The Drive Michigan Forward coalition, which Bend the Arc Jewish Action: Greater Ann Arbor is part of, is holding an important week of action from Tuesday, May 18 to Thursday, May 20. During this week, state legislators will be making a critical state-wide decision about advancing the Drive SAFE bills (Safety, Access, Freedom, and the Economy). Specifically, a committee (to-be-formed early during the week of action) will decide whether or not to grant a hearing (which includes a public comment component) sometime this year.
Driving without a license is a significant cause of incarceration for undocumented people. Right now in Michigan there’s no legal path for undocumented people to get drivers’ licenses — which means people are at risk driving to work, picking up their kids from school, and going about their daily life. Expanded reasons to advance the Drive SAFE bills can be found here, on the Drive Michigan Forward website.
Drive Forward is hosting a series of events phone banking opportunities at this critical moment to help keep these bills moving. Volunteers will have “Deep Canvassing” conversations with voters in the district of the chair of the committee where the bills are housed. We will learn who the chair is during the week of action. It will likely be a rural district.
Why “Deep Canvassing” phone banking?
“Deep Canvassing” phone banking is a tested action found to be the most effective form of voter engagement for persuading people on issues, often controversial ones (it reliably moves 10% of people, long‐term!). It was used with success in the recent presidential and special elections in Georgia.
What is a “Deep Canvassing” conversation?
“Deep Canvassing” is an alternative form of talking with voters that engages them on a personal level about stories of hardship in their own lives and in the lives of people they know and love. As part of the conversation, the canvasser also shares a personal story of their own, as well as their stance on an issue that they care about. The key tenets of Deep Canvassing are non-judgmental listening, compassionate curiosity, and story‐sharing.
Training
Drive Michigan Forward’s training ‐ a Storytelling Workshop ‐ is scheduled the Thursday before the Week of Action. At this training, you’ll learn:
- The principles of deep canvassing: non-judgement, how to tell a compelling story & how to listen
- Background on the Driver’s Licenses for All campaign
- The script for the phone banks
- Modeling of a deep canvass conversation with the script
- Practice in pairs
- How we take care of each other as a community doing this emotional labor
Storytelling Workshop ‐ Thursday 5/13, 6‐8pm
You can sign up for the Storytelling Workshop & Phone Banks here on Thursday 5/13, 6:00 ‐ 8:00 p.m.
What if I can’t come to the workshop? If you absolutely can’t make it, we’ll send you a recording of the training, and we ask that you watch it and also practice the conversation with a friend before you join your first phone bank.
During your 3-hour phone banking shift
You will be calling voters, likely in a rural district, sharing your stories, listening to others’ stories, and urging them to express their support for the Drive SAFE bills. In addition to the conversational and technical support training you will have received, Drive Michigan Forward has people at the ready – during all shifts – if you feel the need to debrief immediately following any positive or challenging conversations.
You will likely have some very moving conversations with people, bringing them into the movement for immigrant rights. You will patch your call with newly born supporters through immediately to their legislator. Shifts will be:
- Tuesday May 18 (5:00 – 8:00 p.m.)
- Wednesday, May 19 (12:00 – 3:00 p.m.)
- Thursday, May 20 (5:00 – 8:00 p.m.)
When you sign up here, you’ll indicate which shift(s) you would like and whether or not you are available for the training. Afterward, Caitlin Homrich-Knieling (she/her) – the Drive Michigan Forward’s Deep Canvass Coordinator will be in touch with you with more details.
If you have questions about this action, please email bendthearc.a2@gmail.com and one of us will be in touch.
In resistance,
Rebecca, Naomi, Molly, Adina, Lee
Bend the Arc: Jewish Action Greater Ann Arbor