Take 5 for Advocacy: Week of Sept. 7, 2020

Image description: A logo that reads “Take 5 for Advocacy, “ featuring the words “Take 5” in red, with the 5 in a circle of lines that indicate a watch face, and the words “For Advocacy” in green. The words sit in front of a pattern that looks like a mosaic of stones, with a green cross surrounded by multicolored blocks.

Actions You Can Take This Week

RAISE YOUR VOICE ON KALAMA REFINERY PROPOSAL: The Washington State Department of Ecology is taking public comments on Northwest Innovation Works' and the Port of Kalama's application to build the world’s largest methanol refinery in Kalama. The Department of Ecology will take public comments through October 2 both online and at public hearings, which will be conducted remotely when possible. You can read more about the comment process at the Department of Ecology's web site here, and leave a comment online here. You can also register to participate in the first public hearing, which will be held at 1 p.m. Sept. 17, online here. Future public hearings are scheduled for 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sept. 22, also online. 

 The Sierra Club is training people who are opposed to this issue to virtually "show up" by writing comments. You can learn more about how to write effective comments and letter to the editor at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KxK_8pzDJE708Zm4j8NA0imAyvV_cJcPnjzQK24UovY/edit, or how to use social media to effectively spread your message at  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OqLh3nb0t6y17Wg3kf4A6lSXEZvdfHCtgNUFcenjtBE/edit. Talk to Rich Voget, who also shared this flier (download here) on the Kalama Refinery and why Sierra Club opposes it, to find out more about the training workshops, and connect with Sierra Club at monthly meetings on the topic every third Thursday on Zoom. Email sept.gernez@sierraclub.org for the Zoom link.


"TEXT BANKING" THE VOTE: Last month some members of Keystone took part in the Environmental Voter Project's "text-banking" day of action, where they sent texts to voters and asked them to commit to voting on Election Day. Our texts were part of the 27,000 that were sent by members of the Pacific Northwest Conference of the UCC on that day. The Environmental Voter Project is inviting folks to do more text banking in the weeks leading up to the election. Every Wednesday, starting on Sept. 16, from 2-4 p.m., folks can send texts to encourage people around the country to vote, with training for those new to the project scheduled for Mondays, Sept. 14 and 21, and Wednesdays Sept. 16 and 23. Sign up to join this effort here. For more information, e-mail Roberta Rominger, who is part of the PNC's environmental justice task force, or talk with Pastor Yuki about how you can get involved. 

Take 5 for Advocacy: Week of August 31, 2020

Image description: A logo that reads “Take 5 for Advocacy, “ featuring the words “Take 5” in red, with the 5 in a circle of lines that indicate a watch face, and the words “For Advocacy” in green. The words sit in front of a pattern that looks like a mosaic of stones, with a green cross surrounded by multicolored blocks.

Actions You Can Take This Week

STOP KALAMA METHANOL REFINERY: The Washington State Department of Ecology was expected to announce on Sept. 2 when the online hearing to accept or deny the permit for the world’s largest methanol refinery in Kalama will be scheduled. The announcement of the hearing will then trigger a 30 day comment period. The Sierra Club is training people twho are opposed to this issue to virtually "show up" by writing comments. You can learn more about how to write effective comments and letter to the editor at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KxK_8pzDJE708Zm4j8NA0imAyvV_cJcPnjzQK24UovY/edit, or how to use social media to effectively spread your message at  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OqLh3nb0t6y17Wg3kf4A6lSXEZvdfHCtgNUFcenjtBE/edit. Talk to Rich Voget, who also shared this flier (download here) on the Kalama Refinery and why Sierra Club opposes it, to find out more about the training workshops. 

PROTECT TRANS PEOPLE'S ACCESS TO SHELTER: The Washington Low Income Housing Alliance is asking people to comment on the US Department of Housing and Urban Development's attempt to remove safety protections for trans people in need of HUD assistance and at homeless shelters. A proposed rule by HUD Secretary Ben Carson would allow shelter providers  to refuse services to trans people based solely on their gender identity.That means the proposed rule would remove the anti-discrimination protections for transgender people seeking shelter. Our current administration and HUD justifies this proposal by citing “religious freedom” and supposed privacy and safety concerns rooted in negative stereotypes rather than on evidence. The ability of trans people to be able to access safe housing without being discriminated against can mean the difference between life and death. Please submit your comment now and tell them #HousingSavesLives at housingsaveslives.org today. 

SUPPORT A FEDERAL CLIMATE RESILIENCE AGENCY: The United Church of Christ's Creation Justice Ministries invites people to add their support for the establishment of a national climate adaptation program, which would be responsible for implementing common-sense climate resilience efforts across federal agencies. You can support this effort by adding your name and comments here. 

Take 5 for Advocacy: Week of August 24, 2020

JOIN A VOTING TEAM: Barbara Anderson lifted up on Sunday her experience with Hand in Hand's Get Out the Vote Conversation Training that she recently took, and she is inviting Keystone to also be part of this movement to make sure our friends, neighbors, and family vote this year. Barbara writes:

"Election 2020 is the most important one in our lifetime.  Back on August 11th I engaged in a workshop with the organization Hand In Hand called Talk Out the Vote. We discussed many things including voter suppression - poll taxes and voter intimidation, Jim Crow Laws and yes, even the closing of polling locations. What was decided in this group was for each of us to organize a voting team.  

"I'm coming to you Keystone to ask for your help. The goal is to contact 5-10 people - your families, friends, neighbors - to ask them what their plan is for voting this year. With Covid19, some may be afraid to get out personally and vote. We have 41 states where a person can vote early, either in person or by absentee ballot or mail-in. We talked about so much more, but what is needed now: anyone interested in being a part of this group, please reach out to me at gepreston(at)msn(dot)com to let me know your interest. I can fill you in on other things discussed and help you get started by practicing a few conversations together.

"Please see Hand in Hand's conversation guide by clicking here as this might help you in taking the next step!  Thank you Keystone! Let us all rise together!"

Take 5 for Advocacy: Week of August 17, 2020

TELL CONGRESS TO SAVE THE POST OFFICE: Speaker Nancy Pelosi is holding a vote on Saturday in the House on a bill that would prevent any changes or delays to the postal service. 350.org is asking folks who care about the postal service and are aware of the many different ways folks depend on the public mail service for prescriptions, connections, and support, to join them in asking our Congressional representatives to pass the Delivering for America Act, to protect the US Postal Service and also to ensure that voters who will use the mail to vote this year will be able to make their votes count. Click here to send a message to your representatives now! 

Take 5 for Advocacy This Week: July 27, 2020

Actions You Can Take This Week

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE: This is the time to turn in your ballots and to please make sure that your families and friends are also turning in their ballots too!  Even though this past Monday, July 27th, was the last day for on-line registration, a person can still register and vote in this upcoming primary election.  Please see the links below, especially the addresses and times where you can still register and vote on August 4th!

How to return ballots:

Ballots were mailed out to registered voters on July 15! If someone hasn’t received their ballot by now, call King County Elections: (206) 296-8683 to figure out the best way to get a ballot, or print one online.
Find your non-partisan Voter Pamphlet information from King County online.

• Use a Ballot Drop Box: Turn ballot in by 8 p.m. on election day to a drop box near you. View drop box locations around the county.

• Mail your ballot: No stamp needed! Put your ballot in any mailbox. Make sure that it will be postmarked by 5 p.m. on Election Day.

• Vote Center: Go to a vote center for assistance voting in-person. Vote Centers are at King County Elections HQ in Renton and CenturyLink Field in Seattle. Vote Centers are taking important COVID-19 health precautions, and ask that folks wear masks (they will have some available too). Click here for hours & info.

For questions related to voting, call King County Elections: (206) 296-8683 or visit www.kingcounty.gov/vote.