Episco-Pols

This episode of Episco-Pols features two guest speakers in conversation about the role of secretaries of state and how voters can get trusted information about the upcoming election. The Rev. Canon C.K. Robertson, canon to the presiding bishop for ministry beyond The Episcopal Church, interviews the current president of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), the Honorable Scott Schwab of Kansas. NASS is the nation's oldest, nonpartisan professional organization for public officials. Their president is elected from within the membership, and each term alternates political party affiliation. How might a secretary of state play an important role in our country’s election? Listen to the episode to find out.

NASS has also continued their “Trusted Info” initiative this year with #TrustedInfo2024 to help voters connect to their local election officials and learn trusted, accurate information about our country’s elections. We hope you will make use of their resources and recommendations this election.

The Office of Government Relations aims to represent the policy priorities of The Episcopal Church to the U.S. government in Washington, D.C., and to influence policy and legislation on critical issues, highlighting the voices and experiences of Episcopalians and Anglicans globally. The office facilitates the Episcopal Public Policy Network, a grassroots network of Episcopalians engaged in the ministry of public policy advocacy. 

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Getting Ready to Vote Early! 

Tune in to hear from Bryce Bennett, executive director of Vote Early Day, about how this organization and the civic holiday it represents can help you in your personal efforts to vote and in boosting your church’s impact on voting in your area. Vote Early Day is October 29th, a moment to celebrate opportunities to cast our votes early, taking advantage where we can of early voting that can minimize the chances of unexpected disruptions preventing us from voting on Election Day.

The Episcopal Church through the Office of Government Relations is an official partner of Vote Early Day once again this year, building upon years of collaboration celebrating democracy and encouraging early voting across the United States.

The Office of Government Relations represents the policy priorities of The Episcopal Church to the U.S. government in Washington, D.C., and influences policy and legislation on critical issues, highlighting the voices and experiences of Episcopalians and Anglicans globally. The office facilitates the Episcopal Public Policy Network, a grassroots network of Episcopalians engaged in the ministry of public policy advocacy. 

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Episcopal churches can not only motivate people to vote through individual outreach, but they can also play integral roles in the processes that make our election happen. A parish serving as a polling site can be a critical way to help make voting more accessible. Serving as a polling site is also a helpful way to have a visible impact in our communities. While particularities will vary by state and location, the overall process can be surprisingly easy and is centered on forming important relationships around your community. 

In this episode, we speak with Antoinette Cheney, parish administrator at Saint John’s Episcopal Church in Memphis, Tenn., a parish that has served as a polling site in the past and plans to again in 2024. She will explore the details of how this process impacted the parish and offer inspiration for others considering this action.

The Office of Government Relations aims to represent the policy priorities of The Episcopal Church to the U.S. government in Washington, D.C., and to influence policy and legislation on critical issues, highlighting the voices and experiences of Episcopalians and Anglicans globally. The office facilitates the Episcopal Public Policy Network, a grassroots network of Episcopalians engaged in the ministry of public policy advocacy.

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Our guest speaker is Armani Eady, a national organizer from the Voting Rights Project at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, where she is a part of the non-partisan coalition, Election Protection. Ms. Eady speaks about Election Protection’s crucial role in the 2024 U.S. election. You will learn how you can collaborate to ensure confidence in the electoral process, including year-round non-partisan voter protection.

The Voting Rights Project features a network of over 400 coalition members and a suite of voter protection hotlines, including 866-OUR-VOTE. From aiding voters in polling places to countering disinformation, Election Protection is dedicated to safeguarding the democratic process. Through our office, The Episcopal Church is a national partner. 

The Office of Government Relations aims to represent the policy priorities of The Episcopal Church to the U.S. government in Washington, D.C., and to influence policy and legislation on critical issues, highlighting the voices and experiences of Episcopalians and Anglicans globally. The office facilitates the Episcopal Public Policy Network, a grassroots network of Episcopalians engaged in the ministry of public policy advocacy. 

Links:

The 2024 U.S. election season is well underway, as is our Episcopal election engagement, yet much remains to be done and much will unfold in the coming months. In our first installment for season 3 of Episco-pols, we set the stage for what it means to vote and vote faithfully. Rebecca and Alan explore aspects of election engagement, emerging concerns for this year, how Episcopalians can get involved, and why it is important to embody healthy, faith-informed civic engagement.

Speakers: Rebecca Linder Blachly, director, Office of Government Relations, and Alan Yarborough, church relations officer, Office of Government Relations 

The Office of Government Relations represents the policy priorities of The Episcopal Church to the U.S. government in Washington, D.C., and to influence policy and legislation on critical issues, highlighting the voices and experiences of Episcopalians and Anglicans globally. The office facilitates the Episcopal Public Policy Network, a grassroots network of Episcopalians engaged in the ministry of public policy advocacy. 

Links: 

In this special episode, we’re in conversation with Tom Hart, President of the ONE Campaign and former Director of The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations. We discuss the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the role of the faith community in the success of this program, and the urgent need for reauthorization. He will share his insights on the program and share his perspective on what steps must be taken to ensure that progress is not erased. 

About PEPFAR: In 2003, President George W. Bush launched PEPFAR, elevating the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS as a foreign policy priority. The faith community was instrumental in the development of this program, and we have continued to play a critical role in its success. PEPFAR has saved more than 25 million lives and fundamentally changed the course of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. PEPFAR’s authorization expired on September 30, and reauthorization is needed.

Tom Hart is President of the ONE Campaign. Tom has been with ONE since 2003 and most recently served as acting CEO while Gayle Smith was on leave at the U.S. State Department. Tom has years of experience in driving the fight to end extreme poverty, a deep knowledge of and experience in making change happen, and an undying commitment to ONE’s mission. Prior to serving as acting CEO, Tom was the North American executive director, where he oversaw ONE’s advocacy in the United States and Canada, as well as ONE’s global campaign against the COVID-19 pandemic. Tom has been part of the adoption of significant initiatives to support global health, increase electrification and private sector investment in Africa, and raise billions of dollars in poverty-fighting assistance. Previously, Tom was the senior director of government relations at ONE. Before joining ONE, Tom was the director of government relations for The Episcopal Church.

The Office of Government Relations aims to represent the policy priorities of The Episcopal Church to the U.S. government in Washington, D.C., and to influence policy and legislation on critical issues, highlighting the voices and experiences of Episcopalians and Anglicans globally. The office facilitates the Episcopal Public Policy Network, a grassroots network of Episcopalians engaged in the ministry of public policy advocacy. Learn more at https://www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/office-government-relations/. 

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Episcopal Election Activators is a volunteer program leading the church’s voter engagement efforts around the U.S.! Tune in to this episode to learn more about them, what’s expected if you sign up, and details for joining. Voter engagement is not just about making sure Episcopalians vote - it's also a matter of the church serving our broader community in helping facilitate participation in our elections.

The Office of Government Relations aims to represent the policy priorities of The Episcopal Church to the U.S. government in Washington, D.C., and to influence policy and legislation on critical issues, highlighting the voices and experiences of Episcopalians and Anglicans globally. The office facilitates the Episcopal Public Policy Network, a grassroots network of Episcopalians engaged in the ministry of public policy advocacy. Learn more at https://www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/office-government-relations/. 

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Did you know The Episcopal Church is part of the third largest Christian body in the world—the Anglican Communion—and that we have a lot of policy positions on foreign policy matters? Join Patricia Kisare, our legislative representative for international policy, in a review from the broad to the regional in our U.S. foreign policy engagement. 

The Office of Government Relations aims to represent the policy priorities of The Episcopal Church to the U.S. government in Washington, D.C., and to influence policy and legislation on critical issues, highlighting the voices and experiences of Episcopalians and Anglicans globally. The office facilitates the Episcopal Public Policy Network, a grassroots network of Episcopalians engaged in the ministry of public policy advocacy. Learn more at https://www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/office-government-relations/. 

MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:  

As we mark the Season of Creation and the feast of St. Francis, we sat down for a discussion with Susie Faria, our policy analyst for environmental advocacy. She leads us in a review from the broad to the specific in our engagement to protect the environment at the scale needed to address today’s challenges; our discussion includes the importance of environmental justice that addresses the concerns of the most marginalized, who are often most affected by environmental degradation. 

The Office of Government Relations aims to represent the policy priorities of The Episcopal Church to the U.S. government in Washington, D.C., and to influence policy and legislation on critical issues, highlighting the voices and experiences of Episcopalians and Anglicans globally. The office facilitates the Episcopal Public Policy Network, a grassroots network of Episcopalians engaged in the ministry of public policy advocacy. Learn more at https://www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/office-government-relations/. 

MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:  

In this first in a series of episodes this season, we are again joined by Lindsey Warburton to talk about the resolutions of The Episcopal Church that pertain to immigration, migration, and refugees. Yes, we are actively engaged in advocating for legislation and policy change in the U.S. government today, but what forms the basis for our positions in that process? Join to learn more about what the church’s governing and legislative bodies have said about immigration over nearly a century of speaking out about immigration reform. We hope this episode is helpful to listeners as the church gears up for its 2024 General Convention in Louisville.

 The Office of Government Relations aims to represent the policy priorities of The Episcopal Church to the U.S. government in Washington, D.C., and to influence policy and legislation on critical issues, highlighting the voices and experiences of Episcopalians and Anglicans globally. The office facilitates the Episcopal Public Policy Network, a grassroots network of Episcopalians engaged in the ministry of public policy advocacy. Learn more at https://www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/office-government-relations/.

MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: