by Doug Greco

“Politics is a strong and slow boring of hard boards. It requires passion as well as perspective.”
-German Sociologist and Philosopher Max Weber.

Last month I wrote about the launch of our 500 Leaders Campaign: our effort to double the Central Texas Interfaith (CTI) leadership base by November of 2019.  This past week will give you a peek into the organizing and leadership development work, mostly behind the scenes, that makes this happen. 

Tuesday night, June 11, ATT Governmental Relations Director Eva Muñoz presented the Central Texas Interfaith Strategy Team with a $15,000 check to support its work in training Spanish-speaking and immigrant parents to address education issues that their children face (photo right).

On Wednesday, June 12, Rabbi Alan Freedman of Temple Beth Shalom and Rev. John Elford of University United Methodist Church Co-chaired the CTI Clergy Caucus.  Guest speaker Rev. Melanie Jones presented on the role of race in the story of Hagar in scripture (photo below).  

On Thursday and Friday, June 13-14, over 25 CTI leaders converged on Austin City Hall to advocate for Living Wages, pro-Affordability policies, funding for workforce and Education, and to reform policies that criminalize people experiencing homelessness.  Leaders met with Mayor Adler, and Councilmembers Alison Alter and Greg Casar (see photo at right).   

On Saturday, June 15, 25 leaders from CTI University-area and Downtown congregations and other organizations gathered for a day-long training on institutional organizing, building organizing teams, and conducting House Meetings.  These leaders committed to a campaign of listening sessions in Central Austin leading up to a planned CTI Delegates Assembly in November (below right).  

As the Max Weber quote at the top of this post implies, the lasting work of political change is built on hundreds of small actions, interactions, and attempts to advance ideas, relationships, and issues.  Please continue to follow the work of Central Texas Interfaith this year, and we invite you to participate in and support our efforts to build a stronger Central Texas. 

For more information on how to participate in CTI, please contact us at: [email protected]

To support the work of CTI financially, please donate below: