In a first ever event, Quakers from around the country gathered virtually to discuss: “What Can My State Do? A Quaker Panel on State-Level Earthcare Advocacy” on February 22, 2025. Keith Runyon, General Secretary of Quaker Earthcare Witness (QEW) brought together activists from New Mexico, Washington State, California, Montana, North Carolina and Indiana to share their knowledge and resources with participants in a Zoom session.
Each panelist gave a short presentation about the unique challenges of their state legislatures. Sayrah, of New Mexico AFSC, talked about gathering in the oldest capital city in the United States. The Roundhouse, dedicated in 1966, to honor the indigenous peoples and the territorial history of the area. Its cozy setting is a gathering place for the citizens of New Mexico. In this intimate setting, lobbyists have more accessibility to their unpaid citizen legislators and can create relationships with legislators and alliances with those sharing common interests.
Jasmine Krotkov leans heavily on Quaker process to guide Montana’s Truth to Power organization. T2P relies on Spirit to guide the group’s activities rather than having predetermined policy areas. In her own life, she sought guidance from a clearness committee to discern whether she should run for statewide office (she did), and the clearness committee has evolved into an Anchor committee to provide support for ongoing resilience as she lobbies the Montana legislators.
Mary Blackburn, IFCL, presented the challenges of earth care advocacy in a state with a Republican legislative supermajority, as well as governor, attorney general and a Christian Nationalist lieutenant governor that values creating a favorable business climate rather than considering environmental resilience. Power generation for data centers is driving bills to build small modular nuclear reactors, all at ratepayers’ expense. Solar, while currently most cost effective, is not supported in the state. Water is seen as a commodity, not a sacred resource necessary for life. Vernie Davis of North Carolina FCNCL reported some similarity to Indiana with gerrymandering keeping Republican control of the legislature. FCNCL has found success by educating Quakers about issues by hosting Quaker Lobby Day. They provide advocacy training and set up appointments for participants to meet with their representatives. This structure helps people gain confidence in sharing their point of view. Showing documentary films on a specific topic followed by a panel discussion helps inform voters about concerns before the general assembly.
Each panelist had gems of wisdom and best practices to share.
- A recurring theme was developing relationships with legislators and allies. Jim Lindborg of California QLCA shared a technique of “walking and talking” with legislators, when they emerge from offices or sessions whenever possible. Go to where your legislators are. Jim talked about meeting legislators at the airport as they wait for flights home. (California is a big state!)
- Give testimony at hearings based on your experiences and values. Share personal stories about how an issue affects you. Show films about specific topics before the legislature and have panel discussions to educate the community.
- Give briefings, offer training, send emails, sponsor letter writing campaigns, send out news updates and build on Quaker connections. Know your “why” and keep your “why” before you.
- Rest when you need to and get support from your community. Remember that advocacy is ministry, and it is essential to create space for reflection and renewal.
- Keith Runyon encouraged all the attendees to become involved in saving the Inflation Reduction Act, the most consequential climate bill in history. The states that have benefited the most from the IRA are Republican and 18 legislators from those states are begging Speaker Johnson to keep the legislation intact. Encourage your legislators to protect the IRA. The webinar recording will be available