Secular Coalition for Tennessee Monthly Conference Call
Location
Secular Coalition for America Tennessee Chapter
Conference Call Agenda
Call-in number: (530) 881-1400 Participant Access Code: 978895
Tuesday, September 18th at 3:00 pm ET / 2:00 pm CT
Welcome message
Who is here and not here that needs to be here?
Agenda available at secular.org state page
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 Tennessee monthly conference call!
Despite the fact that there are tens of millions of nontheistic Americans, we remain one of the most marginalized groups in the country.
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.
Our chapters will bring together secular Americans in each state to lobby on secular issues.
Government Update
November Elections
Federal
Senator Bob Corker running for re-election
Republican, first elected in 2006
Predicted to win
All 9 seats in the U.S. House are up for election
The Democratic Party holds 2 seats and the Republican Party holds 7 seats
State Senate
16 seats up for election
Republican party currently holds a 20-13 majority, unlikely to change
4 incumbents retiring: 3 Democrats and 1 Republicans
State Assembly
All 99 seats up for election
Republican party currently holds a 64-34-1 majority, unlikely to change
11 incumbents retiring: 4 Republicans and 7 Democrats
Chapter Development Status
Initial call summary: 18 callers from all over the state, variety of organizations represented
Leadership
Executive Committee
Interested individuals:
Tracy A. O'Neill, lobbyist
David Roop, leader in Tri-Cities Atheists
Bryan Anderson
Mark Demonbreun, VP of AU Nashville chapter
Kate Cervantes
Clay Crownover
Tina Shang
James Phil Oliver
Maggie Groeschl
Anyone one else interested?
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 me Kelly@secular.org.
Resources Status
Website
TN.secular.org still under construction
Temporarily: Secular.org>States>Your State>Tennessee
Conference Calls
Initial organizing calls
Setting up the structure, identifying leadership, spreading the word about the calls and building momentum
After Official recognition
Educate and inform: track legislation, coordinate lobbying efforts and coordinate secular organizations.
Agendas and Call replays available online
Looking into forums
Logo (Thank you Kate Cervantes!)
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
Issues/Events
Stewart County and Williamson County Republican Party Resolutions objections:
Hiring of Samar Ali to head the international section of the state's economic development office.
Ali, a Muslim lawyer, is a former White House fellow, a Tennessee native and was the first Muslim president of Vanderbilt's student body.
The Williamson Resolution objected, stating the Governor "elevated and/or afford preferential political status to Sharia adherents in Tennessee, thereby aiding and abetting the advancement of an ideology and doctrine which is wholly incompatible with the Constitution of the United States and the Tennessee Constitution"
CSICon in Nashville, October 25-28
The Conference Dedicated to Science and Skeptical Inquiry
Any issues or events anyone would like to mention?
What the SCA is doing until the next call:
Getting resources in place
Researching technologies to assist in chapter coordination
Selecting leadership and putting Executive Committee members in contact with each other
What you can do:
Email Kelly@secular.org if interested in leadership or volunteering
Sign up on our website to receive info and updates
Like the Facebook page
Check out Tennessee's state chapters page for updates
Spread the word about the next conference call!
Next Conference Call Date and Time
October 16th at 3pm ET/ 2pm CT
Third Tuesday of the month
Same call in number and code
My contact information
Kelly Damerow
Research and Advocacy Manager, Secular Coalition for America
Email: kelly@secular.org
Phone: 202-299-1091 ext. 204
Thank You!
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