Social Action Projects
Healthcare Affordability Town Hall |
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6 – 7 p.m., Thurs., January 15 Statewide Zoom call |
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This year, decisions by Congress—with the full support of Wyoming‘s Representative Harriet Hageman and Senators John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis—have made health insurance more expensive or harder to get for Wyoming residents. Whether you get insurance through your job, the federal Healthcare Marketplace, or another way, you’re likely going to be paying more. We may not be able to control what’s happening on a federal level, BUT we can hold our Wyoming Congressional delegation accountable and protect public health resources our communities rely on here in Wyoming. Join Better Wyoming, health advocates, and our partners at Healthy Wyoming for an open conversation about options for Wyomingites losing marketplace coverage, who’s responsible for our rising healthcare costs, and what WE can do NOW to take care of our families and neighbors. Sign up HERE |
Prevent Cuts to Public School Funding
Every five years, the Wyoming Supreme Court requires the state legislature to “recalibrate” how public education will be funded. The Recalibration committee is currently mostly made up of Freedom Caucus members, promising to cut $50-80 million in funding from Wyoming’s public schools to compensate for losses due to property tax exemptions for long-term WY homeowners. Follow this link to learn more, contact Recalibration committee members, and to help prevent drastic cuts to public school funding. Please share the link with family, friends and others. https://betterwyo.org/recalibration-call-to-action/
UU SOCIAL JUSTICE PLANNING
SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE: Kay Wallick and Laurie Goodman, Co-Chairs; Bernie Barlow, Susie Clinch, Michelle LaGory, Gillian Malone
The Social Justice Committee met to review the results of the Social Justice survey, in which members were asked to rate various projects. The committee is researching new project ideas, and some will require a commitment to provide coordination. The ratings shown in parentheses for each project represent an average survey response ranking on a five-point scale. The italicized text reflects the social justice theme that the project falls within.
ONGOING PROJECTS (these are projects that the fellowship is currently facilitating but may need to review and make revisions)
- Christmas Giving Tree for children with Compass(once a year) (4.21) (Laurie and Beverly Goodman are coordinating). Economic and Social Service Justice
- Thanksgiving dinner donationswith the Food Group (once a year) (4.21) (Laurie and Beverly Goodman) are coordinating. Economic and Social Service Justice
- National Alliance on Mental Health—annual walk (once a year) (4.00) (Victor Ashear is coordinating) Economic and Social Service Justice
- Advocating to Wyoming state representatives and senators through letterwriting and phones calls regarding proposed legislation (as organized by other groups) (3.93) Climate Justice, Democracy and Electoral Justice, Reproductive Justice
- Guest at Your Table—a UU Service Committee project that supports human rights initiatives around the world (once ayear (3.93) ) (Victor Ashear is coordinating) Economic and Social Service Justice
- Partner in protests to protect democracy (as organized by other groups) (3.79). Democracy and Electoral Justice; Climate Justice; Reproductive Justice
- Lunch Together—help with lunch at the Congregational Church(every 6th Monday) (3.79) (Sue Roberts is coordinating) Economic and Social Service Justice
- CROP Hunger Walk–a nationwide movement sponsored by Church World Service to raise funds to end hunger and poverty in the U.S. and around the world(once a year) (3.79) (Roger Sanders is coordinating). Economic and Social Service Justice
- Opening Minds through Art—to empower elders (as scheduled) (3.60) (Rosemary Rieder is coordinating) Economic and Social Service Justice.
NEW PROJECTS or IN DEVELOPMENT
- Educating ourselves and others by watching “Immigration 101”—a PBS series of eight short videos in both English and Spanish to better understand the complex and ever-changing issues involving immigration in the U.S. (4.13). (Kay Wallick is researching) Immigration Justice
- Braver Angels session to educateUU members and others on communicating across the divide (4.00) (Kris Korfanta) Democracy and Electoral Justice
- Decrease the use of plastics at UU (3.93). (Michelle LaGory will research possibilities) Climate Justice
- Assistingwomen to access abortion. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Wyoming abortions. Our work will likely include campaigning against any proposed constitutional amendment banning abortions (3.86). Reproductive Justice
- Install solar panels on the property ofUU Fellowship of Sheridan (3.64) (Susie Clinch and Gillian Malone will research) Climate Justice
- Research options for glass recycling. (Gillian Malone will research). Climate Justice
- Adopt a “friendship family” through Holy Name and get advice on how to use the “know your rights” cards(3.60) (Susie Clinch will contact Holy Name for more information) Immigration Justice
- “Share the Plate”once a year to distribute to a board-approved local nonprofit (3.07) (Economic and Social Service Justice)
- Promote access to Low Income Energy Assistance Program benefits through Wyoming Department of Family Services andpossibly other programs to help families like Wyoming’s Prescription Drug Assistance Program (3.00)(Kay Wallick is researching) Economic and Social Service Justice
- Provide rides for those who cannot drive to UU on Sunday (2.79) (Bernie Barlow will coordinate) Economic and Social Service Justice
- Volunteer as a substitute to deliver meals to homebound for The Hub (2.63) (Kay Wallick will coordinate. Economic and Social Service Justice