From your Fahe Advocacy Team
The election is over and the landscape for the next administration is slowly coming into focus. As of the 14th, the AP called that Republicans have retained their narrow majority in the House of Representatives, resulting in a unified government. This means new faces in both elected and appointed positions and new policy and funding priorities.
Over the next 3 months as appointments are made, legislation is introduced, and the budget process begins, we’ll be reaching out to help you navigate these shifts. You can expect:
- Support in crafting messaging that speaks to these new audiences.
- Information on which programs may be poised for cuts or increases – and how you can influence these decisions.
- Opportunities to meet with the new staff in the Administration and Congress.
To be well-positioned to have these important conversations at the Federal, State and Local levels, it’s important to have good relationships with these folks. Remember one of Advocacy’s golden rules: Don’t let your first contact with an elected office be when you’re facing a problem or asking for something.
To help streamline this effort, each Caucus has sent letters of congratulations on your behalf to all of the Federal and State election winners in our footprint. In addition, Jim has sent letters of congratulations from the entire network to all the Federal representatives in our footprint. We are on track to send WELL over 100 letters! Which is fantastic!
But, we know that local decisions are where the rubber meets the road. So we have a small request:
To help ensure we engage at the local level too (where your relationships are VITAL) we’ve drafted a basic letter of congratulations that you can modify for local leaders (new or returning!).
You can use the template as formatted, make modifications (remove logos etc.), or copy and paste to your own letterhead. What matters is that you take a few minutes to personalize and send a note (email or snail mail!) to your local leaders. And, if possible, please tell your Fahe Advocacy Staff Member who you’ve reached out to! You can just shoot us a list, or cc us on emails. Whatever is easiest. If you’re not sure where to find good addresses (email or snail) for local winners, please let us know.
And, if you’re feeling ambitious and you’d like to send something to your State and Federal Representatives, we can provide you with that template as well as the best addresses for those candidates/incumbents. Just reach out to your state point of contact, or Kylie Milliken (kmilliken@fahe.org).
As always, we’re here to talk if you have questions or concerns. Otherwise, we look forward to hearing hearing who you’re connecting with and supporting you in this transition over the months to come.
2025 Upcoming CAUCUS MEETING INFO – coming in December!
Information from Previous Caucus Meetings:
- Tues. Oct. 29, 2024 – Caucus Packet
- Tues. June 11, 2024 – Caucus Packet
- Tues. Feb. 6, 2024 – Caucus Packet
- Nov. 7, 2023 – Caucus Packet
- June 13, 2023 – Caucus Packet
- Feb. 7, 2023 – Packet – WV Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund flyer from WV LSC
Thur. Nov. 21 – Webinar: How to Champion Your Coal Community’s Natural Resources
The Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities (BRECC) National Network is hosting a webinar on Nov. 21st. Join the webinar, titled How to Champion Your Coal Community’s Natural Resources and learn how coal communities are balancing resource conservation and economic development. This session will highlight how coal-impacted communities can leverage public lands, natural resources, and federal partnerships in order to successfully champion the needs of their community. This BRECC National Network Session will feature the Conservation Fund’s “Activation Program” and community leaders embracing a multi-point approach to natural resource economies. Learn more about the upcoming BRECC National Network webinar and how to apply here
OPPORTUNITIES from the HUB
Open Call for AmeriCorps VISTA Subsites – Applications will be due by November 22nd, 2024.
Our AmeriCorps VISTA project brings capacity-building resources across the state in the form of dedicated individuals who choose to serve their community with the goal of ending generational poverty. We are inviting new projects to apply to be considered for receiving this resource from 2025-2028 to help grow capacity and create vibrant, prosperous communities.
Who should consider applying: Public, private, or faith-based nonprofit organizations as well as local or state agencies who need to build sustainable capacity that will end generational poverty in the community they are serving. The Hub will prioritize organizations working with projects in the communities or geographic areas we are already serving, and project proposals that address “Economic Opporunity” focus area. Projects that address Healthy Futures, Education, Veterans and Military Families, and/or Environmental Stewardship will also be considered.
Process: Consultation -> Letter of Intent -> Application ->Approval by AmeriCorps -> Recruitment
Sites interested in applying should schedule a consultation with Project Director Erin Susman prior to completing their Letter of Intent. Letters of Intent received without the completion of a consultation will not be considered. This is a chance to learn more about the program and shape your project ideas.
Letters of intent will be considered through October 30th, and will only be considered if the consultation has been completed. Sites invited to complete an application based on their Letter of Intent will be notified by November 4th. Applications will be due by November 22nd, 2024. Recruitment for accepted applications will begin April 1, 2025.
If you have questions, contact The Hub’s VISTA Program Director Erin Susman at e.susman@wvhub.org or Community Coaching Coordinator Olivia McConnell at o.mcconnell@wvhub.org.
Dec. 3 – Champions for Change Community Leader Fellowship Info Session
| ✍️ // Register today for our upcoming Champions for Change Leader Fellowship Info Session Kickstart Communities Fellowships support West Virginians to gain the skills needed to find their voices as leaders and step up to make positive change in their communities. Applications for the Champions for Change Fellowship will open the day of the info session (December 3rd). This program will be a combination of in-person and virtual sessions over the course of 10 weeks beginning in March. Join us at this virtual event to learn more. *This session will be recorded, and the recording will be emailed to all people registered for the event. If you cannot attend the event, please register to receive the recording.* In the Champions for Change Fellowship, participants learn how to build community teams, lead effective meetings, create and facilitate events, communicate with the public and preserve community histories, resolve conflict, and build positive relationships both with internal teams and external partners. Register for the Champions for Change Leader Fellowship Info Session here |
Kickstart Community Learning Library HERE
SALS 22nd COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING MEAL – Nov. 28 – (please share)
CALL TODAY TO PLACE YOUR ORDER (681) 688-4128 – deadline is 10/31/24 ~ Meals can be requested by emailing communitythanksgivingmeal@outlook.com or by calling (681)688-4128. Please leave a message with your name, phone number, number of meals requested, and pick-up location from the list below.
Meals will be available for pick-up at one of the following locations & must be picked up between 10 am and Noon
- Smithers GATEWAY Center – 2 Greyhound Way, Smithers
- SALS Raines Building – I mile south of Kincaid Post Office on Route 6 l LS Community Center – 1862 Beards Fork Road, Beards Fork
- Lewis Christian Community Center – 469 Central Avenue, Oak Hill
Meals will be available for pick-up at one of the following locations & must be picked up between 11 am and 12:30 pm
- Town of Pax (gym) – 37 School Street, Pax
- SALS Regina Three Rivers Apartments – l 94 Scrabble Creek Road, Gauley Bridge
- Mount Hope Community Center – 518 Main Street, Mount Hope
- Midland Trail Community Center – 18 Church Street, Ansted
Effective October 15: FHLB-Pittsburgh Relocating Headquarters to: 301 Grant St. Ste. 2000, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
From The Fund!
WVHDF Info/Funding Opportunities – Link to WVHDF Programs Page
Board information HERE
