Montanans to demonstrate disapproval with legislature

From my inbox:

Monday, February 21st Citizen’s Day at the Capitol
JOIN US ON PRESIDENT'S DAY


Montana Organizing Project is hosting a Citizen’s Day at the capitol so the voices of Montana citizens can be heard directly by state decision makers during this crucial time for the state budget decisions and health care reform.


The stories and voices of people of faith, labor and Montana’s families and communities will be captured and published. We will also help you set up meetings with your individual legislators, train you on how best to handle those meetings and provide support to you during the day. The purpose of Citizen’s Day is to make sure the people making budget and health care decisions can hear directly from you.


If you have a concern about any aspect of the state budget that might be at risk this year when the state is considering hundreds of millions of dollars in budget cuts - from education to health care to roads – Add your voice to the diverse voices of the Montana Organizing Project —
the stories and voices of people of faith, labor and Native American families and communities — as we join with other Montana organizations to lobby, rally and speak up for Montana Values.


Rally for Public Services and Education at 2 pm with MEA-MFT and allies- On the Northside of the Capitol Lawn.


AGENDA
8:30 AM: Orientation and Welcome at Covenant United Methodist Church in Helena- 2330 E. Broadway


8:45 AM: Training Session
- How the legislature works
- How to talk with your legislator


- Briefing:
1. The State of the State Budget – Tara Veazey – Director of Montana Budget and Policy Center
2. Protecting Montana’s Future – the story book MOP put together
3. Form Lobby Teams on Montana State Budget Issues


10:00 AM: Choose Your Own Adventure (various locations in Capitol)
- Hearings
- Small groups meet with legislators


12:00 PM: Luncheon & Conversations: Capitol Room 303- Old Supreme Court
Chambers (Key legislators invited – Governor Schweitzer invited)


1:00 PM: Choose Your Own Adventure (various locations in Capitol)
- Senate and House Convene on the Floor
- Small groups meet with legislators
1:30 PM: Sign Making on the lawn of MEA-MFT Office across from the Capitol


2:00 PM: RALLY with MEA-MFT: Rally for Public Services and Public Education (Northside of the Capitol Lawn)


2:30 PM: Reflection and Wrap-up: Capitol Rotunda


3:00 PM: Hearings (for those who can stay on in Helena)


Buses are leaving from the Adams Center on UM Campus in Missoula at 8 am on Monday for folks coming from Missoula-- sponored by the University Faculty Union (UFA) and MEA-MFT.


February 20th Dinner and Overnight in Butte (optional)
1:00 pm- 6:30 pm Check in at War Bonnet Hotel (rooms available starting at 1:00 pm)
6-30 pm – 8:30 pm Dinner & Preview of “Citizen’s Day” at Mountain View United Methodist
Church


TRAVEL INFORMATION:
Butte:
For those of you staying with us Sunday night in Butte, rooms are booked at the War Bonnet Hotel 2100
Cornell Avenue. Their telephone number is (406) 494-7800
Directions: Driving EAST to Butte on I-90, take exit 127 for Harrison Ave. Turn right at Harrison Ave. Take
the first right onto Cornell Ave.


A Dinner for MOP Leaders will be at 6:30 pm. We will be meeting for dinner at Mountain View United
Methodist Church (up on the Hill corner of Montana and Quartz) 301 N Montana St. Their telephone
number is (406) 723-7966.
Directions (from War Bonnet): Turn left at Cornell Ave. Turn right at Harrison Ave. Continue heading
north on Harrison Ave. keeping left at the fork. Continue on East Front St. Turn right at South Arizona St.
Turn left at East Granite St. Turn right at North Montana St. Church is located on the corner of Montana
and Quartz. Park on the street.


Helena:
Welcome and Legislative Training (8:30-10:00 am) will be held at Covenant United Methodist Church
located at 2330 E. Broadway (across from St. Peter's Hospital ER entrance). The phone number is 442-
6501.


Directions from Butte (I-15 North): Take exit 190 toward S. Helena. Exit 190 turns left and becomes
Saddle Dr. At the traffic circle, take the 1st exit onto Colonial Drive. Turn left at Broadway St.
Directions from Bozeman (US 287): Continue onto Prospect Ave. Turn left at N. Fee St. Continue onto
11th Ave. Turn right at N. California St. Turn left at Broadway St.
Directions from Missoula (US 12): Turn left at I-15 BUS S/US-12 E/11th Ave. Turn right at 11th Ave. Turn
right at N. California St. Turn left at Broadway St.


Other Information:
Food:
Dinner on the 20th and Lunch on the 21st will be provided. Also, coffee and pastries will be provided at
the morning training at Covenant Church.
Transportation and Parking:
We will shuttle people to the Capitol on Monday the 21st from Covenant Church. If you need to leave the
Capitol before 3:00 pm that day it would be advised to arrange your own travel from the church to the
Capitol. There is a parking lot at the church, parking at the Capitol is much trickier and you will need to
look for street parking.


Dress:
MOP staff recommends that you wear business casual clothes while at the Capitol. It is not necessary to
wear a suit. Important thing is to be comfortable, and to wear shoes that you can walk and stand in.
Questions: If you have any questions please call Sheena Rice at 406-490-9777


Northwest Federation of Community Organization
208 East Main Street
Missoula , Montana 59802