Group Leaders,

It seems like every single week these days we could start these emails by saying “what a week it’s been…”. But truly, what a week it’s been. We hope you’re hanging in there and that you and yours are safe and healthy. 

This past week, we’ve seen more and more depraved, irresponsible, and corrupt actions from Donald Trump. Every day Trump’s total disregard for oversight measures that could curb his corruption is made more clear. One of the coronavirus recovery packages passed by Congress required an existing inspector general be selected by a council of other inspectors general to provide oversight for the $2 trillion relief package. In accordance with that law, a council of inspectors general selected Glenn Fine, the acting inspector general at the Department of Defense who has worked under both Democratic and Republican administrations, to lead the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee. But earlier this week, Trump abruptly fired him. Recently, Trump also fired several other inspectors general who served as checks against corruption, fraud, abuse, and waste of federal funds. These firings are an appalling erosion of the checks and balances in our government (especially since Trump has made a hobby of ignoring Congressional oversight), and should serve as a serious warning of the dangers of the Trump administration. It’s no exaggeration to say that our republic is in grave danger if Trump is re-elected. 

In addition to this string of firing and punishing whistleblowers, the federal government is also continuing to fail in its response to the coronavirus pandemic, and has been woefully ineffective in getting people assistance they so crucially need. Small business loans promised in relief legislation are difficult to apply for, and those who do apply are experiencing delays and uncertainty. Stimulus checks may take months to get to Americans who desperately need immediate relief, and some impacted folks aren’t eligible for them. And, right as the pandemic is starting to reach peak infection and death rates in the U.S., underscoring the importance of increasing testing availability, the federal government has announced it will be ending funding for coronavirus testing, forcing some testing sites to close. It’s clear that the Trump administration has criminally mishandled the response to the pandemic, resulting in untold preventable suffering and death. We can’t let anyone in our lives forget this as we approach November’s election. 

The good news is that people are mobilizing across our movement to fight for a response that serves the needs of people, not corporations -- and momentum is growing for a People’s Bailout. Read on for actions you can take at home right now that will help push for people-first coronavirus policy and protect our democracy. 

Here are your top actions to promote people over profits and protect our democracy:

1. Call both your senators to urge them to ensure safe and secure elections during the outbreak. On Monday, the Supreme Court sided with the Wisconsin Republican Party and ruled that in-person voting in Wisconsin this week had to continue despite major pandemic-related voter suppression -- in Milwaukee, polling places were reduced from 180 to just five and voters waited in hail and rain for hours, risking their health and safety, to exercise their civic duty. This type of voter suppression is a serious concern leading up to the general election in November, and Trump and his allies have already started openly speaking out against vote by mail and other election safety initiatives. The stakes are high: in order to safeguard our democracy, Congress must prioritize implementing and funding vote by mail across the country before the November election, and they must act as quickly as possible to do so.
2. Call both of your senators to demand they prioritize a coronavirus People’s Bailout. Congress has now passed three coronavirus-related response bills. While these bills have temporarily filled in important gaps in our paid sick leave, unemployment insurance, and health care systems, they are grossly insufficient given the magnitude of the current crisis. What’s worse, in return for helping people who are desperately in need of support, Trump and his Republican allies demanded hundreds of billions of dollars in unaccountable corporate bailouts. This crisis isn’t over and soon Congress will likely have to pass at least one additional response package. We need to continue demanding that any coronavirus response legislation puts people’s needs ahead of corporate profits. Call today.
3. Demand your representative do the same. Use our script to tell your representative they must center people before profits and prioritize a People's Bailout in response to the coronavirus crisis. Ahead of the next coronavirus relief package, we need to do our part to flood the phone lines of our MoCs and make sure they know that their constituents are demanding a people-first bailout.
4. Email your members of Congress and urge them to prioritize a coronavirus People’s Bailout. After you’ve made your calls, you can also send an email to the elected officials who represent you to demand they prioritize people over profits. It takes less than 5 minutes to send an email; click here to send yours.
5. Record a video about why you support a People’s Bailout. Use our tool Soapboxx to record a video for social media demanding your members of Congress pass a People's Bailout in response to the coronavirus crisis and to urge your friends, family, and neighbors to get involved in this fight.

Sanders leaves the race, but the fight continues. 🌹

Yesterday, we saw news that was disheartening for many Indivisibles -- Senator Bernie Sanders suspended his campaign for President, solidifying Joe Biden as the presumptive Democratic nominee. We know a lot of Indivisibles poured their hearts into fighting for other candidates, and that this isn’t the result they were hoping for. But while yesterday marked the end of the Sanders campaign, it absolutely did not end what the campaign was fighting for. Progressive candidates like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren made a real difference in their presidential runs, and showed that progressivism and fundamental, structural change are more popular than ever. 

Last year, we launched the We Are Indivisible pledge. The pledge was a promise to keep the primary a robust contest of ideas, but also to support and rally behind the eventual Democratic nominee -- period. And we’re proud that almost every Democratic candidate for president signed it, along with thousands of activists across the country. Now that we have a presumptive nominee, it’s time to follow through with that pledge -- but that does not by any means indicate that the work to build a broad coalition of supporters, push for progressive ideals at every turn, and power a huge blue wave in November has ended. In fact, it’s just getting started.

We need to work to continue to pressure Joe Biden to prioritize the issues Indivisibles care about to make him the strongest candidate to take on Trump. We need to send Joe Biden to the White House. We need to take back the Senate. We need to retain the House. And we need to do our part to fight disinformation. If you’re feeling disappointed and disillusioned, it’s understandable, and it’s okay to take some time to reflect and recover. But after that, it’s going to be all hands on deck to defeat Trump, save Democracy, and elect leaders up and down the ballot who will fight for the issues that matter to Indivisibles. Make no mistake: progressives aren’t going anywhere. We’re committed to keep fighting, and we hope you’re with us.

Have you signed up for VoteFWD yet? ✉️

VoteFWD is a nationwide letter-writing campaign to reach voters in key states before the November election, maximize impact, and increase turnout -- and it’s a great way to stay engaged and active at home to help build voter turnout ahead of the November election. 

Here’s how it works:

1. Sign up to write letters by clicking here.
2. Then, VoteFWD provides you with names, addresses, and a template to write letters to voters in important states.
3. Save your letters and send them right before the election so that voters receive them at the perfect, most-strategic moment. 

We’re encouraging groups to hold digital letter-writing parties so that Indivisibles can continue connecting with their communities but from the safety of their own homes. Click here to check out our letter-writing resource for more ways to plug into the movement digitally.

Two weeks left to submit 🌻GROW🌻 grant applications

The GrassRoots Organizing Wins (GROW) Grants program is still underway. This program gives Indivisible groups the opportunity to apply for grants that will increase group collaboration and build group capacity. You can read more information about the program and application process here.

We originally imagined this program would be used to bring groups and members together in person, but during this period of physical distancing we are seeing Indivisible groups come up with creative ways to build capacity and collaborate while staying safe. We welcome applications that reflect this current reality. 

The deadline for the first round of grant applications is April 23rd and we’ll be notifying the first recipients by May 5th. Submit your application today!

Spring matching challenge is underway! 💲

The distributed fundraising program matching period has begun! From April 6th through May 31st, all of the funds your group raises through the distributed fundraising program will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to a maximum of $500 per group.

If your group isn’t already a part of the distributed fundraising program, you can click here to sign up today! And be sure to check out the resources and guides here to get started with your fundraising. 

Already a part of the distributed fundraising program and wondering how you can connect with other groups? Join our new facebook group here! This is a place where group leaders and treasurers can discuss experiences using the distributed fundraising program to learn and connect together.

If you have questions about the distributed fundraising program or the match, reach out to fundraising@indivisible.org!

Social Distancing Organizing Resources

We’re planning to continue sharing and updating this section for the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak to make sure you have what you need to organize online during this time. Know of any great resources we’re missing that might benefit other groups? Send them our way at field@indivisible.org. 

• Review our resource page for organizing during social distancing. This page is a living document that is updated as more resources are developed and shared with us. It includes information about organizing while social distancing, a relatively extensive list of video conferencing resources for virtual meetings, a list of actions you can take remotely, as well as reputable mutual aid resources for those who want to support their neighbors and communities during this time. Seriously, check this one out -- it’s got a LOT of good information. 
• Indivisible People’s Bailout Page. This webpage is our home base for all the organizing that is to come around ensuring responses to the coronavirus are people-first and prioritize the needs, health, and safety of people over the profits of corporations and businesses. We’ll be updating this page regularly with timely actions you and your group members can take based on the latest news about federal policy and legislation. This is a great one to bookmark! 
• Looking for new virtual speakers to keep people engaged during this time? If your group or statewide coalition of groups is interested in hearing from Leah, Ezra or other Indivisible staff who are experts on various policy/political issues, reach out to your Indivisible organizer to make the request. 

You’re invited: Upcoming Digital Events

Trump’s COVID Fails Digital Rally 
Pennsylvania’s statewide Indivisible groups and other partner groups have come together to plan a digital rally tomorrow night, April 10, at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT. The goal is to show lawmakers and media outlets that we can join our voices to raise awareness and compel change while adhering to local stay-at-home orders and social distancing recommendations. To participate, folks can write “Trump’s COVID Fails’ on a piece of paper, take a picture of themselves in PPE/mask/whatever you are using to cover your face when you leave the house, and then tweet the picture out using the hashtag #TrumpsCOVIDFails between 8-9pm ET/5-6pm PT. Check out the website for more information.
Friday, April 10th, 8pmET/ 5pm PT

How to Facilitate Online Spaces that Work
Not all online meetings are created equal. Come learn best practices on how to create and facilitate online meeting spaces that are inclusive, effective and motivating. We will be covering both technological best practices (such as  Zoom and Google Suites how-tos), along with facilitation best practices. Please note these two times will cover the same material.
Monday, April 13th at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT
Wednesday, April 15th at 3pm ET/ 12pm PT

Media Training Webinar Series
This series will talk about media outreach, including how to build a media list and relationships with local reporters, interview tips and tricks, and finally assistance in building out a media plan for indivisible groups. Though the series builds upon one another, it is not required that you attend all. See below for when the trainings will be held and make sure that you and your groups don’t miss this chance to brush up on your media skills! 
Tuesday, April 14 at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT: Workshop/office hours time to ask questions about media outreach with Indivisible’s national press team

Structural Inequalities that led to COVID-19 
The COVID-19 outbreak affects everyone; regardless of race, gender, immigration status, disability, or any other identity. And yet we’ve seen that the response to this outbreak has not been equitable or comprehensive. Come explore the historical context that set the stage for today’s COVID-19 reality and learn what we can all do as Indivisibles to build a new future coming out of this crisis.
Monday, April 20, 8pm ET/ 5pm PT 
Wednesday, April 22, 3pm ET/12pm PT

IndivisiText Textbanking Training
Learn how to start texting with the IndivisiText program on our platform TextOut! We’re hoping to send 10 million texts before Election Day and we’re looking for volunteers who want to help. We send texts for endorsed IndivisiCandidates, to do volunteer recruitment, get out the vote actions, and more. Check out our texting schedule to get a sense of the kinds of campaigns we run; then, sign up for one of our two trainings to get started! These will cover the same material, so there is no need to attend both. 
Tuesday, April 21, 8:30pm ET/ 5:30pm PT
Sunday, April 26, 7pm ET/ 4pm PT

Red and Rural Webinar Series: Episode 1
The Red and Rural Webinar will focus on folks who live and work in rural communities all over the US. This will be a space to share insights from our experiences living and organizing in rural areas, and what lessons we have learned fighting for our communities.
Thursday, April 23, 8pm ET/ 5pm PT

Indivisible Social Opportunities
To keep our spirits up during these trying times, it’s important that we find ways to gather as a community and have some fun. To that end, we are also debuting two SOCIAL opportunities this month!
Share Your Secret Talent Video Campaign
This is a campaign to assist our movement in spreading more positivity and joy into the world. We know Indivisibles are talented organizers, but what other secret talents do you have? Record a video highlighting a secret talent, this can be anything from a musical performance, comedy routine, dancing, yoga, or anything else that keeps you entertained while social distancing. Submit entries by April 19th for a chance to be featured on the social distance Saturday event on April 25th.
Saturday, April 25, 8pm ET/ 5pm PT: Social Distance Saturday
This virtual get-together is a chance to connect with Indivisibles from across the country for some fun! Come enjoy music, laughter, and connection with Indivisibles from across our network for a little reprieve from the challenging times we're in.

This week’s digital meeting highlight 

“WIN—a network of Washington State indivisible groups—had 38 people from 20 groups join in on a call to recap the 2020 legislative session with our House Finance Chair, Rep. Gael Tarleton. That's 25% of the groups in WA state! Rep. Tarleton did a great job of highlighting the successes of the session, balancing it with the realities of going from a $1.2B budget surplus to a $5B shortfall in just over a month due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We had a robust Q&A session with Rep. Tarleton as well, covering topics from childcare for essential workers to transportation to the importance of public education in increasing voter turnout. It was a great call.”  

In solidarity,
Indivisible Team

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