This week in Iowa organizing…
Shout out to all of you across the state who attended a town hall, empty chair town hall, and other meetings held over the March Congressional Recess.
Here in Des Moines, around three dozen of us decided to pay a visit to Representative Nunn's office since we can't remember the last time he held a town hall meeting with his constituents.
We took additional messages from folks in his district written on paper plates to symbolize how hunger would get drastically worse if elected officials like Rep. Nunn continue to stay silent on the budget cuts we've already seen, and those proposed that threaten vital public programs like SNAP, Medicaid, Social Security, school lunches and more.
Our elected officials represent all of us, and they should be accessible to us, not just their donors or the wealthy elite. And if they aren't, then it's our job to remind them they're NOT doing their job. Let's keep at it.
Matthew Covington
Strategic Operations Director
At the Statehouse
Let's not make it harder to eat
We're two weeks away from the next legislative funnel deadline on April 4, when bills must pass out of one chamber (Senate/House) and a committee in the other chamber to remain alive for consideration (minus spending bills). So expect this week to be busy with lawmakers debating bills on the House or Senate floor, and committees meeting to determine what priorities remain.
One thing that shouldn't be prioritized is making it harder for Iowans to eat. That's why today our allies with the Iowa Hunger Coalition are hosting a Protect SNAP Choice day of action from 11am - 4pm. If you're in Des Moines, consider stopping by any time you have free to help send the message we should be working to alleviate hunger, not making it harder to eat. More information can be found here.
Want to know more about where key bills we've been tracking stand and how to make your voice heard? Join us online this Thursday, March 27 at 6pm for our "legislative recap & look ahead" meeting. We'll recap where things stand, discuss what's behind the attacks on people, places, and institutions we hold dear, and dig-in on how to take action as the session winds down. RSVP here.
Take action
March 25: Public School Strong orientation
Iowa’s public schools were once top ranked but we’ve fallen behind because of chronic underfunding and poor leadership. But we're fighting back through our Public School Strong campaign to win honest, equitable, safe, and fully-funded public schools.
Here's two ways you can plug in:
Join our next Public School Strong orientation session this Tuesday, March 25 at 6pm over Zoom. More info and RSVP here
Collect signatures to urge your local school board to pass a resolution calling on the Governor and legislature to fully fund our public schools at a 5% annual increase and to phase out private school vouchers. Learn more and add your name here!
Everyday Iowans know that strong public schools are a cornerstone of our communities and democracy. By organizing in our neighborhoods and at local school board meetings, we can create positive, common sense solutions to address the real issues our schools are facing.
March 26: make calls to help defeat Bayer's "Cancer Gag Act"
Across the country Bayer is facing pushback from everyday people who know our health is more important than Bayer's profits. Similar bills to the Cancer Gag Act have been successfully defeated in four other states - let's add Iowa to that list!
We're 2 votes away in 2 key committees from stopping this bill if it makes it to the House. RSVP to join us this Wednesday, March 26 from 6 PM - 7:30 PM to get updated on where the bill stands, which districts will be key in stopping it, and call other Iowans in key districts and asking them to contact their state Representative about this issue.
March 29: Called to climate action conference
Join Iowa Faith & Climate Network for their annual Called To Climate Action Conference! This event is for anyone from college students new to the environmental scene to seasoned climate activists.
All of us are actively experiencing the rippling effects of climate change. We all carry a unique worry when it comes to our ever-changing world. As we come together, we can transform hope into practical action and tackle the climate crisis with others.
Read more about the conference and info to register here.
CCI's spring sustainer drive - 50 for our 50th!
Iowa CCI celebrates 50 years as a people-powered organization this year! We have so many of you to thank for your generous support over these 50 years of working in Iowa’s communities.
In this moment, we are looking to boost our monthly giving. Now is the time to become a sustainer! Given what’s happening nationally, our community-led campaigns are more important than ever, and it’s critical that we fund the work ourselves.
Will you help us reach 50 new sustainers by April 15?
Here’s why CCI Sustainers make such a difference:
It’s revenue we can count on. We know these donations will come in each month.
It gives us flexibility to seize moments and take on emerging organizing campaigns. More importantly, it also allows us to plan, to be forward-looking, and to be strategic.
It builds our strength. Member contributions, especially monthly pledges, mean we have more control over our work. And it allows us to take powerful positions and action, backed by members, that foundations may not support.
Bonus -- sign up as a new sustainer today and we'll send you our "People Power" wool socks, pictured above.
Join us Thursday for 2025's first monthly Zoom
This Thursday March 27 our monthly meetings for the water testing season are kicking off with Heather Wilson from Izaak Walton League's Nitrate Watch program! Click here to get registered for 5pm March 27 on Zoom!
This year our goal is to be more strategic about water testing. We are looking for people willing to consistently test their tap and body of water or stream in their area. We are looking to build regional teams across the state to work together on testing and collecting water quality data.
If this Citizen Science sounds like something you are interested in, join us for the monthly Zoom reboot this Thursday March 27 at 5:00pm!
Save the Date
Iowa CCI is turning 50!
We're hammering out the details, but we know we're turning 50 this year! We've got the Iowa Events Center reserved for July 25 & 26, and we know we want to see you there! Save the date and stay tuned in the coming weeks for more details - it'll be good!
What We're Reading
These are a few links that are informing our work - we've shared them so that you can read, too!
In red states, rural voters are leading the resistance to school vouchers [Barn Raiser]
If you're not scared about Social Security, you should be [Bleeding Heartland]
'Everybody should feel the pain': Des Moines activists question police budget boost [Des Moines Register]
Free press, democracy, and the threat of Trump's illiberal regime [Nonprofit Quarterly]
Bernie is right: 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck [Jacobin]