Secular Coalition for Missouri Monthly Conference Call

SCA Missouri Chapter Organizing Conference Call

Call-in number: (530) 881-1400      Participant Access Code: 978895

Thursday, July 26th at 2pm ET/ 1pm CT

• Welcome message
  • Who is here and not here that needs to be here?
  • Explanation of conference call style and recording
    • No one is required to speak up, but there will be opportunities to do so.
  • The Secular Coalition for America is the only 501(c)(4) representing secular and nontheistic Americans. We are based in Washington DC to fight religious privileging on a federal level, but the most egregious violations of separation of church and state are occurring on the state level.
  • The Secular Coalition for America is forming state chapters across the country. Our chapters will bring together secular Americans in each state to lobby on secular issues.
• Overview of the State Chapter Model
  • A Secular Coalition for America state chapter is unlike any other nontheistic state organization-it brings together interested organization and individuals for the exclusive purpose of lobbying.
  • The Chapter is part of the Secular Coalition for America
    • Covered under our C4 tax exemption
      • Don't need to file any tax documentation
      • Don't need to fundraise
      • Have C4 Lobbying privileges to educate and lobby on ballot initiatives, legislation, regulations, meet with policymakers, etc.
      • Cannot "electioneer" - endorse or speak out against specific candidates
    • As lobbyists we must be the diplomats of the secular movement
      • Nonpartisan, respectful, diplomatic
      • We believe secular values are American values
  • Once your state chapter is organized, the leadership and a representative of the SCA will sign a memo of understanding officially recognizing the Secular Coalition for Missouri and giving the group access to our resources (to be discussed in more depth later)
  • Mission- to increase the visibility of and respect for nontheistic viewpoints in the United States, and to protect and strengthen the secular character of our government as the best guarantee of freedom for all.
  • Purpose - accomplish its mission through cooperation between local groups and coordinated state lobbying activities.
  • Our first step in forming these chapters is our monthly conference calls.
• Conference Calls
  • Initial organizing calls
    • Focus on setting up the structure, identifying leadership, discussing how the legislature in Missouri operates and the best ways to meet the needs of the Secular Coalition for Missouri
  • After Official recognition
    • Future monthly calls will become a way to educate and inform: track legislation, coordinate lobbying efforts and coordinate secular organizations.
• Resources
  • CQ Statetrack - State Legislation and Regulation Tracking Software
    • Follows legislation and regulation on secular issues
      • When introduced or any movement
    • Full bill text and details
      • What step of the legislative process the bill is at
      • Votes
      • Original versions of the bill and amendments
    • Can create customizable reports
    • Committee hearings calendar
    • Automatic web publishing
  • Website
    • MO.secular.org subdomain hope to have running by next callSecular.org>States>Your State> Missouri
      • Conference Call dates, time, numbers
      • Call replays
      • Agendas
      • Sign up to receive alerts
  • Facebook Page
    • Please "like" the Secular Coalition for Missouri
• Issues/Events:
  • Skepticon - November 9-11th in Springfield, Missouri
  • Reason in the Rock- October 27th  in Little Rock, Arkansas
• New Business:
  • Executive Committee
    • We are currently working on getting all the resources in place
    • Looking for a balanced and diverse Executive Committee
    • Interested Individuals?
    • In anyone else has any interest in leadership please email me, Kelly@secular.org
  • Volunteers List
    • Those who do not wish to be on the Executive Committee, but still want to play an active role and help out once there is work to be done, please email meKelly@secular.org.
• Next Conference Call Date and Time
  • Thursday, September 27th  at 2pm ET/ 1pm CT
  • Fourth Thursday of the Month (not in August or December)
  • same call in number and code
• What SCA is doing until the next call:
  • Getting resources pulled together
  • Putting Executive Committee members in contact with each other
• What you can do:
  • Email Kelly@secular.org us if interested in leadership or volunteering
  • Sign up for our alerts to receive updates
  • Check out the Missouri state chapters page for updates
  • Like the facebook group
  • Spread the word about the next conference call!
• My contact information:
  • Kelly Damerow
  • Research and Advocacy Manager, Secular Coalition for America
  • Kelly@secular.org
  • P: 202-299-1091 ext.204