Advocacy Resource

Every year, I leave FCNL’s annual meeting feeling new energy and enthusiasm. I leave buoyed and encouraged by the shared commitment of several hundred Friends and friends of Friends to the causes of peace, equality, justice, and a sustainable future.

When you first ask for a meeting with your member of Congress (moC), the response a staffer is most likely to give you is “No”. A former congressional staffer explains why this is, and how to make the most of it.

In Quaker meetings and churches, meeting minutes represent the wording of a decision or an agreed upon action to be taken by the meeting or church as a whole. FCNL recognizes the vitality of minutes as advocacy tools and as a means of communicating to members of Congress how a body of their constituents is thinking and acting on a particular issue.

We are called to stand up for justice and love in our communities and with our elected leaders. Here are some ways we can do that.

Setting up a meeting at your member of Congress’ local office can be a lengthy and complicated process, but don’t let this obstacle deter you from doing it! Making an in-person lobby visit is one of the most effective ways to communicate your concerns to your member of congress.

Your work isn’t over on Election Day. While your members of Congress might agree with you, are they leaders on issues you care about, or are they sitting on the sidelines? Work with your members of Congress to advance peace and justice.

It can be frustrating when your members of Congress disagree with you on many or even most issues. But with persistence, organizing, and strategy, you can move your members of Congress toward peace and justice.

Our country is struggling with deep divisions. Amid the blame of and attack on those who are different - in political views, race, religion, country of origin, or sexual orientation - it becomes even more urgent to highlight the value we place in one another. FCNL’s #LoveThyNeighbor (No Exceptions) campaign seeks to shift the narrative.

Use this tool to assign responsibilities and plan for your lobby visits on any issue.

Do emails to Congress work? While a single email won’t often change a policymaker’s position, email is a critical part of strategic advocacy for the policies you care about.