Episcopal Public Policy Network and the Episcopal Office of Government Relations:"The Office of Government Relations (OGR) represents the policy priorities of The Episcopal Church to the U.S. government in Washington, D.C. and helps to shape the discussion of political issues throughout the Church. OGR aims to influence policy and legislation on critical issues, highlighting the voices and experiences of Episcopalians and Anglicans globally. All policy positions are based on General Convention and Executive Council resolutions.
"Additionally, the Office of Government Relations works to educate, equip, and engage Episcopalians through the Episcopal Public Policy Network. As a Church, we raise our voices to ensure that U.S. government policies are in line with our values as Episcopalians and Christians.”
You can follow EPPN on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @TheEPPN and sign up for their alerts
here.
Faith and Citizenship: A Guide to Effective Advocacy for EpiscopaliansYou can access the full guide published by the Episcopal Church
here.
Americans with Conscience:
They "provide tools that encourage engagement to strengthen American democracy and social justice”They provide suggestions for concrete action related to a variety of issues, including suggested scripts, as well as people to thank for doing the right thing.
You can subscribe to their checklist
here.
Can a Church Advocate for Political Action?
Short answer: yes, but not for a specific candidate in an election.Longer answer: yes, we may advocate for policies and comment on the work of those who already are in office (i.e. lobby) but not engage in what the IRS calls “political campaign intervention” or “political activity."
"The law says that organizations exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, which include charities and churches, may not participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office.” (from
Political Campaigns and Charities: The Ban on Political Campaign Intervention Course) Lobbying and political campaign intervention are two different things.
Lobbying is any activity designed to influence legislation, while political campaign intervention is participating in a political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, a candidate for public office. Though they are both related to politics, the activities are different—as are the rules for exempt organizations participating in them. 501(c)(3) organizations can conduct a little lobbying without jeopardizing exemption; it just can’t be principal activity of the organization. The “Three Ls” help me remember the rule here: Lobbying is about Legislation—and a 501(c)(3) can do a Limited amount of it. The rule for 501(c)(3)s and political activity is very different. A 501(c)(3) can’t conduct any political activity. [You can] use the “Three Ps” to keep this rule straight: Political activity is about People running for office and 501(c)(3)s are Prohibited from getting involved, either for or against. Doing so jeopardizes their exemption. (from
Stay Exempt Maintaining 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status Overview Course, p. 9).
Learn more
here.