May 2018 - balancing the scales

Volume 37 Number 4

UPDATES INSIDE Poor People’s Campaign ........... 4 Action for Democracy work across the state .................................... 5-6 John Rosenberg speaks of diversity, inclusion and acceptance .......... 9

May 31, 2018

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING August 3-5 at Berea College

Change Service Requested

scales

Kentuckians For The Commonwealth P.O. Box 1450 London, Ky. 40743

balancing the

Annual chapter meetings ......... 12 Program and workshop descriptions ................................. 14 Registration form ....................... 15

Fun, fundraising and Action for Democracy Activities come together at Berea pie auction, other spring work ...... Page 7

2 | Balancing the Scales

is a statewide grassroots social justice orga­­ni­ zation working for a new balance of power and a just society. KFTC uses direct-action organizing to accomplish the following goals: • foster democratic values • change unjust institutions • empower individuals • overcome racism and other discrimination • communicate a message of what’s possible • build the organization • help people participate • win issues that affect the common welfare • have fun KFTC membership dues are $15 to $50 per year, based on ability to pay. No one is denied membership because of inability to pay. Membership is open to anyone who is committed to equality, democracy and nonviolent change.

KFTC Steering Committee Meta Mendel-Reyes, chairperson Randy Wilson, vice chairperson Christian Torp, secretary-treasurer Cassia Herron, at-large member Mary Love, at-large member Chapter Representatives open, Big Sandy Sarah Bowling, Central Kentucky David Miller, Cumberland Chase Gladson, Harlan County Robby Olivam, Jefferson County Wendy Warren, Madison County Amy Copelin, Northern Kentucky Chanda Campbell, Perry County Chris Merritt, Rowan County Leslie Bebensee, Scott County Joy Fitzgerald, Shelby County Summer Bolton, Southern Kentucky Amanda Groves, Western Kentucky Barbara Farley, Wilderness Trace Alternates: open, Big Sandy; Candice Ryder, Central Kentucky; Dino Melgoza, Cumberland; Cheyanna Gladson, Harlan County; Chandra Cruz-Thomson, Jefferson County; Rebecca Tucker, Madison County; Lauren Gabbard, Northern Kentucky; Russell Oliver, Perry County; Allie Secor, Rowan County; Clare White, Scott County; Cynthia Dare, Shelby County; Teresa Christmas, Southern Kentucky; Shaina Goodman, Western Kentucky; Margaret Gardiner, Wilderness Trace

www.kftc.org | May 31, 2018

Table of Contents Executive Committee Corner Celebrating electoral work, anticipating annual meeting ................................................................. 3

Economic Justice Poor People’s Campaign is ramping up action everywhere ......................................................... 4

Action for Democracy Lots of Action for Democracy in Southern Kentucky chapter ..................................................... 5 Spanish guide aids voters in Louisville . .......................................................................................... ......... 5 Shelby legislators asked to explain General Assembly votes............................................................ 6 Chapters build a solid base of Action for Democracy work.............................................................. 6

Local Updates – Building Grassroots Power Pies are the rage at the annual Madison Pie Auction........................................................................... 7 Madison County house party energizes Malone with possibilities.................................................. 7 Johnson inspired to seek change at Homes for All conference....................................................... 8 BAM: An Evening of Beer, Art & Music in Bowling Green................................................................... 8 Diversity, Inclusion and Acceptance celebrated in Pikeville............................................................... 9 Verses for the Commonwealth inspires in northern Kentucky........................................................ 10 Members learn to harness storytelling and narrative for change.....................................................11 Art as a Tool for Change offered with Lexington members...............................................................11

KFTC News – annual meeting preparation Annual chapter meetings an important part of KFTC’s democratic process............................ 12 KFTC annual membership meeting set for August 3-5 at Berea College....................................13 Grassroots leader Anthony Thigpenn to give keynote........................................................................13 Annual meeting program ............................................................................................................................ 14 Annual meeting registration form ............................................................................................................. 15 KFTC Calender of Events ............................................................................................................................ 19 We Did It! .......................................................................................................................................................... 20

Kentucky General Assembly Analysis Understanding the impacts of the tax law changes .................................................................... 16-17 Understanding the impacts of the new pension law ........................................................................ 18

Front cover: The annual Pie Auction brings together Madison County members and friends, this year raising needed funds with an emphasis on KFTC’s Action for Democracy (voter empowerment) work.

KFTC on social media Facebook www.KFTC.org/facebook For chapter Facebook pages, visit: www.kftc.org/links

Instagram @jckftc @soky_kftc @centralkentuckykftc

@kentuckiansforthecommonwealth To find our photos on Flickr:

@KFTC @NKY_KFTC @ScottCoKFTC @MadCo_KFTC @EKY_KFTC

@JCKFTC @WT_KFTC @SoKyKFTC @VotingRightsKY @CanaryProject

www.flickr.com/ photos/KFTCphotos

www.kftc.org | May 31, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 3

executive committee corner

Celebrating electoral work, anticipating annual meeting

By Mary Love Thankfully, the 2018 session of the Kentucky legislature is over for another year. And the primary election is also in the books.

Summer is upon us with warmer/warm days and coolish nights. It’s usually a time for vacations, children off from school, swimming pools, hiking trails, and road trips.

Generally, summer is a time for relaxation.

But there is still much work to do. This month chapters will hold their annual chapter meetings to elect a Steering Committee representative and alter-

nate, review the KFTC Platform that guides our work and consider new or revised “planks,” elect chapter leaders and set goals for the year.

And just because the primary election is over, we can’t slow down our electoral work. More than in recent years, our regional Democracy Teams are ramping up their efforts in voter registration, door-to-door canvassing and meeting with candidates to discern their positions on the issues that are of greatest importance for the health of the Commonwealth.

We also enthusiastically are joining in the Poor People’s Campaign on local, state and national levels.

Rev. William Barber III and Rev. Liz Theoharis are reviving Dr. Martin Luther King’s campaign and energizing the nation on behalf of poor and disadvantaged people all over the country (please encourage your

chapter to join in this campaign –and join in those efforts yourself!).

And finally, the BEST part of the summer is the KFTC Annual Membership Meeting (also known as the KFTC Family Reunion)! This year we’ll be meeting at Berea College, August 3-5. There are great speakers and workshops planned as well as numerous opportunities to hang out with old friends and meet other great KFTC members. Register early to assure yourself a place at this annual event that is not to be missed.

See you in Berea the first weekend in August!

Mary Love was recently appointed to the KFTC Executive Committee to fill a vacancy. She lives in Oldham County.

Balancing the Scales is published by Kentuckians For The Commonwealth and sent as third class mail from Louisville. Reader contri­butions and letters to the editor should be sent to P.O. Box 864, Prestonsburg, Ky. 41653 or jhardt@kftc.org.

Subscriptions are $20/yr.

Like our new KFTC T-shirt?

You can get one – as well as other cool merch – at shop.kftc.org

Support KFTC’s Action for Democracy year-round in Kentucky!

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I would rather make a one-time gift of: □$100 □$50 □$25 □$15 □$5 Other: $__________ Suggested dues are $15-$50 annually, based on ability to pay. Any amount is welcome.

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Select which organization you would like to donate to: □ KFTC: Donations to KFTC are not tax-deductible. We encourage you to give to KFTC this spring to support our democracy work.

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Become A Sustaining Giver: Sustaining Givers provide steady income to support KFTC’s

work throughout the year. And being a Sustaining Giver allows you to make a bigger impact.

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Card Number: __ __ __ __ -__ __ __ __ -__ __ __ __ -__ __ __ __ Expiration Date ___ ___ / ___ ___ Authorized Signature: ____________________________ Date: _________________ Mail this form with your check to: KFTC • P.O. Box 1450 • London, Ky. 40743

www.kftc.org | May 31, 2018

4 | Balancing the Scales

ECONOMIC JUSTICE

Poor People’s Campaign ramping up action everywhere

Kentuckians, and supporters of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for a Moral Revival nationwide, have been stepping up actions in Frankfort, Washington DC and state capitals across the country in May and June.

They are raising awareness of, and demanding action to address, the enmeshed evils of systemic racism, poverty, the war economy, ecological devastation and the distorted national morality in the United States.

The six weeks of nationwide protests kicked off with actions on May 14.

Participants in Frankfort demanded a restoration of voting rights for convicted felons that disproportionately affects People of Color, a restoration of funds for critical support services for those most in need that were slashed in the 2018 state budget, passage of a Kentucky living wage law, universal single-payer health care and clean water for all, among other reforms.

“Our brothers and sisters here today have taken off work; they have driven across the state; they are putting their bodies on the line because this is a serious moment. It is the beginning of a movement,” said Reverend Megan Huston of First Christ Church in Bowling Green and co-chair of the Kentucky campaign.

On May 21, advocates demanded that steps be

taken to confront systemic racism.

“There are fewer voting rights today than there were 50 years ago when the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act were passed,” said the Rev. Liz Theoharis, a national campaign leader. “That didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of a widespread war on the poor and disenfranchised in this country. That’s why we are building a multiracial, multicultural fusion movement to respond to this attack by demanding a democracy that works for all.”

Specific demands include restoration of the Voting Rights Act, an end to racist gerrymandering, the reversal of minimum wage preemption laws (state laws that void local minimum wage ordinances) and more.

Since 2010, 23 states have passed voter suppression laws, including racialized gerrymandering and redistricting laws, as well as measures to reduce early voting days, purge voter rolls and impose stricter voter ID requirements. These attacks follow a broader pattern of curtailing democratic processes by drawing on legacies of racism to undermine local leadership organizing for better conditions.

On May 29, moral advocates in Frankfort and in 35 other state capitals called on lawmakers to demilitarize local police departments, curb gun violence and increase the funding of programs that aid the poor and veterans.

The theme highlighted how government leaders prioritize the war economy over programs to eradicate poverty and help veterans. Protesters’ demands included cutting off the flood of military grade weapons left over from wars into local police departments and communities, which escalates violence against poor communities and People of Color.

Participants in the May 29 nonviolent direct action carried signs that read “Money for Veterans,

Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for a Moral Revival •

Monday, June 4, June 11 and June 18 – Speak outs and nonviolent moral fusion direct action at the state capitol, Frankfort

•

Sunday, June 23 – Mass rally in Washington, DC and Global Day of Solidarity Learn more and sign up at: http://kftc.org/kentucky-poor-peoples-campaign

Not for War” and “Build Schools, Not Walls.” Protesters moved onto the Governor’s Mansion property, where they staged a “die in” for all those who lack care (including veterans) and suffer because of the heavy emphasis in the budget on the military.

The campaign draws on the unfinished work of the 1968 Poor People’s Campaign, reigniting the effort led by civil rights organizations, labor unions and tenant unions, farm workers, Native American elders and grassroots organizers to foster a moral revolution of values.

Despite real political wins in 1968 and beyond, the original Poor People’s Campaign was cut short, both by Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination and by the subversion of the coalition that sustained it. Still, the vision and many of its followers did not go away.

The Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival is building a broad and deep national moral movement – rooted in the leadership of poor people and reflecting the great moral teachings – to unite our country from the bottom up. Coalitions have formed in 39 states and Washington, D.C. to challenge extremism locally and at the federal level and to demand a moral agenda for the common good.

The 40 days of action will culminate with a Global Day of Solidarity and Sending Forth Call to Action at a mass rally in Washington, DC on Saturday, June 23. That also will kick off multi-year local and state efforts to effect the changes demanded by a moral agenda.

To learn more and sign up, go to kentuckypoorpeoplescampaign. org or www. poorpeoplescampaign.org.

www.kftc.org | May 31, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 5

Action for Democracy

Lots of Action for Democracy in Southern Kentucky chapter The Southern Kentucky chapter members worked hard preparing for the May 22 primary elections and building grassroots power.

They kicked off the season with a training on March 31 that covered how to register voters, table at events and canvass. Participants practiced their new canvassing skills by walking a neighborhood that same afternoon to register voters and listen to the community’s concerns.

They canvassed eight more times since that first training, reaching approximately 435 households.

KFTC Voter Guides were left with interested households to help inform voters about candidates’ stances on issues.

“Seeing people who don’t vote frequently change their perspective after our conversation made the

whole day worthwhile,” said member Lisa Cummings, who knocked on doors one chilly Sunday afternoon.

The chapter also had three phone banks to get out the vote right up to the eve of election day, totaling more than 300 phone calls.

When speaking about the work, member Summer Bolton said, “It’s important because the people we have in office currently, both locally and at the state level, have been so out of touch with our community’s needs and wants. Through our Action For Democracy work, we’re identifying key demographics and empowering people to make a change.”

Member Tara Sorrels hopes to help young people engage in the democratic process and educate themselves about important issues through our Action For Democracy work.

“If we can reach out to people who are young, people who are just coming of age to vote, to talk about those things – that would be special to me because I feel like I didn’t have that,” said Sorrels. “I feel like I would have participated a lot more, or felt more motivated to learn about the process.”

To underpin all of the voter work done this year, Teresa Christmas and chapter leaders worked with local artists and musicians to host BAM: An Evening of Beer, Art, and Music, to raise funds to support voter work. Christmas said, “As voters we have a responsibility and power to ensure that our elected officials listen to us.”

Spanish guide aids voters in Louisville The Jefferson County chapter translated its primary election voter guide to Spanish this year and plans to do the same for the General Election.

“Primary time is coming, and though I cannot vote in this country I still feel it is my duty to voice my concerns and acknowledge the power that my voice may have in deciding the political future,” said KFTC and Mijente member Sassa Rivera. “So I used my voice, and the talent my interpreter Mami made sure I never lost, and was a part of the team that translated KFTC's Jefferson County Voter Guide. For anyone not in Kentucky: this is a big deal, and a huge win in language justice over all to bring politics and knowledge to the Spanish speaking community in Louisville.

“I've been a community translator since I was 18, certified since I was 21, but been translating my abuela’s pension documents since I was a kid,” Rivera added. “However, nothing in my experience led me to figure out how to translate particle emissions PM 2.5 to understandable Spanish. So grateful to have worked on this, and can't wait to expand in the coming months!”

For the primary elections, KFTC sent questionnaires to 169 candidates (focused in chapter areas) and published their answers online and in nine printed local voter guides. Kentuckyelection.org got nearly 95,000 page views in the last month, and we mailed out more than 6,750 printed guides.

Thanks

The Southern Kentucky KFTC Chapter sponsored a forum with the three Democratic candidates running for the 2nd Congressional District seat. During a community question and answer period, member Robin Gilbert asked about an issue important to her and to the community.

“I asked about possible solutions to the opioid crisis that has killed more Americans than all the wars since WWII. Nearly 1,400 Kentuckians die each year from opioid addiction, and similar numbers of people die each year in many states,” Gilbert said.

“The disease of addiction is to my mind our most pressing problem in every aspect of life. Economy, health care, mental health, jobs, incarceration, etc., are all tied to addiction.”

Gilbert said she was pleased with the answers.

“All three candidates had excellent solutions … I was struck by the specific answers to each question the audience asked. None of the mumbo jumbo circular non-answers that many politicians give.”

for being a member or supporter of KFTC. You make the work you read about in Balancing the Scales possible – 36 years of it!

www.kftc.org | May 31, 2018

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Action for Democracy

Shelby legislators asked to explain General Assembly votes More than 80 folks from Shelby County participated in the Shelby County chapter’s town hall on May 17. State Rep. Rob Rothenburger and State Sen. Paul Hornback spoke and answered questions about the work they did during the state legislative session.

They answered questions from more than a dozen folks.

A football coach asked why they voted to increase taxes on the folks who have the least. Another man, who said he taught both legislators seventh grade history and English, remarked on the lack of transparency in their work, and several others shared poignant stories

of the struggles they see with kids in their classroom.

Long-time KFTC member Gail Chandler shared her thoughts on HB 227, a bill that would have damaged Kentucky’s home-grown solar industry. Member Leslie McBride made sure animal welfare was brought into the conversation.

“Clearly, Shelby Countians care deeply about the workings of state government and the effects of legislative decisions. Our voices are important and need to be heard,” said KFTC member Lynne Anderson, who helped organize the event. “It’s great that KFTC can support that process!”

Sarah Zeller from the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy also spoke and provided more information about Kentucky’s tax and budget policies.

Anderson Lynne and Joy Fitzgerald hung flyers around town, had the newspaper write a story about the upcoming event, and did much more to promote the event, resulting in every seat in the meeting space being filled.

Other groups endorsing the event were the Shelby County Education Association, the Shelby County Area Branch NAACP and the Shelby County Retired Teachers Association.

Chapters building a solid base of Action for Democracy work Scott County Over the last two years the Scott County chapter made a lot of progress locally on its work to promote fairness and recycling, and to stop a landfill expansion. Members realize that the only way to build on that work Scott County members talk with Adam Sovkopis to make sure that those las after a recent candidate forum for legislative seeking office are talking candidates. about these and other issues they care about.

They believe the best way to do this work is to reach out in the community to help people plug into the process. Members worked hard to make sure voters were prepared to vote in races including Georgetown mayor, Scott County Fiscal Court, and state representative in their chapter area.

Some of their activities over the past few months include: • • • • • • •

town halls with legislators in February voter registration at Scott County High School and Georgetown College in March live streaming debates and votes that eventually denied the landfill expansion by the Scott County Fiscal Court a candidate meet-and-greet featuring candidates in primary races for the 61st and 62nd Kentucky House districts a debate watch party primary election night party at Slainte, and get out the vote calls targeting under-30 voters in Scott County

The chapter will continue to find ways to bring its issues into public discussions as they look toward the November general election, and help people learn more about those who are seeking to represent them through elected office.

Northern Kentucky The Northern Kentucky chapter set a goal to register 1,000 voters ahead of the 2018 general election, and to increase discussion among voters around issues the chapter is working on. Housing, needle exchanges, community representation on government boards, employment for formerly incarcerated citizens, and more are issues that candidates need to address.

The chapter began this important work last fall by hosting the Unpack Politics forum at Our Savior Parish in Covington, a community forum on how government functions featuring local former and current elected officials. That event saw more than 50 people come out to learn how to help make local government more responsive.

It continued with voter registration efforts at local high schools, colleges, and community events across the region. The chapter registered roughly 150 people during this time period, many of them first time voters.

The chapter also used the primary as a chance for members and the community to meet local candidates. The chapter hosted two meet-and-greets: one for Covington City Commission candidates and one for the candidates facing primaries in the 60th and 69th Kentucky House districts.

Following the primary, the chapter will dig in to reach its goal of registering 1000 voters, pushing issues in state legislative races in Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties, and Voter Steve Frank talks with Covington City Comimpacting local races mission candidate Brandon Mims and commission in Florence, Covington member Michelle Williams at the Northern Kentucky and Newport. chapter’s Coffee with the Candidates gathering.

www.kftc.org | May 31, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 7

Building Grassroots Power

Pies are the rage at the annual Madison Pie Auction

By Matthew Frederick On a spring evening in May, those hungry for New Power as well as pie gathered in a small church gymnasium. Eight years ago, local KFTC members, confident and proud of their baking skills, started this tradition of donating pies to auction in support of KFTC’s work. This year, the prospect of a $100,000 matching grant provided additional motivation for expanding the reach of the chapter’s efforts.

The evening began with a welcome from Teri Blanton, a long-time member who hosted and auctioned the pies. To start things off in a warm, family atmosphere, members led the children in a pie auction of their own in addition to a sing-a-long led by local musician Sam Gleaves.

Of the event, Gleaves said, “I love how all the Madison County KFTC organizers made the pie auction such a warm and neighborly gathering. Folks of all generations attended and I was thankful they were willing to sing with me!”

Gleaves also provided entertainment throughout the evening, playing music between bidding periods, which kept the crowd in good spirits.

Lively bidding and friendly rivalries helped sell pies as the The children at the Madison Pie Auction had their own pie action, acauction attendees raised funds companied by a sing-a-long led by Sam Gleaves. for KFTC and its work. The auction also gives the membership and the commu- is this spirit of unity and a commitment to the misnity at-large the opportunity to come together. sion of KFTC that drives the local chapter and its Joan English, a local member and attendee, de- dedication to this now legacy event. As attendees described the annual pie auction as “...a great chance parted with their hard-won pies from this year, they to visit with people who are passionate about voter were already chatting about preparing next year’s advocacy and encouraging others to use their voices. treats.

Such a nice friendly spirit of community and, hey – Follow the Madison County chapter’s work on Facebook: www.

PIE!” facebook.com/MadisonCountyKFTC; on Twitter: @MadCo_KFTC Without a doubt, it

member reflection

Madison County house party energizes Malone with possibilities

By Hunter Malone Being in nonprofits often, I have heard Margaret Mead quoted many times. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has” is debatably one of the most common quotes we hear when discussing the power of small, localized organizing.

On a recent evening, this quote became more than a feel-good phrase; it became a reality.

On May 15, former state representative Rita Smart hosted a house party to help contribute to KFTC’s goal of closing off the $100,000 challenge match. This was one of my first fundraising events, and the pressure was somewhat heavy on my shoul-

ders. Being so close to reaching our goal, I wanted to see this house party pack a punch.

The time arrived, and the space was adorned with fancy snacks and the usual KFTC informational packets. The only thing missing was the people. Time went on and a few people came through the door, making me more and more nervous of raising any money at all – much less the large amount that I had hoped to raise to propel KFTC towards the end of our match.

Looking back, I recognize how quickly I stripped everyone in that room of their autonomy. This calls me to look back at our practices, inspired by Cesar Chavez, when it comes to paying dues. The people must be willing to sacrifice a little to truly see change occur.

I am grateful for the sacrifices and contributions

of everyone who attended the house party. Not only did they exceed my expectations with their donations, they also lifted my spirits with the in-depth conversations and community building that took place within a short two-hour time span.

Hearing from some members who have been around since the beginning reinforced the narrative that we are standing on the shoulders of giants. I entered the house party nervous and rippling with anticipation; I left feeling exhilarated and ready to give Kentucky’s power back to Kentuckians.

This is KFTC. The time is now, giving birth to New Power.

Hunter Malone, a student at Berea College, is a summer intern with the Madison County chapter.

www.kftc.org | May 31, 2018

8 | Balancing the Scales

Building Grassroots Power

Johnson inspired to seek change at Homes for All conference

By Samantha Johnson Would you like to know how to get motivated and have a fire set in your soul? Spend a weekend with the people that make up the Homes for All South group.

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to represent KFTC at the Homes For All South conference in Nashville, May 4-6. The weekend was full of activities, workshops and sessions that were energetic, inspiring and motivating.

Housing is a human right many people struggle with and fight for every day and sadly, many people have a fight they cannot win alone. Homes for All is made up of individuals from many organizations all across the south. They help people in their fight, as a collective group.

Throughout the weekend, we were able to share our own work, pick the brains of those doing amazing projects across the region and take away ideas, resources and a sense of satisfaction for the work we do.

I grew up in a very conservative religious home where politics were never discussed. I have always exercised my right to vote, but I have never been involved in other ways. It was during my undergrad studies at WKU that I was introduced to KFTC during a training on the power of our stories. During the process of writing my own story, I learned I have the ability to change things around me. I learned my story could help change someone else’s life or inspire change.

As I drive around the town I’ve lived in my whole life I see vacant land, vacant buildings that could be repurposed. As a former correctional officer I know

the need for transitional housing, a homeless shelter, a community garden and a place where people can go for resources. I have these ideas floating in my head and I have the motivation but I need help with the next steps.

The Homes for All South conference was full of information, resources and spark (remember I said earlier about setting that fire in your soul). I needed to go back to my community and start dumping my brain.

I have met with individuals on two separate occasions just days out from the conference. I’m currently researching my project ideas, putting together some data, numbers and actively seeking like-minded people to help. Thanks to the information I received at the conference, I have a step-by-step model to go by that also has every resource I could possibly need. powered and I left feeling like I belong to a collective

Mahatma Gandhi is often credited with the quote, group that shares my passion.

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” As a Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small sociologist/criminologist, these words resonate in my group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the soul. The people involved with Homes for All South world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Homes embody those words. The collectiveness they have as a for All is this group of people and I’m glad I’m on board group is fierce and inspiring, and there is nothing too and I’m thankful KFTC allowed me the opportunity to learn about housing which such an amazing group. big to accomplish.

We have to fight for change and the fight is much This weekend sparked a deep introspective look sweeter when you are surrounded by like-minded at myself and how far I’ve come since my childhood. I people who are non-judgmental and create a safe envi- realized that I am the change I want to see in the world.

I grew up in a conservative home never talking about ronment to learn and grow as a leader.

KFTC has continued to offer these life-changing politics and here I am, not only talking politics but opportunities for me to grow and learn so I can share actively fighting for change! with my community and hopefully lead to change.

Follow the Southern Kentucky chapter’s work on social media – I left this conference with Twitter: @SoKyKFTC, Facebook: www.facebook.com/SOKY.KFTC/ the fire, I left feeling em-

BAM: An Evening of Beer, Art & Music in Bowling Green BAM: An Evening of Beer, Art & Music was hosted by the Southern Kentucky Chapter of KFTC this month as an effort to bring together community members, artists, musicians and activists around KFTC’s Action for Democracy work.

It began with an art auction and reception at Art Matters Community Art Studio, and was followed by live music at the A-Frame in Bowling Green.

“Bowling Green is interwoven with such amazing artistic communities. BAM was the perfect opportunity for KFTC to cast a wider net in bringing those communities together for a night of fun and expression,” said SOKY member Angela Conway.

Teresa Christmas, a SOKY member and owner of Art Matters, talked about the generosity of the artists and musicians who donated their work. “The quality of the art donated was beautiful and deeply moving,” she said.

Southern Kentucky chapter members Joyce Adkins, Summer Bolton and Teresa Christmas helped run the art auction at the chapter event.

www.kftc.org | May 31, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 9

Building Grassroots Power

Diversity, Inclusion and Acceptance celebrated in Pikeville Members of Progress Pike, with support from KFTC, held a Unity Celebration: Diversity, Inclusion and Acceptance in April to “celebrate the diversity of our region and to promote ways we can make Pike County and eastern Kentucky a safer and more welcoming place for ALL our neighbors.” The event marked the one-year anniversary of the neo-Nazi rally in Pikeville.

John Rosenberg delivered the keynote address. Here is his speech.

By John Rosenberg

of condemnation by public officials, and the very fine resolution by the Kentucky Senate denouncing the I am honored to be your keynote speaker today neo-Nazis sponsored by Ray Jones, your state senator. and to share this occasion with so many of you whom These neo-Nazis and alt right groups have become I truly admire. I congratulate you on keeping the spirit well organized and use their misguided messages of alive of a year ago. At the time we were prepared to discrimination and white supremacy to recruit the rally against the neo-Nazis who decided to bring their members who came to the streets of Pikeville a year messages of hate and white supremacy to Pikeville. ago. In Germany, Adolf Hitler tantalized an entire na Today, in keeping with that spirit, we are here to tion with that message, and caused the murder of six demonstrate our unity by honoring and implementing million Jews. We are here today to say that cannot and the principles of DIVERSITY, INCLUSION and AC- will not happen in this country – ever!

CEPTANCE. The Holocaust is, of course, very personal to me.

Many of you here today know my Holocaust story. I was seven years old when the storm troopers showed up at our apartment in Magdeburg, Germany, on November 9, 1938, Krystal Night, the Night of Broken Glass.

We lived in the building attached to the synagogue. The storm troopers took us into the courtyard in our night clothes, built a bonfire of the Holy Books in the synagogue, bombed the synagogue, and ransacked our apartment.

The following morning they arrested my father, a teacher in the Jewish school system and assistant to our congregation’s Rabbi, and took him, along with another 125 or so KFTC member John Rosenberg shared firsthand experience with the Jewish men from the community, German Nazi Holocaust and the implications for the United States to the Buchenwald Concentration today as he delivered the keynote address at the Unity Celebration in Camp. There they endured 13 horrific days. Some 25 of their number Pikeville. Photo by Buddy Forbes. died or were killed. Fortunately, the We do so because history has taught us that, if we others were released and were given 30 days to leave the are not vigilant, the forces of hate and prejudice can country. Some were able to leave, and many were not. rise to unimaginable heights. That is indeed the lesson My family was fortunate. We were able to get out. of the Holocaust in which six million Jews were mur- We spent a year in a detention camp in Rotterdam, dered by the Nazis. That is why it was so important to Holland, before getting on the last boat to leave Holorganize against the rally of the neo-Nazis a year ago. land for the United States. The ship docked in New I was so proud of your organizing of the rally last Jersey on February 22, 1940. All the flags were flying, year, a true grassroots effort, of the many statements and we thought the welcome was for us – but it turned

out to be George Washington’s birthday.

I ask you to put yourself in my parents’ place.

They, too, were immigrants seeking asylum, a familiar theme today. To be forced to leave your families and neighbors and transported to a different country where the language is different, where the social norms are different, without funds or a job.

That was the situation my parents found themselves in, with two children, my brother, then four, and me, age 8. With no available jobs in sight in New York, my father went south, to serve as a lay Rabbi for the Jewish communities in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Gastonia, North Carolina. He rode the bus on alternate weekends from Spartanburg to Gastonia, authoring sermons while still learning the language.

During the week, he got a job as a janitor in a local textile mill in Spartanburg.

After six months, he had saved enough money to furnish a modest apartment; so, he was able to bring my mother and the two children to Spartanburg from New York, where we had lived with my mother’s family, who had emigrated a few years earlier. Over the years, my father gradually learned the textile business, becoming an office manager and a shift supervisor.

My parents made sure their children would always remember that this nation gave us a home when others were not so fortunate. The day they became citizens of the United States in 1945 was a highlight of our lives.

It was the first time we had ever eaten out as a family, because they had not been able to afford it.

They taught us the value of education, and I was the first in my family to go to college. I served in the United States Air Force as a navigator, went to law school on the GI Bill, and found a meaningful career in public interest law. My brother and sister were able to obtain advanced college degrees as well.

So, we treasure the values of this country – and we know that these neo-Nazis do not represent those values. Indeed, it is beyond me to understand how they can hold up the values of Adolph Hitler as ones for anyone in this country to emulate. Yet, our Constitution gives them the right to express themselves, whether we like it or not.

Indeed, the right of free speech is a principle of the Rule of Law, which makes our democracy so great.

Dr. Martin Luther King called the right to peaceably assemble and to protest the glory of America.

In eastern Kentucky, we place the highest value on family ties. So, I want to you to remember with me the continued on next page

www.kftc.org | May 31, 2018

10 | Balancing the Scales

Building Grassroots Power

Verses for the Commonwealth heard in northern Kentucky The Northern Kentucky chapter recently hosted a fundraiser at Roebling Point Books and Coffee to highlight the diverse voices and issues that make up both Kentucky and Kentuckians For The Commonwealth.

The event, “Verses for the Commonwealth,” was emceed by member Robin Gee, featured local authors

Garry Gallenstein, Ron Ellis and Morgan Bell, and featured Heyra Avila, Larry Owen and Renee Wilson talking about the work KFTC does.

The varied backgrounds but shared dedication was clear from each speaker. Avila shared her experience growing up undocumented in northern Kentucky and as a DACA recipient in this environment now; Owen and Wilson spoke about the importance of KFTC’s work for a strong democracy, including voting rights, education, registration, and mobilization Ellis shared his stories of place and growing up with ties to eastern Kentucky but living in Covington. Gallenstein shared poems about life’s twists and turns lived and observed in Maysville, Covington, Florence and Indiana.

Bell’s poetry was about living in Kentucky as a queer and Black woman.

Their stories and experiences helped to illustrate for those in attendance the ties that bind Kentuckians across lines of difference, Writers and artists who shared their talents at the Verses for the Com- and how connected our varied difmonwealth gathering were, left to right: Morgan Bell, Robin Gee, Heyra ferences are in our work to build the society we envision.

Avila, Ron Ellis and Garry Gallenstein (and his two grandchildren).

Astrologically Your petals dabble I stop searching in the sunset.

You split like Spring and follow limestone.

Cuticles of rock coordinate and learn me a deal of honesty.

The astronomy of your arrival loiters and lavishes lavender lessons amid my amygdala Black matter corpses in our kaleidoscopes as we accept; We are still with and without.

— Morgan D. Bell

Diversity, Inclusion and Acceptance celebrated in Pikeville (continued) continued from previous page members of my family who perished in the Holocaust.

And I ask you to consider how you might have felt if your family members met a similar fate simply because the government – in this case the German Nazis – decided they should be eliminated.

My father’s mother, Therese, who had lived with us before Krystal Night, was murdered in the Theresienstadt Concentration Camp by the Nazis.

My father's brother, Sammy, was to leave on the next ship after us. But the Germans invaded Holland and the ship was turned around. He was sent to the Auschwitz Concentration Camp, where he was murdered by the Nazis.

My father's sister, Marie, and her husband, Herman, lived in Rotterdam, Holland, with their three children, all under 10. They were sent to the Auschwitz Concentration Camp in Poland, and all were mur-

dered by the Nazis.

While my father was in the concentration camp, my mother sent me to Frankfort, Germany, to stay with another of my father's sisters, Elly, and her family.

She and her husband, Benjamin, had a son my age, called Bubi. The family was murdered in the Chelmno Concentration Camp by the Nazis.

I have tried in a small way to humanize this statistic of six million Jews who were murdered by asking you to put yourself in the place of my family. At times, when I speak to a school group in our area, I ask them to imagine how it would be if there was an announcement without warning that all Baptists would be arrested and taken to a concentration camp, where they would likely be killed. It seems beyond belief. But it happened to the Jews in Europe. It is truly man’s inhumanity to man – and it must not happen again.

To be sure, the Holocaust is not the only example

of man’s inhumanity to man. There are the tragedies in Darfur, in Myanmar, and in the Middle East, and the list goes on.

We have only to look into our own history of slavery, segregation and discrimination against blacks that went on for 100 years after reconstruction. This week marked the opening of the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama. This new memorial museum’s exhibits confront the history of slavery and the more than 4,000 lynchings that took place throughout this country between 1877 and 1950.

Like the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC and other smaller Holocaust Museums around this country, the new memorial museum in Montgomery gives us an opportunity to discuss a horrible and disquieting history. We must own up to this history, so we can truly dedicate ourselves to achieve the values we continued on next page

www.kftc.org | May 31, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 11

Building Grassroots Power

Members learn to harness storytelling and narrative for change Several KFTC members and staff participated in a day-long, interactive training by the Center for Story-Based Strategy in early May at the Hindman Settlement School.

The Center for Story-based Strategy (CSS) is a national movement-building organization dedicated to “harnessing the power of narrative for social change.” The organization offers trainings and support to progressive organizations and coalitions across the country.

The session offered in Hindman was CSS’s fullday introductory training on the tools and frameworks that underpin story-based strategy.

“Attending the Center for Story-Based Strategy training in Hindman was an incredible experience.

It was definitely one of the most well-facilitated trainings I have attended,” said Mikaela Curry, a

Pike County member. ”I found that after leaving the training I really did have a burst of new ideas that are evolving into something that I am really excited about, so I think that it provided a valuable framework that I will be able to use again and again.”

“The training event was absolutely pleasant. I noticed right away that there were a bunch of folks who weren't from Appalachia who came in for the training, which often makes me nervous of being condescended towards. But nothing of the sort happened.”

“The ‘drama triangle’ tool I found to be a super useful method of both narrative organization, for both personal and informative pieces,” said Rowan County member Eric Simpson, referring to one of the tools introduced. “And I felt that the observation of emotion they stressed was a lesson I needed to learn.”

One exercise focused on understanding how and why a story is framed as it is, and challenging those that don’t reflect, or distort, reality.

Madison County member Wendy Warren said she came to understand “the importance of analyzing how a story has been framed, and then finding a way to reframe it.

“The facilitators had us practice identifying who is spun as a story’s heroes or villains, often for a self-serving purpose. The framing

John Rosenberg at Unity Celebration … continued from previous page are celebrating today: Diversity, Inclusion, and Acceptance.

Dr. King called unity the great need of the hour in urging black citizens in Montgomery, Alabama, to honor the boycott of the city’s buses in 1955. So, too, we must be united. In unity, we will support each other. We will not be afraid to speak out against hatred and bigotry of any sort, whether it affects Jews, Muslims or other religions, whether it affects lesbians or gays, or any other minority group.

So, in ending, I remind us of the words of Martin Niemoller: “First, they came for the socialists and I did not speak out, because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Jew. “Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak for me.”

John and Jean Rosenberg live in Floyd County and are founding members of KFTC.

is often an attempt to justify even unjust actions.

“In those cases, it is important to reframe the story so it more clearly reflects reality. That reframing shifts the perspective in a way that reveals hidden realities,” Warren said.

Lakin Dillingham also gained “much insight as to how my local chapter could better frame our issues to garner support, rather than merely sympathetic responses. I saw how using a more story-based approach has the potential to draw in more active and impassioned involvement, especially in the roots of Appalachia where storytelling is inimitable to our culture.

“I was able to meet some really interesting people who are doing amazing work and have hopes for some compelling and effective collaborations to come out of our shared participation in this training,” said Curry. “Again, I am really grateful to KFTC for creating such a great opportunity in eastern Kentucky.”

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity KFTC provided me to have met so many people seeking to improve their ability to help their communities,” Dillingham added.

Art as a Tool for Change offered with Lexington members Central Kentucky chapter members Victoria Sullivan and Austyn Gaffney worked with the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning to offer a summer workshop series, Art as a Tool for Change.

The class will explore art’s impact on health, wellbeing, and social change, and be taught by Tasha Golden, a career songwriter who also is a doctoral candidate in public health. Students will meet for five successive Thursdays, starting June 14.

Sullivan and Gaffney plan to use the workshop to kick off a creative series of programs. Each month they plan to host a member, friend or ally to teach KFTC members about a creative skill, and then using that skill to create content around issues and local organizing.

And each month they will be at a different venue that will connect to the theme in some way, and allow them to explore places in Lexington.

Register online for Art as a Tool for Change at www.carnegiecenterlex.org, or call 859-254-4175 extension 21.

www.kftc.org | May 31, 2018

12 | Balancing the Scales

KFTC Annual Membership Meeting Claiming our Commonwealth: Creating Kentucky’s Beloved Community

Annual chapter meetings an important part of KFTC’s democratic process In preparation for the annual membership meeting, all KFTC chapters hold an annual chapter meeting in late May or June (see list to the right). Also called their annual business meeting, the event gives chapter members the chance to: • • • •

Elect chapter leadership.

Make suggestions for KFTC’s issue platform.

Nominate members to serve on KFTC’s statewide committees.

Decide whether to remain a KFTC chapter.

Chapter leadership positions: All chapters are expected to select a representative and an alternate to the KFTC Steering Committee, a chapter fundraising coordinator, membership coordinator and publicity coordinator. These last three positions can be filled by a team of members.

Some chapters will have additional leadership positions, reflecting chapter committees or work teams, division of responsibilities and other positions agree to by local members.

KFTC’s Platform (kftc.org/about-us/our-platform): This document is a statement of KFTC's position on issues that guides the Steering Committee and local chapter decisions on allocating resources and staff time. Each year the document is reviewed at chapter meetings and recommendations for clarifying, adding or revising the document.

At its July meeting, the Steering Committee reviews all the suggestions and drafts an updated platform based on these recommendations. This draft platform will be printed in the July issue of Balancing the Scales and online for further member review.

At the annual meeting, the members discuss, further amend if they choose to, and adopt the platform.

Nominate statewide committee members: KFTC governance committees are: Finance, Personnel and Leadership Development. KFTC issue committees are: Racial Justice, Land Reform, Economic Justice, Voting Rights, Litigation and New Energy & Transition.

Any member may nominate themselves or others to serve on one or more of these committees. The nominations go to the Leadership Development Committee, which recommends committee memberships for adoption by the Steering Committee in September.

The chapter annual meetings are an important part of KFTC's democratic process. All chapter members are encouraged to participate in these meetings.

For members who are not part of a chapter, nominations may be made online at: www.kftc. org/nominations.

Annual meeting checklist √ Make sure your membership dues are current so you can vote at the annual business meeting for statewide officers and the platform.

Renew at kftc.org/support or become a Sustaining Giver with the form on page 3. √ View the annual meeting program on page 14 and register to attend with the form on page 15, or online at www.kftc.org/annual-meeting. √ Talk it up among your friends and other KFTC members to organize carpools, cultural sharing and get others excited about attending.

ANNUAL CHAPTER MEETINGS Note: some meetings already took place in late May and early June Big Sandy: Tuesday, June 5 6-8 p.m. at City Perk Coffeehouse, 225 E Graham St, Prestonsburg 41653 Central Kentucky: Thursday, June 21 7-9 p.m. at the Lexington Public Library, Northside 1733 Russell Cave Rd, Lexington 40505 Cumberland: Sunday, June 3 2-4 p.m. at the Union College Student Center, Heritage Conference Room, Barbourville Harlan County: June 7 5-7 p.m. at Rebecca Caudill Library, Cumberland Jefferson County: Monday, June 11 6:30-8:30 p.m. at First Unitarian Church, 809 S. 4th St, Louisville 40203 Northern Kentucky: Tuesday, June 19 7-9 p.m. at the Center for Great Neighborhoods, 321 W 12th in Covington. Potluck!

Perry County: Monday, June 18 6-8 p.m. at Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, 420 Main St, Hazard 41701 Rowan County: Thursday, June 21 6 p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Morehead Scott County: Thursday, June 7 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Scott County Public Library, 104 S. Bradford Lane in Georgetown. Potluck!

Shelby County: Thursday, June 21 6-8 p.m. at Stratton Center, 215 Washington St, Shelbyville Southern Kentucky: Tuesday, June 26 6-7:30 p.m. CST at The Foundry, 531 W. 11th Ave in Bowling Green Wilderness Trace: Monday, June 4 6:30-8:30 p.m., Inter-County Energy Community Room, 1009 Hustonville Rd., Danville. Potluck!

www.kftc.org | May 31, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 13

KFTC Annual Membership Meeting Claiming our Commonwealth: Creating Kentucky’s Beloved Community

KFTC annual membership meeting set for August 3-5 at Berea College We’re in a moment of tremendous danger, but also surrounded by profound political opportunity.

In the face of these times, KFTC is part of building a movement that is oriented to a shared vision of a beloved community – the Kentucky that many of us believe is possible.

The Beloved Community was a concept popularized by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and is based on his belief that a mass group of people who are truly committed to non-violence can create a world where discrimination, poverty, militarism, hate, fear and all forms of violence are eradicated and love, trust, reconciliation, peace and justice thrive. For KFTC, and our Commonwealth, that Beloved Community is alive in our vision statement.

We are claiming that Kentucky, and building toward it now with work to change the political landscape, and to build power through our relationships and interconnectedness. This movement – this transition – will take all of us. Join us in a weekend of claiming Kentucky and creating our beloved community.

Join KFTC members from across Kentucky at our annual gathering August 3-5 in Berea. We’ll meet on the campus of Berea College for a weekend of great guest speakers, workshops, social activities and more.

The gathering is family-friendly. Childcare will be offered, and youth are encouraged to participate in all sessions.

The weekend begins Friday evening as folks arrive, settle in and get to know each other through a fun, interactive and informal program. Then we begin Saturday morning with an opening session where we orient ourselves to the space and theme of the weekend and begin to dig into a great day of learning and sharing.

Participants will have the opportunity to attend two break-out sessions of their choice from a great

lineup of eight different workshops (a short description of each workshop is on the next page).

An afternoon break on Saturday will give folks a chance to stretch our legs or relax our minds a bit.

Optional recreational and educational activities will be offered during the break.

Then we’ll come back together on Saturday evening for a fun awards ceremony that recognizes the hard and important work of KFTC leaders throughout the year, and also hear from a powerful, engaging keynote speaker: Anthony Thigpenn of California Calls.

Sunday morning we’ll have a brand-new set of break-out sessions to choose from and then come together for our democratic, grassroots business meeting before saying goodbye.

A full schedule is listed on the next page. More details, including bios of workshop facilitators, will be added to the online listing at kftc.org/annual-meeting as the program continues to take shape.

Lodging will be provided in three dorm buildings within a very short walk of the meeting space. When you register you’ll have the opportunity to say which dorm rooms best suit you and your family’s needs. All dorms are fully air-conditioned, and accessible rooms are available.

If for some reason the dorms will not work for your lodging needs, you can indicate that when you register and we will work with you to find appropriate accommodations.

If you have questions about the gathering that you would like answered before deciding to register, please let us know by contacting KFTC staffperson Carissa Lenfert at 502-208-1696 or carissa@kftc.org.

Don’t delay. Register now. We expect to fill up quickly, so reserve your spot today. Register by June 29 to lock in the early-bird pricing. Scholarships are also available by request.

Grassroots leader Anthony Thigpenn to give keynote Anthony Thigpenn, a Los Angeles-based community organizer for more than 30 years, heads California Calls, a powerful alliance of 31 organizations in 12 counties around the state.

The centerpiece of California Calls is to achieve progressive, long-term tax and fiscal policy reform by engaging underrepresented, lowincome voters in state public policy decisionmaking.

Thigpenn is widely recognized as a leading expert in grassroots, civic engagement technology and programs. He ran successful field campaigns for Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Congresswoman Karen Bass, State Senator Kevin de León, and former City Councilmember Martin Ludlow, among others.

Thigpenn also is the founder and president of Strategic Concepts in Organizing & Policy Education (SCOPE), a grassroots organization formed in South Los Angeles shortly after the 1992 uprising in the city. It was formerly known as AGENDA. He will give the keynote address Saturday evening during the Annual Awards Ceremony.

www.kftc.org | May 31, 2018

14 | Balancing the Scales

KFTC Annual MEMBERSHIP Meeting

Program Friday, August 3 4 p.m.

Registration Opens

7 p.m.

Evening Program

9 p.m.

Social Activity

Saturday, August 4 8 a.m.

Registration Opens and Breakfast

9 a.m.

Morning Program and Opening

10:45

Workshop Round 1 (choose one)

Digital Organizing: Building Grassroots Power Online & In Real Life – Learn how to use social media platforms to build community on and offline, bring people into the movement, and take action for justice.

From Monuments to Monumental Movements: Supporting People Of Color Led Organizing – In this workshop we will hear from folks working for racial justice in Kentucky, learn tools for anti-racist organizing, and explore how best to show up for people of color led movements.

Appalachian Transition: How we got here and where we’re going – Join us to look back at KFTC’s work over the last 10 years to build a movement toward a Just Transition. We will analyze the moment we are in right now, and moving forward, what it’s going to take to build a brighter future for the region.

Creating spaces of belonging: anti-oppression within our organizing – KFTC aims to model and live out the values and vision that are necessary to build the world we want to live in. This workshop will support participants in building a shared understanding of systems of oppression, how they impact us and our organizing, and how we can create spaces that move us toward collective liberation.

Action for Democracy: Working Toward People Powered Politics in Kentucky – Join this workshop to learn more about Action for Democracy, KFTC's year-round approach to building grassroots power to win on election day, increase civic engagement, build a healthy democracy, and pass progressive local, state

and federal legislation. You'll walk away with new skills to register, educate, empower, and turn out progressive voters in your community in 2018 and beyond.

Building Beloved Community through Connection and Resilience – Good organizing demands strategy, tactics and vision. But good organizing IS, fundamentally, relationships. Through personal relationships, we create the connective tissue of the world we want to see. In this workshop, we’ll consider how to cultivate movements that are inch-wide and mile deep.

Following Youth Leadership – An interactive workshop facilitated by young leaders from across the Commonwealth.

Beyond Pronouns – This workshop will focus on deepening our understanding of our work around gender inclusion and gender justice. Inspired by the #TransLivesMatter film “More Than a Pronoun,” we will be discussing: transitioning, trans visibility, racism, privilege, use of pronouns, restroom issues, suicide, addiction, homelessness, violence, spirituality and health issues in the Trans community.

12:15 p.m. Lunch 1:30 p.m. Workshop Round 2

(Same set of workshops as listed above) 3 p.m.

Afternoon Break

6 p.m.

Dinner

7 p.m.

Keynote and Awards Ceremony We will be joined by special guest Anthony Thigpenn of California Calls, who will share with us his experiences of over 30 years of progressive organizing.

9 p.m.

Social Activity

Sunday, August 5 9 a.m.

Workshops (choose one)

Art in Organizing: Vision Building and the Role of Creative Expression – Art can cause a disruption, help us see the world that we’re striving to create, and can serve as an outlet to help us process the world that we’re living in. Art also allows us to ground our social justice work in our cultural identity to create change in a way that acknowledges our full and authentic

selves. Join us as we view some examples of art in organizing and create art together.

Campaign for Our Commonwealth: Investing in Our Future – Join us for a brief overview of economic justice in Kentucky’s tax and budget policy.

Hear from experts about what lessons we are learning from Kansas’ tax and budget problems and how we can do better. Leave knowing how we can take action between now and the November elections.

Rooted in Faith: the power of organizing for justice from a faith perspective – Join us for a conversation about ways some KFTC members and allies approach grassroots organizing from a faith perspective. How do our diverse religious faiths and spiritual practices inform our shared vision for justice in Kentucky?

What are some ways Kentuckians organize to address poverty, climate change, racial justice, and fundamental human rights by engaging faith communities?

Pulling Off a Successful Nonviolent Direct Action – Nonviolent Direct Action is an effective, yet complex, campaign tactic. Come to this workshop to get a good understanding of what NVDA is, how to make it happen, the various roles that need to be filled, how to keep it legal, and how to take care of yourself and your people mentally and physically throughout.

Writing for Social Change: A Workshop on Movement Building – Do you have something to say?

And do you want to get it out into the world, but feel intimidated or unsure of where to start? Join us for this workshop to practice writing and learn best ways to create and share what you have to say to build our Beloved Community in a fun, welcoming, judgement-free, creative space.

10:30 a.m. Annual Business Meeting This is when we review and vote on KFTC’s issue platform, elect statewide officers, and approve new and returning KFTC chapters.

12 p.m.

Adjourn

www.kftc.org | May 31, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 15

KFTC Annual MEMBERSHIP Meeting

Registration Form Name(s) ______________________________________________________________________________

Please complete this form to register for the Annual Meeting and mail the entire page with payment to KFTC, P.O. Box 1450, London KY 40743.

You also can register at kftc.org/ annual-meeting/registration

Address _______________________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip _________________________________________________________________________ Phone ____________________________________ Email _____________________________________ LODGING This year our annual meeting will be at Berea College. All lodging provided will be in three different dorm buildings that are very close to where the main conference will be. We will be staying in Kettering, Deep Green and the Anna Smith dorms. All dorm rooms are air-conditioned.

Within these dorms, there are two different lodging options. KFTC will do our best to accommodate your lodging preference, but cannot guarantee it. If we are unable to accommodate your selection, we will be in touch with you to figure out alternative arrangements. If you have questions about the lodging or accessibility requests and need someone to specifically follow up with you, please contact heather@kftc.org.

Suite Style Dorm: Six bedrooms share a suite with a common kitchenette and common bathroom. This lodging option would mean that you would share a bathroom with your other suitemates. The bathrooms include multi-stalled toilets and showers.

Traditional residential hall style: This housing option includes traditional dorm rooms with one shared bathroom on each floor. Each floor will be all-gender so that families and couples can stay together. However, we will designate each bathroom gender specific.

Will you be staying overnight with us? ___ Friday and Saturday nights ___ Friday night only ___ Saturday night only ___ I don’t need lodging In most cases, rooms are double-occupancy. If there are 3 or more people in your party, would you like more than one room? ____ Not applicable ____ Please give us two rooms next to each other ____ We would all like to be in the same room ____ Other, please specify: ____________________ _________________________________________

Lodging Option (select all that will work for you): ___ No preference. Suite style or traditional residential hall style will work. Please put me wherever we will fit! ___ Traditional residential hall style only (no suites) ___ Suite style (all-gender bathrooms so families can stay together) ___ Suite style (gender-specific bathroom) ___ None of these options work for me. Please contact me to make alternative arrangements.

Room or suite-mate preference: _________________________________________ _________________________________________ ACCESSIBILITY ___ Not applicable ___ I need a handicap accessible room ___ I need a first-floor room and/or elevator ___ I have another accessibility request, please specify: _________________________________________ _________________________________________ MEALS Meals you will be in attendance for: ___ Saturday breakfast ___ Saturday lunch ___ Saturday dinner ___ Sunday breakfast Do you have any special dietary preferences? ___ No restrictions ___ No pork ___ Gluten-free ___ Vegetarian ___ Vegan ___ Other, please specify: ____________________ _________________________________________ TRANSPORTATION ___ I am driving myself ___ I can drive and am willing to offer a ride to others ___ I need a ride

CHILDCARE Will you need childcare? Please list names and ages: Name: ________________________ Age: _______ Name: ________________________ Age: _______ Name: ________________________ Age: _______ Name: ________________________ Age: _______ When will you need childcare? ___ For the full conference ___ For only select times, which are: _________________________________________ _________________________________________ Do you have any special childcare needs or requests? _________________________________________ _________________________________________ COST Registration fees help KFTC offset a portion of the expense of our annual meeting. We appreciate your contribution to this important weekend!

Prices for one adult, full weekend: • With meals and lodging: $80 before June 29; $100 after June 29.

• With meals (no lodging): $40 before June 29; $60 after June 29.

Prices for one adult, Saturday only (includes meals): • $25 before June 29; $45 after June 29 Prices for one adult, just Friday or just Sunday, other: • Contact KFTC for pricing Children and Youth Pricing: • Children 12 and under are free • Children 12 and older suggested donation of $15 to cover the cost of meals How are you paying? ___ Payment is enclosed. ___ I request a full/partial scholarship (we’ll be in touch) ___ I request a payment plan (you can enclose a partial payment now).

Please make a check or money order payable to KFTC and put “annual meeting” in the note field.

www.kftc.org | May 31, 2018

16 | Balancing the Scales

2018 General Assembly analysis

Understanding the impacts of the tax law changes On the final day of the 2018 General Assembly, Republicans offered some “tweaks” to the revenue and budget bills they had passed earlier in the session.

House Bill 487 was turned into a 417-page revenue bill that replaced legislation they had pushed through just a few days earlier (HB 366).

An analysis by the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy and the Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy showed that HB 366 “was a huge tax cut for the wealthiest Kentuckians and a shift in reliance onto everyone else.”

HB 487 made that shift even more pronounced, extending tax breaks for big corporations.

Like HB 366, HB 487 was pushed through by the Republican majority before most legislators had a chance to read it. Not a single Democrat voted to support the bill. Several Republicans voted against it as well.

The final tax bill that became law and will become effective July 1, and the accompanying budget bills, are the result of Republican legislative leaders choosing to reduce funding for public education and other public programs that benefit Kentuckians in order to give tax breaks to the wealthy and powerful.

According to the Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy, before the passage of HB 487, middleincome Kentuckians (those earning $30,000-$50,000 per year) contribute almost 11 percent of their income to state and local taxes. The wealthiest 1 percent of Kentuckians (those making more than $330,000 per year) contribute only 6 percent of their income in state and local taxes.

Legislators chose to make the system even more imbalanced by shifting taxes to middle- and low-income Kentuckians while cutting taxes for the wealthiest.

Under the new tax law, the richest 1 percent (who make on average $1,042,000 a year) will receive an average tax cut of $5,679. The next 4 percent of the wealthiest will receive, on average, a $542 tax cut.

Everyone else (95 percent of Kentuckians) get a tax increase. The biggest tax increase, as a share of income, goes to those making less than $21,000 a year.

While the small amount of additional revenue projected in HB 487 allowed some cuts proposed by Gov. Bevin to be avoided, the budget will be the 20th round of significant budget cuts since 2008.

State agencies already slashed to the bone will once again be forced to reduce jobs and cut services, as a result of the 6.25 percent, mostly across the board, cuts.

Universities are not spared.

The increase in per-pupil funding for public school students will rise, though when adjusted for

inflation still has not recovered to 2008 levels.

Overall, public education suffered serious cuts.

While the cuts will hurt programs across the state, some agencies, such as the Commission on Women and the University Press of Kentucky, lost all state funding. Funding for textbooks also was taken away.

The Legislative Research Commission reported that the tax package would generate an additional $239 million in state revenue in 2019 and $248 million in 2020. Republican legislators used this number to balance the budget they passed.

The analysis by the Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy shows that the annual tax revenue brought in will probably be closer to $182 million.

Below is a more thorough detailing of what is in HB 487 and its fiscal impacts.

Sales tax applied to 17 services (Kentucky will gain $220.7 million in tax revenue annually) HB 366 extended the state’s 6 percent sales tax to a number of services. HB 487 then exempted large corporations from some of those very taxes.

Here are the services now subject to the sales tax: •

• •

• • •

Labor or services rendered in installing or applying tangible personal property, such as having a water-heater installed, a furnace replaced or any car repaired. All industrial and manufacturing industries are exempted from the tax.

Extended warranty services; Landscaping services, including lawn care and maintenance service; tree trimming, pruning, or removal services; landscape design, installation, care and maintenance; snow removal services; Janitorial services, including but not limited to residential and commercial cleaning services, and carpet, upholstery and window cleaning services; Small animal veterinary services, excluding services for equine, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, ratite birds, buffalo and cervids; Pet care services, including but not limited to

•

• • • • • •

grooming and boarding services, pet sitting services, and pet obedience training services; Industrial laundry services, including but not limited to industrial uniform supply services, protective apparel supply services, and industrial mat and rug supply services; Non-coin-operated laundry and dry cleaning Linen supply services; Indoor skin tanning services; Non-medical diet and weight reducing services; Limousine services, if a driver is provided; The rental of campsites, campgrounds and recreational vehicle parks.

KFTC has supported the taxation of some of the services listed as a part of the comprehensive tax reform bill championed by Rep. Jim Wayne, known as the Kentucky Forward Plan. Services such as limousine rides, landscaping and dry cleaning are luxury services largely used by the wealthy. However, many other services, such as architectural and legal services, were not included in the Republican tax bills.

Thus, the net effect of the sales tax increases is that they will disproportionately impact low- and middleincome Kentuckians.

Income tax increase on low-income Kentuckians, cut for middle- and high-income (Kentucky will lose $126 million in tax revenue annually) Many Republicans who voted for HB 487 said it would be an income tax cut for every Kentuckian. This continued on next page

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Balancing the Scales | 17

2018 General Assembly analysis

The impacts of the tax law changes (continued) continued from previous page is not true. The break-even point for HB 487 is an annual net income of $23,000. Those with net income less than $23,000 will pay more tax and those with net income more than $23,000 will pay less tax.

When combined with the other income tax changes, Kentuckians making less than $21,000 a year will see an income tax increase of $85, while the average high-income Kentuckian (making more than $330,000) will see an income tax cut of $6,219.

Income Taxes: Changes Kentucky’s income tax rates to a flat 5 percent from the current range of 2-6 percent.

This is a huge tax cut for wealthy Kentuckians, and will cost Kentucky $500 million in tax revenue per year.

Retirement Income: Currently, retirement income (not counting Social Security) up to $41,110 is exempt from income tax. HB 487 drops this threshold to $31,110, meaning some retirees will pay more taxes on their income from pensions, annuities, profit-sharing plans, retirement plans or employee savings plans.

Itemized Deductions: The following itemized deductions reported on Schedule A of the Kentucky tax return have been eliminated: • • • • • •

Interest expense related to investments Taxes paid Casualty and theft losses Medical care expenses, including any deduction for health insurance Moving expenses Other miscellaneous deductions

The elimination of these deductions will not impact any taxpayer who elects to claim the standard deduction instead of the itemized deduction. No change was made to the standard deduction.

Personal Tax Credit: The $10 personal tax credit for the taxpayer, spouse and each dependent is eliminated.

Income tax cut for big corporations, income tax increase on small businesses (Kentucky will lose $29.8 million in tax revenue annually) HB 487 changed Kentucky’s corporate tax rates to a flat 5% from the current range of 4-6%. This amounts to cutting taxes for the wealthiest corporations and increasing taxes on small businesses.

Additionally, corporations rate higher than any other state KFTC members and staff are planning currently apportion taxable inbut West Virginia. Kentucky tax justice presentations and workshops come to Kentucky using a three- leading up to the 2018 General Election. ranks first in deaths from lung factor formula based on property, cancer, which accounts for oneTo schedule on in your chapter or community, contact Tyler Offerman payroll and receipts. Beginning third of the state’s cancer deaths. at tyler@kftc.org or 859-209-0815. in 2018, corporations will apporSmoking-related health costs in tion income to Kentucky using a the state are near $2 billion a single-factor apportionment fraction based on receipts. year.

This provision is a tax cut for corporations that have Research shows that increasing the cigarette tax more property and payroll in this state than receipts in by a dollar (to $1.60) would have resulted in 23,200 this state more Kentucky youth becoming smoke-free adults, nearly 1,200 healthier newborns every year, and more Increase of cigarette tax, done in a way where there than $1 billion in long-term health care cost savings. is little benefit (Kentucky will gain $136 million in But because the increase failed to meet this minirevenue the first year, then see a decline) mum threshold to result in health improvements, and

smoking rates are higher among low-income people, The excise tax on a pack of cigarettes will increase Rep. Jim Wayne said the tax “is really for many Ken50 cents to $1.10. tuckians a tax on the poor.”

Proponents of the tobacco tax increase wanted Additionally, as smoking rates decline, so will the to see a $1 increase, primarily as a way to discourage revenue raised by the tax, making it an unsustainable smoking. One out of four Kentucky adults smoke, a source of tax revenue.

House members voting YES to pass the final tax bill, HB 487 (51) Lynn Belcher, Danny Bentley, Robert Benvenuti, John Blanton, Kevin Bratcher, Larry Brown, John Carney, Myron Dossett, Jim DuPlessis, Daniel Elliott, Joe Fischer, Ken Fleming, Chris Fugate, Jim Gooch, David Hale, Mark Hart, Richard Heath, Jeff Hoover, Regina Huff, Kenny Imes, DJ Johnson, Adam Koenig, Stan Lee, Chad McCoy, David Meade, Michael Meredith, Suzanne Miles, Jerry Miller, Robby Mills, Phil Moffett, Kimberly Moser, Jason Nemes, David Osborne, Jason Petrie, Phlllip Pratt, Melinda Prunty, Brandon Reed, Steve Riley, Rob Rothenburger, Bart Rowland, Steve Rudy, Sal Santoro, Jonathan Shell, Diane St. Onge, Walker Thomas, James Tipton, Tommy Turner, Ken Upchurch, Russell Webber, Addia Wuchner, Jim York

House members voting NO, against passage of the final tax bill, HB 487 (38) Rocky Adkins, Linda Belcher, George Brown, Tom Burch, McKenzie Cantrell, Tim Couch, Will Coursey, Jeff Donohue, Kelly Flood, Al Gentry, Robert Goforth, Derrick Graham, Jeff Greer, Chris Harris, Angie Hatton, Joni Jenkins, James Kay, Dennis Keene, Kim King, Mary Lou Marzian, Reggie Meeks, Russ Meyer, Charlie Miller, Wesley Morgan, Rick Nelson, Sannie Overly, Ruth Ann Palumbo, Rick Rand, Jody Richards, Steve Riggs, Attica Scott, Arnold Simpson, John Sims, Kevin Sinnette, Jim Stewart, Wilson Stone, Jim Wayne, Susan Westrom NOT VOTING (11): Matt Castlen, Jim DeCesare, Toby Herald, Dennis Horlander, Brian Linder, Donna Mayfield, Tim Moore, Darryl Owens, Dean Schamore, Scott Wells, Gerald Watkins

Senate members voting YES to pass the final tax bill, HB 487 (24) Ralph Alvarado, Joe Bowen, Jared Carpenter, Danny Carroll, C.B. Embry, Rick Girdler, David Givens, Ernie Harris, Jimmy Higdon, Paul Hornback, Stan Humphries, Alice Forgy Kerr, Chris McDaniel, Stephen Meredith, Julie Raque Adams, Al Robinson, Wil Schroder, Dan Seum, Robert Stivers, Damon Thayer, Stephen West, Whitney Westerfield, Mike Wilson, Max Wise

Senate members voting NO, against passage of the final tax bill, HB 487 (14) Tom Buford, Julian Carroll, Perry Clark, Denise Harper Angel, Ray Jones, Morgan McGarvey, Gerald Neal, Dennis Parrett, Dorsey Ridley, John Schickel, Brandon Smith, Reggie Thomas, Johnny Ray Turner, Robin Webb

www.kftc.org | May 31, 2018

18 | Balancing the Scales

2018 General Assembly analysis

Understanding the impacts of the new pension law

Near the end of the 2018 General Assembly, in the span of just a few hours and over vehement objections, Republican legislators pushed through a 291-page pension bill that almost none of them had read.

The House vote was 49-46; in the Senate, 22-15.

They knew little about what was in the bill, other than it would be unpopular with public employees and especially teachers because of the harm it intended.

Not a single Democrat voted to support the bill, and several Republicans voted against it as well.

No actuarial analysis was available at the time of the vote, which is illegal — a fact the legislators voting “no” noted repeatedly.

Tens of thousands of public workers, KFTC members and allies organized throughout the General Assembly against the weakening of public pensions.

The similar bill had been stopped in the Senate earlier in the session. But with no notice, House leaders amended a sewer bill (HB 151) and pushed it through by narrow margins.

Information about what is in the bill trickled out in the following days as it was finally read and analyzed. The Kentucky Center for Economic Policy provided the following information.

Importantly, the bill re-sets the start of the 30-year period to pay off pension liabilities from 2013 to 2019.

This decision will cost the state $3.3 billion more for the state pension systems and $1.7 billion for local pension systems, KCEP found.

Besides unnecessarily costing the state money, the new law weakens the retirement security of Kentucky’s public workers in many ways. It: • Ends the inviolable contract for teachers (inviolable contract protections for state and local public employees ended in 2013), making their benefits vulnerable to further cuts in the future.

• Ends the existing defined benefit plan for new teachers, shifting them to a hybrid cash balance plan (like state and local non-hazardous employees were forced into five years ago) where benefits depend on market returns. The plan guarantees only 85 percent of investment gains to public employees; 15 percent of teachers’ investment returns will be taken by the state.

• Requires state and local public employees hired between July 1, 2003 and September 1, 2008 to give 1 percent of their salary as additional contribution to their retiree health care plan.

• Eliminates the ability for teachers to use sick leave and comp time to determine retirement ben-

•

•

efit and/or eligibility after December 31, 2018.

This change will add more costs to local school districts that will have to pay more for substitute teachers as use of sick days increases.

Raises the retirement eligibility for new teachers to age 65 with 5 years of work experience, or at least age 57 and an age plus years of service that equals a minimum of 87. Currently, teachers can retire with full benefits at age 60 with at least 5 years’ experience or at any age with 27 years’ experience.

Shifts about one-third of the cost of the teacher hybrid cash balance plan to school districts, which must contribute 2 percent of new teachers’ pay for the benefit. This change will continue the trend of the state backing away from its responsibility to fund K-12 education and asking local schools to bear a larger share of costs. That pattern is creating a growing gap between rich and

poor school districts, which is returning to levels that were declared unconstitutional in the 1980s.

The reason pensions are underfunded is because past legislatures and governors for years chose to underfund them. Weakening retirees’ benefits and ending the inviolable contract did not address the fundamental problem of the lack of revenue to support vital public services.

As soon as Governor Bevin signed the bill into law, Attorney General Andy Beshear’s office, the Kentucky Education Association and the Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police sued to have the law struck down.

The lawsuit contends that the sick day changes in SB 151 break the inviolable contract and that the bill was passed without an actuarial analysis.

The case is currently being heard in Franklin Circuit and is widely expected to go to the Kentucky Supreme Court to be resolved.

House members voting YES to pass the pension bill, HB 151 (49) Danny Bentley, Robert Benvenuti, Kevin Bratcher, John Carney, Matt Castlen, Jim DeCesare, Myron Dossett, Jim DuPlessis, Daniel Elliott, Joe Fischer, Ken Fleming, Chris Fugate, Jim Gooch, David Hale, Mark Hart, Richard Heath, Toby Herald, Kenny Imes, DJ Johnson, Adam Koenig, Brian Linder, Donna Mayfield, Chad McCoy, David Meade, Michael Meredith, Suzanne Miles, Jerry Miller, Robby Mills, Tim Moore, Kimberly Moser, Jason Nemes, David Osborne, Jason Petrie, Phlllip Pratt, Melinda Prunty, Brandon Reed, , Rob Rothenburger, Bart Rowland, Steve Rudy, Sal Santoro, Jonathan Shell, Diane St. Onge, Walker Thomas, James Tipton, Tommy Turner, Ken Upchurch, Russell Webber, Scott Wells, Addia Wuchner

House members voting NO, against passage of the pension bill, HB 151 (46) Rocky Adkins, Linda Belcher, John Blanton, George Brown, Larry Brown, Tom Burch, McKenzie Cantrell, Tim Couch, Will Coursey, Jeff Donohue, Kelly Flood, Al Gentry, Robert Goforth, Derrick Graham, Jeff Greer, Chris Harris, Angie Hatton, Regina Huff, Joni Jenkins, James Kay, Dennis Keene, Kim King, Reggie Meeks, Russ Meyer, Charlie Miller, Phil Moffett, Wesley Morgan, Rick Nelson, Sannie Overly, Darryl Owens, Ruth Ann Palumbo, Rick Rand, Jody Richards, Steve Riggs, Steve Riley, Dean Schamore, Attica Scott, Arnold Simpson, John Sims, Kevin Sinnette, Jim Stewart, Wilson Stone, Gerald Watkins, Jim Wayne, Susan Westrom, Jim York NOT VOTING (5): Lynn Belcher, Jeff Hoover, Dennis Horlander, Stan Lee, Mary Lou Marzian

Senate members voting YES to pass the pension bill, HB 151 (22) Ralph Alvarado, Joe Bowen, Jared Carpenter, Danny Carroll, Rick Girdler, David Givens, Ernie Harris, Jimmy Higdon, Paul Hornback, Stan Humphries, Chris McDaniel, Stephen Meredith, Al Robinson, John Schickel, Wil Schroder, Dan Seum, Robert Stivers, Damon Thayer, Stephen West, Whitney Westerfield, Mike Wilson, Max Wise

Senate members voting NO, against passage of the pension bill, HB 151 (15) Tom Buford, Julian Carroll, C.B. Embry, Denise Harper Angel, Ray Jones, Alice Forgy Kerr, Morgan McGarvey, Gerald Neal, Dennis Parrett, Julie Raque Adams, Dorsey Ridley, Brandon Smith, Reggie Thomas, Johnny Ray Turner, Robin Webb NOT VOTING (1): Perry Clark

www.kftc.org | May 31, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 19

calendar of events June 3 – Annual chapter meeting Cumberland, 2-4 p.m.

Union College Student Center Heritage Conference Room, Barbourville Info: Angel@kftc.org or 606-261-4955 June 4 – annual chapter meeting and potluck, Wilderness Trace, 6:30 p.m.

InterCounty Energy Community Room 1009 Hustonville Rd., Danville Info: Sasha@kftc.org or 859-358-9713 June 5 – annual chapter meeting and potluck Big Sandy, 6 p.m. at the City Perk Coffeehouse 225 E. Graham Street, Prestonsburg Info: Jacob@kftc.org or 606-497-9262 June 7 – annual chapter meeting and potluck, Harlan County 5 p.m. at the Rebecca Caudill Library 310 W Main Street in Cumberland Info: Angel@kftc.org or 606-261-4955 June 7 – annual chapter meeting Scott County 6:30 p.m., Scott County Public Library 104 S. Bradford Lane in Georgetown Info: Joe@kftc.org or 859-380-6103 June 11 – annual chapter meeting and potluck, Jefferson County 6:30 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church 809 S. 4th St., Louisville Info: Becky@kftc.org or 502-741-8759 June 16 – sixth and final training session for KFTC’s initial Organizing Academy Leader Cohort. Includes graduation.

Info: Beth@kftc.org or 859-276-0563 June 18 – annual chapter meeting Perry County, 6 p.m.

Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky 420 Main Street, Hazard

Info: Jacob@kftc.org or 606-497-9262 June 19 – annual chapter meeting and potluck, Northern Kentucky 7 p.m. at Center for Great Neighborhoods 321 W. 12th Street, Covington Info: Joe@kftc.org or 859-380-6103 June 21 – annual chapter meeting July 19 – regular chapter meeting Shelby County 6 p.m. at the Stratton Center 215 Washington Street in Shelbyville Info: Becky@kftc.org or 502-741-8759

•

MAIN OFFICE Morgan Brown, Burt Lauderdale, Ashley Frasher, Angel Hill and Jacob Mack-Boll 131 North Mill Street P.O. Box 1450 | London, Kentucky 40743 606-878-2161 | Fax: 606-878-5714

FIELD OFFICES Louisville E’Beth Adami, Alicia Hurle, Becky Jones and Carissa Lenfert 735 Lampton Street #202 Louisville, Ky. 40203 502-589-3188

June 21 – annual chapter meeting July 19 – regular chapter meeting Rowan County 6 p.m. at St. Albans Church 145 E. 5th St., Morehead Info: Nikita@kftc.org or 502-488-3830

Bowling Green Molly Kaviar, Laura Harper, Lesley Garrett, Alex Goldsmith and James Line 958 Collett Ave., Suite 500 Bowling Green, Ky. 42101 270-282-4553

June 21 – annual chapter meeting Central Kentucky, 7 p.m.

Northside Branch Lexington Public Library, 1733 Russell Cave Rd. Info: Meredith@kftc.org or 859-276-0563

Northern Kentucky Joe Gallenstein and Caitlin Sparks 640 Main Street Covington, Ky. 41005 859-380-6103

June 26 – annual chapter meeting Southern Kentucky 6 p.m. at Foundry Community Center 531 W 11th Ave. in Bowling Green Info: Molly@kftc.org or 502-599-3989

Central Kentucky Jessica Hays Lucas, Beth Howard, Heather Mahoney, Erik Hungerbuhler, Meredith Wadlington, Tyler Offerman, Sharon Murphy, Tayna Fogle, DeBraun Thomas and Nikita Perumal 250 Plaza Drive, Suite 4 Lexington, Ky 40503 859-276-0563

July 7 KFTC Steering Committee meeting 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Location TBA Info: Heather@kftc.org or 859-276-0563 August 3-5 KFTC Annual Membership Meeting Berea College Information and registration at: http://kftc.org/events/2018-annualmembership-meeting

Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for a Moral Revival •

KFTC OFFICES and STAFF

Monday, June 4, June 11 and June 18 – Speak outs and nonviolent moral fusion direct action at the state capitol, Frankfort Sunday, June 23 – Mass rally in Washington, DC and Global Day of Solidarity Learn more and sign up at: http://kftc.org/kentucky-poor-peoples-campaign

Floyd County Jessie Skaggs and Jerry Hardt 152 North Lake Drive • P.O. Box 864 Prestonsburg, Ky 41653 606-263-4982 Berea Lisa Abbott, Amy Hogg, Kevin Pentz, Sasha Zaring and Michael Harrington 210 N. Broadway, Unit #3 Berea, Ky 40403

859-756-4027

Email any staff member at firstname@kftc.org except for Jessica Hays Lucas, use jessicabreen@ kftc.org; Beth Howard, use bethhoward@kftc.org

20 | Balancing the Scales

www.kftc.org | May 31, 2018