This week in Iowa organizing…
This past Saturday I joined with about two dozen other CCI members for our "Power of Participation - voting edition" meeting at the CCI headquarters.
It was great to once again be in a room with folks like yourselves, talking about the importance of community, participation, and representation. One thing that stood out to me was that if the act of voting wasn't important, then why would those in power keep trying to restrict it for nearly 250 years?
It was a good reminder that when people come together we can be a powerful force for justice and putting people first. Which, again, is why I'm excited for our August 19 Summer Member Meeting in just under three weeks!
There's more on that below. And regardless of whether or not you're coming (you should!), you can join me and other members tomorrow at 5:30pm for an hour of calling other CCI members across the state to invite them to join us for a day of inspiration, information, and action.
Onward!
Matthew Covington (he/him)
Strategic Operations Director
Take action
Tomorrow - August 1: coal plant community conversation in Muscatine
We are visiting communities with coal plants across Iowa to grow our movement demanding an end to fossil fuels and a just transition to a 100% clean energy system.
Our next stop is at the Musser Public Library in Muscatine on Tuesday, August 1st from 6-8pm. SIGN UP HERE to join us to discuss the:
negative impacts of local coal plants,
benefits of transitioning to clean energy, and
ways we can take action to reverse the climate crisis while uplifting our communities.
Muscatine has long suffered from the effects of industrial pollution and poor air quality. It’s time to fight for climate justice so that we can all have clean air, clean water, and habitable planet to thrive on.
CCI's 'Clean Water Fight!' - join us this Thursday, what would you tell the EPA?
We believe clean water is a human right, and that's why we're calling on the EPA to enforce Clean Water Act permits to crack down on factory farm polluters. These permits would create higher standards for factory farms, a track record of their pollution, and the ability to shut repeat offenders down!
In June we sent an invite letter to the EPA asking them to meet with CCI members here in Iowa. Nearly 150 of you signed onto this invite and it worked - the EPA agreed to meet with a leadership team of CCI members!!
Here's how you can still take action in our Clean Water Fight:
Join us August 3 at 6pm for our virtual statewide Clean Water Fight meeting. We've had great meetings so far in Clear Lake, Nevada, Oelwein and Decorah, and we're capping it off with an online meeting for everyone!
Share your story and demands for the EPA here! At our leadership team meeting with the EPA in August, we want to hand them the stories of Iowans across the state to clearly show the need for them to take bold action.
They dump it, you drink it. We won't stop until they clean it up!
August 19 - CCI Action's Summer Membership Meeting
On August 19 you'll want to be in the Des Moines metro for our annual Summer Membership Meeting.
At this day-long event, we'll reconnect with friends and meet other CCI Action members from across the state for a day of information, inspiration, and action. While we'll revisit the distant and recent past, we'll also use our time together to chart our path forward.
And we'll hear from home-grown Iowa talent sharing their perspectives and challenging us to think big and shake things up:
Silvia Secchi, a University of Iowa professor, fearless truth-teller and ally on clean water and CO2 pipeline issues
Lori Young and Harvey Harrison, long-time grassroots leaders on racial justice and police accountability issues
Jon Green and Dr. Glenn Hurst, two elected officials that co-govern with us and our movement – and who embrace ‘doing politics differently’
Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee staff Chris Neubert (a former CCI organizer!)
It's never been more important to be together, especially after the state legislative session we've just had. Join us August 19 to be in community with fellow CCI members to celebrate the victories we've achieved together and make plans for the future of CCI and the state we love so dearly.
Register today to save your spot!
Updates
Still time to join Clean Water Book Club - August read!
Holy cow! Nearly 100 folks are signed up for our first ever Clean Water Book Club. We've lined up two brilliant books by two Iowa authors (read more below) and first up: In August, we'll read WATER, a novel from award-winning author Jennifer Wilson.
WATER is an incredible introduction to the water issue in Iowa - but packaged in a "sexy thriller" with compelling characters and familiar Iowa story lines.
Have you wanted a deeper understanding of Iowa's water quality issues, but can't sift through the science words? Do you love a good "beach read," a book you just can't put down? Are you outdoorsy, a farmer, have kids, or love water for recreation? Then this book is for you!
Here's how to participate:
Sign up to host or participate at this link. This is the best way to get updates and announcements of all the fun things we have in store.
Get the book! As a one-time deal, we'll mail you the book and our Water is Life sticker for $15, or you can pick one up at our headquarters for $10!
Then, we'll do this all over again in September with Chris Jones's hot new book The Swine Republic. If WATER is the intro, Jones's popular collection of essays will give us a deeper understanding of this issue in Iowa - with a healthy dose of humor and derision.
Let us know you're in! Sign up for the book club here.