actionable. Issues are then taken home by team members, who formulate background texts and actions which are sent to the team lead, generally by 5:00pm. OI’s Call to Action is published on the OI website, Facebook, Twitter and e-mailed to all members every Sunday evening. The team occasionally issues Urgent Calls to Action when an emergency situation demands immediate response from our members.
Contact the Action Team
Details:
The Call to Action is a foundational weekly activity of Olympia Indivisible: it is our “one-stop-shopping” source for OI’s members to respond meaningfully and in a timely way to what is happening at the White House, the federal Congress, the State Legislature and in Thurston County. The team meets Sunday mornings and after lively discussion, selects a handful of federal, state, and/or county issues which are current, important, and actionable. Issues are then taken home by team members, who formulate background texts and actions which are sent to the team lead, generally by 5:00pm. OI’s Call to Action is published on the OI website, Facebook, Twitter and e-mailed to all members every Sunday evening. The team occasionally issues Urgent Calls to Action when an emergency situation demands immediate response from our members.
Contact the Action Team
Coalition-Networking
Strengthens and amplifies Olympia Indivisible’s work through coalition building and networking with Indivisible groups at the local, Congressional district, state, and national levels, networking on areas of common cause with other organizations, and building coalitions with vulnerable/under-represented communities. Team members will be Olympia Indivisible Ambassadors, designated to participate and coordinate with specific groups within the coalitions and networks we expand and develop (who knows, you may already be involved with that group!). Ambassadors will be asked to attend meetings and/or events of their designated groups at least once a month, will maintain social media presence with them, and exchange communications, send/receive notifications with their designated group on an ongoing basis, with updates to the Co-Team Lead on a schedule to be determined.
The team members will be asked for a commitment of involvement for no less than 6 months. This team is about building relationships upon which we can broaden Olympia Indivisible’s civic engagement and that takes consistent participation in our subgroups.
Details: This team has four subgroups which meet independently, in person and/or via social media and video-conferencing:
I to I in CD10: CD10Wa Indivisible Leaders Group.
This group strengthens participation with CD-10 Indivisible chapters through information-sharing about organizational matters, while amplifying the power of Indivisible in CD10 through collaborative work on areas of common interest.
I to I statewide: Washington State Indivisible Coalition (WASIC).
WASIC is a coalition of Indivisible members from chapters across Washington which amplifies the power of Indivisible at the state and federal levels through collaborative work on areas of common interest. WASIC works within the framework of the national Indivisible organization, using the national Indivisible guides and other resources as they pertain to statewide action. WASIC organizes an annual statewide Indivisible Lobby Day in Olympia (our first-ever Lobby Day is on Feb. 15, 2019). WASIC uses the Slack communication platform as its primary means of communication and supplements this communication with periodic ZOOM meetings. Olympia Indivisible Ambassadors in this sub-group will seek opportunities to support and participate in activities consistent with OI's values, practices and priorities, and in advancing WaSICs efforts through participation/ cooperation with other Indivisible chapters within Washington State on statewide priorities.
Community Networking Team.
Amplifies Olympia Indivisible’s visibility and strength by networking with non-Indivisible groups on issues and events where there is common cause. Building upon the Oly Alert coalition (plans for the expansion and working model have begun), this team will ensure that pertinent OI-sponsored actions, events, and educational opportunities are publicized to groups for whom these are relevant. The team will also reach out to teams within Olympia Indivisible to alert them to opportunities to avoid duplication of effort and to share sponsorship/participation in relevant actions, events, and educational opportunities hosted by other community groups.
Diversity Alliance Team.
This team builds coalitions with under-represented and vulnerable communities within CD-10, seeking opportunities for alliance where there is common cause.
Contact the Coalition and Networking Team
The team members will be asked for a commitment of involvement for no less than 6 months. This team is about building relationships upon which we can broaden Olympia Indivisible’s civic engagement and that takes consistent participation in our subgroups.
Details: This team has four subgroups which meet independently, in person and/or via social media and video-conferencing:
I to I in CD10: CD10Wa Indivisible Leaders Group.
This group strengthens participation with CD-10 Indivisible chapters through information-sharing about organizational matters, while amplifying the power of Indivisible in CD10 through collaborative work on areas of common interest.
I to I statewide: Washington State Indivisible Coalition (WASIC).
WASIC is a coalition of Indivisible members from chapters across Washington which amplifies the power of Indivisible at the state and federal levels through collaborative work on areas of common interest. WASIC works within the framework of the national Indivisible organization, using the national Indivisible guides and other resources as they pertain to statewide action. WASIC organizes an annual statewide Indivisible Lobby Day in Olympia (our first-ever Lobby Day is on Feb. 15, 2019). WASIC uses the Slack communication platform as its primary means of communication and supplements this communication with periodic ZOOM meetings. Olympia Indivisible Ambassadors in this sub-group will seek opportunities to support and participate in activities consistent with OI's values, practices and priorities, and in advancing WaSICs efforts through participation/ cooperation with other Indivisible chapters within Washington State on statewide priorities.
Community Networking Team.
Amplifies Olympia Indivisible’s visibility and strength by networking with non-Indivisible groups on issues and events where there is common cause. Building upon the Oly Alert coalition (plans for the expansion and working model have begun), this team will ensure that pertinent OI-sponsored actions, events, and educational opportunities are publicized to groups for whom these are relevant. The team will also reach out to teams within Olympia Indivisible to alert them to opportunities to avoid duplication of effort and to share sponsorship/participation in relevant actions, events, and educational opportunities hosted by other community groups.
Diversity Alliance Team.
This team builds coalitions with under-represented and vulnerable communities within CD-10, seeking opportunities for alliance where there is common cause.
Contact the Coalition and Networking Team
COMMUNICATIONS TECH TEAM
The Communications Team works internally and externally to advance Olympia Indivisible's mission and goals, endorsed candidates, legislative initiatives, resources, and opposition tactics. Internally, we find opportunities to improve members' collaboration and mobilization efforts. Externally, we coordinate media releases, social media scheduling and messaging.
Contact the Communications Tech Team
Contact the Communications Tech Team
Membership Team
We build and sustain our community of committed and engaged patriotic citizen activists. We recruit and welcome new members, implement All Member meetings, build skills and create experiences that inspire, connect and unite us.
Postcards for Progress:
Build on the camaraderie and success of our 2018 Postcard campaigns by writing postcards advocating progressive candidates, issues and causes, getting out the vote for special elections, and speaking out against regressive actions that undermine our values and our democratic institutions. We will hold postcard parties twice a month. We will act on Local, State and Federal levels.
Contact the Membership Team
Postcards for Progress:
Build on the camaraderie and success of our 2018 Postcard campaigns by writing postcards advocating progressive candidates, issues and causes, getting out the vote for special elections, and speaking out against regressive actions that undermine our values and our democratic institutions. We will hold postcard parties twice a month. We will act on Local, State and Federal levels.
Contact the Membership Team
Governmental Teams:
The Governmental Teams carry out OI’s legislative advocacy at federal, state, and county levels.
State & County Legislation
Leverages OI’s membership strength to pass progressive and resist regressive laws, initiatives, policies, and regulations, and to support fair, democratic practices at state and county levels, with a primary focus on priority issues set for in the Olympia Indivisible Strategic plan for 2019. Our team will coordinate with OI’s Coalition/Networking, Action, Environmental and Clean Government teams to avoid duplication of effort and to amplify their work. This team will periodically hold daytime face-to-face meetings and/or via social media and video-conferencing. State and County business tend to be conducted during the daytime, so if you are a daytime person who does not want to be going to evening meetings, this team is for you!
Details:
Contact the State & County Legislation Team
Details:
- At the State level:
We will relay weekly reports to the OI Action team about opportunities to weigh in on key progressive legislation during the State Legislative session.[NOTE: Clean Government team and Environmental team will be tracking and relaying information about bills relevant to their specific mandates; our team will track and relay information for bills on other priority issues].
We will also relay information to the OI Steering Committee about state initiatives which address OI Values, for possible OI endorsement and support. When appropriate and as time allows, team members may visit with our Legislators or their staff, or attend legislative hearings and committee meetings. After the Session ends, our work will continue to track initiatives, identify and evaluate potential legislative priorities for the next session, encourage our Legislators to sponsor/support legislation we want to pursue, to stand against what we oppose and to nurture relationships with our Legislators and their Legislative Staff.
- At the County level:
We will track and, when appropriate, relay information to OI members about weighing in on ordinances, regulations, policies and practices at County agencies, with particular focus on Thurston County Board of Commissioners, Thurston Conservation District, and Port of Olympia. The success of our team depends on how many of us are willing to regularly observe meetings of these agencies (in person or via video-streaming) on a four-month rotation, and to notify the Team Lead if a particular action or issue requires immediate attention. Our team reports to OI members on priority issues and opportunities for advocacy.
Contact the State & County Legislation Team
Members of Congress (Moc)
Regularly meets with our Members of Congress or their South Sound Directors to discuss Olympia Indivisible’s immediate issues of concern. Team members also alert Olympia Indivisible members about upcoming town halls and public appearances by our Members of Congress.
Details: MoC is responsible for the following activities:
Contact the Members of Congress Team
Details: MoC is responsible for the following activities:
- Meet with our MoCs:
- Present in person a written agenda to our Members of Congress that reflect the issues of concern by Olympia Indivisible. The agenda will be presented and discussed at regular visits to the Tacoma offices of our Senators and to the Lacey office of Representative Denny Heck.
- Agendas for these regular visits will be based on the OI Call to Action, information provided from the national Indivisible, members who attend the meetings, and other sources. - Track our MoCs:
- Organize a system to track and monitor how our MoCs voted on legislation
- An emphasis will be to track the votes, public statements, and bill sponsorships of Representative Denny Heck. - Report on actions by our MoCs:
- Report to the Action Team the results of how our MoCs voted or took action to for potential inclusion in the Call to Action;
- Post the agenda from each MoC visit on the OI website. - Hold our MoCs accountable:
- Hold our MoCs accountable for their voting and public statements.
- If one or more of our MoCs does not vote or make a public statement, or sponsor a bill according to our ASK, the team will alert the Action Team to suggest this information be included next Call to Action. Include the follow-up ASK at the next office visit. - Get reports about the actions by OI membership with our MoCs:
- Request from the offices of our MoC a weekly report of calls and emails from OI members. - Track the dates and locations of public appearances and town halls of our MoCs:
- Promote the town hall or public appearance to OI members;
- Create bulleted lists of OI issues of concern to be distributed to OI members prior to the public appearance or town hall;
- Designate speakers to ask questions;
- Document members speaking or rallying at town halls:
- Post photographs on social media and the OI website.
Contact the Members of Congress Team
Election Engagement Teams:
General Principles:
Olympia Indivisible does not accept or contribute money or in-kind contributions for candidates for public office. The power of OI is in our people and our engagement will take the form of participatory volunteerism.
We ask all members of OI participating in the electoral engagement process to follow best practices as outlined in the Indivisible435 guide.
Olympia Indivisible does not accept or contribute money or in-kind contributions for candidates for public office. The power of OI is in our people and our engagement will take the form of participatory volunteerism.
We ask all members of OI participating in the electoral engagement process to follow best practices as outlined in the Indivisible435 guide.
Endorsements Team
This group developed and completed our first and second endorsement processes, resulting in 13 OI endorsed candidates and 4 endorsed state initiatives. That work is done for this election cycle.
Contact the Endorsements Team
Contact the Endorsements Team
EXPAND THE ELECTORATE: GOVTV VOTER REGISTRATION (VOTER REGISTRATION)
This team is registering voters to expand the electorate and combat voter suppression. One of the best ways to assure we elect progressive candidates is to increase the rolls of registered voters among marginalized groups who typically lean liberal. Using the Guide developed by Indivisible National, this team is working in collaboration with the other OI EE (Electoral Engagement) teams to determine how/when/where they can assist with voter registration and Getting Out The Vote (GOTV) events in WA Congressional Districts and Legislative Districts. Following the end of registration period they will be working on ways to get voters to fill out those ballots.
Contact the Expand the Electorate Team
Contact the Expand the Electorate Team
STATE AND COUNTY ELECTIONS TEAM (SCEL)
Helps OI endorsed state and county candidates get elected!
The team is working with OI endorsed progressive state and county primary winners whose state legislative districts fall with CD 10 (LD2, 20, 22 35) and Thurston County primary winners.
1) The team is coordinating, in collaboration with the Steering Committee, opportunities for OI members to support these candidates.
2) They work with other OI teams, and with other Indivisible Chapters in CD10, where it is mutually beneficial. Actions include canvassing, phone banking and whatever other volunteer work we can do to help the campaigns.
They are coordinating with non-Indivisible groups to maximize efforts/activities opportunities and minimize duplication, where the group’s efforts are mutually beneficial.
Contact the State and County Elections Team
The team is working with OI endorsed progressive state and county primary winners whose state legislative districts fall with CD 10 (LD2, 20, 22 35) and Thurston County primary winners.
1) The team is coordinating, in collaboration with the Steering Committee, opportunities for OI members to support these candidates.
2) They work with other OI teams, and with other Indivisible Chapters in CD10, where it is mutually beneficial. Actions include canvassing, phone banking and whatever other volunteer work we can do to help the campaigns.
They are coordinating with non-Indivisible groups to maximize efforts/activities opportunities and minimize duplication, where the group’s efforts are mutually beneficial.
Contact the State and County Elections Team
Issue Teams:
The Issue Teams advance the cause of member-identified top-priority issues at the federal, state, and county levels.
Clean government
Donald Trump's election is a symptom of a larger problem: America's electoral system favors the few over the many and money over people. This team pursues opportunities to help our country become the democratic republic we know it can be.
Details:
The Clean Government team will work with the OI Steering Committee to determine the most high-impact ways of improving US democracy in 2019. These may include initiatives and legislation anywhere from the national to the local level, and potential goals include getting money out of politics, improving our voting system, and expanding ballot access. After determining objectives, the team will take responsibility for determining strategies and tactics for accomplishing those objectives, and engage OI volunteers to assist with those activities.
Our team will be responsible for tracking and relaying weekly information to the OI Action team about opportunities to weigh in on key bills and initiatives relating to our identified objectives during the State Legislative session. In so doing, we will coordinate our efforts with the Action team and with the State and County Legislative team.
The team will benefit from collaborating with other OI committees, and outside reform groups whenever possible. Since this is a new team, its first business will be to determine leadership, processes, meeting structure, and other logistics.
Contact the Clean Government Team
Details:
The Clean Government team will work with the OI Steering Committee to determine the most high-impact ways of improving US democracy in 2019. These may include initiatives and legislation anywhere from the national to the local level, and potential goals include getting money out of politics, improving our voting system, and expanding ballot access. After determining objectives, the team will take responsibility for determining strategies and tactics for accomplishing those objectives, and engage OI volunteers to assist with those activities.
Our team will be responsible for tracking and relaying weekly information to the OI Action team about opportunities to weigh in on key bills and initiatives relating to our identified objectives during the State Legislative session. In so doing, we will coordinate our efforts with the Action team and with the State and County Legislative team.
The team will benefit from collaborating with other OI committees, and outside reform groups whenever possible. Since this is a new team, its first business will be to determine leadership, processes, meeting structure, and other logistics.
Contact the Clean Government Team
for the common good
Encourages nonpartisan conversations and activities among progressives (liberals) and conservatives to find areas of agreement that will advance cooperative projects for the common good in our communities and in our country.
Details:
For the Common Good Team is a response to the needs identified by Olympia Indivisible members to find ways to listen to, dialogue with, and foster cooperation with those who have different value systems from our own.
The deep divisions that exist in our country threaten our democracy. We are polarized along party lines and issues. We have come to define other Americans as either with us and what we stand for or against us. We no longer trust the basic humanity and good intentions of “the other side” and have come to believe our political opponents are misguided, dangerous and incomprehensible.
The goal is to foster civil conversations and community projects that will result in an increased appreciation and trust of one another. Building on cooperation, we will achieve a recognition that, by joining together, we, as Americans can find solutions to the serious problems that face our communities, our state, our nation, and our planet.
The team's will work focus locally – in our neighborhoods, in our cities, and in our counties. Some of the team’s strategies and activities might include:
Contact the For the Common Good Team
Details:
For the Common Good Team is a response to the needs identified by Olympia Indivisible members to find ways to listen to, dialogue with, and foster cooperation with those who have different value systems from our own.
The deep divisions that exist in our country threaten our democracy. We are polarized along party lines and issues. We have come to define other Americans as either with us and what we stand for or against us. We no longer trust the basic humanity and good intentions of “the other side” and have come to believe our political opponents are misguided, dangerous and incomprehensible.
The goal is to foster civil conversations and community projects that will result in an increased appreciation and trust of one another. Building on cooperation, we will achieve a recognition that, by joining together, we, as Americans can find solutions to the serious problems that face our communities, our state, our nation, and our planet.
The team's will work focus locally – in our neighborhoods, in our cities, and in our counties. Some of the team’s strategies and activities might include:
- Forming progressive and conservative community alliances to address issues of common concern,
- Partnering and collaborating with other organizations with similar goals;
- Organizing conversations with neighbors to find out their needs, their concerns;
- Structured reading and conversations for OI members (and others who have interest) to build skills to better understand the perspectives of others beyond stereotypes;
- Developing practical skills for respectful communication across political differences with friends, family and community members;
- Holding public forums, panel discussions with progressives (liberals) and conservatives to civility and constructively engage in “deep canvassing” as taught by Changing the Conversation Together: having deep conversations/persuasive exchanges.
Contact the For the Common Good Team
Protect the environment
Seeks opportunities to champion environmental issues at the federal, state, and county levels through advocacy and resistance.
Details:
The first work of our team will be to establish membership and leadership, and then define a feasible mission and scope of activities, with priorities and specific objectives for 2019. We will need to get OI Steering Committee approval for our plan before we leap into action (OI’s SC members look forward to working with us!). There will also be opportunities to collaborate with other OI teams (e.g., State and County Legislation; Coalition and Networking; Action) as well as other environmental advocacy groups to amplify our voice, expand our influence, and avoid duplication of effort.
Our team will be responsible for tracking and relaying weekly information to the OI Action team about opportunities to weigh in on key bills and initiatives relating to environmental protection during the State Legislative session. In so doing, we will coordinate our efforts with the Action team and with the State and County Legislative team.
Contact the Protect the Environment Team
Details:
The first work of our team will be to establish membership and leadership, and then define a feasible mission and scope of activities, with priorities and specific objectives for 2019. We will need to get OI Steering Committee approval for our plan before we leap into action (OI’s SC members look forward to working with us!). There will also be opportunities to collaborate with other OI teams (e.g., State and County Legislation; Coalition and Networking; Action) as well as other environmental advocacy groups to amplify our voice, expand our influence, and avoid duplication of effort.
Our team will be responsible for tracking and relaying weekly information to the OI Action team about opportunities to weigh in on key bills and initiatives relating to environmental protection during the State Legislative session. In so doing, we will coordinate our efforts with the Action team and with the State and County Legislative team.
Contact the Protect the Environment Team
Special Purpose Teams
The Special Purpose Teams organize and/or provide logistical support for OI-sponsored occasional events or programs.
Member Education
Identifies important skills and development needs of our membership, evaluates proposed training, and assists in the delivery of skills training and education needed to carry out key actions to achieve our scope, priorities and strategies. May develop such programs should the team so choose.
Details:
We determine the level of importance and value of the training being proposed before proceeding. We manage and coordinate logistics, venues, trainers, materials and communications; coordinate with other OI teams to assist in finding existing programs to meet needs; and assist in finding qualified OI members or other individuals who can develop/deliver training.
And just to get started, here are a list of possible topics:
Contact the Member Education Team
Details:
We determine the level of importance and value of the training being proposed before proceeding. We manage and coordinate logistics, venues, trainers, materials and communications; coordinate with other OI teams to assist in finding existing programs to meet needs; and assist in finding qualified OI members or other individuals who can develop/deliver training.
And just to get started, here are a list of possible topics:
- Voter Outreach, Education, Turnout: Issues-based education & organizing
- How to navigate the apps used by National Indivisible and Olympia Indivisible for training groups (e.g. Resistance School) and politicians (FB, Zoom, Slack, EventBrite, Instagram, etc.)
- How to influence and engage first time voters, millennials in civic participation.
- Civics 101 (Lots of podcasts and TED videos available).
- What is grassroots activism? How to participate: what it is; what it is not.
- Training about Indivisible Guides 1.0 & 2.0. What do they mean? How to translate them into action.
- Gatherings to view podcasts and dialogue on topics of interest including NI podcasts.
- How to dialogue with those holding opposing opinions: deep listening, responding with care.
Contact the Member Education Team
Public Rallies and Marches
Organizes and implements OI demonstrations, rallies, protests, photo ops and related activities which are unexpected and/or must be rapidly organized.
Details:
We will be initially coordinating with Coalition/Networking lead Carolyn Barclift to put together a playbook for efficient and effective organization of rapid response events. Events are organized at the request of, and in coordination with, the OI Steering Committee.
Our team will consider themed and/or coordinated actions and activities for the events, arrange for speakers, communications, logistics, equipment and materials, venues, and documentation. We will coordinate with Communications and Technology team for media outreach and sharing documentation of the event with our membership and beyond. We will coordinate with Coalition and Networking team to amplify attendance and publicize our event beyond our membership.
For 2019, Public Rallies and Marches events might include two OI-coordinated public service events (as recently suggested by national Indivisible team to all chapters across the nation).
Contact the Public Rallies and Marches Team
Details:
We will be initially coordinating with Coalition/Networking lead Carolyn Barclift to put together a playbook for efficient and effective organization of rapid response events. Events are organized at the request of, and in coordination with, the OI Steering Committee.
Our team will consider themed and/or coordinated actions and activities for the events, arrange for speakers, communications, logistics, equipment and materials, venues, and documentation. We will coordinate with Communications and Technology team for media outreach and sharing documentation of the event with our membership and beyond. We will coordinate with Coalition and Networking team to amplify attendance and publicize our event beyond our membership.
For 2019, Public Rallies and Marches events might include two OI-coordinated public service events (as recently suggested by national Indivisible team to all chapters across the nation).
Contact the Public Rallies and Marches Team
Do the Right Thing (DOT) Squad
A list of list of folks who will chip in to help when they can.
do the One thing squad
Not a team, just a list of folks who will chip in to help when they can.
The Do One Thing (DOT) Squad will lend a hand upon request to help with an activity that needs more people power. Since you will be called upon to assist with sporadic actions, your availability for any one activity is not required. The activities might include holding the OI Banner at a rally, assisting one time at a postcard writing party, picking up supplies, researching one topic, setting up for a meeting or making phone calls to members.
The Do One Thing (DOT) Squad will lend a hand upon request to help with an activity that needs more people power. Since you will be called upon to assist with sporadic actions, your availability for any one activity is not required. The activities might include holding the OI Banner at a rally, assisting one time at a postcard writing party, picking up supplies, researching one topic, setting up for a meeting or making phone calls to members.
