Engaging in legislative advocacy as a member of the public is one of the most effective and powerful ways we can use our voices. When we show up, write in, and make our voices heard at the legislature, it shows our elected officials what we really, truly, value. We all know we are in a race against time to take meaningful action around protecting our environment. We need to act now to protect our planet and the air, water, wildlife, and people that make it up. That is why the Toiyabe Chapter Legislative Committee exists, to gather environmentalists from across the state and to use our Sierra Club platform to make our voices heard. Now is your chance to join our fight!
The Toiyabe Chapter’s Legislative Committee is looking for volunteers to join our efforts for the upcoming 2023 legislative session. Whether you are a complete beginner (what is a BDR?!) or a seasoned testifier, we need your help! The Legislative Committee is very active during the session. On top of our meetings, we are busy tracking bills, providing testimony at committee hearings, attending lobbying days, and meeting with legislators about our priority issues. We also do our best to engage our entire Toiyabe Chapter membership with our work. This includes developing petitions, conducting hustle texting campaigns to raise awareness about a bill, and sending out communications materials to educate them on our legislative priorities.
Right now we are strategically planning how we will show up for our priorities in 2023, including identifying roles and responsibilities for each volunteer on our team. Some of the open roles we’ve identified include:
Social Media Content Creator: The Content Creator will engage with constituents by using the Toiyabe Chapter accounts to ask our followers to take action.
Hustle Texting Campaign Admin: Responsible for creating text scripts about various pieces of legislation and recruitment opportunities and putting them on the digital calendar.
Hustle Texting Campaign Lead: Responsible for contacting the texting agents and being supported; this is similar to a phone banking captain.
Communications Lead: The Communications volunteer(s) will develop fact sheets and coordinate with the legislative team on creating talking points.
Each of these roles will be a very crucial part of our success next legislative session. During the 2021 session, we testified over 40 times, held 2 hustle texting campaigns, and attended 3 in-person lobbying days. Our goals for this year are even more ambitious!
If you or someone you know wants to be a part of our amazing team, please fill out this form and identify that you are interested in working with the Legislative Committee. You won’t be limited to any of the roles listed above, we will work with you to find a position or task that fits your strengths and interests. We hope to see you at our next meeting!
Ashlee Forman and Bari Levinson, Legislative Committee Chairs