FCL NEWSLETTER -- March, 2003
Citizen Advocacy: FCL and You
Henry David Thoreau, the non-conformist architect of civil disobedience whose
writings inspired the lives of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., wrote
in Walden that "the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation."
It may seem peculiar that resignation and apathy were major problems in the
1850s since we tend to think of these as modern phenomena, the result of mass
media conditioning and the consumer culture.
As the nation appears headed for war in Iraq, the rising tide of public opposition
that is rapidly materializing lifts our spirits. During the Vietnam War, it
took several years for anything approxi-mating this level of concern to mobilize.
And while it is easy to become cynical about the influence of money in politics
these days, we should remember that our individual actions do make a difference.
Contrary to public opinion, public opinion still matters. Lawmakers need to
know what goes on outside the Capitol, and they are keenly interested in what
their constituents think. FCL can persuade legislators and staff, but with your
voice, our efforts are more likely to succeed.
In this issue we are taking a somewhat different approach that reflects the
challenges and opportunities of our times. Instead of focusing on the players
here in Sacramento, we turn to the efforts and perspectives of citizen advocates
throughout the state. We received so much material in a short time that we plan
to continue this in our next issue.
From these contributors we learn that citizen advocates energize the political
process and their lives take on new meaning. As human beings, we all want to
leave our mark on the world - we want our to lives to matter. Many of you, through
your professional and volunteer affiliations, have expertise that can be of
use in your communities, Sacramento, Washington and around the world. All of
us have personal experiences that would enable our elected representatives to
make more informed choices. The experiences of citizen advocates teach us about
the political process and ourselves, to be prepared and not to be intimidated
as we seek a greater good with others.
As you read this issue, we hope that you will be inspired to express your opinion
and to join others in strengthening FCL. Come join us in Sacramento for Lobby
Day on March 25th (see pg. 8). Get to know your state lawmakers and cultivate
an ongoing relationship with legislative staff, both in Sacramento and in your
district. Write letters to your lawmakers on legislation and letters to the
editor of your local newspaper. Consider organizing an outreach and education
program on FCL and citizen advocacy in your community, like those we are sponsoring
this month in Northern California and those being planned for other areas.
In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson observed that "governments
derive their just powers from the consent of the governed." By becoming
citizen
advocates, we have the ability to bring about positive change. In doing so,
we discover new potential within ourselves. We hope you find inspiration here,
and that we may be inspired by your story as well.
- Jim Lindburg
"Why I Do It, What I've Learned":
Testimonies on Citizen Advocacy/Lobbying
For this issue, we solicited contributions from a broad cross-section of
those who have been associated with FCL in some way. We asked them to submit
a piece about their experience and perspective as citizen advocate/lobbyists
or observers of the citizen advocacy process.
The following selections are excerpted from the material we received. We
thank each person who took the time to respond and send us their thoughts in
writing, and we plan to publish more of your reflections in future issues. If
others would like to submit a related commentary, we would gladly welcome it.
More material on this topic will be prepared and distributed in connection with
future workshops and activities involving FCL.
Lighting the Way of My Work
- Janet Riley
What is advocacy? The dictionary defines an advocate as one who pleads in favor
of another; one who promotes the interest of; and one who upholds, defends and/or
maintains what is valid or right.
Why are we drawn to become advocates? I think the primary reason is that we
feel discomfort, even pain, when we experience injustice in the world and feel
we must do something about it. It is essential to me that my advocacy work rests
on a foundation of truth, justice and love. The need I feel can take many outward
forms - working directly with war victims and refugees, prisoners, victims of
crime, children in the court system, or on general issues like prison reform,
abolition of the death penalty, the environment, or peace.
What is needed to follow our leading to become an advocate? While the qualities
of kindness, perseverance, forgiveness, and compassion are important, for me
the most important element is that of ongoing discernment. Injustice abounds,
making it essential to carefully discern which injustice the universe is asking
us to help alleviate and which ones we can or must leave to others. What I discern
might not always be what I personally want to do.
Sometimes the task is overwhelming and feels like a burden that I want to turn
away from. Yet when I connect with my deeper truth, it overpowers my resistance.
Sometimes I know immediately where I am being led, while other times I need
the ongoing input of friends and advisors. Continually testing my leadings and
inclinations is essential. Discernment does not end once I have chosen a path.
Choices need to be made along the way.
I feel a leading to help others learn the ways of peace and reconciliation.
While I am not an advocate for them in courts or legislative halls, I try to
be an advocate on behalfof their higher self. My discernment has guided me to
two major projects. I helped create a spiritual linkage between the Russian
and American people through the publication and distribution of several spiritually-focused
books in Russian on themes of nonviolence and reconciliation. I was supported
by a committee who listened and prayed as the project unfolded. Now I am more
on my own but seek out the insights of others for guidance.
Another leading has been to help establish an Alternatives to Violence Program
(AVP) in the California prison system. AVP is based on affirmation, community,
cooperation and creative conflict resolution. Prison affords an opportunity
for healing injustice. The opportunity to work directly with prisoners is a
real gift, enabling me to grow spiritually and helping others do the same.
Much of the time, I fall far short of fully realizing my beliefs. What I am
doing seems like a drop in the bucket, yet it is my offering to the total picture.
Think what a wonderful planet we would have if every one of us searched for
our place in the greater scheme and followed our leading to advocacy. Justice
based on truth and love would surely abound.
Janet Riley is a member of the Central Coast Preparative Friends
Meeting in San Luis Obispo County.
Strengthened by Activism
- Chrysanthi Settlage Leon
Before I arrived in Washington, D.C. to work for the Friends Committee on National
Legislation (FCNL), I had not thought much about the challenge of lobbying against
the death penalty at the federal level. I quickly learned that to end the death
penalty, pressure must come from many directions.
Our work in the U.S. Capitol required us to quickly mobilize our constituents
to work on specific issues. We prepared weekly Legislative Action Messages,
monthly letter-writing projects, and periodic action alerts aimed at particular
states, using e-mail, the FCNL website, telephone calls, and printed materials
mailed to constituents. Though we rarely saw immediate results, I found this
aspect of the job to be one of the most rewarding because it reminded me of
the need for Friends and like-minded people to witness in Washington and bring
our values to bear on public policy.
As valuable as I found the advocacy and education work at FCNL, I also drew
inspiration from the activists who came to protest the death penalty in Washington.
Two years in a row, I joined a fast and vigil in front of the Supreme Court
to mark the landmark decisions that had halted executions in 1972 and, in 1976,
allowed them to resume. Inspired by the stories that these activists told -
some of murdered loved ones, others of work as attorneys for the accused - I
joined a demonstration at the 2000 meeting of the National Gover-nor's Association.
We tried to approach the governors to discuss placing moratoria on the death
penalty in their states, but were stopped by the state police and arrested for
"disorderly conduct." That experience of civil disobedience, surrounded
by loving friends who shared my belief in the goodness and potential of each
person, helped to rejuvenate me in the continuing struggle to end the death
penalty.
Chrysanthi Settlage Leon, raised in Whittier First Friends
Church, is a Ph.D. student at U.C. Berkeley, former intern with FCNL, and volunteer
with FCL, where she contributed to the current edition of This Life We Take
- A Case Against California's Death Penalty.
Finding Your Voice
- G. Brown
I am not a politician. I am not a lobbyist. I am a woman with two children
and my own business. I am married to a man serving time in prison. I have deep
sympathy for all the family members of those who are incarcerated. The media
has given much attention to the families of victims, but those of us who love
a person who is in prison often share their shame and are forced to bury the
pain of losing them to the prison system. We are a disenfranchised group and
often unable to find our voice.
We wonder if we have any rights. What if they move my son/husband/father so
far away I can't visit? What if they are on lockdown and I have no contact?
Why do I have to pay so much for phone calls? What if my daughter/wife/mother
gets sick? Will they take care of her? Will I be informed of her condition?
Why do the rules to visit change with different staff? Why, after doing everything
right, doesn't my husband ever get a parole date? Why is my child's father facing
25 years for a minor crime?
Prisoners and their families need to find their voice. Not the screaming, crazy
ranting of anger, but the measured and consistent drum aimed at the folks at
our Capitol. Going to our politicians in Sacramento is not only the most direct
way to advocate for prisoners and their families, but also our right. Putting
a human face to the issue of crime and how it affects all of us makes all of
us more sensitive to each other. I urge you to find your voice.
Truth, Not Trash
- Russ Jorgensen
My first face-to-face lobbying experience involved controversy over the appearance
of activist, actor and singer Paul Robeson at Berkeley High School in the 1950s.
This was during the height of the McCarthy witch-hunt and the school board was
under great pressure to bar Robeson. I was contacted by progressives and asked
to speak at a school board meeting.
There were over a dozen appeals, most of them were angry and accusing. I wanted
to be last and take a different approach. My message was simple. Despite our
tight income, my wife Mary and I had bought an expensive record album of Robeson
songs as a Christmas gift for my parents. Later we learned they had thrown out
the album with their trash. I urged the school board not to act in fear by throwing
the First Amendment into McCarthy's trash can as my parents had done.
Robeson sang.
Russ Jorgensen, a member of the Grass Valley Friends Meeting,
is an FCL founder and long-time contributor.
On Becoming a Person and Advocate
- Ira A. Saletan
I learned about the nuance, peril and power of advocacy first in my family
- in the ways my siblings and I challenged and negotiated with our parents,
how disagreements were (and were not) resolved by them and among us. "Question
authority" was an unspoken mantra in our culturally Jewish, liberal household.
Adlai Stevenson, after whom I was named, wrote my parents while he was running
for President to say "I am flattered and hope he forgives you when he grows
up."
I was training my ear, voice and heart in the company of others. In Texas at
17, I ran a school board campaign for a friend of 18 against a "good old
boy" incumbent. We didn't win but had a rich learning experience. My root
lessons in advocacy were etched not in election results, but values and spirit.
I was guided by the resonance and message of Martin Luther King, Jr., and the
movement out of which he grew - as well as my mother's inner strength and my
father's shaky, passionate voice when giving public testimony.
I left college to join a cross-country walk for disarmament and social justice,
sponsored by Quakers and others, becoming an organizer, outreach worker and
media spokesperson. When I returned to college, I focused my efforts with greater
energy on projects that involved campus and community change as well as lobbying
the college administration. The experiences of my college years led me toward
a career in community organizing.
Since moving to the Sacramento area almost 20 years ago, my advocacy experience
and learning have involved work and relationships with neighborhood advocates
and civic officials, low-income residents and tenants, older citizens, Unitarian
Universalists, Native Americans, the Hmong and other immigrants. My work with
FCL (a relatively new chapter in my life) involves advocacy for the organization
rather than on particular issues, mostly directed "away" from the
Capitol as we seek to inform more people about our work and enlist them in different
ways as financial supporters and volunteers.
Each of my experiences has been instructive. I've learned how risky and difficult
it can be when one is an isolated voice, a cultural minority, or when you make
those in power uncomfortable. I've gained the satisfaction of finding new insight
and strength, developing meaningful and sustaining relationships, making mistakes
and being changed for the better by them.
I am more careful now about stepping forward but also more comfortable, assured
and effective when I do. I listen more carefully and talk less. I am becoming
a "softer" and more thoughtful advocate, making it easier to join
my experiences with those of fellow travelers. Where have you been and where
are you going? How have you become an advocate in ways that reflect who you
are as a person?
Ira Saletan is Development & Outreach Coordinator with
FCL.
Opening My Heart and Eyes
- Jackie Gray LaFrentz
I began my lobbying efforts after voting for the infamous "Three Strikes"
law only to discover that it was being used to put petty criminals behind bars
for the rest of their lives. I was outraged because I had believed the news
media without question. I quickly realized that our duty and responsibility
as citizens is to understand the laws that we vote for or against. For those
who haven't yet had the privilege to advocate for a cause you truly believe
in, here are a few things that I found helpful along the way.
If possible, find a good mentor. (Former FCL lobbyist) Steve Birdlebough let
me tag along on some of his adventures. Our very first time out, I mentioned
that I preferred not to do any speaking until I had the opportunity to observe
and feel more at ease. I was terrified to even enter a senate or assembly office,
thinking that nobody there would care about my opinion. During one of our early
Capitol visits, Steve turned to me and said, "I think Jackie might have
some things to add." My heart was in my throat and that is where I spoke
from. I now feel that what I have to say is important and people do want to
hear it.
An early eye opener for me was that many of the people we spoke with who were
responsible for knowing the issue and/or advising the legislator didn't have
a clue as to the contents or consequences of legislation. You rarely have an
opportunity to actually speak to a senator or assembly-person. Our representatives
are often voting on issues and bills with which they are not familiar. Be resourceful.
I have caught senators in the hallway waiting for the elevator and found that
it only takes a couple of minutes to ask how they feel on a subject. Those two
minutes could pop into their thinking the next time that issue comes up for
voting.
The main thing is to know your issues, and not just from "your" side.
Remember the people you will be talking to are or may be on the opposing side.
When they tell you why you are wrong, you will be able to see their side and
overcome the obstacles. Always thank the people who are already voting in favor
of your issue, but your focus should be on those who are undecided or opposed.
These are the people you will need to convince that your position deserves additional
thought. The job of a lobbyist is to educate and influence
I never see "no" as a failure, and believe that all things work for
good. If I have had the opportunity to be heard, then I have left that person
with something to think about and another point of view to consider, in spite
of what appears to be a rejection. Laws were not created overnight and they
will not be changed overnight. Patience and diplomacy are essential.
When working with the staff, avoid making enemies, because next time you may
never get past the front desk. Never bully people or place undue importance
on their stature. Lobbying goes way beyond the Capitol. Advocacy/lobbying is
simply educating people. It can be done while you are waiting in the line at
the grocery store, bank, or wherever you might be at any given moment.
Jackie Gray-LaFrentz is chairperson for the Family Council
at California State Prison, Solano and an independent lobbyist on public safety
issues in Sacramento.
Lobbying Lessons
- George Gastil
I have been involved in the lobbying process from both sides, as a citizen
lobbyist and as a legislative staff member who is regularly lobbied. Almost
anyone can be an effective lobbyist if they have the right attitude and know
what they are doing. Successful lobbying is based on respect for the individual
and an eagerness to listen as well as to witness. I hope more of us will give
it a try.
1. The most effective form of lobbying is the personal meeting with the legislator.
You will need an appointment, even though staff will generally try to discourage
this. It helps if there are three or four of you. Appointments with staff can
often be just as useful as meeting with a legislator, but only if the staff
member is really involved with the issue and has a strong connection with the
legislator.
2. You need to come prepared to speak on specific legislation. Know the bill
number and whether it is in the Senate or Assembly. It is perfectly okay to
ask your local legislator's staff to check on the status of a bill, but try
to make sure that sort of information is already in your hands when you meet
the legislator. Don't assume a legislator knows what bill you are talking about
or what the bill does.
3. It is okay to talk with a legislator about more than one bill at a time
as long as they are related. As school board members, we often lobby on several
bills at once on a range of topics relating to public education. The legislator
will appreciate your visit more if he or she can see a pattern.
4. Know your legislator's record and use this information! If your legislator
has repeatedly voted to expand the death penalty, you need to get him or her
to see some concerns they might not have seen before. If the legislator tends
to vote against the death penalty, show them why the vote you are urging is
consistent with how they have voted before. If the legislator always votes against
the death penalty, focus on how you can work with him or her to convince other
legislators.
5. Tell who you are and what your connection is to an issue. Are you an expert?
Do you have a personal story? Are you part of a group? Be quick and concise:
legislators and staff prefer to get this part out within the first 30 seconds.
They want to know why they are talking to you about this issue.
6. Don't lecture. State your concern briefly and pause so that the legislator
can ask a question. Do not be afraid if there is a silence. If the legislator
really does not have a question for you, ask a question of the legislator. You
want to have a conversation.
7. Try to learn from your legislator as much as you want them to learn from
you. Legislators love to talk about whatever interests them. Treat those moments
as an opportunity to learn a little about your legislator. You want the legislator
to have a good time so they will look forward to future visits from you.
8. Find out what interests your legislator. If s/he is passionate about solar
energy but your appointment is about prison reform, maybe you can get them thinking
about how to save energy costs at the local prison. With some legislators, it
is not a policy issue but a community activity or organization that gets their
juices flowing. Find where you can connect with them.
9. You are building a relationship. Look for opportunities to meet the legislator
and their associates at civic or social functions. You can usually do this without
going to costly fundraisers. Sometimes you can get the legislator to visit your
group or an organization in your community.
10. In addition to meeting legislators or calling their staff members, use
media and public forums to build your case. Legislators and their staff read
the letters to the editor and watch the news. They like to get a pulse on what
people in their district are saying.
George Gastil is a member of San Diego Friends Meeting and
attends La Jolla Friends Meeting. He serves on the Lemon Grove School Board
and works in the district office of State Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny.
Tracey Walker: FCL's New Intern
Tracey Walker joined FCL as a volunteer intern in January. A senior at California
State University, Sacramento, Tracey is majoring in communication studies and
will graduate this May. Upon graduation, she is considering attending law school,
and her goal is to advocate for the under-represented. Before coming to FCL,
Tracey tracked legislation for the Sacramento Red Cross and has taught CPR and
first aid.
As a college student who also works two part-time jobs, Tracey's life is very
demanding. Still, she finds the time to be a mentor to her 9-year old niece,
Rose, who lives with her father. In her spare time, Tracey is learning how to
snowboard, and she is an avid Sacramento Kings fan.
Currently, Tracey is analyzing legislation and has been accompanying Jim Lindburg
on legislative visits. She is also updating publications for the FCL Education
Fund. We hope you all will get a chance to meet Tracey, and we are confident
that you will be as impressed with her as we are.
Join us for the 2003 FCL Annual Dinner!
Mark the date Wednesday, June 4
New location Congregation B'Nai Israel, Sacramento
"Carrying on the Heritage and Spirit of FCL"
Speakers: Russ and Mary Jorgensen, Grass Valley Friends Meeting
Program will include a special catered dinner, entertainment, Quaker-Jewish-other
dialogue, and more. Look for an invitation and more information in the mail
or contact the FCL office, fcldevt@cwo.com or (916) 443-3734.
WAYS OUT
the book of changes for peace speaks to us and our times
now available through FCL
Edited by Gene Knudsen-Hoffman, who has generously donated copies to benefit
FCL. Published in 1988, this book features essays on the personal, regional
and global level by writers including Wendell Berry; former Oberlin President
Robert Fuller; former U.N. Assistant Secretary General Robert Muller; Peace
Pilgrim; State Senator John Vasconcellos; and Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
Less than 30 copies available. To order, send check payable to FCL. $12 contribution
requested includes shipping.
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