Quaker Voice needs you, now and in the legislative session that will begin in January. Register here to join our Annual Meeting on Saturday, October 3 at Tacoma Friends Meeting, from 10 am to 2:15 pm, with a welcome session before and workshops after. We strongly encourage you to attend in person in Tacoma. Being together brings energy to us all. Recognizing that many of you will not be able to do that, however, we are offering everything on a hybrid basis. The detailed agenda is below.
You know that as a country, we have a lot to do this year – a lot to stand up for and to stand up to. Our state legislature has key roles to play in that drama. When rights are under attack, our legislators need to affirm and defend them. When resources for vulnerable groups are clawed back, our legislators need to address their needs creatively. When we work together, we can protect our precious caring society.
Maybe you are concerned about so many things that you are overwhelmed. Maybe there is an issue you care about deeply but need the support of a respected team to become part of a solution. Through talking with others who share your concerns, the Quaker Voice Annual Meeting will provide opportunities for you to identify, develop and pursue issues that matter through advocacy in the state legislature. Whether you can only click on one action alert or visit once with your legislators, your spirit and direction are necessary if we are to express our Quaker Voices effectively.
No experience is necessary – even if you are new, just bring your concerns and interests in working towards solutions. Your friends in Quaker Voice will help you match them to actions, large or small, on specific bills that we will support or oppose together in the 2027 state legislative session. Afternoon workshops will give all of us the skills we need to contribute.
Be sure to register for the meeting and receive the online link and updates.
Agenda
9:30 am [optional] Welcome session for newcomers: How Quaker Voice works
10:00 am Worship sharing in small groups, followed by opening worship
10:30 am Panel: Gender Justice and Progressive Revenue Issues on the Ballot This Fall. Why are we working against some measures on the November ballot? What’s at stake? Representatives from No Hate in Washington State and No 645 will join us for a briefing with Q&A on what we can do to help defeat these ballot measures.
11:45 am Business meeting, including elections (nominations to the Board are welcome; send them to )
Noon. Lunch
12:45 Working Group Rotations. This is your chance to circulate between the groups, sharing the issues you want to work on this year and learning what each one does. We’ll find a place for your issue as long as there is a state-level decisionmaker involved.
2:00 Closing worship
2:15 pm Adjourn
2:30 – 3 pm [optional] Workshop — Finding information on leg.wa.gov
3:15 – 3:45 pm [optional] Workshop — What does a bill champion do?