At our Dec. public meeting we worked within Indivisible National’s ‘Gathering in Community’ framework. We broke up into four groups to discuss individual priorities and ideas for actions. Each group was led by one of our steering committee members—Kim, Marilyn, Nancy, and Linda. We had fruitful conversations which are summarized below.
Then the Steering Committee gathered your input and determined three groups characterized by issues, values or topics. These groups represent what was most discussed by all of you. Please read over everything below and see where you might want to work. You can always change groups and we anticipate that within each group there will be ample space for many ideas and actions.
Kim’s group focused on revitalizing the Democratic Party. (It is important to note that Indivisible is not an arm of the Democratic Party. In areas where our values and issues of concern align, we will work with them.
- The party needs to answer questions about how they are going to move forward.
- There was concern about the election of a new national and state party chairman and how we can influence that.
- Communicate with Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Mike Schmul (who has since announced that he is stepping down) Conduct a zoom call with Mike to ask about plans for moving the party forward in Indiana.
- Make our voices heard to the state Democratic Party.
In Marilyn’s group the discussion was about the various progressive groups in the area and about volunteering.
- They discussed the value & reason why there were different progressive groups & the hopes we could work together.
- They also discussed the desire to volunteer in our communities throughout the year, starting with IYG the new group in the area – they support LGBTQ+ teens. Arrange a meeting with the head of that group.
- Volunteer in other ways in the community—the food bank, Meals on Wheels, and others.
Nancy’s group discussed being involved in local and state government, civic education, volunteering, women’s health care and having effective conversations.
- They discussed the importance of civic engagement and civic education.
- They discussed the importance of education—and public education—and how to support that.
- Concern about women’s health care, especially for poor/low income women.
- Getting out in the community.
- Focusing on what unites us and our commonalities while having honest conversations. This could include a podcast.
Linda’s group discussed priorities and specific actions.
Priorities:
- Combat misinformation
- Reach people we don’t agree with but who may be persuadable
- Push back against legislation that will hurt groups and people—like HR 9495
- Develop alliances with other groups
- Help women looking for an abortion and restoring reproductive rights in Indiana.
- Get stickers from planc.org: https://www.plancpills.org/ to obtain and distribute stickers about obtaining plan c pills by mail. Stickers: https://www.plancpills.org/stickers.
- (Volunteer opportunities are available with plancpills.org)
The Steering Committee suggests starting with the following three groups:
Citizen Education
- Voter registration
- Misinformation
- Petition drives to establish ballot initiatives
- Civic education
Many of the above will be incorporated into tabling events. This group would be responsible for suggesting and arranging such events within the communities of Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties.
We have a wheel that we often used at tabling events in 2024 to help educate people about great legislation that was passed during the Biden Administration. We can use that same wheel to make games that teach about misinformation, civic education and voter information.
But this group may also work with groups and schools to teach civics and to teach about how to find accurate information and why that’s important. They may also work with Indivisible National’s Truth Brigade that also works to dispel lies and disperse truth.
Community Outreach
- Suggest volunteer opportunities within the communities we serve, set them up and recruit Indivisibles to volunteer.
- Attend meetings of other progressive grassroots organizations in the area, exchange information and cooperate on projects.
- Attend school/town/city board/council meetings and report back. Indivisible NWI will be a presence within each community.
- Suggest and communicate calls to action
Progressive Power
- Research candidates for the national and state democratic party chairs, report back to the group
- Create calls to action for supporting candidates of choice.
- Support women’s reproductive freedom in every way we can, both statewide and nationally.
- Work on improving women’s health care state and nationwide. Create calls to action at the state and federal levels.
- Identify, support and create actions for other issues of concern, including education, book banning, LGBTQ+ and much more.
The work begins. Join us at the Merrillville Library on Jan. 9 at 6pm.
Please register here–and bring a friend!
