Public witness

Rapid Response Team

If you already are familiar with Rapid Response, you can sign up now.

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Rapid Responses sent

June 17, 2008 Medical Care for Detainees June 5, 2008 Moving the Cimate Protection Act conversation along June 3, 2008 Night of 1,000 Conversations -- June 19th March 11 , 2008 The SAVE Act updated January 31, 2008 The SAVE Act October 31, 2007 The Farm Bill September 18, 2007 Refugee Crisis in Iraq August 8, 2007 Just, Humane, and Compassionate Immigration Legislation July 15, 2007 DREAM Act (Immigration) June 20, 2007 WHINSEC/School of the Americas June 15, 2007 Immigration Reform Legislation in the Senate June 12, 2007 Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007

Why a Disciples Rapid Response Team?

• To assist Disciples in acting on their faith.
• To encourage and support Disciples to become more involved in social action by speaking out about their concerns.
• To provide Disciples a vehicle for quick responses to legislative actions.
• To influence legislation.
• Empower Disciples to make a difference.
• To help deepen Disciples' understanding of the issues.

How does the Rapid Response Team work?

As action alerts and legislative bulletins come in from various sources, we will send you information.

Then you can choose to write, call, or e-mail your legislator and local media to express your opinion. That's all there is to it! You participate whenever you want and as frequently as you want. (Find out the difference between advocacy and lobbying.)

To find out how to contact your governmental representatives or to view the status of legislation, visit thomas.loc.gov/.

Join the Rapid Response Team today

By joining, you will receive periodic updates about actions you can take in response to legislative action. Be sure to choose Rapid Response. If you want to receive updates from DHM, select that option as well.

Privacy is important to DHM; therefore, we promise not to sell, rent, or give your name or address to anyone. At any point, you can select the link at the bottom of every email to unsubscribe, or to receive less or more information.

For more information, contact:

Rapid Response
DHM
Lois Robinson
(317) 713-2644

What is the difference between advocacy and lobbying?

Have you ever wondered what you can do as advocates without jeapordizing the non-profit status of your church? The short answer is as follows. Advocacy, educating people about candidates or legislation, is fine. Educating elected officials on issues falls under the category of advocacy, not lobbying. Lobbying, that is, endorsing a candidate or a particular piece of legislation, crosses the line. A non-profit can only
conduct a certain percentage of its budget and time for lobbying.

To learn more, read The Real Rules: Congregations and IRS Guidelines On Advocacy, Lobbying, and Elections, a resource published by the Unitarians.