I just read Joyce Vance's column on the destruction of the Civil Rights Division at the definitely-no-longer-accurately-named DOJ. She is Harmeet Dhillon (short of Pete Hegseth, the worst person he could nominate). She was confirmed 52 to 45 with Lisa Murkowski being the only Republican to vote against her. If there were any Democrats who did, we need to know their names also (I don't have time to check the roll call). I do not live in Alaska, but I call Murkowski's office after hours since there's no request to leave constituent information and since she clearly needs support. Her D.C. number is 202 224 6665. Although I understand the reasoning that we should call only our own representatives in Congress, the truth is that elections are now supported nation-wide. We phone bank, text, postcard and bus, drive and fly to canvass in the places where Democrats are running to support their campaigns, to say nothing of donations (and we certainly did during the 60s). So at this point I feel like we're almost everyone's constituent. It's no longer the 19th Century. Technology has changed everything, but I'm not sure we've caught up with that. Needless to say, of course, follow your own guidance on this one. If a Congressperson you're calling asks for information you can't honestly supply, that's one thing. If they're not asking, they may want to get more of a sense of the whole country, not just their part of it. When I called Sen. Schatz's office to thank him for putting holds on 300 trump (I'm not capitalizing that name) nominees I told the staff member I was calling to thank the Senator even though I don't live in Hawaii. The staff member was very grateful to hear the support. Maybe "thank you" is something we can say to anyone.
I re-read Jessica’s message and yes, I believe I put my tax hat on too quickly. And unlike some people we know I acknowledge my error! :—))
That said, what the Prez has done still seems illegal as the writer said. Union dues have always been a standard payroll deduction. Now he’s making members jump through hoops to pay dues and increasing the bureaucratic burden on everyone. What else will P47 interfere with??
Same. Wondering why. Came here to find out. I am using a tablet, not a computer, and thinking this may be a problem? Not sure. Hoping someone helps us figure it out
Were you using the second link provided, the one for April 29?? That's the one I used from my laptop, and it worked fine. (Where it asks what union you're in, I just put "none".)
Aaannnddd…. Just tried second link and it opened fine! I was trying to sign up for today’s event very late last night. Perhaps link was closed. Thank you so much for offering help
Love your newsletter. Just so you know, I’m a tax professional and alas, union dues aren’t deductible anyway under current laws
Under Trump 1.0 misc itemized deductions for individuals were eliminated 2018-2025. Union dues were one of those. We don’t yet know if they (misc deductions) will be reinstated in 2026.
More to the point: the Prez can’t unilaterally make tax laws or any other laws.
Jackie, could this be a nasty way to scare people to give Email and credit card info tp a pre-hacked server? I am no tech person and was never a conspiracy thinker, and the ugly is creeping around.
I wanted to register to help but when I chose the “register here” link, it went to a zoom window. What don’t I know? I see others here have registered, so perhaps someone will point me in the right direction. Thanks
It looks like they're for 1 hour. I just signed up for Tues, 4/29 (5pm Eastern), and it gives you the option to sign up for 4 additional weekly slots at the same time. So I signed up for all 5 Tuesdays through 5/27.
I'm brand new to this too, so you're not alone! I registered for the 29th as well, plus all the Tuesdays through 5/27. I think this will be a terrific intro to phone banking, because they are friendly calls to help our federal employees. They will probably be grateful for the supportive reminder.
In my experience the "training" before the phone bank starts is hard to grasp for a beginner. Don't be shy about asking if you don't understand. Otherwise you can waste time floundering.
However, once you've done it, you will find the tech isn't really all that hard! At some point, you have to just jump in to really learn how.
Here is Phone Bank info from MoveOn. Very long, not sure if it's worth your time.
More briefly, here are a few of my own observations. Which likely still have errors!! (The details also depend on the bank system and what you will be doing with it).
It ls best to have both a smart phone and a computer. I connect them by the phone cable.
From the Zoom meeting, to start calling, the best way is to copy down the link to use in your computer browser. Otherwise you may have to search for it after organizers put it in the Chat, where it may be moving around.
Once you go to that link, a page pops up on your computer screen, giving you a phone # to call on your cell phone.
Do that.
In your browser on the computer, you will now see a page with instructions.
Take time to read this before you start a call.
At the top of the page, it may give the first name of the person you are calling and have the text of your spiel.
Once you push the call button, the system will start looking for an available phone. It hides your own phone #.
Once you hear a ping, start talking; don't wait to hear someone say hello, as they will hear a delay on their end and know it's a robocall!
The organizers will tell you what to say and do after that. Some options are shown in the MoveOn guides.
Don't End a call from your phone, rather do so from the screen.
This is not complete, but it may help you orient a bit before you begin.
Wow, this is definitely more complicated than I thought it might be. Thanks for the tips!! I've been wanting to help with phone banking, but this will be my first time. I really appreciate you spelling this all out here for us.
registered. so grateful for the opportunities you provide this differently abled activist!!
HECK YES!!! I signed up for Tuesday. Once you sign up there are other available dates.
I just read Joyce Vance's column on the destruction of the Civil Rights Division at the definitely-no-longer-accurately-named DOJ. She is Harmeet Dhillon (short of Pete Hegseth, the worst person he could nominate). She was confirmed 52 to 45 with Lisa Murkowski being the only Republican to vote against her. If there were any Democrats who did, we need to know their names also (I don't have time to check the roll call). I do not live in Alaska, but I call Murkowski's office after hours since there's no request to leave constituent information and since she clearly needs support. Her D.C. number is 202 224 6665. Although I understand the reasoning that we should call only our own representatives in Congress, the truth is that elections are now supported nation-wide. We phone bank, text, postcard and bus, drive and fly to canvass in the places where Democrats are running to support their campaigns, to say nothing of donations (and we certainly did during the 60s). So at this point I feel like we're almost everyone's constituent. It's no longer the 19th Century. Technology has changed everything, but I'm not sure we've caught up with that. Needless to say, of course, follow your own guidance on this one. If a Congressperson you're calling asks for information you can't honestly supply, that's one thing. If they're not asking, they may want to get more of a sense of the whole country, not just their part of it. When I called Sen. Schatz's office to thank him for putting holds on 300 trump (I'm not capitalizing that name) nominees I told the staff member I was calling to thank the Senator even though I don't live in Hawaii. The staff member was very grateful to hear the support. Maybe "thank you" is something we can say to anyone.
What if you’ve never phone banked before? Can you join and they’ll explain?
Yes, exactly
Susan and Linda,
I re-read Jessica’s message and yes, I believe I put my tax hat on too quickly. And unlike some people we know I acknowledge my error! :—))
That said, what the Prez has done still seems illegal as the writer said. Union dues have always been a standard payroll deduction. Now he’s making members jump through hoops to pay dues and increasing the bureaucratic burden on everyone. What else will P47 interfere with??
Tried to register but Zoom page is blank
Same. Wondering why. Came here to find out. I am using a tablet, not a computer, and thinking this may be a problem? Not sure. Hoping someone helps us figure it out
Here's another idea if that doesn't work. Try installing the Zoom app on your device if you don't already have it.
And yes, I have zoom app
Were you using the second link provided, the one for April 29?? That's the one I used from my laptop, and it worked fine. (Where it asks what union you're in, I just put "none".)
Aaannnddd…. Just tried second link and it opened fine! I was trying to sign up for today’s event very late last night. Perhaps link was closed. Thank you so much for offering help
Oh good! YW. I'm so glad that worked. I was guessing maybe the expired link was no longer working. Phew!
I tried both links. Both went to an empty zoom window. I’m using my iPad. Do not have a computer
Thanks Jess, you’re the best! I just love your newsletter. Frederica
Love your newsletter. Just so you know, I’m a tax professional and alas, union dues aren’t deductible anyway under current laws
Under Trump 1.0 misc itemized deductions for individuals were eliminated 2018-2025. Union dues were one of those. We don’t yet know if they (misc deductions) will be reinstated in 2026.
More to the point: the Prez can’t unilaterally make tax laws or any other laws.
Jackie, could this be a nasty way to scare people to give Email and credit card info tp a pre-hacked server? I am no tech person and was never a conspiracy thinker, and the ugly is creeping around.
I wanted to register to help but when I chose the “register here” link, it went to a zoom window. What don’t I know? I see others here have registered, so perhaps someone will point me in the right direction. Thanks
Is this something I should share to other like minded groups?
Whoops. I meant to say below that if there were any Democrats who voted for Dhillon, we need to know who are they.
Signed up for 04/29. So glad to have an opportunity to help!💙
I just registered for the 29th but I have never done this before so I hope I get some instruction.
Each session starts with a tutorial for new folks
I can't take a ton of time off work. How long are sessions?
It looks like they're for 1 hour. I just signed up for Tues, 4/29 (5pm Eastern), and it gives you the option to sign up for 4 additional weekly slots at the same time. So I signed up for all 5 Tuesdays through 5/27.
I'm brand new to this too, so you're not alone! I registered for the 29th as well, plus all the Tuesdays through 5/27. I think this will be a terrific intro to phone banking, because they are friendly calls to help our federal employees. They will probably be grateful for the supportive reminder.
This is great! Thank you! 🙏🏻
About Phone banking.
In my experience the "training" before the phone bank starts is hard to grasp for a beginner. Don't be shy about asking if you don't understand. Otherwise you can waste time floundering.
However, once you've done it, you will find the tech isn't really all that hard! At some point, you have to just jump in to really learn how.
Here is Phone Bank info from MoveOn. Very long, not sure if it's worth your time.
Phone Bank Guide
https://moveon.org/phonebankguide
How to use the MoveOn Dialer
1. Trainingvideo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMlRoE_k9to
2. Dialer:https://www.MoveOn.org/Call
3. TrainingSlides:https://MoveOn.org/Trainingslides
4. QuickGuide:https://MoveOn.org/Phonebankquickguide
More briefly, here are a few of my own observations. Which likely still have errors!! (The details also depend on the bank system and what you will be doing with it).
It ls best to have both a smart phone and a computer. I connect them by the phone cable.
From the Zoom meeting, to start calling, the best way is to copy down the link to use in your computer browser. Otherwise you may have to search for it after organizers put it in the Chat, where it may be moving around.
Once you go to that link, a page pops up on your computer screen, giving you a phone # to call on your cell phone.
Do that.
In your browser on the computer, you will now see a page with instructions.
Take time to read this before you start a call.
At the top of the page, it may give the first name of the person you are calling and have the text of your spiel.
Once you push the call button, the system will start looking for an available phone. It hides your own phone #.
Once you hear a ping, start talking; don't wait to hear someone say hello, as they will hear a delay on their end and know it's a robocall!
The organizers will tell you what to say and do after that. Some options are shown in the MoveOn guides.
Don't End a call from your phone, rather do so from the screen.
This is not complete, but it may help you orient a bit before you begin.
Wow, this is definitely more complicated than I thought it might be. Thanks for the tips!! I've been wanting to help with phone banking, but this will be my first time. I really appreciate you spelling this all out here for us.
Will register now! Thanks, Jess.
registered <3