Twentieth Annual Legislative Event a Success

More than 150 United Methodist Women gathered in Austin January 27-29 for the 20th annual United Methodist Women’s Legislative Event, entitled Doing Big: The Next Twenty Years of UMW Legislative Action.

The Texas United Methodist Women’s Legislative Event is a national model educational program that brings together women of all ages and backgrounds to learn more about how their state government works and how they can be active, informed citizens. This year, as well as keeping these women informed, we celebrated their work to change the face of Texas politics over the past twenty years.

Texas Impact works with UMW year round to produce Legislative Event and ensure up-to-the-minute Texas public policy information in the context of United Methodist Social Principles. Since its inception, Legislative Event programming has been deliberately inclusive and non-partisan to remain true to the diversity that characterizes the United Methodist Church in Texas.

This year's speakers included State Senator Kirk Watson, Stephanie Weber and Gayle Christie of Houston Restore and Rescue Coalition, Reverend Dr. Karen Baker-Fletcher of Perkins School of Theology at SMU, Isela Gutierrez of Texas Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, Dr. Joe Rubio of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, campaign strategist Matthew Dowd, Fred Lewis of Texans Together, and Josette Saxton of Texans Care for Children.

Special guests at the event included Dr. Ed Codina of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Huston-Tillotson University vice-president Dr. Vicki Minor, Texas Impact president Reverend Mel Caraway, and Texas Impact past president and former executive director Lin Team.

At the conclusion of each year's Legislative Event, participants adopt a legislative agenda and plan for educating and mobilizing women in local congregations across the state. For 2008, the women will focus on health care, juvenile justice and the environment.

United Methodist Women is a national membership organization with nearly one million members whose purpose is to foster spiritual growth, develop leaders and advocate for justice. Members raise approximately $20 million a year for programs and projects related to women, children and youth in the United States and in more than 100 countries around the world. There are about 100,000 members of United Methodist Women in Texas.

Texas UMW in the press!

Legislative Event 2008 Binder Materials

Program and Speakers (Word document)

2008 Letter to Texas Legislature/Legislative Agenda (Word document)

"Legislative Event All Year Long" To-Do List (Word document)

Precinct Resolutions (Word document)

Legislative Event Evaluation Form (Word document)

Letter to Hon. Bill Ratliff regarding Raise Your Hand initiative (Word document)

Candidate Questions (Word document)

Human Trafficking handout (Word document)

Juvenile Justice Presentation (Word document)

SCHIP Post-Veto Talking Points (PDF)

North Texas United Methodist Green Power Purchase (PDF)

Amos Commission 101 (PDF)

Legislator Meeting Request Form Letter

"Bright Ideas" ShopIPL Energy Efficient Congregational Fundraising Packet

Information Sheet

Team Captain Letter

Team Captain Master Order Form

Group Order Form

Bulletin Insert

Product List/Poster

Compact Fluorescent Bulb FAQ

For more information about the United Methodist Women's Division, visit http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umw/.