Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

of the Religious Society of Friends

Legislative Policy Collaborative

Quakers Engage with Their Congressional Representatives in Washington DC

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On Friday, November 15th, about 40 Friends from the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM) area joined 438 other Friends from 43 states across the United States for meetings on Capitol Hill, in Washington, DC.

They came together for a day of FCNL-orchestrated meetings with congressional representatives. Conversations centered on the authorization of open-ended war and were supported by the year-round work done by a small group of Quakers in the Philadelphia area. These Friends work with FCNL to impact global and national issues through political processes open to all members of the American electorate. [Read more…] about Quakers Engage with Their Congressional Representatives in Washington DC

YAF Thursday Workshop at Sessions: The Future is Now

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In these politically charged and challenging times, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and fall into despair or indifference. Hope for a better future, “the world we seek” comes with the actions we take together on issues we care about. Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) provides the tools we need to take effective, strategic action on national policies. [Read more…] about YAF Thursday Workshop at Sessions: The Future is Now

Food Stamps End Poverty: Letter to the Editor published

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Judith Pilla of Radnor Monthly Meeting has published a letter to the editor in the December 23 Philadelphia Inquirer following a trip to Washington, DC, to lobby lawmakers on the importance of preserving the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits. The lobby visit was part of Friends Committee on National Legislation’s recent Annual Meeting and Lobby Day a few weeks ago. The Farm Bill, which included language preserving a more comprehensive set of SNAP benefits, passed both the Senate and the House of Representatives following lobby efforts by Friends and other like-minded folks. Philadelphia Yearly Meeting had one of the very largest delegations to FCNL’s lobby day and Annual Meeting. For more information on FCNL, please visit fcnl.org. The text of Judith’s letter to the editor is below: [Read more…] about Food Stamps End Poverty: Letter to the Editor published

Friday at FCNL – Tools for 400 Quaker Lobbyists

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Thanks to training by Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), several hundred more Quakers are now well-prepared for lobbying congress. Yesterday and today, FCNL held its Public Policy Institute in advance of the annual FCNL meeting, providing visiting Friends all the tools they need to effectively meet with congressional representatives and senators. [Read more…] about Friday at FCNL – Tools for 400 Quaker Lobbyists

Friends Convene in Washington to Lobby for Bipartisan Legislation with FCNL

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As Quakers from across the United States descended on the capital today, the density of the Quaker population increased significantly in Washington, DC. Friends came to the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) to talk about faith and witness, sharing their Quaker beliefs and work in support of civic society. [Read more…] about Friends Convene in Washington to Lobby for Bipartisan Legislation with FCNL

Appreciating FCNL

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The Quaker Life Council on behalf of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting approved on 11.17.18 the following minute of appreciation for Friends Committee on National Legislation.

Minute of Appreciation to Recognize the 75th Anniversary of The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)

Gwynedd Monthly Meeting would like to express its heartfelt appreciation for the 75 years of prayerful attention the Friends Committee on National Legislation has given to furthering Friends testimonies in national policy concerns.  Since the beginning, staff and supporters around the country have lobbied Congress to advance the causes of peace and justice. [Read more…] about Appreciating FCNL

Questions for Candidates

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Quakers have a long history of political engagement. As the midterm elections approach, the PYM / FCNL Legislative Policy Collaborative encourages all Friends to engage in constructive dialogue with candidates at Town Hall Meetings and via Letters to the Editor.

FCNL’s website section on Questions for Candidates offers nonpartisan guidance on issues Friends care about.

FCNL Advocacy team meets with Toomey Staff – by Carolyn Houghton

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Friends Committee on National Legislation has been actively developing “Advocacy Teams” across the United States. They offer training regarding best practices to employ when visiting with members of Congress or their staff. And each year FCNL focuses on a single issue;  this year it is improving US relations with North Korea. [Read more…] about FCNL Advocacy team meets with Toomey Staff – by Carolyn Houghton

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