RE-AMP September 2019: Equitable & Just Climate Platform, 2020 Elections Update, and More

Greetings RE-AMPers!

Some people think thatsummer is better than autumn…that is just a FALLacy! September is here, the seasons are changing, and our Network communications may soon turn over a new leaf, as well! Stay tuned for updates in the coming months (and probably lots more puns). While you’re here, learn more about our newest member, Alexis Goggans, in the Connections Connections section. In the Collective Strategy section, get updates from the 100% Renewable and Equitable Cities Initiative Action Team, the Steering Committee, and find information about the Rapid Response Fund. Then, check out the Capacity Building section for a recap and analysis on RE-AMP members’ engagement during CNN’s first ever Democratic presidential candidate Climate Town Hall along with a listing of the many exciting events coming up around the Network!

Have a story to share? Connect with Community Manager, Sarah Ann Shanahan today at sarah@reamp.org.

Connections

New Individual Member- Alexis Goggans

We’re thrilled to welcome Alexis Goggans as an Individual Member to RE-AMP. Alexis had been working with the Network to administer an Equity Analysis. In her application she said, “I’m interested in being a RE-AMP member so that I can deepen my work in equitable decarbonization as a systems thinker. I’m also eager to Network with other members and attend webinars and training so I can keep abreast of the latest research, resources, tools and projects related to equitable decarbonization.”

She attended the Annual Meeting this year where we found out she can really rock out some karaoke, too! Some other areas of her expertise include: decarbonizing the power sector with clean, affordable resources, equitably electrifying transportation, and developing strategies for inclusive engagement and metrics for equitable decarbonization and development.

Ash Narayanan, Our Streets MPLS, endorsed her application enthusiastically. You can reach Alexis at AlexisGoggans@bebold-services.com.

Collective Strategy

Action Team Update: 100% Renewable and Equitable Cities Initiative (Team Lead: Huda Alkaff)

WEBINAR TOMORROW: Wednesday, September 18
1 pm – 2 pm ET / 12 pm – 1 pm CT / 10 am – 11 am PT
Registration posted on the RE-AMP Calendar

The “100% Renewable and Equitable Cities Initiative” was conceived to test models for centering racial justice in the transition to a renewable energy future through deep collaboration between community organizations and local government in three of America’s largest metropolitan areas: Seattle, Washington D.C., and Atlanta. 100% Cities facilitated the formation of local collaboratives in each city, led by community-based organizations that are deeply rooted in advancing racial equity in their respective city.

The team will host a webinar and learning call on September 18th so that the Network can hear about and discuss the community engagement, participatory research, and policy initiatives from representatives of the 100% Cities project:

Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance (national)
District Dept of Energy and Environment (Washington D.C.)
Empower D.C. (Washington D.C.)
Partnership for Southern Equity (Atlanta)
Puget Sound Sage (Seattle)
Race Forward (national)
Solar United Neighbors (Washington D.C.)

This webinar is co-hosted by Race Forward, RE-AMP Equitable Local 100% Renewable Energy Action Team, and US Climate Action Network 100% Renewable Energy Action Team

Update from the Steering Committee

RE-AMP’s August Steering Committee meeting focused on RE-AMP’s 501(c)3 elections work, appointing a set of RE-AMP members to the Global Warming Strategic Action Fund Grants Committee, a review of finances for the first half of 2019, and an update on the work of the Task Force on Equitably Decarbonizing Utilities. RE-AMP’s elections work has a goal of shaping the narrative during the 2020 election cycle to show candidates that the Midwest demands an equitable elimination of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Aligned with that goal, the Steering Committee discussed the Equitable and Just Climate Platform, an effort led by RE-AMP member Center for Earth, Energy and Democracy and signed by over 200 organizations, including many RE-AMP members. To boost the signal on the Equitable and Just Climate National Platform, the Network will host a webinar on September 19 at 1 pm Central where members can learn more about the platform and how they can engage with it (Register here).

We are pleased that the following individuals have been appointed to serve on the Global Warming Strategic Action Fund Grants Committee:

Cameran Bailey, Metropolitan Council
John Farrell, Institute for Local Self-Reliance
Matt Gaboury, Argosy Foundation
Susan Hendershot, Interfaith Power & Light
Liz Kirkwood, For Love of Water
Cecilia Martinez, Center for Earth Energy and Democracy
Ashwat Narayanan, Our Streets MPLS
Lu Nelsen, Center for Rural Affairs
Liz Veazey, We Own It

During our September in-person meeting in Minneapolis, we’ll take a look at our work to date in 2019, measure our progress and begin planning for 2020.

Funding Opportunity: Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Rapid Response Fund

We are interested in supporting non-profit organizations that encounter unexpected needs or changed circumstances in the course of ongoing campaigns or multi-state initiatives. Grants from the fund will be prioritized for needs that require rapid turnaround. The fund is not intended to cover core operating budgets or to address shortfalls in annual fundraising efforts. The fund may only be used for non-lobbying expenses of 501(c)(3) organizations.

Key Areas of Interest

Defend against emerging attempts to weaken or eliminate existing Energy Efficiency Resource Standards (EERS), Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) or other utility sector clean energy policies.
Take advantage of unexpected opportunities to expand or strengthen those policies.
Intervene in rate cases that present new opportunities to incentivize energy efficiency or renewable energy including vigorously opposing increases in fixed charges.

For more information go to the Commons —-> Activity ——> Funding—–> Rapid Response

Capacity Building

2020 Elections: Climate Crisis Town Hall + RE-AMP

When CNN hosted a Climate Town Hall Forum for Democratic Presidential candidates on September 4th, RE-AMP members collaborated to shape the narrative around climate change in the Midwest. In four states, Network member organizations held watch parties. Across the region over 40 RE-AMPers participated in a coordinated Twitter storm using #MidwestClimateAction (see the tweets). Messages from faith leaders, champion legislators, health professionals, groups organizing with young people, rural-based organizations, and many more shared stories around climate impacts and solutions which served to highlight our region in the broader climate conversation.

The Climate + Energy Project, a statewide nonprofit working to transition Kansas toward a clean energy future, hosted a watch party of the Climate Town Hall on Sept 4th. The Climate + Energy Project team also used the opportunity to give their first Climate Reality presentation to an audience of about 40 people!

Interrupting Oppression: A Training for Facilitators on Microaggressions

Tuesday, September 24th from 1-2pm ET / 12-1pm CT
Location: online (Zoom video call)
Tickets: $25; purchase tickets here (waivers/stipends may be available; see network statement on waiving fees for service and contact Sean Carroll, sean@reamp.org, for more details)

Oppressive behaviors push marginalized people out of organizing spaces, but often we don’t recognize sexist comments and racist microaggressions in the moment, or we don’t know exactly how to respond when they occur. In this training, we invite you to share your experiences with microaggressions, learn more about how to recognize oppressive behaviors, and brainstorm and practice strategies for interrupting them. Specifically, this training is for facilitators seeking to cultivate safer environments in meetings and events.

The web training will be led by Jessica Raven, an activist and trainer currently leading trainings with Safe Space Maven and organizing to decriminalize sex work in New York City and State with Decrim NY. She has been leading trainings on bystander intervention and cultivating safer spaces for four years.

This training costs $25 to attend and tickets can be purchased online. If you would like to apply for a stipend to cover the cost of the training, please see the network statement on waiving fees for service and contact RE-AMP Network Organizing Hub Director, Sean Carroll (sean@reamp.org), for details.

**When you register you’ll receive an email with a link for joining the training over video call with Zoom***

Hosted by the RE-AMP Network’s Organizing Hub.

Network Thinking Academies

This December, RE-AMP is hosting two Network Thinking Academies. One is geared toward Network Practitioners, people who are responsible for caring for networks, and will focus on using systems thinking tools to care for networks. The second one is for funders, which will focus on mindsets and tools for evaluating and funding networks. Jennie Curtis, Garfield Foundation, recently shared an article describing some of the tensions that exist between philanthropy’s operating systems and the way in which networks operate. Our goal is to help surface these tensions and develop mindsets that see networks as ecosystems rather than projects or machines.

Over the past month we’ve received excellent applications for both Academies. We’re also accepting applications from RE-AMP members for both Academies. If you’re a funder or Network leader (committee members, action team or state table leader, or state table coordinators) please consider applying! Registration fees will be waived for RE-AMP members whose applications are accepted but space is limited so apply today. For more information checkout the website or contact Sarah Ann Shanahan at sarah@reamp.org.