Faith Coalition for the Common Good is an affiliate of Gamaliel. Founded in 1986, the mission of Gamaliel is to empower ordinary people to effectively participate in the political, environmental, social and economic decisions affecting their lives. Gamaliel’s diverse members apply their faith and values to the pursuit of equal opportunity for all, shared abundance, and stronger, more prosperous communities.
How does FCCG carry out this comprehensive Gamaliel mission here in Springfield and the surrounding communities? Through community organizing and leadership training, members of FCCG are committed to addressing justice issues and promoting positive systemic change at local, state and national levels.
I first became part of FCCG in 2008 as a representative of St. Patrick School; currently, I represent St. Patrick School and the Dominican Sisters. My personal commitment to justice, equity, and systemic change leads me to respect and support the vision and mission of Gamaliel and FCCG. Early on as a member of FCCG, I participated in Gamaliel’s seven-day National Leadership Training. It was a transforming experience, one of the best in which I have participated. I continue to value the opportunity to be an active member of FCCG.
Participants in NLT include religious, lay leaders and community members from Gamaliel affiliates across the country. The training uses a specially developed leadership curriculum which helps attendees clarify their worldview and the source of their commitment to social justice, sometimes referred to as self-interest. The seven-day training provides tools to develop strong community-based institutions by building and sustaining relationships. It presents an understanding of the elements of effective meetings and how to manage personal and organizational involvement. Skills in participating and implementing strategic planning, as well as political and economic analysis are integral to NLT.
FCCG has specific task forces that focus on issues that its member organizations perceive as important in the pursuit of justice and equality. Most recently the Environmental Task Force was very involved in investigating and speaking out in regard to the CO2 pipeline that was being considered for location in parts of Sangamon, Scott, Morgan, Christian and Montgomery counties. The project was intended to capture, transport and store toxic emissions from facilities in five states. The Sangamon County Board had issued a moratorium on the construction of the pipeline. This past week the company involved withdrew its request to build in Illinois.
The Environmental Task Force is currently pursuing housing justice. A primary concern is to address landlord registration and licensing on the local level. Recently a town hall was held to discuss housing justice. Follow up continues as state of Illinois R3 grants are available to Restore, Reinvest and Renew the east side of Springfield. The Transformational Justice Task Force has been involved in canvassing and listening sessions to hear what the community considers important in this effort. R3 grants can fund economic development, violence prevention, youth development, civil legal aid and reentry from incarceration. The Transformational Justice Task Force was also very active in the Pre-Trial Fairness Act and efforts to end juvenile justice fines and fees.
Ntosake is a women’s empowerment leadership and training task force created by the National Gamaliel Network. Women are challenged to accept the responsibility of becoming active change agents and leaders within their local communities. FCCG’s local Ntosake Task Force held a training for area members in August and several Ntosake members attended a national training in September. The Ntosake Task Force meets monthly and advocates for issues within the other Task Forces, as well as concerns they see that need their awareness.
Integrated Voter Engagement is another significant undertaking of Gamaliel and FCCG. Voter registration, voter education and voter turnout are incorporated into the work of all task forces. A strategy of nonpartisan voter engagement involves communities in activities that lead to viable solutions. At its core, integrated voter engagement is about educating communities and engaging individuals to participate regularly in the processes of democracy.
Gamaliel’s newly-established Institute for Race and Power is committed to listening to the hearts and minds of people. It is a commitment to transformational justice aspiring to continually move our society into a better place. With the rise of white supremacy and white Christian nationalism, our democracy is at risk, creating polarization rather than unity. The Race and Power Institute applies community organizing training to racial equity work. It motivates people to engage in sacred conversations to move people to action and collaboration which is a major goal of FCCG.
Information in this article provides a glimpse of the many involvements of FCCG. Becoming part of the FCCG is a way to be part of systemic change. To learn more, consider attending FCCG’s Annual Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Nov. 14 at Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Sister Marilyn Jean Runkel, OP, Ph.D., is a board member of the Faith Coalition for the Common Good. For additional information, contact Tyshianna Bankhead, executive director, at tyshianna@faithcoalition-il.org.
This article appears in Inside a caring school.
