It’s the beginning of a new legislative session in Oregon, and many of MRG’s grantees and allies are gearing up to empower communities to be heard and shape better policy for social justice in our state.
Are you wondering how to get involved? Read below for some upcoming trainings and events where you can build your organizing skills and take action!
Trainings
Legislative Advocacy Training with Center for Intercultural Organizing
Where: CIO Portland and Beaverton offices
When: Friday, February 1st (in Portland) and Saturday, February 2nd (in Beaverton)
CIO is raising the voices of immigrant and refugee communities for social justice by offering two-hour trainings to folks in Beaverton and Portland. Learn more about what the Legislature does, how to share your story with elected officials, and the issues CIO is working on in 2013.
For more information and to register, click here.
Legislative Captain Trainings with Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon
Where: LeftBank Building, 240 N Broadway Suite 215, Portland
When: Saturday, February 2nd from 10am to 1pm (register here) or Tuesday, February 5th from 6pm to 9pm (register here)
Advocate for Asian and Pacific Islanders in Oregon with APANO. Learn about the legislative process, how to build power to win important policies on health, education and economic justice, and volunteer as a captain to lead meetings with legislators.
For more information on APANO’s legislative organizing, click here.
Rallies and Lobby Days in Salem
Rally For Health Care for ALL Oregon
Who: Organizers from across the state (including MRG grantees like Rural Organizing Project, Oregon Rural Action, Jobs with Justice, and APANO)!
When: Monday, February 4th (Opening day of legislative session)
The organizers of this event say, “In order for truly universal healthcare to happen, we must rally around healthcare as a human right.” Join organizers from all across the state for a march and rally, as well as lobby training and meeting with legislators. Bus and carpools are available from Portland/ Washington County, Corvallis, Southern Oregon, Eastern Oregon, the coast, Central Oregon, and Eugene.
For more information, click here.
Stop Wage Theft Advocacy Day
Who: Northwest Workers Justice Project
When: Wednesday, February 13th from 8:30am-1:30pm
NWJP says, “Join us to show our state legislators that Oregonians care about the problem of wage theft and are looking to them to take action!” This event includes a community policy forum in the morning and short workshop before meeting with legislators. Carpools are available from Woodburn and Portland.
For more information, click here.
Our Voices United Legislative Action Day
Who: Urban League of Portland along with Oregon Commission on Black Affairs and African American Leadership Forum Portland
When: Tuesday, February 19th from 8am-4pm
Join a community mobilization that seeks to promote access for African Americans to family wage jobs, greater educational achievement, health and wellness, stable homes and income, and culturally proficient services. This opportunity is one not to be missed!
For more information, click here.
Statewide Day of Action with Partnership for Safety and Justice
Who: Partnership for Safety and Justice
When: Monday, February 25th from 9am-3pm.
PSJ will be heading to the legislature to help change Oregon’s public safety system, emphasizing the importance of policies that limit prison growth, support victim services, and change the way our state treats youth in the adult system.
For more information, click here.
Family Farmer & Rancher Day
Who: Friends of Family Farmers
When: Monday, March 18th
Farmers, ranchers and concerned consumers from around the state will gather to educate legislators about the importance of local agriculture and the need for policies that support our farmers and ranchers in creating a sustainable food system in Oregon.
For more information, click here.
Latin@ Advocacy week at the Oregon State Capitol
Who: CAUSA Oregon and allied organizations
When: Monday, April 1st through Friday, April 5th from 10am-2pm
CAUSA’s organizers plan to spend a week in Salem, meeting with legislators and building relationships to promote better immigration policy around issues of tuition equity and drivers license restoration. Each of the five days will be dedicated to a specific group in the Latin@ community, including youth, women, newly naturalized US citizens, and LGBTQ.
For more information, click here.
Housing Opportunity Lobby Day
Who: Oregon Housing Alliance (consisting of dozens of member organizations, including grantees Oregon Action, Community Alliance of Tenants, and Street Roots)
When: Thursday, April 4th
The Housing Alliance has set their 2013 Housing Opportunity legislative agenda and will spend a day with member organizations, convening with legislators and building better housing policy in Oregon.
For more information, click here.
