Did you know Pittsburgh voters will get to decide whether they want to keep their water systems public during the Primary Election?

Join us for an evening of community, conversation, and local brews as we dive into the key details of this important initiative. Connect with environmental attorneys and fellow advocates who are passionate about keeping our water public. Don’t miss this chance to learn, engage, and share a drink with like-minded neighbors!

On June 28, 2024, the Supreme Court released an opinion that dismantled Chevron deference—a legal principle of administrative law that has been relied on for forty years—leaving the country to grapple with the uncertainty of what comes next. We hope this conversation can help shed some light on what Chevron was, why it was created, how this ruling could impact the Ohio River Valley, and how environmental advocates may be able to fill the gaps left in its place. Read more at: https://www.fairshake-els.org/blog/post-chevron.

Join us and partners from across PA, OH, and WV for this virtual discussion. Register at:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpf-GgqzgtHdwuCbBq0xlrsloeM7tTpg6G

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Nonpartisan Advocacy: How 501(c)(3)s Can Educate and Advocate During Election Season. Hosted by Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services, New Sun Rising, and Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, and facilitated by Bolder Advocacy.

Though public charities must remain nonpartisan, they have a critical role to play throughout the election cycle! Not only can public charities engage in issue advocacy during election season, but they can also conduct robust voter and candidate education campaigns and mobilize the public to get out the vote. After this session, you will have a better understanding of how to safely engage in nonpartisan advocacy during an election. 

Participants will learn: 

- How you can continue to advocate for your issues during election years; 

- How you can educate the public through candidate forums and questionnaires; 

- How you can respond to candidate statements objectively; 

- How you can conduct nonpartisan voter registration and ensure get-out-the-vote efforts are conducted legally; 

- How you can safely support or oppose ballot measures without being partisan; and 

- How staff and volunteers’ partisan activities in their personal time can be kept separate from their activities on behalf of the organization. 

Register at: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcscO2gqTkuH9E5-BxDLanzuljx7NycxjGD

Hosted by Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services, and facilitated by Bolder Advocacy.

501(c)(3)s play an important role in educating the public about policy issues and actions taken by elected officials, including the President. Elected officials vote on bills, make public statements and executive decisions, and set the course for public policy on a wide range of issues. These actions may be consistent with or conflict with a nonprofit's position on an issue. After this workshop you will have a clear understanding of how to maximize your advocacy, the kinds of advocacy activities 501(c)(3)s can engage in, and when a communication is considered lobbying.

Participants will learn:

1. How federal tax law permits lobbying for charities and how lobbying is defined;

2. One easy step most charities can take to maximize the amount they're allowed to spend on lobbying;

3. Yearly lobbying limits for charities;

4. Tips for taking advantage of the narrow definitions of lobbying – which will help charities make the most of their lobbying limit; and

5. The application of these rules to ballot measure activities.

Register at: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtdu6trDkrH9RVdRW8486P89orQMs5pR4f

Hosted by Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services and Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, and facilitated by Bolder Advocacy.

501(c)(3)s play an important role in educating the public about policy issues and actions taken by elected officials, including the President. Elected officials vote on bills, make public statements and executive decisions, and set the course for public policy on a wide range of issues. These actions may be consistent with or conflict with a nonprofit's position on an issue. After this workshop you will have a clear understanding of how to maximize your advocacy, the kinds of advocacy activities 501(c)(3)s can engage in, and when a communication is considered lobbying.

Participants will learn:

1. How federal tax law permits lobbying for charities and how lobbying is defined;

2. One easy step most charities can take to maximize the amount they're allowed to spend on lobbying;

3. Yearly lobbying limits for charities;

4. Tips for taking advantage of the narrow definitions of lobbying – which will help charities make the most of their lobbying limit; and

5. The application of these rules to ballot measure activities.

Register at: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwscu2spz0pEtftekj3_RMqIUj6lE8WZQqR

Hosted by Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services and New Sun Rising, and facilitated by Bolder Advocacy.

501(c)(3)s play an important role in educating the public about policy issues and actions taken by elected officials, including the President. Elected officials vote on bills, make public statements and executive decisions, and set the course for public policy on a wide range of issues. These actions may be consistent with or conflict with a nonprofit's position on an issue. After this workshop you will have a clear understanding of how to maximize your advocacy, the kinds of advocacy activities 501(c)(3)s can engage in, and when a communication is considered lobbying.

Participants will learn:

1. How federal tax law permits lobbying for charities and how lobbying is defined;

2. One easy step most charities can take to maximize the amount they're allowed to spend on lobbying;

3. Yearly lobbying limits for charities;

4. Tips for taking advantage of the narrow definitions of lobbying – which will help charities make the most of their lobbying limit; and

5. The application of these rules to ballot measure activities.

Register at: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwvde-trz8rH9DXORyUx3AGEzlZBZiJJhWD

Fair Shake is partnering with River Valley Organizing, Community Legal Aid, Case Western Reserve School of Law Environmental and Health Law Clinics, and Ohio Environmental Council to hold another free legal advice clinic for residents of the East Palestine area impacted by the train derailment. Stop in if you have legal questions about the train derailment. There's no commitment and no fee! The clinic is this Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM and will be at the East Palestine First Church of Christ, 20 W Martin St, East Palestine, OH 44413. For more information, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/2636513483163704?ref=newsfeed