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Faith in Place

2532 W. Warren Blvd.

Chicago, IL 60612

Faith in Place gives religious people the tools to become good stewards of the earth. We partner with religious congregations to promote clean energy and sustainable farming. Since 1999, we have worked with more than 300 congregations in Illinois—Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Baha’i, Zoroastrian and Unitarian.

Faithful Citizenship:

An Environmental Advocacy Workshop

Springfield Advocacy Day

Tuesday, April 2, 2008 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The State Capitol in Springfield, IL

Faithful Citizenship:

An Environmental Advocacy Workshop

Sunday, March 9, 2008

2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation

303 Dodge Ave, Evanston, Il 60202

Each year Faith in Place offers multi-congregational workshops to help congregations get greener. This year we’re starting with a workshop focused on state and federal policy issues because the time is ripe to make substantial impact for the environment. Our presenters will explain how congregations can engage in policy advocacy - what’s legal, how to do it, and why it matters.

2:00 p.m.	Registration and Refreshments
2:30 p.m.	Tour the Nation’s First LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certified Green Synagogue.
3:00 – 3:45 p.m.	Welcome and Blessing from Rabbi Rosen
	Opening from Rev. Clare Butterfield, Executive Director of Faith in Place
	Plenary Address on the Legislative Agenda for 2008 from Rebecca Stanfield, Executive Director, Environment Illinois
4:00-5:00 p.m. 5:15 p.m.	Breakout Sessions Closing

Choose from These Breakout Sessions

Going to Springfield – John Gaudette, Legislative and Outreach Director for the Illinois Environmental Council, will provide his insights and experience on how to advocate for an issue face-to-face with representatives. How do you set up a meeting with your representative and what do you say when you get there? Find out – and get ready for Springfield Day, April 2!

Effective Advocacy in the District – Rebecca Stanfield, Executive Director of Environment Illinois, will discuss how to build effective phone calling and letter-writing infrastructure inside the congregation, and when to make visits within the district. Faith in Place staff will solicit your suggestions for how Faith in Place can provide support for this type of advocacy.

Open Conversation on Issues in Faith-Based Advocacy – What are the limits to congregational advocacy and what are the philosophical implications of claiming the “moral high road” in public policy debate? This session will be a free-wheeling conversation on the Big Questions, facilitated by Rev. Clare Butterfield.

Earth Day workshop participants are learning about the environment.

April 2005

Springfield Advocacy Day

Tuesday, April 2, 2008

10:30 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.

The State Capitol in Springfield, IL (meeting location TBD)

Join Faith in Place, the Illinois Environmental Council and other environmental groups for our second annual trip to Springfield. As citizen advocates, you can meet face-to-face with your state representatives and senators to encourage them to protect the environment of our state.

The day’s events… We’ll feed you, train you, and get you up-to-speed on legislation before we send you off to meet with Senators and Representatives. We’ll all debrief together over a late lunch (hosted by Faith in Place) at Abraham Lincoln’s church, an inspiring place to be.

Getting there from Chicago? Hop on the Amtrak train at Chicago’s Union Station at 7 a.m. At the end of the day, get onboard in Springfield at 4:57 p.m. (arriving in Chicago at 8:48). This will give you time to visit the Lincoln Museum and other historic sites. A roundtrip ticket to Springfield costs $36.

Able to come the night before? The Illinois Environmental Council is hosting a legislative reception at the State House Inn for advocates and legislators, tentatively 6:00 -8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 1^st. To reserve a room at the Inn for $92 (including breakfast), call 217-528-5100 and say you’re with the Illinois Environmental Council.

Those who took part in this trip last year said it was wonderful and incredibly worthwhile. Please join us this year!

FAQ about Springfield Trip:

When should I make appointments with my representative and senator? You should start calling right away to let them know you are coming to Springfield on April 2 as a member of the religious community concerned about the environment. Visit www.elections.il.gov/DistrictLocator/ to get their contact information. You should expect to see your Senator and your Representative directly – not just meet with their staff.

Will we get talking points on current legislation in the morning before our meetings? Yes – you will be briefed at breakfast on exactly where things stand on the day that you’re there, so that you feel confident that you understand the legislation and know what to ask for.

Is this appropriate for children? We think so. Children younger than 8 or 9 might have trouble getting much out of the day, but older ones can really learn a lot about how our government works.

The pioneers from our first annual trip to Springfield!

April 2007

Our Presenters

Rebecca Stanfield is the executive director of Environment Illinois. Prior to returning to her native Illinois, Ms. Stanfield was based in Washington, D.C., where she directed the clean air campaign for U.S. PIRG, the federal advocacy office for the national network of state PIRGs. She also led NJPIRG's efforts to prevent cuts in utility energy efficiency budgets, to clean up New Jersey's dirty power plants, and to establish long-term mechanisms to fund renewable energy and energy efficiency investments. She has a B.S. from the University of Illinois, 1991; J.D., University of Oregon Law School, 1994.

John Gaudette is the Legislative and Outreach Director for the Illinois Environmental Council. John has 12 years experience as a community organizer working with low- and moderate-income residents to address community issues, such as community policing, school reform, and economic development, nine of which he has been a director. Previously, he worked for five years as an engineer in the electronics industry. John has an Engineering degree from Michigan State University and has also worked as a consumer advocate, lobbying on such issues as identity theft and utility issues.

Rev. Clare Butterfield is the Executive Director of Faith in Place. She preaches and teaches regularly at congregations throughout Illinois. She is a Unitarian Universalist minister from central Illinois with a lifelong interest in environmental matters. She started as Faith in Place’s original organizer and developed the organization into today’s regional scale. She has an M.Div. from Meadville Lombard Theological School (2000), a J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law (1983), a B.A. in History from the University of Illinois (1980), and will soon complete at D.Min. at Chicago Theological Seminary. She is the community minister for Unity Temple in Oak Park.

Sign Me Up!

¨ Evanston, March 9, 2008 Faithful Citizenship workshop

A $15 registration fee is payable at the door. Congregations may send 3 people for a $30 contribution. This is a suggested amount; no-one will be turned away.

¨ Springfield, April 2, 2008 Springfield Day

No charge, and lunch is on us!

Name

Address

City State Zip Code

Phone

E-mail Address

Congregation Name

Please mail, fax or email this form to:

Faith in Place

2532 W. Warren Blvd.

Chicago, IL 60612

312-733-4640 (phone)

312-733-4610 (fax)

info@faithinplace.org