FCL Education Fund

Educating about current issues and the political process

The FCL Education Fund conducts educational work associated with our mission of promoting justice and civic participation in California’s political process. The FCL Education Fund conducts nonlobbying advocacy, provides information on issues facing California and provides resources and training to those who want to weigh in with legislators and the governor. Donations to the FCL Education Fund are tax-deductible (Tax ID Number 68-0062639).

FCL Education Fund Board of Directors

Vicki Carroll, Clerk, Central Coast Friends Meeting

James Alexander, Associate Clerk, Redwood Forest Friends Meeting

Ellen Eggers, Recording Clerk

Steve Birdlebough, Treasurer, Redwood Forest Friends Meeting

George Gastil, San Diego Friends Meeting

Peggy Craik, Orange Grove Friends Meeting

Resources

Want to learn more about the legislative process and how California decides policy?

A basic overview of the legislative process

Types of Bills Used in the California Legislature and FAQs about Bills

Legislative Process - from the CA State Senate

Inside the California Capitol: How Your State Government Works

A bill for every problem? Why California lawmakers introduce longshots

How Legislators vote No without voting

Legislators don't just make laws, they are responsible for oversight: Legislators wanted 1,100 reports on how California's laws are working. Most haven't arrived.

Understanding how a California bill dies without public debate

The California Budget and Policy Center is a great resource for information on the state budget process and in-depth analysis on our state's issues. A sample of their wonderful resources:

Interested in learning how to lobby?

Find your legislators

Look up bills

Websites like leginfo.legislature.ca.gov and legiscan.com provide free information on bills, and ways to track their progress through the legislative process. Leginfo.legislature.ca.gov has links to the Senate and Assembly Daily File and lists of bills that are being considered that day, as well as the text, votes and analysis pertinent to each bill. With legiscan.com, you can set up your own list of bills to monitor and produce reports that can be shared with others.

The California Senate website https://www.senate.ca.gov/ and the California Assembly website https://www.assembly.ca.gov/ provide extensive information on legislators, committees, hearings, bills and upcoming votes.

Bolder Advocacy has excellent resources on lobbying and advocacy by nonprofits. Explore their website for lots of information.

Bring Your Voice!

Bring Your Voice: A Comprehensive Guide to Grassroots Lobbying and the California Legislature was published by the FCL Education Fund in 2015, which provides it free of charge online. Bring Your Voice contains worksheets; practical guides to grassroots lobbying; how to follow a bill through the process; organizing a successful meeting with your legislator and much more!

Lobbying Begins at Home is a one-page guide to setting up and holding a meeting with your legislator or staff to voice your concerns.

Bring Your Voice Guidebook (pdf)

Download

Lobbying Begins at Home (pdf)

Download

Bringing A Voice of Conscience To California's State Legislature Since 1952

FCL Education Fund

Educating about current issues and the political process