We have created a Facebook page called Proyecto de Organización Rural that is specific to the Guatemalan community in Oregon that speaks Todo Santos Mam. Mam is not a written language and there are not a lot of resources or organizations that offer information in Mam. At the same time, this community is one of the most targeted for detention and deportation in the state. Please share the Know Your Rights and informational videos on our page with folks who speak Mam!
Dear ROPnet,
Last week we held our first of three virtual trainings to gear up for the 2024 election by building concrete skills while discussing critical issues. You can still join us for Spokesperson Skills Featuring Housing for All on Monday, October 23rd from 6:30 – 8 pm PST and/or Managing Misinformation, Advancing Queer Inclusion on Monday, November 6th from 6:30 – 8 pm PST. Read on for details about the upcoming interactive trainings that will level up your communications in time for 2024 and for happened in Values-Based Messaging Featuring Immigrant Justice.
Session 2: Spokesperson Skills Featuring Housing for All
Monday, October 23rd, 6:30 – 8:00 PM PST
We will focus on Housing for All, with a deep dive into honing spokesperson skills and “elevator pitches,” with a particular focus on talking to your audience through the media. Benton County human dignity organizers with Stop the Sweeps and Sunrise will join Robert Bray to workshop effective messaging when it comes to advancing housing justice. Register here to attend the session via computer or phone!
Session 3: Managing Misinformation, Advancing Queer Inclusion
Monday, November 6th, 6:30 – 8:00 PM PST
We will focus on Queer Inclusion, with a deep dive into managing misinformation and pivoting to our side’s strategic messaging. Anti-2SLGBTQIA+, and especially anti-trans, rhetoric is running rampant these days. Finn Franklin of Rogue Community College’s Rainbow Club will cohost this session with Robert! Whether you are preparing to return home for some tense family dinner table conversations over Thanksgiving, or working to support queer and trans students in the classroom and at school board meetings, we would love for you to join us! Register here to attend the session via computer or phone!
You will receive a unique login link from Zoom after you register which you’ll need to join the session. Please also make sure that your Zoom is up to date before joining.
For the full training immersion, join us for all three sessions, or pick one or two sessions most relevant to your local efforts. Questions? Reach out to emma@rop.org!
We can’t wait to see you on Zoom!
What we covered in Session 1
On Thursday, October 12th, 17 people from 12 counties gathered to discuss Immigrant Justice with a deep dive into using the VPSA (Values, Problem, Solution, Action) messaging model.
We are up against powerful forces when it comes to advocating for families to be able to stay together, and for immigrant community members to feel safe and welcome in Oregon and the U.S. Just this month, President Biden announced he would waive 26 laws in order to quicken border wall construction in Texas, and deployed 800 more soldiers to the border. We know this sort of showmanship and anti-immigrant rhetoric like “they are stealing your jobs” will only intensify as we approach the 2024 election. So we gathered to learn from one another about what messages are most effective at motivating our neighbors, friends, and elected officials to support a welcoming Oregon for all.
Here’s an example VPSA message from the training that you can use as a jumping-off point for your organizing:
- Values: Everyone has the right to live their lives with dignity and safety in Oregon. Oregon’s Sanctuary Promise Act (SPA) ensures dignity, safety, fairness, and accountability for our communities.
- Problem: Some local police collaborate with immigration officials in violation of the SPA. This erodes community trust in police, tears apart Oregon families, and divides communities. People are less likely to call for help when needed, leaving everyone less safe. It undermines police accountability and takes precious funding away from addressing the real problems in our communities.
- Solution: We want every town and county in our state to follow the law and safeguard dignity, fairness, and public safety. Don’t use community resources to help multi-billion dollar federal immigration enforcement when those precious resources are needed at home.
- Action: Review your county’s policing policies when it comes to immigration and ask your sheriff to explain how they are following the SPA. Help get the word out about the SPA, the SPA hotline, and other resources that are available to families impacted by detention and deportation. Tell ROP what you’ve learned.
If you want to watch the full training recording, or get connected to others organizing around immigrant justice in your area, email us at emma@rop.org!
Warmly,
Emma and the ROP Team
P.S. These trainings are only available in English. If you are interested in Spanish-language communications training, please let us know by emailing emma@rop.org or calling/texting 503-543-8417 as we are eager to continue building upon this training series!