Advocacy Team

Legislative Advocacy 
Be Part of the AUUC Advocacy Team in 2020!!

Over the past few years, AUUC has become increasingly involved in advocacy at the federal, state and local levels. At the federal level, we have worked with Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice(UUSJ) by participating in the Write Here/ Write Now letter writing campaigns, monthly in-person advocacy on Capitol Hill, and ‘witnessing events.’  At the state level, we worked with the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP), ARC of Northern Virginia, Equality VA, and OneVirginia2021. We participated in email campaigns, made phone calls to state legislators and participated in their various lobby days in Richmond. Locally, we have actively supported Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement (VOICE), having as many as 45 people at some of the VOICE Actions. 

Make Your Voice Heard in Richmond: Upcoming Lobbying Opportunities

Jan. 16: VACOLAO (Virginia Coalition Latin American Organizations) Immigrant Advocacy Day

• Meet with elected representatives and advocate for legislation and issues important to Virginia’s immigrant communities.
• Convene at 919 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219 (Auditorium) at 8:30 to start the day which runs to 3.00 p.m. (light breakfast and lunch)
• Transportation is available leaving from 6066 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 at 6:30am .
• The registration fee is $ 20.00. Please register at VACOLAO.org

Jan. 20:  Annual Vigil and Advocacy Day for Gun Violence Prevention

• The annual vigil (28^th) is held to honor the memory and teachings of a great civil rights leader who was killed by gunfire. The vigil also honors the lives of all Virginians killed by gun violence. 
• The Brady Campaign is sponsoring a bus.  If you would like to ride the bus, register HERE: Pickup points in northern Virginia will be determined by the number of signups.
• The vigil begins at 3:00 on the Capital grounds followed by visiting legislators in the Pocahontas building across from the vigil at 3:30. 
• Contact Mary K for additional information

Jan. 22: VICPP Day of All People – Multiple Issues

• Registration begins at 7:30 am (light breakfast available) and the program reviewing the priority issues begins at 8:30 am. Location is Centenary United Methodist Church (411 E Grace St. Richmond).
• Everyone will meet with their State Senator at 10:00 am and Delegate around 10:45 am.
• Lunch will be served around 12:00 pm and people will have an opportunity to gather with others from their area.
• Register HERE.  
• Sign up for a free bus from N. Virginia HERE
• Contact Ed K for additional information.

Jan. 28: ARC of Northern Virginia – Developmental Disability Issues

• ARC advocates for policies such as: addressing the Priority 1 urgent waiver waiting list, furthering inclusive education, and ensuring waiver rates provide a living wage for direct support professionals.
• Charter bus will leave for Richmond from 2755 Hartland Road in Falls Church at 7:00 returning ~3:00. 
• Contact Lucy Beadnell (l[email protected]arcofnova.org) to register and for additional information.  

Feb. 4: VOICE – Multiple issues

• Accotinkers will be joining other VOICE leaders with the priorities being criminal justice reform, increasing affordable housing, improving mental health in schools, and providing more pre-kindergarten and after-school options for folks with low income.
• Groups of volunteers will visit legislators in their office to ask that our requests be heard and acted on and Rev Pippin will join us.    
• Contact Suzy P or Dotty S to sign up and check on carpooling.  For additional information, please visit VOICE’s website: voice-iaf.org.

Feb. 4: Equality Virginia – LGBTQ Issues

• The Day of Action is all about empowering LGBT and allied Virginians to create positive change, attend workshops hosted by some of the area’s top attorneys and fellow activists, and meet legislators to discuss bills important to the LGBT community.
• The day ends with a festive Legislative Reception, where you are joined by numerous legislators for LGBT equality who have made our issues their priority.
• Action starts at the Library of Virginia (800 East Broad Street) at 8:30.   Go to the following link to register HERE. 

Feb. 13: VOICE – Multiple Issues

• Join other VOICE leaders with the priorities being criminal justice reform, increasing affordable housing, improving mental health in schools, and providing more pre-kindergarten and after-school options for folks with low income.
• Groups of volunteers will visit legislators in their office to ask that our requests be heard and acted on.   
• Contact Suzy P or Dotty S to sign up and check on carpooling.  For additional information, please visit VOICE’s website: voice-iaf.org.

Feb 13: ARC of Northern Virginia – Developmental Disability Issues

• ARC advocates for policies that benefit people with developmental disabilities (DD) such as addressing the Priority 1 urgent waiver waiting list.
• Participants can drive themselves, come with friends, or ARC will work to pair you up with a driver who can meet you.
• It is the same day as an art show and reception we work on each year with Delegate Kay Kory. That day we’ll meet with legislators, see the art, and attend the reception. 
• Contact Lucy Beadnell (l[email protected]arcofnova.org) to register and for additional information.  

If you don’t know how to reach any of the contacts listed above, send a message to [email protected] to get in touch.