Indivisible Tucson Action Alliance December, 2020 ANNOUNCEMENTS—Karen announced that Field Team 6 will be conducting voter registration drives on December 14 & 15. Gil, who coordinates these events in southern Arizona, said that the goal was to register 3,000 new voters by January 2020. Dana noted that ITAA will soon have new business cards printed that will include the url for our new website (indivisibletucson.org). Dana and Helen briefed us on Flip the West, a coalition of about 100 progressive groups in southern Arizona, that wants to coordinate voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts. Helen, from Indivisible & Strong, talked about a stronger affiliation between her group and ITAA, including having her members be part of ITAA, and participate in our teams. We are still sorting out what this closer affiliation might look like. Ally Miller, Pima County Supervisor from District 1, announced that she won’t be seeking reelection! Lea announced that people might want to participate in Civics 2.0, which is offered by the Pima County Party on the third Sunday of the month. The topic is how the Arizona legislature “works.” Go the Party’s website to register. GUEST SPEAKER--Joanna Mendoza was introduced. She is running for the Democratic nomination for the Arizona state senate in LD 11 and hopes to unseat the incumbent, Vince Leach. She described her background growing up in Arizona, her service in both the Navy and Marines, and her legislative priorities, such as education and protecting Arizona water resources. NOMINATIONS--Per the guidelines for ITAA approved last month, Eileen asked for nominations for chair and vice-chair. Karen Harris nominated Dana Offerman for chair; the nomination was seconded by Bill . Jackie nominated Margo for vice-chair; the nomination was seconded by Lea . There were no additional nominations. Voting for these positions will occur at the January meeting.
REPORTS STATE TEAM—Eileen announced a meeting of the state team on December 10 at 4:30. Also, the letters to the editor group will meet this coming Sunday, December 15 at Beyond Bread on Oracle and Ina at 10:00. The state team will renew efforts to utilize the Request to Speak (RTS) process once the Arizona legislature is back in session. She and Suzanne will train people on how to use RTS. Dana encouraged members to sign up for the newsletter from Civic Engagement: Beyond Voting, to get updates on pending legislation. Steve said that LD 9 and LD 11 will be conducting workshops on RTS. FEDERAL TEAM--In addition to the voter registration drives, the federal team encourages people to attend the Youth Climate strike this coming Friday, December 6 from 2:30-5:00. Voter registration will also occur at this event. Senator Sinema has an office in Tucson, but it has not opened yet. To arrange an appointment to meet with her or staff, we will have to go online. MEMBERSHIP TEAM—There will be a happy hour at the Keg on December 18 from 4:00-6:00. Please contact Beth or Suzanne if you are interested in attending. POSTCARD WRITING--Eileen explained that Republicans are orchestrating a postcard campaign to support Trump in the impeachment process. So the steering committee of ITAA provided postcards and the addresses of our members of Congress, so those present could send postcards to counter the Republican effort. A simple message, such as “no one is above the law,” was encouraged. INDIVISIBLE NATIONAL ISSUES--Dana and Eileen explained that the leaders and staff of Indivisible continue to push an early endorsement of a candidate for the Democratic nomination for president. We expect that a vote to proceed with endorsement will be conducted early next year; if that passes, a separate vote on candidates will occur. ITAA has expressed strong opposition to this. Our next meeting will be Monday January 6 at 3:30 at the Oro Valley Library.