Has anyone else encountered this? We were recently denied a booth at an upcoming farmers market where we have tabled for the last two years because of our organization's assumed political nature (since we have “lobby” in our name and that violates the guidelines for nonprofits at the market). They said we could come as Citizens Climate Education as long as we don't promote any specific legislation. Any advice on whether we should challenge this decision and point out the nonpartisan approach of the organization, or change the tabling approach to be more educational?
@Chris Eastland We have had to register under Citizens Climate Education but have had no problem sharing the legisaltive actions - so far
@Chris Eastland
C3 and C4 can both be non-partisan, the difference is C4 lobbies, C3 does not lobby.
@Chris Eastland Hello. We are in a conservative area of southeastern Ohio. Our chapter was denied our request to table at our local farmers market. The reason: we would alienate vendors and customers because of our work on climate. I had phone conversations and sent detailed emails about CCL with references. They would not change their decision. We were also denied tabling at a local, well attended, yearly garden symposium. Once we were able to speak to the organizers a few months after the event, we were allowed to speak for 15 minutes at this year’s event. We did not receive much feedback and no one has joined. In spite of all this, we fortunately we have a small, cohesive chapter that just keeps going!
@Chris Eastland
The farmers market here does not allow politics or religion, They let us in, politics can mean different things, it may mean actual politics i.e. candidates or parties. They may not consider us “political” or they don't know what we are doing, either way I am not complaining, I want all the exposure I can get.
@Christine Drake
That attitude is why we are here. I encourage you to keep trying. I am in a conservative area here in NY. I have not been denied as yet. If you get denied, that means you are doing your job.
@Rob Johnson Thanks Rob - we have discussed that approach in our chapter meetings but our main call to action is through the tabling materials provided by national which by design call out specific legislation, so if we don't do that, what do we do? We are in a pretty progressive district so the need for education about why people should be concerned about climate change is not the priority - we are trying to show people how to take action.
@Christine Drake Thanks Christine and keep going and going! You may not be signing people up or getting feedback but am sure your/our message is getting through to a few people!
@Chris Eastland
Understood, but still put the information about climate change anyway, to satisfy the fair organizers.
Get people signed up with CCL. After they are signed up, then contact them about all the things which are not allowed at the fair.
@Chris Eastland
I was just informed yesterday that you can't do voter registration at the farmers market.
@Chris Eastland
@Rob Johnson
I thank you both for your encouragement. These are really tough times and these connections do help.
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