July 2018 - balancing the scales

Volume 37 Number 5

UPDATES INSIDE Poor People’s Campaign ........ 4-7 Pilot Organizing Academy cohort completes training ................... 5-6 Actions in support of immigrants and families.................................. 9

July 9, 2018

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING August 3-5 at Berea College Proposed 2018-19 platform ...... 13 Program and workshop descriptions ................................. 18 Registration form ....................... 19

A new, unsettling force …

Poor People’s Campaign focuses attention on people being shut out

Change Service Requested

scales

Kentuckians For The Commonwealth P.O. Box 1450 London, Ky. 40743

balancing the

2 | Balancing the Scales

is a statewide grassroots social justice orga­­ni­ zation working for a new balance of power and a just society. KFTC uses direct-action organizing to accomplish the following goals: • foster democratic values • change unjust institutions • empower individuals • overcome racism and other discrimination • communicate a message of what’s possible • build the organization • help people participate • win issues that affect the common welfare • have fun KFTC membership dues are $15 to $50 per year, based on ability to pay. No one is denied membership because of inability to pay. Membership is open to anyone who is committed to equality, democracy and nonviolent change.

KFTC Steering Committee Meta Mendel-Reyes, chairperson Randy Wilson, vice chairperson Christian Torp, secretary-treasurer Cassia Herron, at-large member Mary Love, at-large member Chapter Representatives Tina Jackson, Big Sandy Sarah Bowling, Central Kentucky David Miller, Cumberland Chase Gladson, Harlan County Robby Olivam, Jefferson County Wendy Warren, Madison County Amy Copelin, Northern Kentucky Chanda Campbell, Perry County Chris Merritt, Rowan County Leslie Bebensee, Scott County Joy Fitzgerald, Shelby County Summer Bolton, Southern Kentucky Amanda Groves, Western Kentucky Barbara Farley, Wilderness Trace Alternates: open, Big Sandy; Candice Ryder, Central Kentucky; Dino Melgoza, Cumberland; Cheyanna Gladson, Harlan County; Chandra Cruz-Thomson, Jefferson County; Rebecca Tucker, Madison County; Lauren Gabbard, Northern Kentucky; Russell Oliver, Perry County; Allie Secor, Rowan County; Clare White, Scott County; Cynthia Dare, Shelby County; Teresa Christmas, Southern Kentucky; Shaina Goodman, Western Kentucky; Margaret Gardiner, Wilderness Trace

www.kftc.org | July 9, 2018

Table of Contents Executive Committee Corner The Poor People’s Campaign and KFTC share key goals .................................................................. 3

Economic Justice Six weeks of action by the Ky. Poor People’s Campaign ............................................................... 4 Opinion: denying capitol access was illegal ............................................................................................ 4 Washington, DC experience and the Fierce Urgency of Now ......................................................... 5 America, Our Lives Are on the Line .......................................................................................................... 6 Kentuckians explore a new economy at CommonBound 2018 .................................................... 22 Republican tax changes hit Kentuckians on July 1 ............................................................................ 23 Ruling halts Bevin’s Medicaid rollback; he starts another .............................................................. 25

Leadership Development With new skills, pilot Organizing Academy cohort graduates . ...................................................... 8 Being involved keeps Fannie Madden-Grider from despair ........................................................... 25

Racial Justice KFTC members work to stop family separation, hostility toward immigrants ......................... 9

Local Updates – Building Grassroots Power NKY members active in Pride Parade, families rally........................................................................... 10 Perry County members visit Rogers’ office about border issue ...................................................... 11 Garage Giveaway in Barren County is meaningful for Thomas ...................................................... 11 Language liberation in Jefferson County ................................................................................................ 11 Voting, and helping others do so, is critical act for organizer Curtis Hall ................................. 12

Help to get out the vote in November .......................................................................................... 12 Annual meeting preparation Proposed 2018-2019 KFTC platform .................................................................................................. 13-16 KFTC annual membership meeting set for August 3-5 at Berea College....................................17 Grassroots leader Anthony Thigpenn to give keynote........................................................................17 Annual meeting program ............................................................................................................................ 18 Annual meeting registration form ............................................................................................................ 19 Nominees named for KFTC, Ky Coalition leadership positions ................................................... 20 Kentucky Coalition Board nominees ........................................................................................................ 21 New Energy and Transition RECLAIM, black lung disability trust fund action needed ............................................................. 24 KFTC News Staff changes at KFTC: Pentz headed north, apprentices added .............................................. 26 KFTC Calender of Events ............................................................................................................................ 27

KFTC on social media Facebook www.KFTC.org/facebook For chapter Facebook pages, visit: www.kftc.org/links

Instagram @jckftc @soky_kftc @centralkentuckykftc

@kentuckiansforthecommonwealth To find our photos on Flickr:

@KFTC @NKY_KFTC @ScottCoKFTC @MadCo_KFTC @EKY_KFTC

@JCKFTC @WT_KFTC @SoKyKFTC @VotingRightsKY @CanaryProject

www.flickr.com/ photos/KFTCphotos

www.kftc.org | July 9, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 3

executive committee corner

The Poor People’s Campaign and KFTC share key goals

By Meta Mendel-Reyes KFTC Chairperson On a hot day last month, I stood in front of the state capitol building with hundreds of other Kentuckians, including many KFTC members. We were led that day by Reverend William Barber, the co-leader of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival.

We wanted to enter the capitol to talk with officials and show our support for a Kentucky and nation that stands for all of us, not just the wealthy. But the door to the “People’s House” was closed to the “people,” although legislators and corporate lobbyists strolled past us and went straight through.

Although we vote and pay taxes, we were forbidden to enter the building that our taxes pay for.

Actually, the guards were willing to let us in, twoby-two. However, only one pair could go in at time.

Until the first pair came back, no one else could enter.

Since there were at least 400 of us, it would have taken two or three days for us all to enter.

I ask myself, what are they so afraid of? Their constituents? Irritating the big donors who fund their campaigns? Annoying Governor Bevin? I think that they’re basically afraid of democracy – a system of government in which the people rule, not the privileged few.

Like us, people in nearly 40 states rallied in front of – or in – their state capitols for six weeks in May and June. The Poor People’s Campaign called for mass actions, including civil disobedience, as part of its National Call for Moral Revival. Hundreds of people went to jail all over the country, except in Kentucky.

We were the only state where the police refused to make arrests; instead, they prevented us from entering the state capitol at all.

The culminating event of these actions was a rally in Washington on June 23 – around 100 Kentuckians Balancing the Scales is published by Kentuckians For The Commonwealth and sent as third class mail from Louisville. Reader contri­butions and letters to the editor should be sent to P.O. Box 864, Prestonsburg, Ky. 41653 or jhardt@kftc.org.

Subscriptions are $20/yr.

joined in, many of whom rode all night on a bus paid for in part by KFTC. Organizing Apprentice Tanya Fogle gave a rousing speech in front of thousands.

Tayna also is a co-coordinator of the Kentucky State Poor People’s Campaign.

Today’s Poor People’s Campaign is inspired by the Poor People’s Campaign that took place 50 years ago.

Planned by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other Civil Rights Movement leaders, that campaign represented Dr. King’s growing awareness that systemic racism could not be addressed successfully without paying attention to the economic situation, particularly poverty.

As Dr. King began to give speeches on the connection between race and poverty, he became even more controversial. On top of his opposition to the Vietnam War, for promoting militarism over racial and economic justice, Dr. King seemed to be coming too close to challenging the basis of U.S. oppression.

By 1968 polls showed that two-thirds of the U.S. public disapproved of Dr. King. This is the radical King we hardly ever hear about. Instead, King is hailed once a year as the dreamer whose monument on the mall confirms that we now live in a “color-blind” society.

Before the original Poor People’s March took place, Dr. King was assassinated in April 1968. Still, the march took place, starting from Marks, Mississippi, then the poorest town in the nation. People walked, drove trucks and rode mules.

When they arrived in Washington the marchers set up Resurrection City, a tent city where they intended to stay until the government took real action to end poverty. Unfortunately, after only six weeks the encampment was taken down, and largely forgotten until the current Poor People’s Campaign gave it new life.

The Poor People’s Campaign today knows that colorblindness is just a mirage, that our society is nearly as segregated and unequal as it was 50 years ago.

To take just one example, although Jim Crow has been officially confined to the past, mass incarceration, especially of African Americans and Latinx, functions as a system of social control every bit as effective as legal segregation.[1] But even more than its predecessor, this Poor People’s Campaign recognizes the need for unity across all lines of difference – race, class, sex, sexuality, gender, ability, language and others. When we fight against each other, the only people who win are the powerful.

Moreover, the issues are intertwined. That’s why the campaign focuses on six interrelated crises: Systematic Racism; Poverty and Inequality; Ecological Dev-

astation; War Economy and Militarism; and National Morality. In fact, each of the six weeks of protest leading up to the rally in Washington represented one of these themes in a general way. On the day that I went, we marched for an end to ecological devastation and for accessible, quality health care.

KFTC has been involved with the Poor People’s Campaign since almost the beginning. The Harlan County chapter organized one of Reverend Barber’s visits to Kentucky. The gathering was part of a national tour by co-chairs Reverend Barber and Rev. Liz Theoharis to learn about the different ways that poverty manifests itself around the country.

The Harlan gathering was a “community conversation” about Appalachia. The campaign highlighted the fact that the face of poverty is multicolored: white, black and brown. As a national leader in how to organize white people for social justice, KFTC has continued to provide support for the campaign, including the six weeks of action.

There are strong parallels between KFTC’s goals and approach to organizing and the Poor People’s Campaign’s goals and approach. Our vision for Kentucky is very similar to the call of the Poor People’s Campaign for a nation that values all its people. Both our groups share a commitment to local and state power; although the Poor People’s Campaign is a national organization it chooses to lift up work at the grassroots.

One of the most important similarities between the campaign and KFTC is the belief in multi-issue organizing. In Kentucky, we have learned that focusing on a single issue is ineffective, because social justice issues are so interconnected.

Restoration of voting rights may seem very different from the pollution, but in fact both issues are driven by the idea of powerlessness. State officials get away with denying former felons the right to vote because the poor people and people of color most affected are seen as having little political power (a self-fulfilling prophecy – if you can’t vote, you don’t have power).

Every day I watch the news, I am assailed by the number of injustices that threaten to overwhelm us in our country and in our state. To fight back, and to move forward at the same time, we need to set aside our differences and act together. KFTC’s partnership with the Poor People’s Campaign is a critical step in that direction.

[1]

Michelle Alexander, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness.

www.kftc.org | July 9, 2018

4 | Balancing the Scales

ECONOMIC JUSTICE

Six weeks of action by the Ky. Poor People’s Campaign Hundreds gathered in Frankfort for six weeks in May and June as the growing Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival stepped up its presence and demands from the powers of injustice.

Highlighting various themes, speakers prayed and addressed a range of issues. They cited the moral imperative that all people be treated with dignity and respect, and that the state’s leaders work to address – not act as they have been doing to perpetuate and worsen – the problems of poverty, systemic racism, ecological devastation and the war economy.

"We pray that every eye sees, every heart feels, every ear hears and every mind is convinced that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere," prayed Pastor Michael Robinson of Total Grace Baptist Church as he set the spiritual foundation of the gathering and movement at the June 4 gathering.

The weekly presence in Frankfort included a nonviolence training, a speak-out on the capitol steps and an action. People participating in the action were prepared to be arrested to bring more attention to the need for a moral revival, but capitol security (part of the state police) chose to not make any arrests.

“Today, we are again at the crossroads of dangerous and reckless legislation in this country which negatively impacts the lives of ordinary people be it white, immigrants, disabled, black and the working poor,” said disability advocate and KFTC member Tina Jackson of Lawrence County. “They have made acquiring adequate health care, safe affordable housing, fair wages for all a legal battle for the poor.

“However, we ordinary folks have a very powerful tool to make our voices heard. It is with our vote. We

Grace Engleman with the Kentucky Student Environmental Coalition was one of the speakers outside the capitol on June 4.

need to find and support candidates to run for office who understand the needs of the poor and will work on real and lasting change.”

Ashanti Scott, a high school student in Louisville, also emphasized the need to get engaged in one’s community, and future. “We must get young people like myself registered to vote and running for office. Scott described poverty as a “punishment for a crime you did not commit.”

KFTC is involved with the Poor People’s Campaign in various ways. KFTC Organizer Apprentice Tayna Fogle is one of the tri-chairs of the Kentucky Poor People’s Campaign. KFTC helped provide support for the weekly gatherings, and took the lead in planning the June 4 action.

Rev. William Barber, a national Poor People’s Campaign leader, participated twice in gatherings at the capitol. On June 13, he donated his Poverty and Justice Bible, which highlights more than 2,000 Biblical instructions regarding human poverty and justice.

A delegation of Kentucky faith leaders attempted to delivery the Bible to Gov. Matt Bevin but were denied entry into the capitol by the state police.

"These politicians who put their hand on the Bible and swear to uphold the Constitution, the problem is half of them don't know what's in either — the Bible or the Constitution," Barber said. "You can't find a Scripture anywhere that says deny people health care."

Barber named Bevin as “a blocker. He wants to block health care. He wants to block entitlement pro-

Rev. William Barber gives his Poverty and Justice Bible to Kentucky faith leaders. He asked them to share it with Governor Bevin. They tried to do so

grams. He wants to block higher wages. We are going to move the block.

“The Jesus that I know didn’t block people, even when those around him told him to. You can’t build a wall and then claim to be on God’s side.”

An observer noted that one can carry a gun into the capitol, but the truth is dangerous.

After six weeks of action in Frankfort and more than 40 other state capitals across the country, members held a Mass Rally and Global Day of Solidarity in Washington, DC on June 23.

After the heightened activity in May and June, (continued on the next page)

Opinion: denying capitol access was illegal The Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival points out that poor people and people of color are denied access to many things others take for granted: quality and affordable education and health care, voting, unpolluted communities and many other opportunities.

The Bevin administration helped illustrate that point.

For several weeks in June, the Kentucky State police denied access to the capitol building itself to members of the Poor People’s Campaign. They refused to let people associated with the campaign enter more than two at a time. The next two weren’t allowed to enter until the first two came out.

“Kentuckians are shut out, shut out of health care, shut out of access to affordable housing, shut out of access to education,” pointed Rev. Megan Huston. “It’s time to stop blaming the working poor for their lack of access.”

“We’re here to deliver our message,” said the Rev. Jeremy Porter from outside the capitol on June 18. Being denied access is “Symbolic that poor people’s voices are being shut out and not being heard.”

In late June, the Kentucky Attorney General’s office ruled that policy to be illegal. The opinion was based on procedural missteps and did not address some constitutional questions.

Shutting the door on the Poor People’s Campaign did generate much more media attention for the six weeks of action. When the focus was on systemic racism, poverty and the war economy, with a couple of exceptions the media did not pay much attention.

www.kftc.org | July 9, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 5

Member reflection

Washington, DC experience and the Fierce Urgency of Now

By Caraline Feairheller “Somebody’s hurting my brother and it’s gone on far too long (Yes, it’s gone on far too long) and we won’t be silent anymore (and we won’t be silent anymore)” The familiar hum of the highway had become background noise to the soulful and raspy voice of Mr. Charles Neblett, who was an original Freedom Singer.

Mr. Neblett’s voice echoed off the walls of the metal charter bus. With every verse, the voice of a stranger rose up and sang along. It did not take long until the entire bus was clapping and singing along to the words of songs about freedom, revolution and love.

There is always this moment before I step onto a charter bus or a van where I try to talk myself out of leaving for the adventure. I remind myself my body will be sore, my eyelids will grow heavy, and my mind will find no rest. And then, there is this moment where the bus full of strangers reminds me of the magic that can bloom into this world. The passionate sea of voices, led by Mr. Charles Neblett, was just one reminder I received that day, and for that I will be forever thankful.

The thunderstorm that was promised on June 23 never came. Rain did not pitter-patter against the concrete sidewalks and city streets. Thunder did not roar against the graying sky. Lightening did not flash its static rage against the Washington, D.C. skyline.

Instead, I found myself walking on to a merely damp National Mall. Fog had rested itself between the grass and among the trees, just thick enough I could barely see the Capitol Building.

I spent the next couple of hours standing on the padded National Mall, surrounded by people of all ages and races; a huddled mass of change-makers. The capitol and the trees spread across its sides were distorted

by the stage, screens, posters and flags proudly proclaiming that Black Lives Matter and to Fight Poverty Not the Poor.

I stood and listened to the roaring honesty of every speech. From the words of Reverend Dr. William Barber to that of Reverend Dr. Liz Theoharis, and from the words of every person who spoke on that stage, I was shown the humanity through which we all relate.

Every speech is a reminder of the way systems of oppression grow like vines tangling around the skin, bones and teeth of neighbors and strangers. Every speech is a reminder that these immoralities exist in this world and not just on an academic page. Every crack in the voice of the orator is the subtle reminder of how poverty, ecological devastation, militarism, racism and a distorted moral narrative can cause so much pain.

I get goosebumps when I listen to these people speak, their words always end with a hope that we as a people can carry and sustain towards creating change.

As the rally was ending and the march was beginning, the final speech was given by a young poet; only 17. She was tired of writing about oppression, reading about oppression, facing an oppression so tightly wrapped around her bones all she can do is ache. I cannot stop thinking about the words of this poet.

I am only 21 years old and I wonder if 21 is too young to already be tired of writing, reading and facing oppression. I am afraid that 17 is too young to already be tired and I am afraid of growing up in a world where classrooms have turned into war zones and the autonomy of my body is still up for debate.

Somebody is hurting my sister and I am afraid for her. Somebody is hurting my sister and it has gone on far too long. And we won’t be silent anymore.

And it is in the fact that we won’t be silent anymore the hope is able to bloom in the chaotic foundations of this world. Hope grows in the huddled masses who sing and listen to one another. Hope grows in the

Caraline Feairheller (right) fact that the systems of oppression, despite their unnaming, can be challenged through difficult conversations.

The systems can be challenged by working to create change everyday. Everyday, I get to wake up and work for a better world. I get to grow in community with strangers who hold me accountable to the words I say and to the actions I take.

On June 23 I got on a bus with strangers and traveled to Washington, D.C. On June 23, as the moon began to rise I got on a bus with a community who have not and will not be silent anymore.

Six weeks of action by the Ky. Poor People’s Campaign … (continued from previous page) many wonder what’s next.

“You and I and this family that we now are, we are not going away,” said Rev. Cindy Geisen. “Our list of grievances is long. We are launching a movement and not a moment.”

“This isn’t the end of the Poor People’s Campaign,” the Rev. Don Gillett said during the last

Frankfort gathering on June 18. “This is just a season … it’s a journey. If they [elected officials] refuse the hear from the people who elected them, then we have a choice in November.”

This message was echoed by Arnold Farr. He said the six weeks of action helped raise issues and begin a process to “change the narrative and the narrator.

We’re here to expose the lie. We have political leaders

who have done a fine job of using false narratives.”

A frequent observation was how the wealthy and powerful use a “divide and conquer strategy” to keep people from working together across race and class differences.

“Never let our differences be used to divide us,” added Farr. “Something is going to change and it is going to change now.”

www.kftc.org | July 9, 2018

6 | Balancing the Scales

Action for Democracy

America, Our Lives Are on the Line

By Mikaela Curry My Country ‘tis of thee, sweet land of liberty America, of thee I wonder what you mean when you say Give me your tired, your poor Because not too tired, not too poor Because even birth can be a preexisting condition, any turn of health a devastating imposition and certain care only available for the price of admission

MY COUNTRY, YOUR COUNTRY, THIS COUNTRY AMERICA, OUR LIVES ARE ON THE LINE OF THEE WE PLEAD, FOR THOSE IN NEED

America, of thee we sing – songs of grief and worry, songs of sickness and debt songs to Lady Liberty, I wonder would she have wept?

For the cause of her people, for care for you and me

Land where my fathers died where generations have tried—to construct a system worthy of that pilgrim’s pride and of failings we know that there haven’t been few There are problems and gaps, but victories too – Let us not halt progress for political views But, more let us see that those who do suffer are never the nameless, but always our brother and sisters and children without clean water to drink Death slowly dripping from their own kitchen sink Don’t forget or ignore it, or go on your way because this isn’t all happening in a place far away:

MY COUNTRY, YOUR COUNTRY, THIS COUNTRY AMERICA, OUR LIVES ARE ON THE LINE OF THEE WE PLEAD, FOR THOSE IN NEED

She said, give me your huddled masses yearning to breathe free But what if they needed help, what if breathing wasn’t free?

Would the treatment be too costly, would they fall through the cracks?

Would the weight of their own sickness be born upon their backs?

For basic human rights, for basic human care For compassion over profits, for people everywhere For higher care, for lower costs, for not letting the people find themselves lost

People talk of taxes, people talk of jobs, people talk of people as though they are to blame for getting sick, for being poor, for needing help – the shame!

Because it’s always the poor who pay the cost first and it’s always the poor who are treated the worst

But this is not the way that it always has to be There are enough resources to care for you and me MY COUNTRY, YOUR COUNTRY, THIS COUNTRY

Mikaela Curry read her poem “America, Our Lives Are on the Line” at the June 4 Poor People’s Campaign Speak Out. She is from Pike County.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me Oh America, land that loves to call itself free, while its people are dying and shackled in debt healthcare held hostage - our lives pay the threat People do not have to die cause they’re poor Together we stand up and we stand up for more:

MY COUNTRY, YOUR COUNTRY, THIS COUNTRY AMERICA, OUR LIVES ARE ON THE LINE OF THEE WE PLEAD, FOR THOSE IN NEED

AMERICA, OUR LIVES ARE ON THE LINE

From every stretch of highway, to the mountains and the sea – let our voices rise, with strength and dignity, Singing songs of truth that we are not alone, and sometimes we need healing for all this flesh and bone

OF THEE WE PLEAD, FOR THOSE IN NEED

Healthcare for all people, let us stand to fight Let us clearly see the need for this basic human right!

www.kftc.org | July 9, 2018

Kentuckians, and supporters of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival nationwide, have participated in actions in Frankfort, Washington, DC and state capitals across the country in May and June. They are raising awareness of, and demanding action to address, the enmeshed evils of systemic racism, poverty, the war economy, ecological devastation and the distorted national morality in the United States. These are photos from the actions in Frankfort.

Balancing the Scales | 7

8 | Balancing the Scales

www.kftc.org | July 9, 2018

Leadership Development

With new skills, pilot Organizing Academy cohort graduates much as an organizer,” said 15-yearold Chase Gladson of Harlan County. “It was a great opportunity and I got to meet some amazing people!”

“It’s no exaggeration to say being part of the KFTC Organizing Academy was a profoundly spiritual experience. I’m in my 60s and have been part of many, many groups.

This is the first group in which I felt completely safe and never defensive; totally at ease and able to be my whole, authentic self without fear of criticism; stimulated intellectually yet calm and peaceful; and loved and free to be loving of others,” Some of the Organizing Academy cohort graduates and facilitators added Fannie Madden-Grider of Rowan County. cheered their completion of the six-month training program.

The last cohort gathering and After spending six months learning about power, graduation on June 16 was a time for reflection and grassroots community organizing, KFTC, and the his- celebration. Cohort members spent the day together tory of activism and organizing in Kentucky, KFTC’s reviewing all of the concepts, trainings and lessons the members learned together over the six months. pilot Organizing Academy cohort graduated in June.

“The Community Organizing Academy was They reflected on what was learned, how they have so special because of the many unique life experi- used the lessons and practices, and how they plan to ences brought together in one room,” Alexa Hatcher of use the trainings, tools and skills in their future orgaBowling Green reflected. “We worked to make genu- nizing work. ine connections with each other the entire six months Already cohort members are putting their skills and those connections are deep and lasting. Everyone into practice. was a teacher and everyone was a student.”

“The organizing academy was a wonderful learn- • Hatcher organized a workshop at Western Kentucky University on ways to tell our stories and ing experience. I learned so many new things that I will engage others in sharing theirs. and have already put into practice,” Alondra Garcia from Madison County said. ”I was able to meet people • Garcia is using the skills she learned to begin from all over Kentucky and have all kinds of dialogue Spanish-speaking chapter meetings in Berea. on the issues that affect us and how to address them. I am grateful for my time with the organizing academy.” • Gladson is one of the young leaders providing The program began in January and met every inspiration in the Kentucky Poor People’s Camthird Saturday of the month for six months, as well as paign, as well as contributing to the new growth gathered once a month for video calls between sessions. in the Harlan County chapter.

Trainings topics also included meeting facilitation, grassroots fundraising, relationship building and lead- • Madden-Grider and her husband Alvin, who also participated in the cohort, are heading up their ership development, nonviolent direct action and self chapter’s democracy team and local chapter work. care.

Participants represented an incredibly diverse group of Kentuckians, including folks from across the “The Organizing Academy connected me to a state and a variety of ages, identities, cultures, experi- statewide network of grassroots activists and showed me how to get involved at my own level with KFTC. ences, and racial and ethnic identities.

“The Academy Cohort was a great experience for I’ve already taken some of what I’ve learned and utime as a young person. I was able to grow and learn so lized it in community event organizing and in personal

and professional conversations and interactions,” said Alix Burke of Pike County.

Cohort members ended their last day together day by creating headlines or creative visions for Kentucky, KFTC and the organizing academy 10 years from now. Those visions included the Organizing Academy graduates visiting Washington D.C. for the 10-year anniversary of the cohort program by invitation of President Attica Scott; Chase Gladson being in the state legislature on his way to being governor; and KFTC lifting up our working around storytelling, healing and self-care, anti-oppression and dismantling white supremacy.

And they had cupcakes and certificates of completion during graduation. It was a really beautiful day.

KFTC Chairperson Meta Mendel-Reyes helped plan and facilitate the training program for the Academy’s pilot cohort, and also acknowledged how much she learned from the other participants.

“If we're going to build the Kentucky in our Vision Statement – one that works for all of us, not just some of us – we need more organizing, more organizers. KFTC really stepped up with the Organizing Academy initiative.

“Over the last six months, we learned the nuts and bolts of organizing, from one-on-one's to campaign planning, the importance of inclusivity and nonviolent direct action, and much more. I have many more tools to build power in my own chapter.”

The Academy’s fall programs will focus on voter empowerment trainings, such as the Action for Democracy 101 online trainings to be offered once a month, and similar skills-building on the chapter level.

KFTC also plans to accept applications this fall and winter for a 2019 cohort.

During a visioning exercise cohort members imagined what the headlines might be in 10 years.

www.kftc.org | July 9, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 9

Racial justice

KFTC members work to stop family separation, hostility toward immigrants KFTC members, along with many other people and allies around the commonwealth and country, responded with a fierce urgency to oppose the Trump administration’s policy and practice of ripping families apart at the US southern border and incarcerating people, including children, in warehouses and cages.

“As a teacher when I see the pictures of those kids in cages, I can’t help but see my own students reflected in them,” said KFTC member Damien Hammons to a reporter from the London (Kentucky) Sentinel-Echo.

“The fear of not knowing where their parents are or when they’ll ever see them again is greatly concerning to me.”

Caci Gibson, a Laurel County resident and staff member of the Kentucky Student Environmental Coalition added, “Growing up, my mother told me she would do anything to keep me safe. Now that I have a daughter myself, I understand that love. It’s inhumane what they are doing to those families.”

Hammons and Gibson were part of a group that gathered at the London office of Sen. McConnell on June 19 to urge the senator to take action to stop the family separation policy and reverse the harsh antiimmigrant practices of the current administration.

Over the past few weeks, KFTC members helped support, initiate, and/or participate in numerous other demonstrations to demand action from McConnell and other members of Congress. A partial list of these actions in late June / early July includes: • • • • • • • •

a protest outside Senator McConnell’s home in Louisville on Father’s Day, June 17; a direct action at the state capitol with the Kentucky Poor People’s Campaign on June 18; a large protest outside Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices in Louisville on June 20; a protest and meeting with Senator McConnell’s staff in Lexington on June 21; a large protest at Senator McConnell’s office in Fort Wright on June 21; a joint fundraiser with Mijente and KFTC in Louisville to raise funds for interpreter training and Spanish language voter guides on June 21; a protest in downtown Lexington, Kentucky on June 23; a march and rally in Washington, DC with the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival on June 23;

• • •

a meeting with Sen. McConnell’s staff in London on June 25; a protest and meeting with staff of US Rep. Hal Rogers in Hazard on June 26; participation in a massive day of action organized under the banner of Families Belong Together, including rallies in Louisville, Bowling Green, Morehead, Pikeville and Madisonville, Kentucky as well as Washington, DC and Cincinnati, Ohio.

The above list illustrates the sustained public outrage and organizing against the Trump administration’s policy of separating families at the border.

However, harm to immigrants, and the urgent need to organize, continues. The president’s order did nothing to address family reunification for those already separated. It did nothing to reduce the fears of deportation and violence faced by immigrants and their families already in this country.

And it created new set of immoral practices, including a new fleet of family detention facilities to be built on property owned by the Department of Defense and designed to hold more than 120,000 parents and children in indefinite detention.

"I encourage everyone to continue to voice their support for the immigrant families that have been devastated for the past few weeks, but also years,” said Erin Howard who works with Kentucky Dream Coalition and is the Latino Outreach Director at Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Lexington. “Educate yourself on the issue of immigration. This didn’t just happen overnight. The criminalization of immigrants has been going on for decades. It’s going to take an educated populist to understand the history of immigration and how it’s rooted in racism.”

Many KFTC members are supporting and taking leadership from immigrant and human rights’ organizations, including Mijente, the Domestic Workers Alliance, United We Dream, and others. KFTC members are encouraged to contact their local organizers to discuss additional opportunities and strategies for action.

Contact members of Congress Sen. Mitch McConnell (202) 224-2541 – Washington (502) 582-6304 – Louisville (859) 224-8286 – Lexington (859) 578-0188 – Fort Wright (606) 864-2026 – London (270) 781-1673 – Bowling Green (270) 442-4554 – Paducah Sen. Rand Paul (202) 224-4343 (270) 782-8303 (859) 219-2239 (502) 582-5341 (270) 689-9085 (270) 885-1212

– – – – – –

Washington Bowling Green Lexington Louisville Owensboro Hopkinsville

U.S. House Members Rep. James Comer, 1st District (202) 225-3115 – Washington (270) 487-9509 – Madisonville (270) 408-1865 – Paducah (270) 487-9509 – Tompkinsville Rep. Brett Guthrie, 2nd District (202) 225-3501 – Washington (270) 842-9896 – Bowling Green Rep. John Yarmuth, 3rd District (202) 225-5401 – Washington (502) 933-5863 – Louisville (502) 582-5129 – Louisville Rep. Thomas Massie, 4th District (202) 225-3465 – Washington (606) 324-9898 – Ashland (502) 265-9119 – LaGrange (859) 426-0080 – Crescent Springs Rep. Hal Rogers, 5th District (202) 225-4601 – Washington (606) 679-8346 – Somerset (606) 886-0844 – Prestonsburg (606) 439-0794 – Hazard Rep. Andy Barr, 6th District (202) 225-4706 – Washington (859) 219-1366 – Lexington

www.kftc.org | July 9, 2018

10 | Balancing the Scales

Building Grassroots Power

NKY members active in Pride Parade, Families rally

By Kimmy Sandlin On June 10 I had the privilege to march in the Northern Kentucky Pride Parade.

I marched with the KFTC Northern Kentucky chapter. I am currently interning with KFTC. My friend, Mari, had stayed over the night before so we could wake up early to prepare. We were both so excited to go to the parade and to support the LGBTQ+ community.

We woke up early that morning to meet at Roebling Point Books and Coffee where we started our day with a cup of coffee and donuts. I had been sick for the past week, and wasn’t sure I’d have the energy needed to participate. That doubt disappeared once we walked over to our spot in the parade and waited for the parade to start.

While waiting I could already feel how important

it is for our communities to show support. I could feel all the love and acceptance as I spoke with others participating in the parade. We talked about issues that were close to our hearts, and how we plan to achieve our goals.

Once the parade started, I was happy to see people from our communities showing their support and I enjoyed seeing how happy the children were to catch pieces of candy. Being a part of all the love was enlightening. Music played, people danced and sang.

Despite being exhausted from my cold, my friend and I danced and sang along as well. Being goofy and jumping around was so much fun and being a part of the parade has been a highlight of my summer.

Although, we should not limit support for the LGBTQ+ community to just one month, I am very excited to have been a part of the Pride Parade this year and I can’t wait to do it all over again next year!

Kimmy Sandlin (left) and Mari Froude (right) pose before the second annual Northern Kentucky Pride Parade.

The Northern Kentucky KFTC chapter joined Northern Kentucky Justice and Peace Committee, Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center, Northern Kentucky Indivisible and Together We Will - Cincinnati for a rally on the Roebling Bridge on June 14 to protest the Trump administration's policy of separating families.

The event, which was scheduled to be a part of events taking place nationwide, gained more attention closer to the action locally based on news reports of a plan to build 'tent cities' to house children (both unaccompanied minors and those separated from their families by the Department of Homeland Security) and the conditions inside of other holding facilities. Those in attendance chanted slogans offering support for families directly and indirectly impacted by the new heinous policy.

Many in attendance came out to support friends and neighbors, and had been out at previous actions related to the need for immigrant rights. If you're looking to plug into work around immigrant rights in northern Kentucky, please visit the Immigrant Follow the Northern Kentucky chapter on Dignity Coalition, or contact the Instagram at northernky_KFTC, Twitter: @ Northern Kentucky KFTC organizer NKY_KFTC, Facebook.com/nky.kftc. about other ongoing work.

Learn Voter Empowerment skills with the Northern Kentucky chapter …

Monday, July 16, 6-8:30 p.m.

Campbell County Library 901 E. 6th Street in Newport Focus: Deep Canvassing Training

Thursday, August 9, 6-8:30 p.m.

Boone County Library 7425 US 42 in Florence Focus: Deep Canvassing Training

Saturday, August 25, 2-6 p.m.

Kenton County Library 502 Scott Street in Covington Focus: Deep Canvassing, Tabling, and Phone Bank Training!

www.kftc.org | July 9, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 11

Building Grassroots Power

Perry County members visit Rogers’ office about border issue Members of the Perry County KFTC Chapter of gathered Tuesday in Hazard in front of U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers' office to protest the separation of families and stand in solidarity with immigrants being targeted by ICE and Customs and Border Protection.

The KFTC members met with Danielle Smoot of Rogers' staff to discuss the issue of separating families at the border. They asked for a meeting with Rogers when he is in Kentucky during a congressional recess.

There is a real fear that causes people from other countries to seek asylum in the U.S., Susan Hull of Perry County pointed out. "I lived in Nicaragua for three years. There are ‘the missing’ as they call them, the army comes in and then people are missing the next day. I know that it's true, but it's something that some of my friends here think is made up. There is a real fear."

"We should be treating immigrants with great joy and welcoming them," Virginia Meagher, of Breathitt County said. "I feel very strongly that we need a more humane policy, and that children should never be taken away from their parents."

KFTC members Susan Hull (center), Taylor Adams and Virginia Meagher were among those who visited the Hazard office of U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers to share concerns about the U.S. hostility toward immigrants and the separation of families.

Language liberation

The Jefferson County chapter strengthened ally relationships, built community and worked for language justice last month at Language for Liberation/ Lenguaje para Liberación.

Co-hosted by the Mijente Louisville Crew with support from La Casita Center, Louisville SURJ and Black Lives Matter Louisville, the event included delicious food and an auction of local art. The money raised will support interpreter training, translation services and more for organizing efforts in Louisville.

Thanks to everyone who came out!

Follow the Jefferson County chapter’s work on social media – Twitter: @JCKFTC • Facebook: www.facebook.com/JCKFTC/ • Instagram: @jckftc

Garage Giveaway in Barren County is meaningful for Thomas

By Mark Thomas “It’s the little things that matter in life.”

Such a simple phrase, yet I’ve never really thought about the true meaning of it. When I heard about the Garage Giveaway from the members of Barren County, I didn’t fully understand how many different goals they were trying to meet with one free event.

First of all, I didn’t even know what a garage giveaway is. Later I learned that it’s like a garage sale, except everything is free.

Members of the community donated everything you could think of; we had tables full of stuff. It was my first time actually helping for a nonprofit organization, and what I saw was a group of folks that were just lending a hand to the less fortunate and trying to demonstrate the importance of empowerment and taking back the community.

It was beautiful, and how could one not want to be a part of that?

The day of the Giveaway was perfect. It’s like the universe knew that good things were happening in the parking lot of the giveaway, because we had beautiful

weather, donations still pouring in and volunteers coming out of nowhere to help us get set up and spread the word.

Getting to see everyone who came to support the cause was really good for my spirit. Volunteers were handing out water, plates of food, and bags and boxes to collect the items people needed. We had an overwhelming amount of donations and were able to get rid of EVERYTHING including, personal hygiene items, clothing, shoes, bedding, lawn chairs and any other household item one could imagine.

I was so excited to see so many people stop in and get stuff, around 150 people. One of the most important things we gave away is information about how to get involved with our local government, so that we can actually take steps towards our vision of a community that is safe and provides for everyone without discrimination. We even had places for people to register to vote and gained some new KFTC members, too!

I was incredibly grateful to be part of something that was truly for the greater good. I cannot wait for the next event so I can see more smiling faces by simply lending a helping hand and building community.

12 | Balancing the Scales

Voter empowerment Voting, and helping others do so, is critical act for organizer Curtis Hall

By Curtis Hall KFTC Voter Empowerment Organizer

Many people do not know how powerful a vote is.

Growing up poor in Corbin, the idea of having a “voice” was not apparent. To take charge of your community, fight poverty, fight the school board and to be vocal about those issues was not something we did.

After having graduated from Berea College in May of this year, I found myself jobless, looking for the future and hoping to make a difference. This July, I became a Voter Empowerment Organizer with KFTC in Madison County, helping community members find their voice.

I believe the most noble thing you can do is help someone register to vote.

The ability to vote can create monumental changes in the community. Voting can change how you live and work in your community for the better. This is even more important for those who cannot vote.

KFTC has of history of work for the restoration of voting rights for people who have served felony sentences. When canvassing, we keep informational materials and applications for individuals who want to begin the process of restoring their civil Curtis Hall and volunteer Eric Garcia rights. tabling in Madison County.

In Madison County, we have hit the ground running. Canvassing underrepresented areas, tabling community events and calling everyone we can to reach our goal of 5,500 individuals in order to get the vote out. We want to make an electoral impact in Kentucky. We are having meaningful conversations with individuals about problems in their community and helping them take action.

At the end of the day, what we want our community members to recognize is that their voice matters. The changes that bring about the most impact in the community come from those who live there and the most powerful resource that individuals have in order to make such meaningful changes is their voice and their ability to vote. The next time your chapter canvasses, tables or makes phones calls, use your voice to help others find theirs.

Follow the Madison County chapter’s work on Facebook: www. facebook.com/MadisonCountyKFTC; on Twitter: @MadCo_KFTC

KFTC hired several voter empowerment organizers in June to expand voter outreach capacity and activities across the state.

www.kftc.org | July 9, 2018

Help to get out the vote in November with the Southern Kentucky chapter

The Southern Kentucky KFTC Chapter has ambitious plans this summer and fall to increase voter engagement in the November elections.

Chapter members will be talking with neighbors in Warren County at their doorsteps and on the phone about the issues they care about, the importance of voting and candidates’ positions on issues.

There will be several voter outreach activities every week, most from 4-7 p.m. Each canvass or phone bank will start with a short training, so no experience is necessary.

Volunteers can sign up online at https://bit.ly/2zcMUub. Southern Kentucky chapter members held a voter registration canvass in Bowling Green in March 2018. Members from left to right are Lisa Cummings, Ramona Sudabeck, Robin Gilbert, Libby Kelly, Tara Sorrels, Joyce Adkins, Matthew Litsey and Maureen Davis.

Help to get out the vote in November with the Western Kentucky chapter The Western Kentucky KFTC Chapter has a full summer and fall of voter empowerment activities, starting with phone banks, canvassing and other activities – including a presence at the Fancy Farm Picnic on August 4.

Phone banks will generally happen on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5-8 p.m.

Canvasses will take place on Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., with shifts available during that period.

Sign up online at https://bit.ly/2IX4KRl. For more information contact Lesley Garrett at lesley@kftc.org.

Charles Paisley and Leslie McColghin canvassed with the Western Kentucky chapter during the past winter.

www.kftc.org | July 9, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 13

KFTC’s Proposed 2018-2019 Platform To be discussed and voted on at the Annual Business Meeting, August 5, 2018 I. What is the KFTC platform?

The KFTC platform is a statement of KFTC’s public position on issues. It reflects important issues and concerns that have been identified by our membership over the years on which we’ve taken a position. If something is in the platform, chapters can engage in work on that issue. The platform is not our public vision or mission statement. It is an internal document used to help allow chapters and clusters of members to work in KFTC’s name on issues.

II. What is the annual process for revising the platform? (a) At the chapter annual meetings in May and June, each chapter discussed the platform and made, if it chose to do so, recommendations to the Steering Committee. (b) The Steering Committee discussed these suggestions at its July 7 meeting, accepting, revising or declining each recommendation. They approved the draft platform, printed below and on the following pages, to recommend for adoption to the members at the annual meeting. (c) At the Annual Meeting, all of these recommendations are explained, discussed and considered during the business portion of the meeting (Sunday morning). Members can make additional recommendations to the draft platform at this time. Each recommendation is voted on unless there is a motion to accept the entire platform as proposed. At the end there is a vote to accept the entire platform as proposed or amended. (d) Members in good standing (current in their membership dues) are eligible to vote.

Preamble Kentuckians For The Commonwealth is a statewide, grassroots, citizens’ organization working for a new balance of power and a just society. As we work together we build our strength, individually and as a group, and find solutions to real life problems. We use direct action to challenge – and change – unfair political, economic and social systems. Our membership is open to all people who are committed to equality, democracy and nonviolent change. KFTC’s goals of organizing are: (1) fostering democratic values, (2) changing unjust institutions, (3) empowering people and communities, (4) helping people participate, (5) overcoming racism and other discrimination, (6) communicating a message of what is possible, (7) building organizations, (8) winning issues that affect the common welfare, and (9) having fun.

We are working to create a society that focuses on supporting the human rights of all people. We are a social justice organization. We believe that all people must be treated with respect and dignity regardless of ability, age, gender, national origin, race, religion, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, or any other defining characteristic.

We are working to build New Power – new economic, energy, and political power – in Kentucky and the nation.

New Power consists of a new economy, a diverse homegrown economy good for all people, an economy that is just and sustains workers, communities, and the environment. New Power includes new energy that is clean, renewable, affordable, and generates jobs for our workers. New Power means a new democracy that includes, respects, and represents everyone.

1. We understand that the global climate is changing as a result of human activity. The changes already underway have profound effects on our weather, our water, our food, our economy, world politics, and the natural environment. And we understand, if not checked, climate change will have a catastrophic impact on the entire globe. Specifically: a. As Kentuckians, we are committed to working here at home and with communities across the nation and around the world to prevent catastrophic climate change by working for a just transition. b. We believe that a just transition is one that celebrates our cultures and invests in communities and workers who currently depend on the old economy.

2. Since clean air, water and land are every Kentuckian’s right, KFTC will work to protect and preserve a clean environment and to protect health and bio-diversity by working for stronger regulations and better enforcement. Specifically: a. We oppose the use of the mountaintop removal method of surface coal mining and valley fills that bury perennial, intermittent and ephemeral streams. b. We will work for a sustainable forestry products industry [non-timber and wood products] for Kentucky that relies on ecologically sound forest management and the use of Best Management Practices on public and private lands. c. We will work to preserve and protect publicly owned lands and their natural resources. d. We oppose on every front the rollback of the authority and funding for agencies and services that protect the environment and the rights of surface owners. e. We will fight to protect Kentucky’s precious water resources including ensuring safe, accessible and affordable water for all Kentuckians. f.

We demand reasonable regulation of oil and gas drilling including protection and replacement of water and reclamation of damaged land.

g. We oppose fracking and fracturing drilling technology until such time it is proven safe.

continued on next page

www.kftc.org | July 9, 2018

14 | Balancing the Scales

Proposed Platform … continued from previous page

h. We oppose the construction of new pipelines, or the repurposing of existing pipelines, to carry oil, fracked gas or its by-products, tar sands oil or any toxic substances because of the proven vulnerability of pipelines to leaks and explosions that can adversely affect residents. i.

j.

We demand full enforcement of laws and regulations related to the mining, transportation and burning of coal in order to protect water resources, prevent blasting damage, and require the reclamation of land and permitting of secondary roads used for hauling coal.

We oppose the use of dangerous coal sludge impoundments and call for the development of emergency action plans for communities living near impoundments.

k. We support a robust set of policies that make family farms an economically viable livelihood, ensure clean air and water, and healthy foods for communities. We oppose the environmental and economic destruction of industrial farming. l.

We oppose importation of all solid, hazardous and special wastes including those related to fracturing. We promote local control over land-use decisions involving landfills, incinerators, and related facilities.

m. Recognizing the high costs and deadly effects of uranium mining, processing, and waste disposal, we oppose the expansion of nuclear power. n. We will work to protect air quality to ensure the health and safety of Kentuckians. o. We support local and statewide policies to ensure smoke-free workplaces. p. We will support reducing the use of harmful pesticides and herbicides, the right of the public to know the nature of pesticides and herbicides applied, and the right of a local government to have more stringent control of pesticide and herbicides use. q. We promote source reduction, recycling, strong procurement policies for recycled products and a bottle bill. r. We will oppose environmental racism and classism, or the practice of locating polluting industries and waste facilities near low-income and minority communities, and in neighborhoods where people are least able to fight back. s. We support strengthening present timber theft laws in Kentucky to protect forests and private property rights. t. We support protection of biodiversity, including endangered species. u. We favor strong conservation representation on the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission.

3. We will fight to protect surface owners from the abuses by extractive industries.

Specifically: a. We demand that the broad form deed amendment be fully enforced by all levels of government. b. We support a change in property laws so that a minority owner of an undivided interest cannot allow the sale, leasing or mining of land or minerals against the wishes of the majority of owners.

c. We demand that oil and gas operators have permission of surface owners before they drill. d. We support the property rights of all landowners and will work to ensure these rights are exercised responsibly and equitably so as not to unfairly compromise the interests of the public, the environment, or surrounding property owners.

4. We will work to empower voters and expand authentic, democratic participation that makes government open, honest, and responsive to the needs of the people. Specifically: a. We will fight to protect the local control of solid waste management and siting, and support strong host agreements before permits are issued by the state. b. We will work to strengthen and enforce ethics codes for elected and appointed officials. c. We support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution making it clear that corporations are not people and money is not speech. Furthermore, we will work to eliminate the connections between money in political campaigns and governments that are non-responsive to the people. d. We support campaign spending limits and public financing of elections to reduce the amount spent on elections and the power of big money contributors. e. We will work to make state and local economic development authorities accountable to the people. f.

We demand easy access and an end to the overly bureaucratic procedures necessary to obtain open records in Kentucky.

g. We support equitable access to state funds for roads and public transit. h. We support local communities’ cooperation on common issues. i.

We oppose closed-door meetings and decision-making not open to the public when used to block public participation or transparency.

j.

We support restoring voting rights to former felons. We support programs that promote the positive re-entry of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated prisoners into our communities.

k. We oppose all forms of voter suppression and support policies that facilitate full democratic participation, including accommodations for people with disabilities and those currently or potentially eligible to vote that are currently incarcerated in local jails. l.

We support all efforts for same day new voter registration.

m. We oppose the practice of partisan gerrymandering in drawing political districts, which strips communities of their democratic power and compromises the integrity of our political process. n. We support voting methods, such as ranked choice voting, that ensure election outcomes that more accurately represent diverse views of populations. o. We oppose the subversion of democracy through inappropriate state takeovers of duly elected local governing bodies.

continued on next page

www.kftc.org | July 9, 2018

Proposed Platform … continued from previous page

5. We will fight to create a just economy that sustains communities, families and individuals, promotes health, protects resources for the future, and supports social investment that eliminates structural poverty. We support communities that value socio-economic diversity. Specifically: a. We will work with all interested parties, including recipients, to develop a welfare and benefits system that serves the community as a whole, provides a safety net, helps people move forward, and treats people fairly and with dignity and due process. b. We will work for an economic development process that is open, sustainable, supportive of local economies, and sees that companies receiving public money for job creation provide training, safe working conditions, health benefits and a living wage and transition away from a fossil fuel extraction industry. KFTC does not support prison expansion as a means of economic development. c. We support public policies and utility programs that minimize utility customer shutoffs due to inability to pay and we will work to eliminate customer shutoffs during extreme weather conditions and medical emergencies. We support energy conservation programs, the implementation of percentage of income payment plans and fair access to utility services including local gas hookups. d. We support policies aimed at significantly increasing the development of energy conservation, energy efficiency, and clean renewable energy sources in Kentucky, ultimately leading toward climate neutrality. e. We seek energy policies that promote the development of community-scale, locally owned renewable energy sources, create local jobs, and help lowwealth households, enterprises, and communities to access energy efficiency measures and clean energy solutions. f. We support funding effective and efficient community services through an equitable, fair, and progressive tax structure. g. We support the continued fair taxation of unmined minerals. h. We support the collection of coal severance taxes on every ton of coal mined and demand an increasing return of severance tax funds to promote sustainable economic development in coalfield counties; we further support at least one-percent of coal severance taxes collected be put in a permanent trust fund that will be used by and for the communities where the coal was extracted for the purpose of creating a more diverse and sustainable economy; we call for an increase in the severance tax rate and the creation of a community-based process to determine how funds are spent.

Balancing the Scales | 15 k. We object to the dominance of corporate interests in the decision-making, values and priorities of our public and private educational institutions at all levels. We oppose for-profit charter schools and vouchers. l.

We support economic reform through the use and support of sustainable agriculture.

m. We support affordable access to nutritious and healthful foods for all people. n. We advocate for quality, affordable, comprehensive health care including but not limited to preventive health care, preventative dental and vision care, mental health services, prevention of infectious diseases including HIV prevention and care, reproductive health services including abortion, comprehensive addiction treatment and long-term care for all Kentuckians, and we affirm our support for a single payer health care system. o. We support a comprehensive approach – and investments – that recognize good health is determined by a wide range of social and economic factors such as education, social welfare, housing, income, and environmental conditions, as well as traditional health factors. p. We support the right to a living wage for all Kentuckians that provides adequate income for housing, health care, education and basic necessities.

We oppose wage discrimination based on gender, race, ability, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, immigration status, or any other defining characteristic q. We oppose exploitation of labor and unjust international trade programs and demand an end to the use and sale of sweatshop-made products. r. We call for a new system for the transportation of coal that makes possible better pay for truckers, shared company accountability for safety violations and road damage, safe roads and safe mining communities, and reduced weight limits for coal trucks. s. We support the right of workers to organize and the right to collective bargaining. t.

We support quality, affordable, accessible housing for all persons. We demand just housing policies that protect the rights of renters to be treated fairly and encourage resident involvement in decision-making processes. We support the right of all people to live in inclusive, healthy and sustainable neighborhoods of their own choosing.

u. We demand enactment and enforcement of occupational health and safety laws that protect all workers in Kentucky, especially workers in occupations that continue to suffer high rates of preventable work-related death, disability, and illness such as coal miners, coal truckers, and other coal industry workers. v. We support fair and equitable lending practices.

i.

We call for a system of high quality public education, including pre-school through higher education that is accessible and affordable for all Kentuckians.

w. We support adequate, affordable, and energy efficient public transportation on a statewide basis, and we demand infrastructure planning that supports alternative modes of public transportation such as biking and walking.

j.

We support policies that are in favor of reducing the economic burden of higher education.

x. We support fair and equitable access to information and communication systems for all people.

www.kftc.org | July 9, 2018

16 | Balancing the Scales

Proposed Platform … continued from previous page

y. We support policies that enable people to live safely and well in their homes and provide good alternatives to nursing home care. z. We support policies that foster the growth of alternative economies, including worker-owned cooperatives. aa. We support policies that promote substantial paid family and medical leave from the workplace that are flexible regardless of race, class, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age or any other defining characteristic. We also support access to safe, affordable childcare that values families in the workplace. ab. We oppose the privatization of public services. ac. We support sustainably grown industrial hemp as an economic driver providing a just transition for environmentally impacted communities as well as respite from resource extraction and monoculture farming. To that end, we support informing citizens of the various uses and products derived from hemp and legislation that removes barriers to scaling the domestic supply and market. We support policies that restrict the monopolization of hemp by corporate entities. ad. We support the legalization of production, sale and consumption of cannabis and cannabis-based products for medical and recreational use, and amnesty of anyone currently experiencing legal ramifications of cannabis related charges.

We support policies that restrict the monopolization of cannabis by corporate entities. ae. We support public policies and funding for the arts and humanities in schools and communities throughout the state.

6. We will fight to create a fair and just society that respects human and civil rights, uplifts all people to their potential, and values the participation of everyone. Specifically: a. We support affirmative action programs that guarantee equal rights for all people. b. We oppose all forms of racism and work to eliminate it from our society and from within our organization. c. We condemn and oppose discrimination, oppression, and harassment of all people by public or private individuals or institutions based on any of the following: ability, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, familial status, national origin, citizenship, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, immigration status, current or former incarceration status or any other defining characteristic. We believe that denial of the right to due process constitutes discrimination and oppression. d. We will lead by example in affirming people’s gender identities and gender expressions and embodying inclusive spaces for diverse gender identities.

e. We will work toward a more fair justice system not mired in discrimination based on ability, age, gender, national origin, citizenship, race, religion, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, immigration status, or any other defining characteristic. f. We support the right of residents who are undocumented to be treated with the respect and dignity that all human beings are entitled to. We acknowledge the legality of all peoples’ right to seek asylum, and we seek the end of detentions and criminal prosecutions of immigrants at our borders and elsewhere. We therefore call for the abolition of ICE, an organization which dehumanizes and terrorizes immigrants and people of color. We also support open pathways to citizenship for people who are undocumented. g. We oppose the inappropriate use of police powers, the expansion and privatization of the prison system, and the use of excessive force by police, including the targeting and killing of African Americans and other people of color. We do support full funding of public defenders in order to ensure the diligent and competent representation by these public servants. We call for an immediate end to the mass incarceration of African Americans and other people of color, and the practices by which mass incarceration is currently implemented. h. We support a transition from our current punitive justice system to a more restorative system that honors the inherent dignity of all individuals, including people with physical illness, mental illness or addiction. i.

We support the abolition of the death penalty.

j.

With farmers, horse owners, pet owners and a diverse array of wildlife, Kentucky is a state that values animals and their contributions to our lives, our economy, and our well-being. It is also a state with some of the weakest laws and enforcement related to animal cruelty. We support sensible local and state initiatives that would prevent the abuse of animals.

k. We understand there’s a lot of diversity around gun ownership across the state. We support responsible gun ownership and initiatives to address the problem of gun violence. Such initiatives include, but are not limited to, universal background checks and closing private sale loopholes. l.

We support KFTC members being active in peace movements in Kentucky and worldwide.

m. We oppose the “cash bail system.” We oppose civil/asset forfeitures absent conviction. We support the right to a state provided attorney in civil court should you not be able to afford one. n. We support Kentucky counties recognizing their history and to take up the National Memorial for Peace and Justice’s offer to provide lynching memorials to any county where a lynching occurred in the past. o. We support international human rights as specified in the UN Declaration of Human Rights.

www.kftc.org | July 9, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 17

KFTC Annual Membership Meeting Claiming our Commonwealth: Creating Kentucky’s Beloved Community

KFTC annual membership meeting set for August 3-5 at Berea College We’re in a moment of tremendous danger, but also surrounded by profound political opportunity.

In the face of these times, KFTC is part of building a movement that is oriented to a shared vision of a beloved community – the Kentucky that many of us believe is possible.

The Beloved Community was a concept popularized by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and is based on his belief that a mass group of people who are truly committed to non-violence can create a world where discrimination, poverty, militarism, hate, fear and all forms of violence are eradicated and love, trust, reconciliation, peace and justice thrive. For KFTC, and our Commonwealth, that Beloved Community is alive in our vision statement.

We are claiming that Kentucky, and building toward it now with work to change the political landscape, and to build power through our relationships and interconnectedness. This movement – this transition – will take all of us. Join us in a weekend of claiming Kentucky and creating our beloved community.

Join KFTC members from across Kentucky at our annual gathering August 3-5 in Berea. We’ll meet on the campus of Berea College for a weekend of great guest speakers, workshops, social activities and more. The gathering is family-friendly. Childcare will be offered, and youth are encouraged to participate in all sessions.

The weekend begins Friday evening as folks arrive, settle in and get to know each other through a fun, interactive and informal program. Then we begin Saturday morning with an opening session where we orient ourselves to the space and theme of the weekend and begin to dig into a great day of learning and sharing.

Participants will have the opportunity to attend two break-out sessions of their choice from a great

lineup of eight different workshops (a short description of each workshop is on the next page).

An afternoon break on Saturday will give folks a chance to stretch our legs or relax our minds a bit.

Optional recreational and educational activities will be offered during the break.

Then we’ll come back together on Saturday evening for a fun awards ceremony that recognizes the hard and important work of KFTC leaders throughout the year, and also hear from a powerful, engaging keynote speaker: Anthony Thigpenn of California Calls.

Sunday morning we’ll have a brand-new set of break-out sessions to choose from and then come together for our democratic, grassroots business meeting before saying goodbye.

A full schedule is listed on the next page. More details, including bios of workshop facilitators, will be added to the online listing at kftc.org/annualmeeting as the program continues to take shape.

Lodging will be provided in three dorm buildings within a very short walk of the meeting space.

When you register you’ll have the opportunity to say which dorm rooms best suit you and your family’s needs. All dorms are fully air-conditioned, and accessible rooms are available.

If for some reason the dorms will not work for your lodging needs, you can indicate that when you register and we will work with you to find appropriate accommodations.

If you have questions about the gathering that you would like answered before deciding to register, please let us know by contacting KFTC staffperson Carissa Lenfert at 502-208-1696 or carissa@kftc.org.

Don’t delay. Register now. We expect to fill up quickly, so reserve your spot today. Register by June 29 to lock in the early-bird pricing. Scholarships are also available by request.

Grassroots leader Anthony Thigpenn to give keynote Anthony Thigpenn, a Los Angeles-based community organizer for more than 30 years, heads California Calls, a powerful alliance of 31 organizations in 12 counties around the state.

The centerpiece of California Calls is to achieve progressive, long-term tax and fiscal policy reform by engaging underrepresented, lowincome voters in state public policy decisionmaking.

Thigpenn is widely recognized as a leading expert in grassroots, civic engagement technology and programs. He ran successful field campaigns for Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Congresswoman Karen Bass, State Senator Kevin de León, and former City Councilmember Martin Ludlow, among others.

Thigpenn also is the founder and president of Strategic Concepts in Organizing & Policy Education (SCOPE), a grassroots organization formed in South Los Angeles shortly after the 1992 uprising in the city. It was formerly known as AGENDA. He will give the keynote address Saturday evening during the Annual Awards Ceremony.

www.kftc.org | July 9, 2018

18 | Balancing the Scales

KFTC Annual MEMBERSHIP Meeting

Program Friday, August 3 4 p.m.

Registration Opens (Berea College Alumni Building)

7 p.m.

Evening Program

9 p.m.

Social Activities

Saturday, August 4 8 a.m.

Registration Opens and Breakfast

9 a.m.

Morning Program and Opening

10:45

Workshop Round 1 (choose one)

Digital Organizing: Building Grassroots Power Online & In Real Life – Learn how to use social media platforms to build community on and offline, bring people into the movement, and take action for justice.

From Monuments to Monumental Movements: Supporting People Of Color Led Organizing – In this workshop we will hear from folks working for racial justice in Kentucky, learn tools for anti-racist organizing, and explore how best to show up for people of color led movements.

Appalachian Transition: How we got here and where we’re going – Join us to look back at KFTC’s work over the last 10 years to build a movement toward a Just Transition. We will analyze the moment we are in right now, and moving forward, what it’s going to take to build a brighter future for the region.

Creating spaces of belonging: anti-oppression within our organizing – KFTC aims to model and live out the values and vision that are necessary to build the world we want to live in. This workshop will support participants in building a shared understanding of systems of oppression, how they impact us and our organizing, and how we can create spaces that move us toward collective liberation.

Action for Democracy: Working Toward People Powered Politics in Kentucky – Join this workshop to learn more about Action for Democracy, KFTC's year-round approach to building grassroots power to win on election day, increase civic engagement, build a healthy democracy, and pass progressive local, state

and federal legislation. You'll walk away with new skills to register, educate, empower, and turn out progressive voters in your community in 2018 and beyond.

Building Beloved Community through Connection and Resilience – Good organizing demands strategy, tactics and vision. But good organizing IS, fundamentally, relationships. Through personal relationships, we create the connective tissue of the world we want to see. In this workshop, we’ll consider how to cultivate movements that are inch-wide and mile deep.

Following Youth Leadership – An interactive workshop facilitated by young leaders from across the Commonwealth.

Beyond Pronouns – This workshop will focus on deepening our understanding of our work around gender inclusion and gender justice. Inspired by the #TransLivesMatter film “More Than a Pronoun,” we will be discussing: transitioning, trans visibility, racism, privilege, use of pronouns, restroom issues, suicide, addiction, homelessness, violence, spirituality and health issues in the Trans community.

12:15 p.m. Lunch 1:30 p.m. Workshop Round 2

(Same set of workshops as listed above) 3 p.m.

Afternoon Break

6 p.m.

Dinner

7 p.m.

Keynote and Awards Ceremony We will be joined by special guest Anthony Thigpenn of California Calls, who will share with us his experiences of over 30 years of progressive organizing.

9 p.m.

Social Activity

Sunday, August 5 9 a.m.

Workshops (choose one)

Art in Organizing: Vision Building and the Role of Creative Expression – Art can cause a disruption, help us see the world that we’re striving to create, and can serve as an outlet to help us process the world that we’re living in. Art also allows us to ground our social justice work in our cultural identity to create change in a way that acknowledges our full and authentic

selves. Join us as we view some examples of art in organizing and create art together.

Campaign for Our Commonwealth: Investing in Our Future – Join us for a brief overview of economic justice in Kentucky’s tax and budget policy.

Hear from experts about what lessons we are learning from Kansas’ tax and budget problems and how we can do better. Leave knowing how we can take action between now and the November elections.

Rooted in Faith: the power of organizing for justice from a faith perspective – Join us for a conversation about ways some KFTC members and allies approach grassroots organizing from a faith perspective. How do our diverse religious faiths and spiritual practices inform our shared vision for justice in Kentucky?

What are some ways Kentuckians organize to address poverty, climate change, racial justice, and fundamental human rights by engaging faith communities?

Pulling Off a Successful Nonviolent Direct Action – Nonviolent Direct Action is an effective, yet complex, campaign tactic. Come to this workshop to get a good understanding of what NVDA is, how to make it happen, the various roles that need to be filled, how to keep it legal, and how to take care of yourself and your people mentally and physically throughout.

Writing for Social Change: A Workshop on Movement Building – Do you have something to say?

And do you want to get it out into the world, but feel intimidated or unsure of where to start? Join us for this workshop to practice writing and learn best ways to create and share what you have to say to build our Beloved Community in a fun, welcoming, judgement-free, creative space.

10:30 a.m. Annual Business Meeting This is when we review and vote on KFTC’s issue platform, elect statewide officers, and approve new and returning KFTC chapters.

12 p.m.

Adjourn

www.kftc.org | July 9, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 19

KFTC Annual MEMBERSHIP Meeting

Registration Form Name(s) ______________________________________________________________________________

Please complete this form to register for the Annual Meeting and mail the entire page with payment to KFTC, P.O. Box 1450, London KY 40743.

You also can register at kftc.org/ annual-meeting/registration

Address _______________________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip _________________________________________________________________________ Phone ____________________________________ Email _____________________________________ LODGING This year our annual meeting will be at Berea College. All lodging provided will be in three different dorm buildings that are very close to where the main conference will be. We will be staying in Kettering, Deep Green and the Anna Smith dorms. All dorm rooms are air-conditioned.

Within these dorms, there are two different lodging options. KFTC will do our best to accommodate your lodging preference, but cannot guarantee it. If we are unable to accommodate your selection, we will be in touch with you to figure out alternative arrangements. If you have questions about the lodging or accessibility requests and need someone to specifically follow up with you, please contact heather@kftc.org.

Suite Style Dorm: Six bedrooms share a suite with a common kitchenette and common bathroom. This lodging option would mean that you would share a bathroom with your other suitemates. The bathrooms include multi-stalled toilets and showers.

Traditional residential hall style: This housing option includes traditional dorm rooms with one shared bathroom on each floor. Each floor will be all-gender so that families and couples can stay together. However, we will designate each bathroom gender specific.

Will you be staying overnight with us? ___ Friday and Saturday nights ___ Friday night only ___ Saturday night only ___ I don’t need lodging In most cases, rooms are double-occupancy. If there are 3 or more people in your party, would you like more than one room? ____ Not applicable ____ Please give us two rooms next to each other ____ We would all like to be in the same room ____ Other, please specify: ____________________ _________________________________________

Lodging Option (select all that will work for you): ___ No preference. Suite style or traditional residential hall style will work. Please put me wherever we will fit! ___ Traditional residential hall style only (no suites) ___ Suite style (all-gender bathrooms so families can stay together) ___ Suite style (gender-specific bathroom) ___ None of these options work for me. Please contact me to make alternative arrangements.

Room or suite-mate preference: _________________________________________ _________________________________________ ACCESSIBILITY ___ Not applicable ___ I need a handicap accessible room ___ I need a first-floor room and/or elevator ___ I have another accessibility request, please specify: _________________________________________ _________________________________________ MEALS Meals you will be in attendance for: ___ Saturday breakfast ___ Saturday lunch ___ Saturday dinner ___ Sunday breakfast Do you have any special dietary preferences? ___ No restrictions ___ No pork ___ Gluten-free ___ Vegetarian ___ Vegan ___ Other, please specify: ____________________ _________________________________________ TRANSPORTATION ___ I am driving myself ___ I can drive and can offer a ride to others ___ I need a ride

CHILDCARE Will you need childcare? Please list names and ages: Name: ________________________ Age: _______ Name: ________________________ Age: _______ Name: ________________________ Age: _______ Name: ________________________ Age: _______ When will you need childcare? ___ For the full conference ___ For only select times, which are: _________________________________________ _________________________________________ Do you have any special childcare needs or requests? _________________________________________ _________________________________________ COST Registration fees help KFTC offset a portion of the expense of our annual meeting. We appreciate your contribution to this important weekend!

Prices for one adult, full weekend: • With meals and lodging: $100.

• With meals (no lodging): $60.

Prices for one adult, Saturday only (includes meals): • $45 after June 29 Prices for one adult, just Friday or just Sunday, or other arrangement: • Contact KFTC for pricing Children and Youth Pricing: • Children 12 and under are free • Children 12 and older suggested donation of $15 to cover the cost of meals How are you paying? ___ Payment is enclosed ___ I request a full/partial scholarship ___ I request a payment plan (you can enclose a partial payment now) Please make a check or money order payable to KFTC and put “annual meeting” in the note field.

www.kftc.org | July 9, 2018

20 | Balancing the Scales

KFTC Leadership

Nominees named for KFTC, Ky Coalition leadership positions KFTC’s Leadership Development Committee recommended, and the Steering Committee approved, a slate of candidates for KFTC’s Executive Committee and the Kentucky Coalition board. Members at the Annual Business Meeting on August 5 will vote to elect these or other members to the organizations’ leadership positions.

The slate is diverse, highly qualified and exemplifies KFTC’s commitment to shared leadership.

The proposed KFTC Executive Committee slate is Meta Mendel-Reyes as chairperson, Cassia Herron as vice-chairperson, Christian Torp as secretary-treasurer and Amy Copelin as the at-large representative. Assuming Mendel-Reyes is re-elected as chairperson, Mary Love is nominated to fill the five position on the executive committee normally filled by the immediate past chair. The previous chair is currently unable to fill that position.

The Leadership Development Committee recommendations were based on nominations offered by chapters and individuals. The committee is charged with

CHAIRPERSON: Meta Mendel-Reyes became KFTC’s chairperson last year after one year in the vice-chair position.

Leading up to that, she served on KFTC’s Steering Committee, the Economic Justice Committee, the Voter Empowerment Strategy Team, the Leadership Development Committee, and the Racial Justice Committee. Meta also is active in local chapter efforts, including a town hall and much more. She co-facilitated several racial justice workshops for KFTC members and staff. She’s active in the chapter’s local racial justice work, and an instrumental force in KFTC’s Organizing Academy, helping to plan the agendas, facilitate trainings and communicate with the participants between trainings. She offers leadership and support throughout the organization.

VICE-CHAIRPERSON: Cassia Herron currently serves on KFTC’s Executive Committee as the at-large member. Locally, she supported the Jefferson County chapter’s We Are Kentuckians event to honor African American women and Black culture in Kentucky. She is experienced in community organizing and has worked with union organizers and trainers with the Highlander Center. She also has experience working with the Community Farm Alliance, and works extensively with issues of economic development and food

recommending a diverse slate of qualified candidates, taking into account desired traits as well as characteristics including gender, age, race, income, educational background, place of residence, level of involvement in the local chapter and statewide organization, and issue interests.

A KFTC leader may not serve more than two consecutive one-year terms in the same position. Mendel-Reyes and Torp currently serve on the Executive Committee as chair and secretary-treasurer, the positions for which they are nominated. Herron currently is the at-large representative on the committee. Love was appointed to the committee as the fifth member earlier this year when Dana Beasley Brown, the immediate past chair, became a candidate for elected office. Copelin would be new member, if elected.

The annual business meeting will take place on Sunday morning, August 5 as part of the KFTC Annual Membership Meeting at Berea College.

Here’s a little information about the nominees.

access. She provided consistent and sustained leadership to the Empower Kentucky campaign, and she’s provided leadership in KFTC’s work for collective liberation and inclusivity in the Steering Committee and through her work with the Executive Committee.

SECRETARY-TREASURER: Christian Torp, KFTC’s current secretary-treasurer, is an active member in the Central Kentucky Chapter. He served on the Steering Committee, the Litigation Committee, the Land Reform Committee and on the Voter Empowerment Strategy Team.

Christian is involved in local work around housing justice and racial justice. He also works locally for food justice, distributing fresh food to neighbors and leading urban gardening skill workshops. He and Tanya Torp have made their home a community gathering spot called Justice House, open for meetings and breakfast gatherings. Christian offers leadership in organizational fundraising efforts, especially around the Sustaining Giver Program.

AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVE: Amy Copelin is active in the Northern Kentucky chapter, contributing significantly to the chapter’s outreach and strategy.

She’s lobbied in Frankfort, tabled at PRIDE, Earth Day events and

rallies, registered voters, and stretched outside of her comfort zone to emcee a chapter cookout held with local allies. Amy supported fundraising efforts like the NKY Pie Auction, and proudly raised $400 last year through her Powerbuilder page. She writes blog pieces on behalf of the chapter, including a recent one on immigrants’ rights. Amy’s favorite KFTC events have been A Seat at the Table and the annual meeting, where she connects with other people about our work. She does this through her work on KFTC’s Steering Committee, too, where she is a thoughtful and courageous representative for the NKY chapter.

FIFTH SEAT (if needed): Mary Love lives in Oldham County is active in the Jefferson County chapter. She currently serves on the Executive Committee after stepping in for Dana Beasley Brown in the position for the immediate past chair. She has served as co-chair of the Land Reform Committee, as well as on KFTC’s Leadership Development, New Energy and Transition and Litigation committees.

Mary represents KFTC in a number of state and regional coalitions, including the Alliance for Appalachia, Kentucky Sustainable Energy Alliance and the Extreme Energy Summit. Mary lobbies and testifies frequently on KFTC issues, including clean energy, water quality and mining issues, payday lending, and telephone deregulation. Mary served on the Steering Committee for several years, and is a retired Presbyterian minister.

www.kftc.org | July 9, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 21

KFTC Leadership Kentucky Coalition Board nominees The Kentucky Coalition is the tax-exempt affiliate organization of KFTC. It supports leadership development programs and other charitable activities of KFTC. The Kentucky Coalition board includes the five members of the KFTC Executive Committee plus three additional members elected by KFTC’s membership at the annual membership meeting.

To be eligible for one of the elected positions on the Kentucky Coalition board a person must be a current member of KFTC, may not be an employee or immediate family member of an employee of KFTC or the Kentucky Coalition, and may not serve more than four consecutive one-year terms.

The Leadership Development Committee considers all nominees and works to develop a diverse slate of three qualified candidates, taking into account a diversity of characteristics including gender, age, race, income, educational backgrounds, place of residence, level of involvement in the local chapter and statewide organization, and issue interests.

The nominees are: Serena Owen is a leader in the Northern Kentucky chapter, and statewide through the Economic Justice Committee, the Leadership Development Committee, the New Energy and Transition work, and through helping with the Action for Democracy Launch in November 2017. She is a powerful and motivating leader, known for being able to elevate the mood and activity of a crowd.

She also is a committed and devoted advocate for her kids, and for all children.

Serena has had to take a step back from the Steering Committee and other statewide work since beginning a new career, even as she’s continued to support the work of the NKY chapter and KFTC’s Action for Democracy work.

Alan Smith is an active member of the Southern Kentucky chapter and has been dedicated to the chapter since he began to get involved right around the time the chapter was founded. Alan has served on the Economic Justice Committee and Voter Empowerment Strategy Team, and on the Steering Committee for three years. Locally, he’s active on voter empowerment strategy and voter registration efforts, fundraising and at-home lobby meetings. He also participated in the A Seat At The Table event as a table host and the Hear Our Health event. He provides consistent, insightful and reliable leadership to KFTC. Leslie McBride is a long-time member of KFTC and the Shelby County chapter. She has served multiple terms on the Steering Committee as a chapter representative. She is deeply engaged in local work to pass a Fairness Ordinance. Leslie is a passionate advocate for animal welfare and navigated the process of having an animal welfare plank added to KFTC’s platform. She provides thoughtful leadership to KFTC and helps the local chapter build relationships with local officials. She is committed to grassroots fundraising and has organized chili cook-offs for the Shelby County chapter. She is an experienced attorney and brings her skills and thoughtfulness to her work with KFTC.

Annual meeting checklist √ If you haven’t already, please register. While Berea College is a larger venue than past locations, registration is still filling up fast. Use the form on page 19 or online at www.kftc.org/annual-meeting/registration. √ Make sure your membership dues are current so you can vote at the annual business meeting for statewide officers and the platform; renew at kftc.org/support or become a Sustaining Giver with the form on page 28. √ View the annual meeting program on page 18 or online at www.kftc.org/annual-meeting. √ Take a look at the workshops listed to get excited about the ones you wish to attend. You can go to two of the workshops offered on Saturday, and one of the workshops offered on Sunday. √ Talk it up among your friends and other KFTC members to organize carpools, cultural sharing and get others excited about attending. √ Learn a little about Anthony Thigpenn, our Saturday night keynote speaker, by watching a video about him at www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhVoKrrScCo √ Learn more about the inter-racial and social justice history of Berea College at www.berea.edu/about/history/ √ Get psyched for a great weekend!

www.kftc.org | July 9, 2018

22 | Balancing the Scales

Building Grassroots Power

Kentuckians explore a new economy at CommonBound 2018 From June 22 to June 24, at least 17 Kentuckians converged at Harris-Stowe University in St. Louis, Missouri to attend CommonBound 2018.

Hosted by the New Economy Coalition and locally based organizations – in this case Solidarity Economy St. Louis – CommonBound is biannual conference that draws hundreds of organizers, leaders and revolutionaries from across the country to answer the question: How do we build a new, just and non-extractive economy?

KFTC members Amanda Fuller, Cassia Herron, Heather Hyden and Collin Alexander attended CommonBound on behalf of KFTC, along with KFTC staff members Jacob Mack-Boll, Alicia Hurle, Becky Jones, Tyler Offerman and Nikita Perumal.

They were also joined by several active KFTC members who attended the conference on behalf of other organizations – including Louisville Metro’s Center for Health Equity, the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development and the Kentucky Student Environmental Coalition.

Collin Alexander, a Rowan County chapter member and manager of the Community Recycling Center in Morehead, was taken by “the sense of community that was immediately established by hundreds of people from around the globe who had never even met each other.”

“We all connected in a passion for and strive towards a sustainable, promising future for all people,” Alexander reflected. “Although I was far from an expert panelist on any of the subjects talked about, I felt as though my insight from east Kentucky was valued.”

CommonBound organizers were careful to structure the conference in a way that made room for a diversity of topics, experiences and learning styles. The first day of the conference was comprised of “network gatherings” – half- or full-day gatherings that served as deep-dives into a variety of topics.

KFTC member Chris Woolery, alongside Organizing Apprentice Nikita Perumal, helped coordinate one of these gatherings, which was focused solely on organizing in rural electric cooperatives.

The rest of the conference was split into carefully

Thanks

curated plenaries, brief “rad talks,” film screenings and concerts, local site visits and more than 50 workshops that corresponded with 10 thematic tracks.

Folks from the Kentucky delegation attended an impressively diverse set of workshops, such as “Just Transition to a Feminist Economy,” “Healing Justice and Collective Care in Our Movements,” “Participatory Budgeting for Inclusion and Equity,” and “Energy Democracy: Advancing Equity in Clean Energy Solutions.”

Attendees learned about everything from how community investment funds can be structured to redistribute wealth and start communityled businesses; to efforts nationwide to establish worker-owned cooperatives; how to avoid burnout in our move- Kentuckians at the CommonBound 2018 gathering included, top ment spaces to the value of affordable row, from left to right: Caci Gibson, Collin Alexander, Amanda housing through community land Fuller, Rachel Norton, Jacob Mack-Boll, Alicia Hurle, Chris Woolery, Nikita Perumal, and Cassia Herron. Bottom row, from left to right: trusts.

Jefferson County chapter mem- Kentuckians Allison Crawford, Tyler Offerman and Becky Jones. bers Fuller and Herron are working to start a food cooperative in Louisville. In reflecting Central Kentucky chapter member Heather on what she took away from CommonBound, Fuller Hyden appreciated the variety in sessions, as well as observed: “What [a new economy] looks like to me the conference being family-friendly. is people helping each other solve problems and pro- “We appreciated being able to bring a very tiny vide goods and services. baby to the gathering and not miss out on connect “A new economy has human and environmen- ing with communities of people across the country tal well-being as its goal, not the accumulation of working to develop new economies,” she noted. “I've capital (which relies on the exploitation of humans already told several people about the Burn Out workand the environment),” Fuller added. “I’m involved shop we attended. Also, I plan to connect with other in starting up a cooperatively owned grocery store leaders in Louisville and the Our City Our Voice in Louisville, so I was paying particular attention to organization about how to implement a participatory conference sessions about raising money and organiz- budgeting process in Lexington.” ing cooperatives.”

To learn more about the New Economy Coali Herron shared, “CommonBound helped to af- tion, visit neweconomy.net. Livestreams of certain firm our vision and work to open the grocery store. workshops, and the Friday and Saturday plenaries, Being there was a confidence booster and gave us are at https://commonbound.org/2018/livestream. new ideas about creative financing approaches to the In the words of Amanda Fuller, “[t]he New work.”

Economy is ours if we want it!”

for being a member or supporter of KFTC. You make the work you read about in Balancing the Scales possible – 36 years of it!

www.kftc.org | July 9, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 23

Economic Justice

Republican tax changes hit Kentuckians on July 1 From the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy At the end of the 2018 legislative session, the Kentucky General Assembly passed a surprise tax bill that expanded the sales tax base and income tax base, in part to pay for income tax cuts for the wealthy.

Kentucky Sales Tax Increases Facility/Event Admission Fees Bowling centers, skating rinks, health spas, swimming pools, tennis courts, weight training facilities, fitness and recreational sports centers, and golf courses (both public and private). Programs, sporting events, music concerts, performances, plays, shows, movies, exhibits, fairs and other entertainment events or amusements already are subject to the 6% Kentucky sales tax.

What’s changing?

Kentucky’s formerly progressive tax rate structure (where higher levels of income were taxed at a higher rate) was replaced with a flat 5 percent rate. This cut (biggest for the wealthiest Kentuckians) decreased revenue by $500 million per year.

In order to help pay for this, the sales tax will now apply to several services and filers will be able to take claim fewer deductions on their income taxes (the Kentucky Department of Revenue has a website to help answer questions about how the new law applies to you). The cigarette tax will also be raised by 50 cents in an effort to offset the revenue lost from the flat income tax.

Tax shift Sales taxes ask more (proportionately) of lower-income Kentuckians, while progressive income taxes ask more of wealthier Kentuckians. This is because the less you have, the more of it you have to spend in order to make ends meet, so the more of your income you are likely to pay in sales taxes.

The combined impact of changes passed by the General Assembly in 2018 means low- and middle-income Kentuckians will pay more in taxes while higherincome Kentuckians, especially the top 1 percent, will see big tax cuts.

While some Kentuckians may see a bump in their paychecks, for most it will be offset by the expansion to services under the sales tax and by the combination of base-broadening and rate-flattening income tax changes. Only the top 5 percent will receive a net tax break.

Indoor Skin Tanning Services Janitorial Services

Including but not limited to: • residential and commercial cleaning • carpet, upholstery, and window cleaning

Labor Charges for Installation or Repair of Tangible Personal Property, Digital Property or Services Sold Labor if it is part of a taxable retail sale, such as the labor of a mechanic to sell and install repair parts in a car

Landscape Services Including but not limited to: lawn care and maintenance, tree trimming, pruning or removal, landscape design and installation, landscape care and maintenance, snow plowing and removal

Limousine Services Laundry/Dry Cleaning Services Includes non-coin operated laundry and dry cleaning services, industrial and uniform services, and more

Non-medical Diet and Weight Reducing Services Pet Care Services Including but not limited to: grooming and boarding, pet sitting, pet obedience training

Rentals of Campsites Veterinary Services for small animals services, but not for equine, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, ratite birds, buffalo, and cervids

Extended Warranty Services

24 | Balancing the Scales

www.kftc.org | July 9, 2018

Just Transition

RECLAIM, black lung disability trust fund action needed During the final six months of 2018, the U.S. Congress has the opportunity to act on three proposals to benefit the lives and health of coal miners and invest in a Just Transition for workers, their families and communities. Specifically, Congress should: Pass the RECLAIM Act, H.R. 1731, a bill that would invest $1 billion from the Abandoned Mine Lands Trust Fund in projects to restore land and water damaged by coal mining and support community economic development projects on those sites. This bill has widespread grassroots support in Kentucky and other mining regions, and is sponsored by Representative Hal Rogers, a Republican who represents Kentucky’s 5th District. So far, leaders in Congress, including Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, have been unwilling to prioritize passage of this bill. KFTC is working with a broad coalition of regional and national organizations to help push it across the finish line towards the end of 2018 or early in 2019.

Restore and strengthen funding for the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund. This federal fund, which is supported by a fee on coal production, pays benefits and health care for miners with black lung disease and their surviving dependents in cases where the coal company has gone bankrupt.

A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, released in early June, says that the Trust Fund is in danger of insolvency due to a perfect storm of three conditions.

• First, there has been a sharp upswing in the number of new black lung disease cases among central Appalachian coal miners.

• Second, the coal industry is undergoing a major restructuring, and each wave of coal company bankruptcies shifts the responsibility to pay for thousands of black lung benefits from coal companies to the Trust Fund.

• Third, and making matters even worse, the fee on coal operators that is the source of revenue for the Trust Fund is scheduled to automatically drop by more than half at the end of 2018.

Many advocates, including the Appalachian Citizens Law Center, point out that this fee needs to increase by 25 percent to ensure the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund will be able to provide benefits and health care to eligible miners and their dependents.

And, as it turns out, strengthening the revenue stream for the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund can also help

solve a procedural hurdle facing on Senator Mitch McConnell, As of September 30, 2017, the the RECLAIM Act. whose support is critical for all Black Lung Disability Trust Fund three of these urgently needed That’s because under Conwas supporting 4,326 miners gressional budget rules, releasing actions. Several KFTC members or their surviving dependents $1 billion for land and stream and former miners are planning in Kentucky, in cases where the restoration under the RECLAIM to attend the UMWA rally and Act requires Congress to raise public hearing in Ohio. responsible coal company has or cut an equivalent amount of KFTC is coordinating with evaded its liability. In fiscal year money somewhere else in the other groups in Kentucky and 2017, nearly $41 million came federal budget. So every dollar across Central Appalachia to ask into the Kentucky economy of new revenue raised to stabilize county and city governments, through this program. the Black Lung Disability Trust elected officials and candidates Source: US Department of Labor Fund also will enable Congress running for office to publicly to spend from a separate pot of support passage of all three meaexisting money for land and water restoration projects. sures.

Securing funding for the Black Lung Disability KFTC will work throughout this summer and Trust Fund is urgently needed, and doing so can trig- fall to educate and engage Kentucky voters around ger the release of funds to create hundreds of good new these issues. Also this fall, KFTC members will travel jobs in Central Appalachia. to Washington, DC and regional offices to meet with members of congress to urge action on these bills.

Pass the Miners’ Protection Act (H.R. 3913 and To learn more about ways you can take action, S.B. 1911), a bill to secure the UMWA’s (United contact Lisa Abbot at Lisa@kftc.org or 859-200-5159.

Miner Workers of America) 1974 Pension Fund. This is another federal fund designed to provide pension benefits for union miners who were guaranteed pensions by coal companies that have gone bankrupt.

Unless Congress acts, this fund is expected to become insolvent somewhere around 2022-2023. It currently supports 87,000 beneficiaries, and there are 20,000 more miners who are vested for their pensions but have not yet begun to receive benefits.

A bipartisan Joint Committee of U.S. senators and representatives was established to figure out a solution.

This group is scheduled to report to Congress in late November 2018.

The congressional committee In June, Harlan County KFTC member Stanley Sturgill (pictured is holding public hearings in differ- above at the 2012 I Love Mountains Day) spoke at a congresent locations around the country as sional forum about poverty, coordinated with the Poor People’s it works to develop a solution for Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. Sturgill was asked the pension fund, and will meet in by Rep. Barbara Lee about the need for higher minimum wage Columbus, Ohio on July 12. The and living wage laws. “Right now there is a move on, especially UMWA is sponsoring buses to take in Kentucky, for this new “Right-to-Work” law. I’ve been a union member since 1968. I have black lung. I worked 41 years in the coal its Kentucky members. mines. And I’d say when they introduce laws like that, they aren’t KFTC members and allies are looking to increase the minimum wage. They are looking at going gearing up to build public pressure backwards, not making progress,” Sturgill replied.

www.kftc.org | July 9, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 25

Leadership development

Being involved keeps Fannie Madden-Grider from despair

By Fannie Madden-Grider I want to thank KFTC for helping my husband Alvin and me keep the despair and darkness away during the last year. Last night marked our first anniversary with the Rowan County chapter. Although we joined in April at an event in Lexington, our first meeting locally was the 2017 annual chapter meeting.

We recruited four more members by September, all of whom have been active on the Democracy Team.

All of us except Alvin, who will soon begin working full-time with KFTC through December, have signed up to serve on local and statewide committees. Alvin brought a new member to the chapter’s annual meeting last night, and a couple more college students are going to other chapters back home this summer, then coming to the Rowan chapter in the fall as new members.

So, despite our inability to reproduce ourselves in the form of human babies, we have reproduced ourselves in grown human activists by a factor of 6 or 7 in the last year. We are both in our 60s now and did it without reproductive technology. Our goal is to continue reproducing ourselves by at least two annually, but hopefully another half dozen. Imagine the making

of love that goes into so much reproduction.

When we are too old or crippled or ill to carry on, or are dead, there will be enough to carry on for us and do our part. We are MoveOn volunteers, too, and although the work is important and satisfying, it is much better to have real humans you can sit with, not just visit on a screen.

I remember the dark days in the three months after the 2016 election. My initial reaction was to "blow up (my) TV, throw away (my) paper, move to the country . . ." and talk only to cats for the rest of my life. But something inside me wouldn't let me do that. After connecting with MoveOn and Indivisible, I kept having an image of me on a dark stage, pulling the heavy curtain aside just a crack, and seeing a bit of light from the footlights. With more like-minded folks on the cast and crew – not to mention the patrons whose generous support would make the work easier – I could open the curtains wider and wider, I thought, coming out of the darkness all together.

Local KFTC organizer apprentices Jonah Cabiles, Nikita Perumal and Angel Hill, KFTC staffers Beth

Howard and Sasha Zaring, KFTC chairperson Meta Mendel-Reyes, instructor Megan E. Murph and all the wonderful people in the Organizing Academy – from a 7th grader and a high school student to college students and recent grads to adults much younger than us – have helped me open the curtains wider and wider.

I am confident that, even if I am not around to see it happen, eventually KFTC will tug and pull and maybe even cut it into pieces if necessary until those curtains are flung wide open. Then, all of us waiting on a dark stage for the play to begin – a play about an America where all of us are treated fairly and given a seat at the table of American abundance and privilege – can step into the light and begin Act 1.

Until then, it is way less scary to have you all hanging out with me in the darkness, peeking out at the light, and having a brilliant time rehearsing, practicing lines and building the set for the play.

Thank you all for auditioning, practicing, rehearsing and for being co-directors with us during the last year of KFTC life and the six-month Organizing Academy. I hope to connect with you all in the sequel.

KFTC NEWS

Ruling halts Bevin’s Medicaid rollback; he starts another Gov. Matt Bevin’s effort to take away health care for tens of thousands of Kentuckians was blocked by a federal judge just days before it was to go into effect on July 1.

The governor quickly retaliated by taking away, without warning, dental and vision coverage for 460,000 Kentuckians.

Dentists and other care providers reported in early July that they were forced to turn away patients with appointments because of the loss of insurance.

The ruling came from US District Judge James Boasberg. Finding for 16 Kentuckians who sued Bevin, he vacated approval of Bevin’s Medicaid overhaul by the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar. Boasberg said Azar had neglected to analyze whether Kentucky’s plan would cause recipients to lose their health insurance.

The Bevin administration has acknowledged that up to 100,000 Kentuckians could lose coverage

because of the plan.

The judge sent the matter back to the Department for Health and Human Services for further review. He ruled that the Trump administration didn't consider the basic provisions of federal Medicaid law, which is to provide access to health care for lowincome and vulnerable citizens.

“Kentucky’s Medicaid population consists of hardworking parents, caregivers and other community members who need access to health care,” said Emily Beauregard, executive director of Kentucky Voices for Health. “During the waiver comment period, over 3,000 Kentuckians voiced their opinion on the devastating effects of this policy, and the court heard those voices.”

Boasberg cited the comments of thousands of Kentuckians as influential in his ruling.

Medicaid covers about 1.4 million Kentuckians, more than 600,000 of them children. The federal

government provides about 80 percent of the money for Kentucky’s Medicaid program.

Bevin's proposed changes to Medicaid include work requirements, premiums and other new rules.

The net effect is that people eligible for Medicaid would have to “earn” the right to go to the doctor and receive care – and thousands would lose coverage.

“This ruling recognizes the critical role Medicaid plays in providing health care in Kentucky. This coverage is not only good for the health of 1.4 million Kentuckians, it’s good for our economy, too. Removing these radical and unnecessary barriers to coverage was the right call,” said Dustin Pugel, a policy analyst for the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy.

Bevin and his spokespeople argue that rescinding dental and vision care for 460,000 Kentuckians was a consequence of the federal court ruling. However, the overhaul plan was written specifically to achieve that result should the plan not go into effect.

www.kftc.org | July 9, 2018

26 | Balancing the Scales

KFTC News

Staff changes at KFTC: Pentz headed north, apprentices added Kevin Pentz, a long-time KFTC community organizer, has accepted a similar organizing job in New England and has left the KFTC staff.

“I’ve had a long run organizing with Kentuckians For The Commonwealth and I’m leaving with a ton of respect and gratitude,” Pentz said in a Facebook message. “The members, leaders, and staff have built an incredible organization that is a growing force for justice here in Kentucky and I feel privileged to have been able to play a part in seeing KFTC grow and transform over the last 20+ years.”

Pentz was KFTC’s Canary Project organizer, working around issues of coal, energy, water and just transition, primarily in eastern Kentucky.

In early July he started organizing with Rights And Democracy in New Hampshire. *** ** *** ** *** KFTC welcomed three new organizer apprentices in June.

Lakin Dillingham, Taylor Adam and Alvin Madden-Grider will work with KFTC’s eastern Kentucky team for the next six months, through the end of 2018. Their focus is on helping strengthen membership and chapters in the region.

Together with KFTC’s grassroots leaders and organizers, they will work to engage thousands of

people in eastern Kentucky around key issues, voting and opportunities to take action.

Current issue campaigns prioritized by KFTC chapters in eastern Kentucky include efforts to deploy more affordable, clean energy; win passage of the federal RECLAIM Act; protect public workers’ pensions and affordable health care; advance racial justice and LGBTQ equality; promote needle exchanges and other harm-reduction strategies; oppose a proposed pipeline; expand voting rights; and other campaigns to advance a Just Transition.

Lakin Dillingham was raised in Knox County and now lives in Laurel County. She is earning a BS in Criminal Justice and AS in Police Studies through Eastern Kentucky University. She’s been an active chapter leader in KFTC’s Cumberland Chapter, while also balancing several jobs and school.

Dillingham hopes to see more empowered voices in her community who find their place within KFTC and partner organizations.

She will work primarily with the Cumberland and Harlan County chapters, along with KFTC Organizer Apprentice Angel Hill.

Taylor Adams studied HisLakin Dillingham tory and Appalachian Studies at the University of Kentucky. She then spent three years serving as an AmeriCorps Service Member in West Virginia and Kentucky. Most recently, she worked to organize the archives at the Hindman

Creative ways to invest in KFTC In addition to your membership dues, did you know you can give even more to KFTC without doing anything extra? With alternative giving programs like MyChange, Kroger Community Rewards and Amazon Smile, a portion of your purchases can be directed to KFTC.

Settlement School in Knott County.

Adams also previously served on the board of the STAY Project (Stay Together Appalachian Youth) for two years. She resides in Knott County and will work primarily with the Big Sandy Taylor Adams and Perry County chapters, along with KFTC Organizer Apprentice Jacob Mack-Boll.

Alvin Madden-Grider is a long-time resident of Rowan County. He and his wife Fannie are active in KFTC’s Rowan County chapter. They both recently participated in KFTC initial Organizing Academy cohort. Together they’ve done extensive community outreach and electoral organizing through KFTC, MoveOn.org and other activist groups.

Madden-Grider will retire from Morehead State University in mid-July where he oversaw the student tutoring program. He will officially begin his work with KFTC on July 23. He will work primarily with the Rowan County chapter and in other eastern Kentucky counties served by rural elecAlvin Maddentric cooperatives, along with Grider KFTC Organizer Apprentice Nikita Perumal.

Kroger Community Rewards – Krogercommunityrewards.com Choose Kentucky Coalition, organization #10888 It takes only a few minutes to type in your Kroger Plus Card number and choose Kentucky Coalition.

It’s easy. Just visit these websites to sign up, and without even thinking about it you’ll be giving more to build grassroots power in Kentucky.

Amazon Smile – Smile.amazon.com Choose Kentucky Coalition, Inc. When you shop through the Smile website at smile.amazon.com, 0.5% of the purchase price will benefit KFTC.

MyChange – mychange.com/kentuckians-for-the-commonwealth Sign up for MyChange and start “rounding up” your credit card purchases to the nearest dollar and donating the “change” to KFTC.

Heine Brothers’ Coffee – Heinebroscoffee.com Purchase a bag of Mountain Dream Coffee and KFTC will receive 50 cents (heinebroscoffee.com/shop/mountain-dream/).

www.kftc.org | July 9, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 27

calendar of events July 9 and August 13 Jefferson County chapter meeting 6:30 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church 809 S. 4th St., Louisville Info: Becky@kftc.org or 502-741-8759

July 24 and August 28 – Southern Kentucky chapter meetings, 6 p.m. at the Foundry Community Center 531 W 11th Ave. in Bowling Green Info: Molly@kftc.org or 502-599-3989

July 15 – Western Kentucky chapter meeting, 3 p.m. in Room 208, Faculty Hall at Murray State University Info: Lesley@kftc.org or 270-564-8687

July 25 – Film screening: “Making a Killing: Guns, Greed and the NRA” hosted by the Scott County chapter 6 p.m., Scott County Public Library 104 S. Bradford Lane in Georgetown Info: Joe@kftc.org or 859-380-6103

July 16 and August 20 Perry County chapter meeting 6 p.m., location TBD Info: Jacob@kftc.org or 606-497-9262 July 17 and August 21 – Northern Kentucky chapter meetings; 7 p.m. at Center for Great Neighborhoods, 321 W. 12th Street, Covington Info: Joe@kftc.org or 859-380-6103 July 19 and August 16 Shelby County chapter meeting 6 p.m. at the Stratton Center 215 Washington Street in Shelbyville Info: Becky@kftc.org or 502-741-8759 July 19 and August 16 Rowan County chapter meeting 6 p.m. at St. Albans Church 145 E. 5th St., Morehead Info: Nikita@kftc.org or 502-488-3830 July 19 and August 16 Central Kentucky chapter meeting 7 p.m. at the Episcopal Mission House 203 E. 4th Street, Lexington Info: Meredith@kftc.org or 859-276-0563 July 23 and August 27 – Madison County chapter meetings, 7 p.m. at the Berea Friends Meeting House 300 Harrison Street, Berea Info: Sasha@kftc.org or 859-358-9713

August 2 and September 6 Scott County potluck & chapter meetings, 6:30 p.m., Scott County Public Library 104 S. Bradford Lane in Georgetown Info: Joe@kftc.org or 859-380-6103 August 3-5 KFTC Annual Membership Meeting Berea College Information and registration at: http://kftc.org/events/2018-annualmembership-meeting August 6 – chapter meeting, 7 p.m.

September 3 – chapter meeting and potluck, 6:30 p.m. – Wilderness Trace InterCounty Energy Community Room 1009 Hustonville Rd., Danville Info: Sasha@kftc.org or 859-358-9713 August 7 – Big Sandy, chapter meeting, 6 p.m. TBD Info: Jacob@kftc.org or 606-497-9262 August 9 – Write for Democracy workshop Southern Kentucky 7 p.m. at the KFTC Bowling Green office 958 Collett Ave. (conference room) Info: Laura@kftc.org or 270-282-4553 August 17 – the 37th anniversary of KFTC’s official founding

Front cover: The Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival held speakouts and actions six successive weeks in May and June on the steps of the capitol in Frankfort.

National campaign leader, Rev. William Barber II, joined the group on June 4 and June 13.

KFTC OFFICES and STAFF MAIN OFFICE Morgan Brown, Burt Lauderdale, Ashley Frasher, Angel Hill and Lakin Dillingham 131 North Mill Street P.O. Box 1450 | London, Kentucky 40743 606-878-2161 | Fax: 606-878-5714

FIELD OFFICES Louisville E’Beth Adami, Alicia Hurle, Becky Jones and Carissa Lenfert 735 Lampton Street #202 • Louisville, Ky. 40203 502-589-3188 Bowling Green Molly Kaviar, Laura Harper, Lesley Garrett, Alex Goldsmith and James Line 958 Collett Ave., Suite 500 Bowling Green, Ky. 42101 270-282-4553 Northern Kentucky Joe Gallenstein and Caitlin Sparks 640 Main Street • Covington, Ky. 41005 859-380-6103 Central Kentucky Jessica Hays Lucas, Beth Howard, Heather Mahoney, Erik Hungerbuhler, Meredith Wadlington, Tyler Offerman, Sharon Murphy, Tayna Fogle, DeBraun Thomas and Nikita Perumal 250 Plaza Drive, Suite 4 Lexington, Ky 40503 859-276-0563 Floyd County Jessie Skaggs, Jerry Hardt, Jacob Mack-Boll and Taylor Adams 152 North Lake Drive • P.O. Box 864 Prestonsburg, Ky 41653 606-263-4982 Berea Lisa Abbott, Amy Hogg, Sasha Zaring and Michael Harrington 210 N. Broadway, Unit #3 • Berea, Ky 40403 859-756-4027

Morehead Alvin Madden-Grider 606-207-9199

Email any staff member at firstname@kftc.org except for Jessica Hays Lucas, use jessicabreen@ kftc.org; Beth Howard, use bethhoward@kftc.org

www.kftc.org | July 9, 2018

28 | Balancing the Scales

You can build grassroots power in Kentucky Through an automatic, recurring gift, you can help ensure that KFTC’s work to build grassroots power keeps happening every day, all year long.

When you become a Sustaining Giver: • You get to choose how much and how often you give.

• You can make a bigger impact. Small monthly gifts can add up to a deeper investment throughout the year.

• It’s easy. Once your Sustaining Gift is set up, you never have to worry about renewing your membership.

Become a Sustaining Giver, and we’ll send you our KFTC logo T-shirt!

Become a Sustaining Giver or update your Sustaining Gift today.

Name: _____________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________ City: _____________________________________________ state & Zip: ____________________________

_________

Phone: _____________________________________________ Email: _____________________________________________ Select what organization you would like to donate to: KFTC: Membership dues and donations are not tax-deductible.

Kentucky Coalition: Membership dues and donations are tax-deductible.

Sign up online: www.KFTC.org/sustaining-giver

Your automatic, recurring gift provides steady income to support KFTC’s work throughout the year. Become a Sustaining Giver or update an existing Sustaining Gift today, and help build power to achieve our vision for Kentucky.

And we’ll send you a perk!

Make me a Sustaining Giver!

I will contribute $ _____ every:

Month

Quarter

Year

To update an existing Sustaining Gift, contact Ashley at ashley@kftc.org or (606) 878-2161.

Choose your T-shirt size!

To thank you, we’d like to send you our KFTC logo T-shirt! We appreciate you!

XS

S

M

L

XL

2X

Or skip the premium and put more of your donation straight to work.