Photo courtesy of Daniel Morrison
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This election season sure has been an interesting one.
Between having the first African American presidential candidate, our nation being at war, and the
current crisis in the money markets, it would be hard for anyone not to realize the
importance of November 4,
2008.
Although I know there is the will and the desire for people
to get involved in the election and make our voices be heard, this can be a
scary proposition for anyone who is employed by, or works with, a nonprofit organization
with 501(c)(3) status, like UUSC.
There are many laws that control how these organizations and
their staff conduct themselves during an election cycle. But I would argue that
it is a moral imperative that we get involved in all the ways that can this election season.
Although 501(c)(3) staff CAN NOT tell people who to vote for,
we can talk about the issues that we care about. Working for a nonprofit
organization and knowing many
people on a personal basis means we have a good idea of what community members care
about and what is affecting them on a day-to-day basis.
There are national issues such as the war in Iraq,
the inadequate attention paid to Gulf
Coast recovery, and the genocide in
Darfur.
These are issues that can galvanize people to
make their voices heard.
In addition, there are many local ballot initiatives that 501(c)(3)
staff can lobby the public on. For instance, I live in Massachusetts,
born and bred, and we are in the midst of a fight of a lifetime on Ballot
Question 1. This is a move to repeal the state income tax, which provides 40 percent of the Massachusetts state budget.
When I think of all the people I have worked with in the
social service sector and how many organizations would be crippled by the passage of
Ballot Question 1, I am frightened about what might happen.
Similarly, many states have ballot initiatives promoting
“the protection of marriage,” a movement to limit the rights of gay,
lesbian, transgender, and bisexual citizens.
Make no mistake, people are being galvanized on both sides
of these issues.0 (They call them “wedge issues” for a reason!)
As employees and volunteers in the nonprofit sector who have
dedicated our time and passion to the issues and people we care about, we have
a responsibility to help our constituents make their voices heard.
DON’T name a candidate of your liking.
DO make sure your elderly neighbor can get to the polls.
DO take voter registration forms to your local homeless
shelter.
DO organize members of your congregation to register voters.
A lot is at stake on November 4, no matter what your
political affiliation. Voting is one of our rights. For those of us committed
to human rights, it is our responsibility to help make voting possible for all
the people we work for.
For more information about the Dos and Don’ts of 501(c)(3)
organizations, in particular churches, read the UUA’s The Real
Rules: Congregations and the IRS Guidelines On Advocacy, Lobbying, and
Elections.
