TIME-SENSITIVE - TAKE ACTION BY 3:30 TODAY - Oppose the Sheriff’s budget proposal!

As described in our founding mission statement, “Indivisible Marin is a community of citizens committed to protecting American values of inclusion, equality and justice.” A key operating principle for us is to use the influence that we have, as constituents, with our elected officials to effect structural change.

Today, we are kicking off a “Week of Action for Racial Justice.” Each day this week, we will send you a concrete action that you can take to further the goals of the Black Lives Matter movement. These actions will involve contacting elected officials at the local, state and federal level. Others will involve ways for us as individuals to learn and become stronger allies in the movement.

DAY 1 ACTION

Support our partner, ICE Out Of Marin, in its call for the Marin County Board of Supervisors to oppose the Sheriff’s budget proposal for an increase in funding. The Board of Supervisors will be considering the 2020-2021 budget at their monthly meeting which starts at 9 AM. 

In a sign-on letter to the Board, ICE Out of Marin states:
“We call on the Board of Supervisors to recognize that it is time to shift funds from the Sheriff’s department into other areas of the county’s budget that truly promote public health and community safety. We call on the Board of Supervisors to require far more public-facing transparency than is currently available in the Chief Administrative Officer’s budget document, so that members of the community can participate in a meaningful discussion and decision-making process about how our taxes are actually being spent. Full text of letter here. 

ACTION STEP

Please email your comments to BOS@marincounty.org no later than the deadline of 3:30 PM TODAY. Include in your email that you are writing regarding Agenda Item #9, as well as your name and address. If you like, please identify yourself as a member of Indivisible Marin. Emailed comments will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors and will be placed into the public record. You may use this template email or write your own. 

BACKGROUND

Our Board of Supervisors oversees the budget for the Sheriff’s department. Tomorrow, they will be presenting their proposed budget for 2020-21. In that budget, in a time when every single department is being called upon to cut costs, our Sheriff’s budget is increasing. The Sheriff’s budget shows both a $3.3 million decline in revenue and a $3.3 million increase in costs, meaning that our Sheriff’s Department is asking for $6.6 million from the county in a time of massive cost cutting.  

OTHER OPTIONAL ACTIONS 

Watch the meeting at 9 AM tomorrow, 6/9. Viewing options include via the Board of Supervisors’ website or on Comcast Channel 27 or AT&T Channel 99.

Comment during the meeting: During the meeting, when it is time for public expression, you may make a comment when the specific agenda item is considered by the Board. There will be a time limit set for the comment period by the Board President. Your comments will also become part of the public record.

Participate via Zoom: 
Visit www.zoom.us/joinMeeting ID: 947 4251 8384
Password: 352 533
Use the "Raise Hand" button to inform the moderator that you would like to comment.

Participate by phone:

Dial (669) 900-6833, Meeting ID: 947 4251 8384. Press *9 at the appropriate time to make a comment.

Thank you for stepping up to the moment.

Keep watch for the Day 2 Action tomorrow.

In Solidarity,
The IndiMarin Steering Committee - Laurie, Susan S, Betsy, Justine and Susan M

A letter from the IndiMarin Steering Committee - Our nation is in crisis. How can we make a difference?

Dear members,

We are writing you today with sad hearts and angry spirits. Our country is facing three massive crises. We would like share with you our thoughts on how Indivisible Marin, and we, as individuals, can play a role in finding solutions.

At the forefront of our minds are the tragic murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmad Arbrey, and so many other African Americans by racists - racists who often happen to also be police officers. According to Campaign Zero, over 1,000 people are killed by police every year in America. It is time to face up to the level of extreme and systemic racism in our country and take concrete action.

Concurrently, an unprecedented pandemic has killed over 100,000 Americans. It is endangering our front-line workers and bringing extreme economic hardship to millions of people, especially those already living close to the poverty line who are now unable to secure even basic life necessities.  

The third crisis is, of course, the destructive and democracy-eroding power of the depraved fascist and oligarch who occupies our White House. Spewing hatred, bigotry and ignorance on a daily basis, he fans the flames of polarization and anti-science, thereby dramatically increasing the death toll of the pandemic, the level of systemic racism and countless other injuries to our planet and its people.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar eloquently expressed the interconnection of these crises in an op-ed in yesterday's LA Times. "COVID-19 has been slamming the consequences of all that home as we die at a significantly higher rate than whites, are the first to lose our jobs, and watch helplessly as Republicans try to keep us from voting. Just as the slimy underbelly of institutional racism is being exposed, it feels like hunting season is open on blacks. If there was any doubt, President Trump’s recent tweets confirm the national zeitgeist as he calls protesters “thugs” and looters fair game to be shot."

IndiMarin's response:
Indivisible Marin stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter, Color of Change, Black Voters Matter, Campaign Zero and all other partners in the movement. Given our mission of working with elected officials to effect progressive change, we have decided to align specifically with the work of Campaign Zero, a data-informed platform which presents comprehensive solutions to end police violence in America. It integrates community demands, and policy recommendations from research organizations and President Obama's Task Force on 21st Century Policing. We plan to call on our state and federal representatives to take immediate action to adopt data-driven policy solutions to end this violence and hold police accountable.  If enough phones ring off the hooks in governmental offices across the country, this issue will take on greater urgency for lawmakers.

Further, we will continue, with tenacity and fortitude, our crucial voter outreach work in advance of the November elections. We choose campaigns that 1) have the most strategic importance toward the goal of a trifecta in Washington and/or 2) increase the representation of people of color at the polls through outreach to disenfranchised voters who are at risk of having their vote suppressed. 

In an article in Medium today, former President Obama writes, "The point of protest is to raise public awareness, to put a spotlight on injustice and to make the powers that be uncomfortable; in fact, throughout American history, it's often only been in response to protest and civil disobedience that the political systems has even paid attention to marginalized communities. But, eventually, aspirations have to be translated into specific laws and institutional practices - and, in a democracy, that only happens when when we elect officials who are responsive to our demands."

How you can help:

1) Donate to Campaign Zero or any of the other organizations listed above.
2) Commit to calling your elected officials at the state and federal level. Later this week, we will send you materials with contact information and talking points. Please watch for an email with the subject "Advocate to end systemic racism."

3) Sign up for as many of our voter outreach events as you can fit into your schedule. Making phone calls to voters is particularly needed since we are primarily working on helping sign up Democrats to vote by mail. The information is often a bit complex, so is best done via an interactive conversation. Visit our phone bank page here and our calendar page here to sign up and engage in this important work.
Volunteer by volunteer, voice by voice and vote by vote, we will win in November and begin to repair our country and democracy.

Thank you for stepping up to the moment.

In Solidarity,
The IndiMarin Steering Committee - Laurie, Susan S, Betsy, Justine and Susan M

May 16 Newsletter: A big week! Huffman, Beto and Kyra (Sedgwick that is)

With just 171 days to go before the election, things are rockin' here at IndiMarin. And this week, we get to do some name-dropping as well. We have a very special guest at our upcoming membership meeting, and two new "star-studded" voter outreach programs to tell you about. So here goes. We hope that you will join us for them all!

First, we are very pleased to announce that Congressman Jared Huffman will be the guest speaker at our Virtual Membership Meeting on Friday, 5/22 at 4 PM. He will provide updates on congressional actions related to COVID relief efforts, election protection, and maintaining the post office; as well as  his new housing bill, the COVID-19 SHELTER Act of 2020. There will be a Q&A period following by some updates from IndiMarin leaders on programs to help #WinBackDemocracy and ways for you to be involved in the effort. Zoom limits the number of participants to 100. Please sign up soon to be sure to reserve a spot. After this advance notification to our members, we plan to invite members of all activist groups in Marin. Sign up here.

In another exciting announcement, IndiMarin is launching a new program to write to voters, in addition to our popular and successful postcard program. We will now also be writing letters to voters as part of the The Big Send campaign sponsored by with Swing Left and Vote Forward.  The goal of The Big Send is to mail 10 million letters to swing state voters who are historically underrepresented and unlikely to vote. Letter writers will add personal messages on the letters about why they vote. Watch this great animated video with voiceovers by Kyra Sedgewick and Kevin Bacon to learn more.

We have a two-step launch planned. First, join a national letter-writing event with Kyra Sedgwick and Kathryn Hahn, committed activists and accomplished actors, to hand write letters to potential voters asking them to vote in critical elections. Sign up for the national event with Kyra and Kathryn here. Then, join IndiMarin's kick-off letter writing event to learn the nuts and bolts of how our members can  to get involved in this great program! Sign up for the IndiMarin launch here.

Lastly, we have another fun opportunity to phonebank with Beto O'Rourke on both Monday, May 18 from 4:30 - 7:00 PM Pacific Time and Thursday at the same time. His new organization, Powered by People, is dedicated to registering hundreds of thousands of Democrats who have moved to Texas but are not yet registered to vote.

Sign up for the Monday phonebank here and for the Thursday phonebank here. Note that the times listed are Central Time.
Many of our members participated last week and really enjoyed the calls. Not only is it pretty cool to be in a Zoom phonebank with Beto who is super engaged and and interactive with the volunteers, but also the people we are calling in Texas have been a friendly bunch as well.

Note: To participate, you must attend a 30 minute training led by Powered by People. They have a wide range of times for the training including six time slots before the Monday phonebank. Sign up to attend a training here.

Thank you for your commitment to helping those in need in our country, and to protecting the essence of our democracy - the right to vote!

URGENT! Write or call Congressman Huffman today!

Dear members,

The House Of Representatives will be drafting the fourth COVID relief bill over the next several days. Once it is drafted, it is harder to make changes. 

Please call or write Representative Huffman TODAY and ask that he personally advocate for a draft bill with a "People’s Agenda" - one that includes financial aid, public health protections, and the widest access to voting via the USPS. We also are asking that he vote NO on any bill that does not contain these provisions. 

Indivisible chapters across the country are contacting their representatives with the same request.

1) Click here for an easy, automated letter to send. The full text of the letter is below or you can customize your letter within the form.

2) Calling is a very impactful way to make your voice heard. The script and phone numbers are below. Or just speak from your heart. 

Thank you for your commitment to helping those in need in our country, and to protecting the essence of our democracy - the right to vote!

In Solidarity,
The IndiMarin Steering Committee - Laurie, Susan S, Betsy, Justine and Susan M

___________________

Script:

The Trump administration’s response to the COVID-19 epidemic hasn’t done nearly enough to help working people, or to protect our right to vote. Together with Indivisible Marin, I am asking that you personally advocate for a draft bill with a "People’s Agenda" - one that includes financial aid, public health protections, and the widest access to voting via the USPS. I also ask that you vote NO on any bill that does not contain these provisions.

Contact:
San Rafael Office: (415) 258-9657 
Washington DC Office: (202) 225-5161

Full text of template letter

Dear Representative Huffman, 

The Trump administration’s response to the COVID-19 epidemic hasn’t done nearly enough to help working people, or to protect our right to vote. Together with Indivisible Marin, I am asking that you personally advocate for a draft bill with a "People’s Agenda" - one that includes financial aid, public health protections, and the widest access to voting via the USPS. I also ask that you vote NO on any bill that does not contain these provisions.

We are especially concerned that Congress protects our right to vote by including $4 billion in the next relief bill to allow all Americans to vote-by-mail, as well as provide safety at the polls. The bill should include both oversight of spending and requirements that money be spent to enable voting access and accurate vote counting. We also ask that Congress provide funding to secure The United States Postal Service. 

Democrats must ensure the next package provides relief to every person in this country, regardless of tax or immigration status, age or disability, and they must vote against it if it does not.

Action on these issues is already late. Please speak out and use all of your influence to have Congress allocate that $4 billion toward ensuring safe and secure elections in the next COVID-19 relief bill.

Thank you for representing our district so well in Washington!

We're excited to announce that IndiMarin will now be hosting our own virtual phonebanks! Feedback from our recent session was excellent. Participants said they enjoyed the relatively small group size which allowed for personalized support, as well as a sense of camaraderie with other members. If you come regularly, you'll get to know like-minded people who, like you, are passionate about winning back democracy!

We'll be calling voters in various battleground states to help them get registered. Prior experience or training via our 1:1 coaching sessions is ideal. Sign up here.
Other options for making phone calls to voters include:
*** For 1:1 coaching for newbies, sign up here. Come one, come all!
*** For future phonebank dates, check our calendar.
*** To make calls on your own schedule, visit our phonebanks page for a list of options including making calls for Joe Biden.

VOTE AT HOME! - Neither a pandemic, a political party, nor a president should be allowed to take away Americans right to vote. And time is running out for Congress to act. We must advocate strenuously for $4 billion toward ensuring safe and secure elections in the next COVID-19 relief bill, including funding to keep the U.S. Postal Service in operation. Visit VoteAtHome.org to learn more about about the facts and the fight to protect our November elections.

IndiMarin has created an easy form with which you can send a letter to Congressman Huffman in just a few minutes. In the letter, we ask with urgency that he advocate for Congress to fund $4 billion in the next COVID relief bill to protect our right to vote. Click here to send your letter to Congressman Huffman.

STAY HOME, STAY SAFE & STAY ENGAGED IN THE FIGHT TO #WINBACKDEMOCRACY!

New Phone Banking Program!

It's been quite a whirlwind over the past two months as we've reworked all of our voter outreach programming for our newly virtual lives!  As part of this process, we had decided to partner with Democracy Action initially for our virtual phonebanks, since they had more group training experience than we did.  

However, now we are up to speed! We will now be hosting our own events!
Betsy Guthrie will be our lead trainer and will be supported by a number of highly capable coaches who will be on hand to provide individualized support to participants, as desired.

Our first IndiMarin phonebanks are tomorrow at 3 - 5 PM and Sunday at 3 -5 PM. We will be calling for Chisty Smith at both. Sign up for Wednesday here and Sunday here.

The benefits of holding our own IndiMarin phonebanks include:

*** Smaller group size which enable more personalized support by the coaching staff

*** Increased camaraderie and sense of community since we are more likely to know other people on the call. As the weeks go by, we will be able to develop a great esprit de coeur as our ranks of phonebankers grow.

We also have "self-serve" opportunities to make calls according to your own schedule. Check our phonebank webpage for details.

Updates on Voter Outreach Opportunities

At our Virtual Membership Meeting on Sunday, the IndiMarin leadership team laid out our strategy to help YOU have impact on the outcome on November 3. If you missed the meeting, hope you will watch the presentation or review the slides. We have heard from many of those who attended that they were inspired and energized to get more involved in voter outreach as a result of what they heard. The resulting increase in event and training sign-ups are exciting indicators that this feedback is translating into action. You can sign up for upcoming voter outreach events on our calendar and for 1:1 training in phonebanking and textbanking.

TOMORROW - We are excited to let you know about a special phonebanking event tomorrow from 2 -5 PM hosted by Indivisible California. Together with Indivisible volunteers from around the country, we’ll be making calls for congressional candidate Christy Smith for the Special Election on May 12th in CA-25.  This is a hugely important CA district! We have the special opportunity of having Christy speak to us at the start of the call. Then we’ll have a brief training and start making calls.  RSVP here.

If you are new to phonebanking or a bit rusty, join us anyway! It will be a great first step. You can always hop off if you’re needing more instruction and set up a 1:1 session later.
If you have already been trained, or have prior experience, you can also make calls for Christy on your own at your convenience. Sign up here.

WORTH ITS WEIGHT IN GOLD - OUTREACH TO FRIENDS IN RED STATES...OR ANYWHERE! -Research shows that the most effective form of voter outreach is relational organizing. Simply put, relational organizing means outreach to people you know. Getting encouragement from a friend who is engaged in the work is a powerful motivator. Please take action to enlist people in your network to help with the work needed for Dems to win in November.

We've made it easy:

• Reach out to "non-Marin" friends and family who are like-minded. You can use this template email, send a text or pick up the phone. Now is a great time to connect with people!

• Red state contacts are especially valuable

• Share with them about your efforts and ask whether they’d like to get involved

• Options for involvement include calling their members of Congress and volunteering for voter outreach work.

• Invite them to join Indivisible Anywhere via our website

• We send them e-newsletters with ideas and details to have impact from home

We send all good thoughts to you and your families during these difficult times.

Take action to fund Election Protection and the USPS!

Today, Indivisible Marin is launching an advocacy campaign to help ensure safe and secure elections in November. Over the weeks and months ahead, we will be providing you with a series of actions, at both the national and state levels, to help ensure safe access to voting for all Americans. 

Today is "National Day to Protect our Elections" and therefore the kick off of IndiMarin's ongoing effort. This national response is being led by the Declaration for American Democracy Coalition of which Indivisible is a member. People across the country will be flooding Congress with calls and emails. 

Please participate in three ways: Write, Text and Shop!

1. Write your Senators and Representative in support of Election Protection. Click here for an easy, automated letter to send.
   

2. Text USPS to 50409 (Resistbot) 
   Resistbot will send a letter/petition to all three of our Congressional representatives in support of the Postal Service. Also, you will receive a customized image that you can share with your network via email, text or on social media.
   

3. Buy stamps and/or other mailing supplies now! 
   Many of us are writing postcards at home to voters so now is a great time to stock up. Or just buy FOREVER stamps to have on hand. The Post Office needs revenue now! Click here to shop.

Virtual April Membership Meeting on Sunday

Are you more worried than ever about the state of our democracy? If so, please make time to attend this all-members meeting on Sunday, 4/12, from 3 - 4 PM. Our work together is more important that ever. Now, in addition to working to elect Democrats across the ballot, we need to work to ensure that the November election is safe and accessible for all registered voters. Sign up here.

At the meeting, several members of the IndiMarin leadership team will provide updates on our broad range of virtual programming through which you can help win back our democracy! Sign up here.

Last month, we were together at the Unitarian church. This month, we will be together via Zoom. We are finding a silver lining in having needed to transition from in-person to virtual activities. We are now able to have many more events on the calendar and thereby foster an even deeper sense of community.

The work to save our democracy has never been more urgent. We hope to see you on Sunday! Sign up here.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Virtual Fundraiser for Josh Harder on Monday, April 13th, at 6 PM

Please also support this event for Josh Harder, who is running for Congress in CD-10. We all worked hard to help elect Josh in 2018 and he needs our support now as well! The fundraiser is co-sponsored by Sister District/Swing Left Marin, MVCAN, Indivisible Marin, Ross Phone Bank, Indivisible Sausalito and Democracy Action Marin.

Josh will speak about his upcoming re-election campaign and have a Q&A session.

Suggested Contribution Levels: Champion - $2800; Sponsor - $1000; Supporter - $500 ; Friend - $250; Guest: $100. RSVP for “April 13th 6PM Event” by email to events@harderforcongress.com. If you cannot attend, please consider a donation of any amount here.

Phonebanking 101 on Tuesday, 4/7 at 6 PM

We hope that ALL members will attend Phonebanking 101 on Tuesday evening at 6 PM. You will not need to make calls. But you will learn more about why this tactic matters so much, and about the candidates that we will be supporting this month. Then you can decide whether you are willing to give it a try. During this challenging period of social isolation, it is helpful for all of us to engage in meaningful work and connect with others.

We are fortunate to be partnering with Democracy Action Marin in our virtual phonebanking program. Its leader, Susan Bolle, is a veteran phonebank trainer and an expert on the overall electoral landscape. We all have concerns about the impact of COVID on 2020 elections and this presentation will be an opportunity to become more informed. Please sign up here.

Phone banking is the most well-researched and effective 2-way voter communication tools after canvassing. According to Susan, "we’ve talked with significantly more people than usual in the phone banks we’ve held recently. People are home, they’re feeling isolated and they want to connect. Some of our recent conversations have been very moving."

Sign up to join us here. Voter engagement is the ONLY WAY we will ensure a strong blue wave continues in the next election cycle.  We absolutely can not do this without your continued support and commitment.

Stay Connected with IndiMarin

We hear you. You don't want to make phone calls to voters. But please read on with an open mind.
Many volunteers avoid phone banking for reasons that are actually based on misconceptions. This document will hopefully put your mind at ease about any reservations you may have.

More importantly, we'd like to explain why phonebanking is so crucial to the success of Democrats in November. Phonebanking provides a vehicle for the two-way communication with voters that is critical to the success of every political campaign. Via phonecalls by volunteers, the campaign delivers key messaging to the voter, AND the voter returns key information back to the campaign. The campaign uses that information to increase the effectiveness of future outreach, by honing their call lists and better targeting future outreach efforts. Our calls enable the data collection that is the lifeblood of a successful campaign.

Another reason to try phonebanking now is that we are finding that we are talking with significantly more people than usual. People are home, they’re feeling isolated and they want to connect. Some of our recent conversations have been very moving.
We encourage all members to attend Phonebanking 101 on Tuesday, April 7 at 6 PM
This session will be an introduction to phonebanking for those who have never done it before. Our instructor will be Susan Bolle, the leader of Democracy Action Marin and a veteran phonebank trainer. Sign up here. And hey, if Barack can do it, we can too!

The 2020 Census
If you haven't already, please complete your census questionnaire today. You can do it online, by phone or by mail. Please also help, via social media, to raise the level of general awareness about the importance of responding to the census. Here is a sample Facebook post, or create your own and share it on any or all of your personal social media accounts.

Podcast Discussion Group - Thursday, 4/2 and 4/9 at 6 PM
We all have more time now to reflect, learn, and connect with others. Accordingly, we are hosting podcast discussion groups (similar to a book club) via Zoom every Thursday. They will be facilitated by Steering Communicate member Justine Hebron, a communications professional and a keen follower of all things political. We are currently discussing Season 2 of the The Wilderness, fascinating podcast series by Jon Favreau, co-host of Pod Save America and former speechwriter to President Obama. Its focus is on what it will take to defeat Donald Trump in November. Sign up for the 4/2 and 4/9 discussion groups here.

Virtual Postcard Party - Wednesday, April 8 at 1 PM
Join us for this great opportunity to connect with other members. We'll chat while we write and enjoy each other's company. BYOB:) Sign up here.

A virtual round of applause and thanks to Alyssa Epstein and her entire family!
Alyssa is a member of IndiMarin and wrote to us a couple of weeks back about our Postcard-at-Home Program. She and her husband, Alex Evens, write cards together with their two school-age children. "Scarlett loves doing the stickers and highlighting sections of the postcards," she wrote. We finished our 2 packets and will stop by later today to get more. Seems like a useful way to spend time while we are in the house :)"  We later learned that both she and her husband, Alex Evens, are health professionals on the front lines. She is a psychologist who runs the panic disorder group at Kaiser and he is an infectious disease specialist at Marin General.  In a second email, Alyssa wrote, "Alex did about 10 postcards for Mark Kelly last week. He has certainly been directly impacted by this pandemic more than me. He is physically at the hospital more than usual, and then is getting constant texts, calls, and emails when he is at home related to confirmed COVID-positive patients, PUIs (patients under investigation), or infection control guidance. When he was doing the postcards last week, I encouraged him to do something else to relax and unwind since I don't want him to burn out. He said that doing these postcards was actually therapeutic for him, as it was a distraction from thinking about medicine, and he felt like he was doing something small in his control to fight for democracy on broader platform." Thank you, Alyssa and Alex for your commitment to our country in so many ways. Your family is an inspiration!

And a huge thanks to everyone for staying engaged in the work of winning back our democracy during this trying time.

New Programming during the Shelter In Place!

As you know, the IndiMarin Leadership team has been hard at work re-configuring our programming as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, we are announcing a wide range of new programs which can be done at home. We hope that will participate in many of them because our crucial work to #WinBackDemocracy is more necessary now than ever.

With this goal in mind, please take the following important action today: Call Senator Harris' office via the Indivisible Call Line at 833.859.3112 and ask that she co-sponsor the Natural Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act. Senator Feinstein has already done so. Introduced by Senators Amy Klobuchar and Ron Wyden, this bill would assist states in expanding vote-by-mail for this November’s election. Swift passage is a priority since the work to implement these changes needs to begin now.

NEW INDIMARIN PROGRAM OFFERINGS

Zoom 101 - Monday, 3/30 at 2 PM, 3:30 PM and 6 PM
The Zoom conferencing platform is now where we will meet - for membership meetings, seminars, phonebanks, and textbanks. Please attend this Zoom training tomorrow evening if at all possible. This training session is a prerequisite for the Virtual Phone Banking and Text Banking trainings to follow. The Zoom training will be repeated at a later date for those who cannot attend tomorrow. Sign up via our web calendar here.

Podcast Discussion Group - Every Thursday at 6 PM starting Thursday, 3/26
We all have more time now to reflect, learn, and connect with others. Accordingly, we will be hosting podcast discussion groups (similar to a book club) via Zoom every Thursday. They will be facilitated by Steering Communicate member Justine Hebron, a communications professional and a keen follower of all things political. We will start off with Season 2 of the The Wilderness, a fascinating podcast series by Jon Favreau, co-host of Pod Save America and former speechwriter to President Obama. Its focus is on what it will take to defeat Donald Trump in November. Sign up for the 3/24 discussion group here.

Updated Postcard at Home Program
We have developed a new system for our members to safely write postcards at home while sheltering in place. We will now email the script and addresses to participants. Pre-stamped postcards can be ordered online. We'll be writing postcards to voters of color in Georgia. Our partner in this work is Reclaim Our Vote, an organization with a long history of fighting voter suppression and encouraging disenfranchised citizens to register to vote. Sign up here for more information on how to get started.

Virtual Textbanking - Thursday, March 31 at 6 PM
How would you like to pay back the worst of the worst GOP Senators by ensuring that they are booted out of office by their constituents? That's exactly what Indivisible is working to do through its texting program - the Payback Project. No worries if you have never texted voters before! We are developing a training video that will be sent to everyone who registers. Sign up here.

Phonebanking 101 - Tuesday, April 7 at 6 PM
This session will be an introduction to phonebanking for those who have never done it before. Our instructor will be Susan Bolle, the leader of Democracy Action Marin and a veteran phonebank trainer. In describing the recent phonebanks at Democracy Action she said, "We’ve noticed that we’ve talked with significantly more people than usual. People are home, they’re feeling isolated and they want to connect. Some of our recent conversations have been very moving." Sign up here. Note: If you would like to be trained and get started making calls before 4/7, we can arrange 1:1 training with an IndiMarin coach. Email us at info@indivisiblemarin.org to schedule a session.

Thank you for staying engaged in the work of winning back our democracy!

Shelter in Place and our Post Card Program on hold

Due to yesterday's Shelter in Place Order, we are again making adjustments to our programming. As an organization, our highest priority is to fully support the letter and spirit of the Health Order and to contribute to the greater community's efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The IndiMarin Steering Committee met yesterday to make decisions about needed adjustments to our existing programs, and also to advance IndiMarin's efforts to develop alternative programs to keep crucial voter outreach work progressing. We must persevere in our determination to #WinBackDemocracy in November!

Updates include:
Writing to voters: We have cancelled the Virtual Postcard Party scheduled for tomorrow evening, and have put the Postcard-at-Home program on hold until further notice. We welcome emails to us at info@indivisiblemarin.org with any questions at all related to postcarding. On a positive note, we have plans underway to quickly introduce a new program that will enable members to continue writing to voters without leaving our homes. We will be in touch soon with information on how to get started.

Calling and Texting Voters: We are in the final phase of evaluating and testing new virtual phone and texting programs to substitute for our in-person Action Days. Our new programs will include virtual training and support. Phone calls and text messages to voters are a very high priority since interactive voter outreach provides candidates' campaigns with vital information they need to strategically allocate resources and increase efficiencies as we get closer to the election. We hope that as many of you as possible will give phoning and/or texting voters a try given our increased free time.

Relational organizing: Simply put, relational organizing means reaching to people in your personal network to 1) influence them regarding whether or how they vote; and/or 2) influence them regarding getting involved in some form of voter outreach work from wherever they live. Not only is relational outreach the single most effective way to have impact as a volunteer, this is a perfect time to reach out to people in your network to check in, reconnect, and see how they're doing. The conversation may become an opportunity to discuss your political work and see if they have interest in getting more engaged. To learn more about how you can get involved in relational organizing, please attend our "Virtual Meeting on Relational Outreach" on Thursday, March 19 at 7 PM. This meeting is for people who missed our 3/8 Membership Meeting on the same topic. At the meeting, we'll fill you in on our two new relational outreach programs, Indivisible Anywhere and VotePlus10. Click here for details and to RSVP.

Extra Credit: Get up to speed on Zoom, the #1 platform for video conferencing. It will be a pivotal tool in our virtual programs. Please review this short and simple guide to Zoom. We will also host a “practice” zoom meeting for newbies  to test the program in advance of Thursday’s meeting. Click here to sign up for the Zoom Practice Meeting.

Listen to Season 2 of the “Out of the Wilderness” podcast. It is an excellent primer what it’s going to take to win in 2020.

Let’s all stay healthy AND engaged in the work of winning back our democracy.

Introducing new options for virtual and at-home work with IndiMarin

The IndiMarin Leadership Team sends you all our best wishes as we adjust to the challenging circumstances and implications of COVID-19.

One of our most important operating principles at IndiMarin is to nurture a sense of community among our members. That principle is now more important than ever.

Please be advised that we are cancelling all of our in-person events until further notice. However, we have been working hard this week to develop a broad range ways for you to continue our crucial voter outreach work - both individually at home, and virtually in groups.

Social distancing does not need to mean social isolation. And we cannot allow it to hinder our work to #WinBackDemocracy! Our current options include:

Phone and Text from home - We are developing excellent programs through which you can make phone calls and send text messages to voters from home. Training will be offered virtually. More details coming soon.

Write Postcards from home - Our popular postcard-at home program is expanding. The fabulous "IndIMarin Card Crew" has assembled hundreds of postcard packets to meet the growing demand, and we have added a third pickup/drop off location in Novato. Sign up here for details about how to get started.

Connect with others via our newly developed Virtual Events - We hope you will join us for one or both of the virtual events below. More virtual events will be added to our calendar soon.

Virtual Meeting on Relational Outreach:
On Thursday, March 19 at 7 PM, we will hold a Virtual Meeting on Relational Outreach for people who missed our 3/8 Membership Meeting at the Unitarian Church on the same topic. Simply put, relational outreach is from friend to friend. It's another very effective tactic that you can do from home. At the meeting, we'll fill you in on our two new relational outreach programs, Indivisible Anywhere and VotePlus10. Click here for details and to RSVP.

Virtual Postcard Party:
Let’s continue to connect socially while we work! Our first virtual postcard event is on Wednesday, March 18 at 7 PM. We'll gather via Zoom, a video conferencing platform, to write postcards, and chat. Wine welcome and no designated drivers needed:). Zoom is easy to use. We’ve prepared some simple instructions for newbies. Click here for details and to RSVP.

Let’s all stay healthy AND engaged in the work of winning back our democracy.

Indivisible Marin Post Carding is Going Virtual!

Thank you for your amazing commitment to IndiMarin’s postcard program and our shared goal of winning back the Senate in November.

We are cancelling our in-person post carding events until further notice for the health and safety of our members and the community at large.

We hope that you will continue to stay involved with this crucial voter outreach effort. We have two ways to stay involved. Please join us in one or both!

Virtual Postcard Parties:
Let’s continue to connect socially while we work! Our first virtual event is on Wednesday, March 18 at 7 PM. We'll gather via Zoom, a video conferencing platform, to write postcards, and chat. Wine welcome and no designated drivers needed:). Zoom is easy to use. We’ve prepared some simple instructions for newbies. Click here for details and to RSVP. Stay tuned for additional dates soon!

Postcard-at-home program:
Writing postcards at home is a great way to contribute, especially given that we will all be spending more time at home. You can pick up and drop off postcard packets at any of three convenient locations in Greenbrae, San Rafael and Novato. Donations of $5 per packet are appreciated. Sign up here to receive additional details and instructions

March Membership Meeting this Sunday

We have a great meeting planned for Sunday! Our guest speaker is Jarrod Russell, the co-founder of VotePlus10, a new online platform that provides users with simple actions that take just 10 minutes a month, but can make an important difference in our elections and democracy. We have partnered with VotePlus10 and Jarrod will speak to us about how we can multiply our impact on voter turnout by utilizing this platform in outreach to friends and family.

We will also discuss a new IndiMarin initiative, Indivisible Anywhere. It is another exciting way for us to get friends and family in red states engaged in voter outreach work. Lastly, we will cover the launch of our latest postcard program which will support Mark Kelly's Senate campaign, one of the most competitive in the country. SIGN UP HERE TO ATTEND THE MEETING.

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ONGOING PROGRAMS

Do your part! - Take the IndiMarin 2020 Pledge!
Write postcards to voters from home
Host a Postcard Party for your friends
Join VotePlus10 and use your personal network to win back Democracy
Canvass in Arizona with our partner, Field Team 6

UPCOMING EVENTS

Voter Outreach for Newbies - Find details and RSVP for all dates via our calendar
Sunday, 3/15 from 2 - 3 PM in San Rafael and every Sunday thereafter

Action Days - (phone, text and postcards) Details and RSVP for all dates via our calendar

Sunday, 3/15 from 3 - 5 PM in San Rafael and every Sunday thereafter

#WriteToWin - RSVP for all dates via our calendar Tuesdays, 3/10, 3/17, and 3/24 from 10:00 to 11:30 AM at Panera in Novato
Wednesday, 3/11 and Thursday 3/26 from 7 - 8:30 PM at Sports Basement in Novato Monday, 3/16 from 7 - 8:30 PM Corte Madera Town Center Community Room Thursday, 3/19 from 1:30 - 3 PM at Panera Bread in San Rafael Tuesday, 3/24 from 9:30 - 11 AM at Cafe Verde in Corte Madera

Thank you for stepping up to help our country get back on track!

On January 8, we asked each IndiMarin member to contribute $20.20 toward our operating expenses for 2020. We rarely ask our members for financial support. Ten people donated.

Please pitch in now. Your donation will help cover the costs of several web platforms which power our operation, room rentals for monthly meetings and, most importantly, marketing materials to help grow our ranks. Our funding is 100% dependent on member contributions. Please support the cost of IndiMarin's work with a contribution of $20.20 for 2020!

Note - If you are a regular postcarder and self-funding that effort, please do not feel that you need to make an additional contribution.

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Consider nominating Congressman Adam Schiff for the "JFK Profile in Courage award." The deadline is this Saturday, 2/15. Speaker Pelosi received this prestigious award last year. Individuals at all levels of government—federal, state and local—are eligible for the award. An emphasis will be placed on contemporary acts of political courage. Click here to nominate a person of your choice.

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ONGOING PROGRAMS

Do your part! - Take the IndiMarin 2020 Pledge!
Write postcards to voters from home
Host a Postcard Party for your friends

Canvass in Arizona with our partner, Field Team 6
Print out some IndiMarin introductory flyers to post or share at gatherings

UPCOMING EVENTS

Congressman Huffman's Gathering in Solidarity Against Discrimination - RSVP here

Tuesday, 2/18 from 6 - 7:15 PM at Congregation Rodef Sholom - Please join Congressman Jared Huffman for a public gathering on Tuesday, February 18, in solidarity against discrimination in all forms. In response to an unacceptable increase in hate crimes, bigotry, and violence -- including anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim bias, and attacks on the LGBTQ+ community -- Congressman Huffman invites you to an evening on inclusiveness and building bridges, featuring community leaders, speakers, song, and a candle lighting ceremony.

Voter Outreach for Newbies Find details and RSVP for all dates via our calendar
Sunday, 2/16 from 2 - 3 PM in San Rafael
Wednesday, 2/19 from 4 - 5 PM in San Rafael

Action Days - (phone and postcards) Details and RSVP for all dates via our calendar Sunday, 2/16 from 3 - 5 PM in San Rafael Wednesday, 2/19 from 5 - 7 PM in San Rafael - Pizza and wine served

#WriteToWin - RSVP for all dates via our calendar

Tuesday, 2/18 from 10:00 - 11:30 AM at Panera Bread in Novato Thursday, 2/20 from 9:30 - 11 AM at Cafe Verde in Corte Madera
Thursday, 2/20 from 1:30 - 3:00 PM at Panera in San Rafael
Tuesday, 2/25 from 10:00 to 11:30 AM at Panera in Novato
Wednesday, 2/26 from 7 - 8:30 PM at Sports Basement in Novato

Thank you for stepping up to help our country get back on track!

In Solidarity,
The IndiMarin Steering Committee - Susan S, Justine, Laurie, Betsy and Susan M

Please copy and paste info@indivisiblemarin.org into your address book to ensure optimal receipt of emails from Indivisible Marin.

Announcing a Phonathon for a Fair Trial

We're all furious that the Senate may vote to acquit our impeached president without any additional testimony or evidence. But can we do anything about it as constituents in a blue state?

THE ANSWER IS A RESOUNDING YES!

In a late breaking development, Indivisible Marin and Democracy Action Marin are co-hosting Marin's "Phonathon For A Fair Trial," starting tomorrow through Thursday. Sign up here.

We will be using a unique and innovative campaign tool developed by Indivisible National to call constituents in key red states, urge them to call their senators to demand a fair trial, and then immediately patch them through to their Senator's office. Please join us in this 11th hour effort to protect our democracy from the immoral Senate majority. Sign up here.

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ADDITIONAL UPCOMING EVENTS

#WriteToWin - Tuesday, 1/28 from 9:30 - 11:00 AM at Cafe Verde in Corte Madera Join us to write Arizona voters and help turn AZ blue! We will be writing postcards to recently registered Democrats in Arizona ahead of their March 17th primary, encouraging them to vote by mail. Voting by mail increases eventual turnout. RSVP here.

Voter Outreach for Newbies - Wednesday, 1/29 from 4 - 5 PM in San Rafael No worries if you've never made calls to voters before! We'll help get you set up and walk you through the basics in a relaxed and supportive training session. Then you'll be ready to roll at 3 PM when the "old-timers" show up to make calls:) Sign up here. We hope you will stay on from if possible to put your new skills into action at the Action Wednesday to follow. RSVP here.

#Action Wednesday, 1/29 from 5 - 7 PM in San Rafael
We're "All in for Arizona!" Please join us to call or write Arizonans and encourage them to sign up to vote by mail, thereby increasing eventual turnout. Options include making calls and writing postcards. RSVP here.

#WriteToWin - Thursday, 1/30 from 1:30 - 3:00 PM at Panera Bread in San Rafael Join us to write Arizona voters and help turn AZ blue! We will be writing postcards to recently registered Democrats in Arizona ahead of their March 17th primary, encouraging them to vote by mail. Voting by mail increases eventual turnout. RSVP here.

Thank you for stepping up to help our country get back on track!

Our 2020 Kick Off Meeting!

Happy MLK weekend! What better way to honor him, and his spirit of service, than to SHOW UP AND COMMIT to taking action in 2020 at our Kick Off meeting on Sunday, 1/19 from 4 - 5:30 PM at the Unitarian Church in San Rafael.

We'll cover our strategy for the all-important first quarter of 2020 and how you can help Dems be victorious up and down the ballot in November! Come learn why IndiMarin is "All In For Arizona" in Q1. Our guest speaker, Andrew Kim, is Field Director and strategist for Flip the West, the organization that is advising IndiMarin on our electoral strategy. He will explain why Arizona is the best focus for our energies in the early part of the year and what tactics his organization is recommending. IndiMarin leaders will then speak about the specific programs we've rolled out through which you will be able to help flip this crucial state. RSVP here.

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ADDITIONAL UPCOMING EVENTS

#WriteToWin - Tuesday, 1/21 from 10 - 11:30 AM at Panera Bread in Novato

Join us to write Arizona voters and help turn AZ blue! We will be writing postcards to recently registered Democrats in Arizona ahead of their March 17th primary, encouraging them to vote by mail. Voting by mail increases eventual turnout. RSVP here.

#WriteToWin - Wednesday, 1/22 from 7 - 8:30 PM at the Sports Basement in Novato

Join us to write Arizona voters and help turn AZ blue! We will be writing postcards to recently registered Democrats in Arizona ahead of their March 17th primary, encouraging them to vote by mail. Voting by mail increases eventual turnout. RSVP here.

Voter Outreach for Newbies - Sunday, 1/26 from 2 - 3 PM in San Rafael
No worries if you've never made calls to voters before! We'll help get you set up and walk you through the basics in a relaxed and supportive training session. Then you'll be ready to roll at 3 PM when the "old-timers" show up to make calls:) Sign up here. We hope you will stay on from if possible to put your new skills into action at the Action Sunday to follow. RSVP here.

#Action Sunday, 1/26 from 3 - 5 PM in San Rafael
We're "All in for Arizona!" Please join us to call or write Arizonans and encourage them to sign up to vote by mail, thereby increasing eventual turnout. Options include making calls and writing postcards. RSVP here.

Building a Community

At IndiMarin, we're building a community of committed, action-oriented (and did we mention, fun 🥳) individuals who will support, mentor, and cheer each other on during this year's long race - the most important marathon in our country's history.

This week, please take any or all of these THREE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES to get connected with like-minded citizens taking constructive action to #WinBackDemocracy!

Sign up for our 2020 Kick Off Membership Meeting on Sunday, 1/19 from 4 - 5:30 PM
Come learn why we'll be "All In For Arizona" in Q1. Our guest speaker, Andrew Kim, is Field Director and strategist for Flip the West, the organization that is advising IndiMarin on our electoral strategy. He will explain why Arizona is the best focus for our energies in the early part of the year and what tactics his organization is recommending. IndiMarin leaders will then speak about the specific programs we've rolled out through which you will be able to help flip this crucial state. Sign up here.

Sign up for #WinItBack Wednesday on 1/15 from 5 - 7 PM - Join us to phone and/or write voters in Arizona! Pizza, wine and soft drinks will be served. A $10 donation to cover our expenses is welcome. Sign up here.

Voter Outreach for Newbies on 1/15 from 4 - 5 PM in advance of #WinItBack Wednesday
For all of you who are new to voter outreach work, come an hour early so that we can help get you set up and walk you through the basics in a relaxed and supportive training session. Then you'll be ready to roll at 5 PM when the "old-timers" show up to make calls:) Sign up here.

Presidential Debate Watch Party - Tuesday, 1/14 at 5 PM in San Rafael

Please join like-minded IndiMarin members to watch this important debate. The stakes keep getting higher! We'll share our impressions during commercial breaks. Pizza, wine and soft drinks will be served. An optional $10 donation is requested to cover the cost. RSVP here.

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ADDITIONAL UPCOMING EVENTS

#WriteToWin - Tuesday, 1/21 from 10 - 11:30 AM at Panera Bread in Novato

Join us to write Arizona voters and help turn AZ blue! We will be writing postcards to recently registered Democrats in Arizona ahead of their March 17th primary, encouraging them to vote by mail. Voting by mail increases eventual turnout. RSVP here.

#WriteToWin - Wednesday, 1/22 from 7 - 8:30 PM at the Sports Basement in Novato
Join us to write Arizona voters and help turn AZ blue! We will be writing postcards to recently registered Democrats in Arizona ahead of their March 17th primary, encouraging them to vote by mail. Voting by mail increases eventual turnout. RSVP here.

Voter Outreach for Newbies - Sunday, 1/26 from 2 - 3 PM in San Rafael
No worries if you've never made calls to voters before! We'll help get you set up and walk you through the basics in a relaxed and supportive training session. Then you'll be ready to roll at 3 PM when the "old-timers" show up to make calls:) Sign up here.

#WinItBack Sunday, 1/26 from 3 - 5 PM in San Rafael
We're "All in for Arizona!" Please join us to call or write Arizonans and encourage them to sign up to vote by mail, thereby increasing eventual turnout. Options include making calls and writing postcards. RSVP here.