Secular Coalition for Texas Monthly Conference Call

Tuesday, October 23, 2012 - 15:00 - 15:30

Call In Details:

Phone Number: 530-881-1400 Participant Code: 978895

Secular Coalition for America - Texas Chapter Conference Call
Call in number: 530-881-1400 Participant Code: 978895
Tuesday, October 23 at 2pm CT

Welcome Message

Who is here and who is not here that needs to be?
Agenda available at Texas 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 Texas 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.

State Government Update - November Elections

U.S. Senate
- Incumbent Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R) is not running for re-election
- Political reports favor Ted Cruz (R) over Paul Sadler (D)
U.S. House
- Texas gained 4 seats after the 2010 census
- All 36 Texas seats in the U.S. House are up for election
- 23 of the 32 seats are held by the Republican Party
State Senate
- All 31 seats are up for election
- Republican Party holds a 19-12 majority, expected to hold
State House of Representatives
- All 150 seats are up for election
- Republican Party holds an 100-48 majority, expected to hold
Texas State Board of Education

Issues/Events

Texas Freethought Convention
- October 19 - 21st in Austin
- Speaker: Brian Walker, co-chair of the Secular Coalition for Texas!
Any issues or events happening in Texas?

Chapter Development Status

- Anyone one else interested? Email Brian or Steven at walker@myvfp.com or sbratteng@gmail.com
- 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 Brian or Steven at walker@myvfp.com or sbratteng@gmail.com
Resources Status
- Website
  - TX.secular.org still under construction
  - Temporarily: Secular.org>States>Your State>Texas
- Conference Calls
  - Initial organizing calls - Focus on 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 on the Texas chapter page
  - Looking into technologies to assist with online discussion
- Logo - viewable on Texas chapter page and Facebook page
- Facebook Page – Secular Coalition for Texas
- 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

Wrap Up

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

Next Conference Call Date and Time

Contact Information

Thank You!

Secular Coalition for Texas

Secondary links