1. What is your organization doing in preparation for November 6?

In September, we kicked off an effort to identify 7000 Chinese immigrant voters who would support Prop 30. We’re doing this by training and developing the leadership of our member leaders as they make phone calls to voters in our community.

This effort is part of a statewide strategy of the Prop 30 campaign to knock on doors and make phone calls so we can help as many voters as possible really understand what the initiative means for the future of public education and other social services. As a whole, the Prop 30 campaign is trying to reach 60,000 people through this effort. CPA is making a unique contribution to this effort because we are able to talk to one segment of the community – monolingual Chinese immigrant voters—and help them understand what is really at stake with Prop 30. We are helping our member leaders build relationships with voters across the counties that they work in, as well as hone and develop our message to the Chinese immigrant community.

We are also doing a lot of community meetings and community education leading up to the election. We’re lucky to be part of Mobilize the Immigrant Vote, a statewide collaborative to get immigrant communities to raise their voice at the ballot box. CPA is also doing various mobilization efforts with our allies to get the message out there. On October 2^nd, we participated in a statewide press event, where we talked about the impact of Prop 30 for Asian and Pacific Islander communities. Our youth membership is also planning events to promote Prop 30 at different street festivals including the Excelsior Arts and Music Festival and Visitacion Valley Haunted Harvest Festival.

We have been preparing for the 2012 election a long time. We’ve been talking with our membership for at least 2 years about the need for progressive revenue in California. Because our members are low-income working families, they have been very hard hit by budget cuts that come year after year in California. As a community, we’re just getting used to budget cuts and some have even come to expect them. In recent history, we’ve seen Republican legislators oppose any kind of revenue increase, and this is really hurting the state, working families, and our community. We helped collect signatures to qualify Proposition 30 for the ballot, and it’s a large part of how we’re getting our communities engaged in politics at the state level.

2. What message are you sharing with your community about Prop 30?

Our members are talking with people about the reasons why so many folks immigrated here: the pursuit of the American Dream and the idea that all families should have the opportunity to have their children attend quality public schools and universities. What we’ve been seeing, however, is that this Dream has eroded for many families in the past few years, while at the same time Wall Street is experiencing almost record high profits again. The wealthiest are getting wealthier. This is not the system, the America, or the California that we all want to be a part of: the system where the rich get richer and working families are left out to dry.

Last Fall we conducted a poll of over 4000 Chinese immigrant voters about how they felt about asking higher income earners to pay their fair share, and this research helped us develop our message. You can view results of the poll here.

3. How does this relate to your organization’s mission?

Our mission is to make sure that working-class Chinese immigrant families can help create a society that’s just and equitable for everyone regardless of immigration status and race, and a world where people can thrive and succeed. Prop 30 is a step towards that mission because it is one step towards reversing the course of budget cuts that have decimated the social safety net, harming students, seniors, and families. There have been many cuts to programs that families depend on so they can invest in their future. Every cut has magnified effects on working class communities who are already struggling to make ends meet. By working on the Yes on Prop 30 campaign, we are speaking out about how we want to invest in our communities and state for the long term: this means quality and affordable education, health care, and programs for seniors and families.

4. How did your organization decide to take this action? Was it a staff-wide decision? Was the board involved?

Our process of endorsing political propositions is this: the CPA staff talks about the issues, CPA adult member leaders talk about the issues, and CPA youth members talk about the issues. Each group independently decides on their position, all of the positions are presented to the board, and our board makes the final decision. It’s a pretty intense process every election cycle, and everyone in our organization has a chance to voice their ideas. Usually, if all three bodies are in agreement, the board adopts the position. If there are disagreements among the three bodies, then the board decides.

During their group discussions, we ask staff, adult members and youth members to all reflect on the propositions as they relate to CPA’s mission and values. This way, while individuals might have personal differences, we ask people to look through their experiences and through the lens of what the organization is about.

5. What resources are you calling on to do this work?

In terms of financial resources, CPA received grants to do civic engagement related work. Additionally, once we know what we’re working on we will fundraise around a particular issue.

In terms of staff resources, CPA is a membership-campaign-based organization, so a lot of what we do is supporting campaign work, whether it is electoral campaigns, winning wages back for our workers, or some kind of policy fight at the city or county level. We have staff members that are skilled in doing campaign work, but it’s also important to realize that training and capacity has to be built over time. We’ve been slowly building over the past years to be prepared to engage in electoral work.

6. What strategies did you decide upon to do this work effectively?

It’s important to make connection with broader networks and alliances. CPA is a small organization. As part of the coalition of community groups working to pass Prop 30, we all have a specific role to play and we need to figure out what that is. We have to ask, “What makes sense for my organization?”

I think that for most organizations, probably the most effective way to maximize impact is to connect with other alliances. We are connected with San Francisco Rising and Mobilize the Immigrant Vote.

It’s also good to build up your organization’s civic engagement abilities over time. Folks don’t have to go from doing nothing to doing everything.

7. How is it going so far?

It was very exciting to kick-off our phone calls on Saturday, September 22^nd. It’s a really important time in the state and the country, and there is a real opportunity to shift the narrative away from cuts and towards a more balanced set of solutions. The message definitely resonates with our communities right now, and I think that people want to reinvest in our communities.

Resources:

• To learn more about the California Ballot propositions, including Prop 30 visit the nonpartisan California Choices website.
• View the first in our blog post series about nonprofit voter engagement, where we interview Danielle Brazell of Arts for LA.

Join us for a free workshop!

Thursday, October 11, 9:00 – 11:00am.
Alameda County Community Food Bank
7900 Edgewater Drive
Oakland

Email Wendy to RSVP: wendy@seniorservicescoalition.org

How can your nonprofit be a stronger voice for preserving and expanding public services and the common good this election?  CompassPoint is partnering with the Alameda County Community Food Bank, and the Senior Service Services Coalition of Alameda  County to host a regional Nonprofits Talking Taxes workshop on Thursday October 11th, 9:00 – 11:00 am.  It’s a fun and interactive way to learn about how various taxes matter for the work that we do, and to consider what ballot measures affect your organization’s mission.  Come to this free workshop to learn more about revenue solutions and how you can engage others in your organization.

Download the flyer and invite your networks!

There are many things that we each care about that taxes and government funding makes possible -  so, what do you love?

• Could it be health program or food stamps for your clients?
• Could it be a school or community center where young people can learn, feel safe and have fun?
• Perhaps a street light or public park?

As we get proclaim affection and devotion at Valentines Day, let’s shout out some love to things that we’d never get to enjoy, be moved by or make it through our day with, if taxes were not there to support it.

LOVE IT, FUND IT

 Tell us what YOU love that taxes pay for-

How?

• Post it on our Facebook page: either type it in or take a picture of yourself with that object of affection. You can even hold a sign that says, “LOVE IT, FUND IT”
  Print out a sign here!
• Post it on Twitter (with a link to a picture if you want) with the hashtag #loveitfundit
• Comment about it below this post in the “Add a comment” box!
• Use this opportunity to start a conversation with friends and co-workers about whats important to them, so we can make 2012 a year of more revenue for our communities

We’ll compile your posts and pics in a gallery on www.nonprofitstalkingtaxes.org throughout the month of February. Be sure to check back to see all of great things that are publicly funded! And don’t forget to talk to your friends, colleagues and political leaders about how if you love it, let’s fund it!

Want to learn more about how the California Budget Crisis is affecting your work? Request a free training for your nonprofit staff, community group or faith group, OR attend a free public workshop near you! 

I always make New Year’s resolutions, and this year I am making this one:

I resolve to talk about taxes in any and all situations where I find myself able to have a respectful conversation.

I will ask others how they think roads and sewers and fire protection and libraries should be paid for. I will discuss whether I would be happier with less police presence or be willing to pay more to use the library. I will resolve not to be intimidated by those who think tax policy is too complicated for ordinary people to understand or by those who cannot see anything good in government.

I dont need to agree with everyone I talk to. I don’t need to know every fact or be able to address all the arguments for or against any particular tax. And I certainly don’t mean that I won’t change my mind, maybe more than once, during any conversation! I will refer to NonprofitsTalkingTaxes.org to keep current and remind myself of ways to start conversations.

In 2012, Californians will be asked again to live with the results of tax policy decisions made in past years. Before and during the election in November, we will be asked to make more decisions about what should be funded by taxes and what should not. If these decisions are to have a positive impact on the quality of life in our communities, we need to understand them and to talk with each other.

Please join me in this resolution.  We really can make a difference! If you’d like a refresher on some of the facts and ideas to make this resolution easy, check out our Nonprofits Talking Taxes Fact Sheet (pdf).

Wishing you a very happy new year,

Kim Klein

 And in case you missed it: Short, humorous video!
Watch one story of how a nonprofit professional copes with the California Budget Crisis.
It will make you laugh and it will make you think—Please share it with your co-workers and friends!

What is Nonprofits Talking Taxes?

Public Funding from taxes currently makes up 1/3 of the income that nonprofits need to do their work.
Raising funds is getting tougher for all nonprofits. A healthy state budget is critical for you and for us all, whether or not your organization is publicly funded.

Learn how. Learn what you can do. It is easier than you think!
Request a FREE workshop now!

Nonprofits Talking Taxes is an fast-paced, interactive workshop offered at NO COST to nonprofits and faith groups seeking ways to talk about the state and local budget crisis and key income solutions. This 90-minute workshop will help your organization to thoughtfully consider and participate in policy solutions by helping staff form their own opinions about the role of public funding and taxes.

Click here to schedule a FREE workshop at your workplace.

Questions? Comments? Contact us! nonprofitstalkingtaxes@compasspoint.org

Two winners will be picked on May 30, 2013. They will be notified via email.

Send a postcard to Gov. Brown and your legislators saying:

California’s budget affirms our most important priorities. I’m counting on you to maintain the revenues we need to sustain the California we all want to live in!
Please be a champion for a budget that:

• Creates and maintains jobs!
• Preserves our health care!
• Invests in our schools!
• Gets families back to work!

Stand up for your constituents and SUPPORT maintaining current revenue streams to help get California working again!

Print and send your postcards now!

Postcard for legislators                           Click here to find your legislator and his/her address!

Postcard for Gov. Brown                         Postcard for Gov. Brown in Spanish

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Brought to you by California Partnership