Here are a few notices to share.
Voting, November 5
Thanks again to Mary Blackburn for organizing a workshop for us with League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan group that educates and engages citizens to participate in the governing process.
Since that workshop, some of us have worked to register voters for the Nov. 5 election. Now it’s time to encourage people to study the candidates, go to the polls and vote.
- If you have candidates to promote, check their websites for phone bank opportunities, but remember that your own cell phone contacts and Meeting directories are a great resource to contact people you already know.
- Remember that not everyone has access to transportation, so check with members of your family, Meeting, neighbors, friends and assisted living facilities to see if there is a transportation plan for voting.
- Many early voting opportunities make it easier to help other people. Reach out to those who may be eligible for absentee voting by mail (not available to everyone in Indiana) and assist them with the process. Anyone may vote early in-person, which begins Oct. 8. org or your county clerk’s office can help you identify where you can vote early in-person in your county. Whether voting early or on Nov. 5, help others who may need a ride to their polling place.
2024 and Public Education
One of my IFCL assignments and my connection as a retired educator is for public education issues, so I attended the kickoff for the 2024-25 Indiana Coalition for Public Education legislative initiative last Saturday, August 24.
Although ICPE is a nonpartisan organization, the fact that Jennifer McCormick, candidate for governor, is an educator tips the scale in this election because she aligns with the ICPE and IFCL support for public education. A huge concern for both of our groups is the expansion of vouchers. Attached to this email and our IFCL website https://quakerifcl.org/ is a PowerPoint that describes that shift of resources. To find out more about ICPE go to https://indianacoalitionforpubliced.org/
Quaker Leadership Center Earlham School of Religion
One additional note is to promote an event at Earlham School of Religion that David Weatherspoon and I will present on Sept. 21. https://esr.earlham.edu/event/heart-of-peace-lecture-brunch/
Mooresville Faith Celebration
An event for Mooresville’s 200th anniversary is a Faith Celebration featuring the story of Quaker founder Samuel Moore on September 29. https://mooresville200.com/
Looking toward 2025
Continue to explore issues that IFCL should emphasize as the 2025 legislative session approaches