Our Mission
Indivisible Lincoln Square seeks to create a more just society through progressive values* and grassroots engagement.
We are a volunteer group on the north side of Chicago. We:
• Educate ourselves and our neighbors about current political issues
• Organize grass roots activities aligned with our progressive values
• Engage with our elected public officials
We educate, organize and engage by:
• Defending democratic institutions and employing democratic principles in everything we do
• Resisting regressive policies and actions
• Defining and promoting progressive policies goals and strategies in support of our mission
• Using evidence-based research and education
• Developing expertise on specific strategies, tactics, and policy goals (we are a learning organization)
• Partnering and supporting other groups who have goals that are aligned with ours
• Providing rapid grassroots response to time sensitive issues
• Seeking out and include diverse voices and looking for ways to amplify marginal voices
• Looking at issues and strategies through a racially and economically just and equitable lens (progressive values)
• Interacting with public servants to hold them accountable for furthering a progressive agenda
• Acting on issues of importance locally, regionally, and nationally
• Encouraging the development of members to participate in our group and grassroots activities
• Working toward gender and sexual equity
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*For Indivisible, ‘progressive’ means putting power in the hands of people who are most impacted by systemic issues in our society. We subscribe to the values of inclusion, tolerance, and fairness as we work toward the Indivisible vision of “a real democracy -- of, by, and for the people.”
Operating Model for Initiatives
Initiatives are the means that Indivisible Lincoln Square (ILS) uses to accomplish its mission. Typically an initiative will focus on an issue that ILS wants to act on, such as working for universal healthcare, ending Crosscheck, securing general election votes, fighting discriminatory housing practices, etc. Initiatives will often result in events (such as a public educational forum, a postcard writing party or a meet-and-greet for a member of Congress) and activities (such as a voter registration drive or a protest demonstration).
Initiatives can be proposed by any ILS member, in many different ways: at an ILS meeting, by submitting a proposal to the ILS email address, or by contacting a member of the ILS Steering Committee. Regardless of the route, the proposed initiative will usually be considered by the ILS Steering Committee at their next meeting. If approved, the proposing member will be notified that they can go ahead as Team Leader for that initiative.
As the name implies, the Team Leader will almost always put a team together to work on the initiative. To do this, and to assist with other aspects of accomplishing an initiative, ILS has designated Facilitators. A Facilitator is the contact person for key mechanisms that a team might use. Currently there are Facilitators for Membership, Podcasts, Website, Facebook, Twitter, and Visual Media; additional Facilitators will be signed up as needed. The ILS Steering Committee will help Team Leaders connect with Facilitators.
To help recruit volunteers for the team, the Team Leader might ask the Facilitator for Membership to send an email to members who have previously indicated an interest in similar initiatives. Once the team has been formed, the members will agree on the steps or actions needed to move forward, and perhaps divide up tasks. Other Facilitators may be called on to help as needed. In other words, Team Leaders always have lots of help!
Once the initiative is done, the Team Leader will let the Steering Committee know the results, including what went well and what didn’t go so well. More complex initiatives can sometimes necessitate periodic consultation with the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee’s function is to help teams succeed, both now and in the future (see attached graphic).
Indivisible Lincoln Square Membership Levels
Your membership level is: General (you will receive emails from ILS and can access ILS Facebook and Twitter sites), if all or most of these describe you…
Stays informed about Indivisible Lincoln Square (ILS) meetings.
Keeps posted on ILS activities through social media.
Occasionally attends an ILS meeting on a specific topic (such as net neutrality, healthcare, immigration, tax reform).
Completes some Daily Actions found on the Indivisible Chicago Alliance website
Your membership level is: Voting (you can vote at meetings you attend), if most of the above describe you and you have…
Attended at least 3 membership meetings as verified by sign in; and
•ffirmed agreement with the ILS Mission Statement.
In addition, voting members are expected to participate in ILS-sponsored actions such as canvassing, postcards to voters, phone banking, etc.
Your membership level is: Leadership (you can chair a committee, be an officer), if you are a voting member and you…
Consistently support ILS endeavors by helping to set up meetings, design materials, recruit new members, etc.
Contribute some leadership in a committee or workgroup designated by the Steering Committee.
Facilitate in some fashion--e.g., organizing an ILS meeting devoted to a specific issue.