Program Overview
Texas Interfaith Advocacy Days is your chance to network with Texans of faith and conscience from around the state; get updates on hot policy issues; strengthen your advocacy skills; and experience interfaith fellowship and worship. We’ll be celebrating the work of dedicated leaders, and learning ways to inspire the next generation of advocates. And on Monday evening, we’ll be hearing from candidates in the US Senate race about their plans to address climate change.
Sunday, February 16
12:00PM-5:00PM Registration in Fellowship Hall
1:00PM-4:00PM Thriving in Ministry. Great Hall
2:00PM-4:00PM Unlocking the Truth: Using the Freedom of Information Act for Migration Advocacy. Room 201
1:30-2:45PM Workshops
- Headcount 2020: The Census, Voter Turnout, and Redistricting—Genevieve Van Cleve, All on the Line Texas. Room 3
- The Power of One: Owning Your Agency as an Advocate—Rev. Remington Johnson. Room 5
2:45-3:00PM BREAK. Fellowship Hall
3:00-4:15 Workshops
- Advocating in Your Pajamas: Email, Phone, and Social Media Strategies to Make Your Voice Heard—Elyse Yates, Digital Advance. Room 3
- Insecure: Hunger and Food Assistance Policy—Rachel Cooper, Center for Public Policy Priorities. Room 7
- The Path of Hope: #ClimateAction for Faith Communities in 2020—Bee Moorhead, Texas Impact. Room 5
4:15-4:30 BREAK. Fellowship Hall
4:30-5:30PM Conversation with Bee. Fellowship Hall
A frank, informal dialogue with Texas Impact Executive Director Bee Moorhead about the state of our democracy and why the voices of faith communities matter more than ever.
5:30-6:00PM BREAK. Fellowship Hall
6:00-7:00PM DINNER. Great Hall
7:15PM-8:30PM Multi-Faith Worship. Sanctuary
Monday, February 17
8:30AM-9:00AM Greetings and Announcements. Great Hall
9:00-10:00AM Opportunities and Obligations: Texas in 2020. Great Hall
Hon. Vilma Luna and Beaman Floyd
10:00-11:00 Faith Response: Breakout Discussion. Great Hall
11:00-1:30PM LUNCH. Fellowship Hall
Texas Impact Advocacy Awards
Member of the Year: North TX Conference, United Methodist Church
Advocate of the Year: Rev. Jeff Thompson, Southwestern TX Synod ELCA
Newcomer of the Year: Rev. Danielle Ayers, Friendship West Baptist Church
Partner of the Year: Mike Seifert and the ACLU of Texas
Lin Team Founder’s Award: Mohamed Elibiary
US Senate Candidate Forum
Co-sponsored by Texas Impact, Environment Texas, and the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club
1:30-2:00 BREAK. Fellowship Hall
2:00-3:15PM Workshops
- Courts & Ports & Beyond: Building a Foundation for Migration Justice—Abel Vega, Rio Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Room 212
- #SickofIt: How to Get Texas Out of Last Place on Health Care—Laura Guerra-Cardus, Children’s Defense Fund. Room 201
- Headcount 2020: The Census, Voter Turnout, and Redistricting—Genevieve Van Cleve, All on the Line Texas. Room Room 210
3:15-3:30PM BREAK. Fellowship Hall
3:30-4:45PM Workshops
- #SickofIt: How to Get Texas Out of Last Place on Health Care—Laura Guerra-Cardus, Children’s Defense Fund. Room 201
- Pluribus Unum? Religion & State Relations in the 2020’s—Josh Houston, Texas Impact
- Advocating in Your Pajamas: Email, Phone, and Social Media Strategies to Make Your Voice Heard—Elyse Yates, Digital Advance. Room 210
4:45-5:30PM BREAK. Fellowship Hall
5:30-7:00PM DINNER. Great Hall
Dr. Daniel M. Brinks, Government Department Chair, UT Austin
Tuesday, February 18
8:30AM-9:00AM Capitol Orientation. Texas Capitol Room E2.030
9:00AM-11:00AM LEGISLATIVE VISITS
11:00AM-12:00PM Closing Discussion and Sending Forth. Room E2.030