Prophetic Voting Campaign—Overview (DRAFT)The Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocesan “Immigration Action Network” plans to engage traditionally marginalized voters during an election season that threatens to make them feel overwhelmed and

unimportant, inviting our brothers and sisters into a sustained effort to build the leadership capacity and public voice of low and moderate-income people who live, work, and worship in Northeast Indiana.

Pope Francis has said "Sometimes we hear: a good Catholic is not interested in politics. This is not true: good Catholics immerse themselves in politics by offering the best of themselves so that the leader can govern... We all need to participate for the common good." Yet, too many Catholics, especially immigrants and people of color, are staying home on Election Day. This is particularly the case amongst Hispanic families unfamiliar with the democratic process and facing significant barriers to voting including; fear, isolation, poverty, and erratic work schedules. For example, of the 17,600 registered Latino voters in the two Congressional Districts that make up our diocese (2 and 3), only 400 voted in 2012.

As people of faith we are called to counter the racialized politics, anti-immigrant sentiment, and the hate rhetoric that characterizes this election cycle, with a strong faith filled message of love and care of neighbor, that reaches out to the most marginalized and let them know that our faith, our future and our votes matter.

Theological ReflectionWhen John the Baptist preached a message of repentance, he wasn't just asking individuals to repent of their personal sins, he was asking the entire society to change their social and economic practices. People of faith are called to repent structural sin. To be a moral compass that guides public decisions rooted in inclusion, human dignity, and puts families first. (Isaiah 40:1-5, Luke 3: 1-18)The Path ForwardThis Network of clergy and lay people throughout the diocese invite parishes and community organizations to join us to:Goal 1: Reach marginalized voters, registering, educating, and encouraging access to the vote on election dayGoal 2: Form a base of people and churches to do sustainable work in Social Justice, engaging elected leaders in opportunities for policy change to apply Church teaching (IN Governor, US Senator, District 2 and 3 Congressional Representative) Goal 3: Gain an understanding of what local issues our people are most struggling from in order to inform and guide diocesan ministries, objectives, and practice

Steps to Get There 1) Build parish teams that will form a grassroots network of recently-

naturalized citizens, young Latino voters, unauthorized immigrants, and people of faith

2) Hold thousands of sacred conversations with traditionally marginalized voters to educate and encourage them to vote their values

How Can My Congregation Get Involved? Form a team of 4-8 people who will meet bi-monthly to coordinate the

congregation’s efforts, with each team member taking a unique role. Identify Chairperson (or Team Lead) to support team members to reach their goals

Prophetic Voter Campaign Training: July 13th Come with a basic parish plan, receiving a Parish Toolkit, and training on how to hold compelling discussions around sources of pain in our communities and the importance of voting, and leadership development

In-Reach: Set House Meeting & Pledged Volunteer Goal (July/Aug): We get together and share a meal when we have something to celebrate — what if we gathered in a sacred space of honesty and community every time we had a significant decision before us, to share stories of how issues are affecting us, and what we can do about it?! If 5 people on your team host a house meeting (in their home, or an intimate parish space) with 10 people on average in attendance, your team would reach 50 people, more than enough to reach your goal of 40 volunteer “Out-Reach” shifts. Other strategies include: issue invitations at established ministries, congregational events, during personal visits, at voting registration tables, or request the a visit from the “Network Parish Presentation Team” to help you get the conversation started

Out-Reach: Set Voter Activation Goal (Aug-Nov): If each parish team can identify 10 people to commit to 4 voter activation nights (or 40 shifts), where parishioners will go out into their neighborhoods and talk with people on the phone, we can reach our goal! The Diocese will help your team target your high-priority districts, providing the addresses, phone numbers, and script needed to reach Latino voters in your parish borders

TimelineNov. 8 Election Day

Key Dates: Your Prophetic Congregation Plan The Immigration Action Network strategy team will provide training, tools (“Pledge Cards” to document each “Vote your Values” conversation; Voter Activation Network (VAN) data to execute targeted canvassing and Phone-Calling; a bi-lingual team of speakers to present at your parish) to help your congregation reach your prophetic voter activation goal. We encourage congregations to incorporate the following dates in their plans;

Jun 7- Aug 23 Build your volunteer armyAug 23 – Nov 3 Weekly Voter Activation Nights, 6pm-9pm

Ideally 2nd and 4th Tuesdays and Sundays (locations TBA)

Sunday Oct 2 Prophetic Voter SabbathPreach on voter engagement and congregation takes pledge to vote

Oct 23rd & 30th Soul’s to the Polls WeekendEarly Voting begins, congregations organize caravans and transport to help people go vote after services at county City-County Building

Nov 6th Get Out The Vote Weekend/Phone Canvass, 4pm-8pmThe weekend before the election, every team should sign up for at least one voter activation shift. We come together and call everyone we touched on the doors

Nov 8th Election Day! Polls open 6:00am-6:00pm

Get Out The Vote (GOTV)

All Hands on Deck to engage 2,000 voters and get them to polls (Nov 4-8)

Hit the streets/phones

“OUT-REACH”2,000 ConversationsVoter Activation Nights (Aug 23-Nov 3), Phone Prayer Party (Nov 6)

Build Grassroots Army

“IN-REACH”200 Pledged Volunteers(July-Aug)House Meetings, Registration Drives, Priest training

“Network” consensus

on goal

June 7th “Prophetic Voting” whole team strategy July 13th

Effective leader recruitment training

Municipal Deadlines: Oct 11: Deadline to register to vote in general Election Oct 12: Early Voting Begins at County Clerk’s Office

Key Trainings: To Prepare Prophetic Voter Teams

June 7th 6pm Building Strategy for a Prophetic Voter Campaign

July 13st 6pm Network Meeting: Re-Cap on Strategy, Effective leader recruitment trainingPrepare team members to build strong teams, and build a base of volunteers with strong commitment

Aug 16th 11-2:30 Hispanic Pastor Luncheon/Workshop with Bishop Rhoades, Fort Wayne

Aug 23rd 6pm Network Meeting: Launch Voter Activation Nights

Nov. 15th 6pm Network Meeting: Celebrate, Strategize Next Steps