Secular Coalition for Maryland - October Update Call
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Secular Coalition for Marylad - Conference Call
Call-in number: 530-881-1400 Participant Code: 978895
Tuesday, October 8th at 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM ET
(If you do not want to receive Maryland specific materials please update your preference settings by following this link.)
Welcome Message
Agenda available at the new Maryland state site!
Explanation of conference call style and recording.
No one is required to speak up, but there will be opportunities to do so.
Thank you for joining us for the Secular Coalition for Maryland conference call! The Secular Coalition for America is the only 501(c) (4) representing secular and non-theistic Americans.
The Secular Coalition for America is working to make sure that we are heard on Capitol Hill. We fight in Washington DC against religious privileging on a federal level, yet some of the most egregious violations of separation of church and state are being promoted and passed at a state level. The Secular Coalition for America is forming state chapters across the country to bring together secular and non-theistic Americans in each state to lobby on secular issues.
Maryland Leadership
Executive Committee
Co-Chair - Matthew Goldstein
Co-Chair -
Communications Chair -
Tech Chair -
Legislative Chair -
Anyone who is interested in a either a leadership position within the Secular Coalition for Maryland or if you'd like to play an active role by volunteering, email Diana@secular.org for more information.
Are there any local groups we should be in contact with?
Resources Information
SCA States Website.
Email – Maryland@secular.org
SCA Calendar page secular.org/calendar.
Facebook page facebook.com/SecularCoalitionForMaryland.
Secular Coalition for Maryland - NEW State Websites launched!
State Legislative Report/ bill tracker & much more is now available on the NEW state website!
Events
Sacramento Freethought Day, October 12 (Sacramento, CA)
Secular Assembly of the North East, October 19 (West Haven, CT)
Kentucky Freethought Convention, October 26 (Louisville, AR)
Reason in the Rock, October 26-27 (Little Rock, AR)
Florida Freethought Conference, November 2-3 (Orlando)
Are there any additional events pertaining to the Secular Coalition for Maryland?
Maryland/State
The Maryland state legislature is out of session, and scheduled to resume in January, 2014.
HB 1031 - Allows married same-sex couples who are taxed on the costs of health insurance and estate taxes on their federal income tax returns to take a subtraction for these on their state tax returns. Was signed by the governor in May.
SB 449 - Known as the Fairness for all Marylanders Act, this bill would have prohibited discrimination based on gender identity in public accommodations, housing, and employment.
HB 1181 - Authorizing the creation of a State Debt not to exceed $300,000, the proceeds to be used as a grant to the Board of Directors of the Mount Pleasant Community Development Corporation for the repair and renovation of the Mount Pleasant Family Life Center.
HB 81 - Authorizing the creation of a State Debt in the amount of $250,000, the proceeds to be used as a grant to the Board of Directors of Rebirth Ministries, Inc. for the design and construction of the Rebirth Community Center.
Maryland Headlines
Unwelcome To Brentwood (Americans United)
Fight Continues to Close Schools for Islamic Holidays (Bethesda-Chevy Chase Patch)
Open Discussion – Are there any issues of particular concern to members present that you would like to see the Secular Coalition for Maryland focus on? Are there any local issues that we should know about?
For Discussion
List building/ outreach: Gathering contact info for local MD groups
Are there any coalitions we need to join?
Wrap Up & Sign Up
Like and Share the Facebook page – Secular Coalition for Maryland
Sign up for the NEW state site here.
We are testing the new sites, so we ask that you explore them & report problems or bugs to loren@secular.org
Sign up on our website to receive info and updates for the state
Sign up for National alerts and updates
Email Diana@secular.org if you are interested in leadership or volunteerism.
Contact Information (state-church/secular news and events) Secular Coalition for America offices - (202) 299-1091.
Secular Tax Reform
The Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees continues to seek public comment on Tax Reform issues and have received approximately 900,000 comments. We are asking all supporters to please go to taxreform.gov and file a comment regarding the need for churches to file 990 disclosure statements with the IRS, these public comments are limited to 140 characters or less. Not sure of what to say? Take a look at our tax policy page with information on financial disclosures, faith-based initiatives subsidies and the parsonage exemption. There you will find more of our breifing papers, including Secular Tax Reform Lobby Paper, SecularTax Reform Issue Statement, Comments Submitted to the Charitable/Exempt Organizations Tax Reform Working Group on April 15, 2013. Still not sure what to write? Here's one suggestion: "Level the playing field for secular and religious nonprofits by requiring the same tax forms and rules for all. http://bit.ly/11PVJO7"
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Announcements
Schedule Next Call
See "Resources" above to download Donation Form and Sign-up Sheet PDFs
Our National Secular Movement Update Call takes place every Thursday from 12PM - 12:30PM (ET) Phone Number: 559-726-1300 Code: 953064
If anyone has any announcements that they would like to make regarding activities or information pertaining to Maryland please feel free to jump in!
Contact Information (state-church/secular news and events)
Diana Castillo, Lobby Assistant - Diana@secular.org (202) 299-1091 ext: 203
Kelly Damerow, Research and Advocacy Manager - Kelly@secular.org (202) 299-1091 ext: 204
Edwina Rogers, Executive Director at SCA – Edwina@secular.org Cell: (202) 674-7800; Office: (202) 299-1091 ext: 207
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Secular Coalition for Maryland – Update Call
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