Week of 01/21/2024

Friday, January 26th, 12:00pm
Power Lunch: When We Collaborate We Win
The Friday Power Lunch reaches an important milestone this week, our 150th Episode. We are celebrating this momentous occasion by launching a new initiative. On the last Friday of every month, we’re going national with programming amplifying the voices of the grassroots from coast to coast. We will be joined in this effort by the new Grassroots Collaborative Project (GCP) that is connecting grassroots groups to collectively use our knowledge, experience, and organizing muscle to win in 2024. For the inaugural show, longtime activist and organizer Heather Booth will share stories of how collaboration has historically been a game changer in social movements. Then we will hear from the co-leads of GCP – Susan Labandibar (Swing Blue Alliance), Julie Greenberg (31st St. Swing Left), Susan Wagner (Markers for Democracy) – about the purpose and vision of the GCP and then preview new Directory of Grassroots Groups.  RSVP here 

Tuesday, February 6th, 8:00am – 12:30pm
2024 Affordable Energy Lobby Day
Meeting with your elected officials face-to-face is the best way to communicate the importance of affordable and clean energy during the Virginia General Assembly legislative session. RSVP here 

Sunday, February 11th, 4:00pm
Virginia Grassroots Coalition Meeting
Zoom Link: https://georgetown.zoom.us/j/98422844279 

Saturday, February 24  12:00pm – 5:00pm
Feel the Heritage Festival – Charles Drew Community Center
Details HERE

Saturday, February 24 
Virginia Black History Month Gala – Falls Church
More Information HERE

Join the Voter Readiness Working Group
We are a group of individuals that want every person to have the opportunity to cast their vote. Through Voter Registration Drives; Poll Observing; Poll Greeting and more we aim to educate and enable those that are eligible to vote. For more information, please contact Kathleen Murray: [email protected]

CALLS TO ACTION

Let Our Representatives Know We Care
The Virginia General Assembly is now in session. What that means is our legislators are presenting bills that will affect all Virginians: Climate; Gun Violence Prevention; Voting Rights; Education and more. Please take a moment and go to the Virginia Grassroots Coalition’s website and send a message to Richmond. This action takes approximately 30 seconds and will make a huge difference! Take Action Now

GOTV for Pennsylvania Special Election                                                                    
Democratic control of the PA House of Representatives depends on winning this race.  Jim Prokopiak is the Democratic candidate to replace former Dem. Representative John Galloway.  The Republican candidate is Candace Cabanas. The Jan. 3rd Daily Kos Elections Morning Digest states:  “Joe Biden carried this seat in the Philadelphia suburbs by a 55-44 margin. Even if this is a Blue district we all know that special elections depend on turnout and this race is too important to be taken for granted.  The last thing we want is a solid Republican legislature in PA any presidential election year and particularly this one. PROMOTE THE VOTE, an affiliate of TURN PA BLUE has phone banks for this race: Sign up HERE.

From NetWork NoVA
LOBBY DAYS & ACTIVITIES IN RICHMOND (MORE INFO: LOBBY DAYS LINK)
• Mon, Jan 29 – Equality Virginia LGBTQ+
• Tues, Jan 30 * 32 at 7:45am – VCN Water Lobby Day + VCN Conservation Lobby Day (include climate, energy & clean transportation bills/issues) – RSVP
• Tues, Feb 6 at 8:00am – 12:30, Day of Action for Affordable Energy (VGCʻs Climate & Clean Energy Working Group co-sponsor w/Affordable Energy Coalition, Clean Virginia, Va. Organizing, CCAN, Va. IPL) Post of Contact:  [email protected], RSVP
Tues, Feb 13 – Crossover
• Wed, Feb 14 at 8am – Planned Parenthood – Point of Contact: Alexis Gayle, RSVP
• Tues, Jan 9 at 7pm – Planned Parenthood Pre-Legislative Session Briefing
• Mon, Feb 19 – 4 Public Education Lobby Day: Rally at Belltower Point of Contact: Marianne Burke, PhD – CoFounder & Board Member with 4 Public Education, [email protected]
Sat, March 9 – Legislative Session Ends

Resource Reminders
• Priority Legislation for the 2024 General Assembly Session – details HERE
• List of Lobby Days in Richmond – HERE
• Congressional Districts and Primary Candidates – HERE