Secular Coalition for South Carolina Monthly Conference Call

Location

Secular Coalition for America - South Carolina Chapter Conference Call
Call in number: 530-881-1400 Participant Code: 978895
Wednesday, November 28th at 2pm ET

Welcome Message

• Who is here and who is not here that needs to be?
• Agenda available at South Carolina chapter page at secular.org
• Explanation of conference call style and recording
  • No one is required to speak up, but there will be opportunities to do so.
• Thank you for joining us for the Secular Coalition for South Carolina monthly conference call!
• The Secular Coalition for America is the only 501(c)(4) representing secular and nontheistic Americans.
• The Secular Coalition for America is working to make sure that we are heard on Capitol Hill. We fight in Washington DC against religious privileging on a federal level, yet some of the most egregious violations of separation of church and state are being promoted and passed at a state level.
• The Secular Coalition for America is forming state chapters across the country to bring together secular and nontheistic Americans in each state to lobby on secular issues.

• U.S. House
  • South Carolina gained 1 seat after the 2010 census
  • All 7 seats from South Carolina were up for election
  • All incumbents kept their seats and the new seat was won by Tom Rice (R)
  • Currently 6 seats are held by Republican Party and 1 by the Democratic Party
• State Senate
  • All 46 seats were up for election
  • Republican Party gained 1 seat and now holds a 28-18 majority
• State House of Representatives
  • All 124 seats were up for election
  • Republican Party maintained their 76-48 majority

• Skepticon wrap up report
• New legislators sworn in November 12th
  • welcome letter
• 2013 Legislative Session starts on January 8th, 2013
  • Prefiled bills can be found here
• News from the co-chairs
  
• Any issues or events happening in South Carolina?

• Leadership
  • Executive Committee formed

•  
  • Any futher meetings?
  • Anyone one else interested? Email Amy or Matt at southcarolina@secular.org
  • Volunteer 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 Amy or Matt
• Resources Status 
  • Website
    • SC.secular.org should be ready in a few weeks
      • Legislation tracker integrated in websites
    • Temporarily: Secular.org>States>Your State>South Carolina 
  • Conference Calls 
    • Changing call schedule in 2013
      • evening and weekend calls 
      • Next call scheduled for Tuesday January 8th at 6pm, does that work?
    • Agendas and Call replays available on the South Carolina chapter page 
    • Looking into technologies to assist with online discussion 
  • Logo - viewable on South Carolina chapter page and Facebook page 
  • Facebook Page – Secular Coalition for South Carolina 
  • Future Resources 
    • Promotional resources- brochures, stickers, buttons, handouts 
    • Informational resources – Research, fact sheets and policy papers 
    • Trainings and Guides – media and lobby trainings and guides 
  • National Resources 
    • Powerpoints –available at secular.org/resources 
    • National Secular Calendar – secular.org homepage
    • National Secular Update Weekly Conference Call - Thursdays at Noon 559-726-1300 Code 199568

• What the SCA is doing until the next call:
  • Getting resources in place for executive committee
  • Researching technologies to assist in chapter coordination
• What you can do:
  • Email Amy or Matt if interested in leadership or volunteering
  • Sign up on our website to receive info and updates
  • Check out the South Carolina chapter page for updates
  • Like the Secular Coalition for South Carolina Facebook page
  • Spread the word about the next conference call!

• Tuesday, January 8th at 6pm
• Same call in number and code

• Kelly Damerow
• Research and Advocacy Manager, Secular Coalition for America
• Email: kelly@secular.org
• Phone: 202-299-1091 ext. 204