AMOS
A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy

Come, build a land "... where justice shall roll down like water, and peace like an ever-flowing stream."

Amos 5:24

The History of AMOS

From the web site of the First Christian Church in Des Moines:

AMOS: A Metropolitan Organizing Strategy. In January of 1996, leaders of five religious denominations in Des Moines formed a sponsoring committee and initiated a contract with the Industrial Areas Foundation to assist us in building a congregational based community organization in the metro area. Bishops from the United Methodist, Episcopalian, Roman Catholic and Evangelical Lutheran traditions joined Rabbis from local synagogues and pastors from the Disciples of Christ to form the sponsoring committee.

Since that beginning, AMOS has been organizing within congregations and the community at large to help "re-weave" the social fabric of metropolitan Des Moines. Together with congregations across Des Moines and its suburbs, we are building an effort that is:

  • Broad-based and cuts through the lines that divide us, such as race, socioeconomic status, geography and religious denomination.
  • Multi-issued, responding to a variety of concerns that are identified through intentional conversations in local congregations and communities. The agenda of AMOS is emerging as hundreds of leaders in local congregations engage thousands more in house meetings and one-to-one conversations that enable them to tell their stories.
  • Starting to take action on the issues and concerns that are emerging. Through public action hundreds of people will reenter the public square and reclaim responsibility for the future of the Des Moines metro area. AMOS is non-partisan and does not endorse candidates.
  • Focused on the development of leaders in local congregations and communities. Seeking to exercise the power of organized people in a relational and responsible way. It will seek out allies in the public and private sector to address the issues and concerns that affect the common good of the community

Recent News

September 2007

Immigration: The Difficult Questions
A traveling series of candid and open conversations about immigration

These traveling conversations will take place across the state of Iowa over the next four months.

First Stop: Ames -- the public is invited to participate
Sunday, September 16, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Bethesda Lutheran Church, 1517 Northwestern Ave, Ames, IA

Focus: Common Opinions About Immigration

"Illegal immigration is breaking the law." --- "The laws aren't working."
"Let's change the laws." --- "Let's enforce the laws we already have."
"Amnesty for those who immigrate illegally is wrong." --- "How do we deport 12 million people?"
"Immigrants are trying to integrate." --- "Immigrants don't learn English."
"Immigrants overwhelm our social services." --- "Immigrants contribute to our economy."
"Immigrants bring strong family values." --- "Immigrants increase crime."
"We have enough immigrants already." --- "Immigrants enrich our culture with diversity."
"Immigrants steal jobs from U.S.-born citizens." --- "Immigrants provide needed labor."
"Fences are good." --- "Fences are bad."

Featured Speakers:
Ms. Ferzana Hashmi, Immigration Attorney, Hashmi Law Firm, Des Moines
Ms. Lori Chesser, Immigration Attorney, Davis Brown Law Firm, Des Moines

November 30, 2006

AMOS recently held a rally in Des Moines which at least 1000 people attended (about 10 people attended from UUFA). Issues that surfaced from many house meeting in Des Moines and Ames were presented to Chet Culver, Beth Wessell-Kroeschell, CEOs of health centers, religious leaders and more. Now it is time to start researching and acting upon these issues, primarily economic justice, health care reform, immigration, education, youth issues, and more. The AMOS house meetings' reports and issues to act on document listed below will provide further clarity on the concerns of Ames citizens. Research teams will be organizing soon and anyone is welcome to join one. All those interested in continuing the work of AMOS should attend a training on Nov. 30 from 7-9 pm at Bethesda Lutheran Church. Paul Turner, our organizer, will help us learn how to frame questions, conduct research, lobby the legislature, and take further actions on important issues that affect all of us. Questions? contact Benette Sherman, Tammi Martin, or Rev. Eslinger.

AMOS House Meetings Reports—Issues To Act On (MS Word document)

October 22, 2006

On Sunday, Oct. 22, more than 1,000 central Iowans converged on the Des Moines Civic Center to tell their stories and ask our legislators to listen to the voice of the people. Four major issues surfaced during the nearly 3,000 house meetings held across central Iowa. These included protecting the dignity of all immigrants; researching issues that prevent people from moving out of poverty, including restrictions on predatory lending, increased affordable housing, protection of mobile home residents, and increases in the minimum wage; developing strategies for our youth, including improved facilities, affordability of higher education, and construction of “youth-friendly” spaces; and  increasing access and affordability of health care. The only legislator from our area, Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, joined several others in signing a pledge to work with AMOS on these issues. Both candidates for governor were invited, but only Chet Culver chose to attend. He, too, promised that he would work on these issues. The entire event was presented in a bilingual format, with all written and spoken materials in both English and Spanish. Nearly a dozen Fellowship people joined a strong contingent from Ames.

Related newspaper articles:

 

August 27, 2006

AMOS 2006 Fall House Meeting Campaign Kickoff Event, Sunday, August 27th, 2006, Plymouth Congregational UCC, Waveland Hall, 42nd and Ingersoll, Des Moines

On August 27th, we will

  • Make commitments by institution to the Fall House Meeting Campaign
  • Lay out a vision for October 22nd AMOS Action with Iowa Candidates for Governor and Legislature
  • Hear remarks from Gov. Thomas Vilsack, who will attend the even
  • Hear commitments from candidates for Des Moines School Board

 

March 5, 2006

At a March 5, 2006, "Visioning Event" at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Ames, AMOS was renamed A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy. AMOS now combines the energy and dedication of caring people in Ames, Des Moines, and other central-Iowa communities.

Three Ames congregations have already pledged their AMOS membership dues: Bethesda Lutheran Church, First Christian Church, and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

UUFA's AMOS organizers have submitted a request to the Finance Committee for 2006-2007 AMOS dues in the amount of 1% of our overall budget. Please support this budget request during the May congregational meeting.

AMOS is bounding toward Ames' first House Meeting Campaign in the fall. At house meetings, UUFA members will help identify our social action passions and priorities. Approximately 30 to 40 UUFA hosts and facilitators will be needed. If you would like to help, attend the House Meeting Training here on Tuesday, April 25, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Questions? Want to get involved? See the AMOS bulletin board in the Fireside Room, or contact Marcia Brink or Benette Sherman.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions about AMOS

This section comes from the April 2006 UUFA newsletter.

What's unique about a community-based organizing strategy?

Such an approach to social action is:

  • broad based (NOT driven by single issue or personality).
  • focused on developing and using people power (organizations, not individuals, are members; on any one issue we could mobilize hundreds of people for action.)
  • long term (in-depth, up-front investment in developing relationships, leaders, and an effective process).
  • rooted in an effective process (grassroots, back-to-basics democracy and civics; based on developing strong personal relationships and sense of community).
  • a tool for developing new leaders.

What's the process for working on issues?

  • one-on-one meetings to build relationships and discover our passions
  • home meetings, to collectively do the same
  • selection of issues
  • issue teams / extensive research into possible solutions (critical for generating widespread support)
  • action

What are the advantages of being part of AMOS?

Being part of AMOS provides a unique opportunity for UUFA members to live our seven principles more fully. Specifically, we expect to:

  • develop and nurture long-term leadership within the Fellowship.
  • enhance our sense of community among our members.
  • enhance our presence and interfaith relationships in the Ames and central Iowa community.
  • provide UUFA members effective avenues for social action.

What commitments will be expected of UUFA?

  • continually identify members interested in developing leadership skills
  • participate in local and regional planning and action
  • conduct in-house AMOS activities. At any time, this could likely involve 20-50 UUFA members with varying levels of time and energy commitments.
  • commit to financial support for the AMOS director and the administrative costs (typically, 1% of an organization's annual budget)

How will UUFA's financial support for AMOS be spent?

  • 72%: salary and benefits for professional community organizer
  • 24%: leadership training
  • 4%: miscellaneous administrative costs

How is AMOS accountable to member organizations?

  • The organizer is hired, fired, and evaluated by the AMOS core leadership tea, consisting of representatives from member organizations.
  • A finance committee, appointed by the leadership team, prepares the budget, appoints the bookkeeper and check-signers, and ensures accurate monthly financial reporting to the core leadership team.

More Information

  • The AMOS bulletin board in the Fireside Room answers frequently asked questions from UUFA members.
  • A new acquisition in the Dustin Berger Memorial Library—Who Will Tell the People? by William Greider—devotes almost an entire chapter (10, Democratic Promise) to information about the Industrial Areas Foundation, AMOS' "parent" organization. Thank you, Library Committee!
last updated: January 4, 2008
webmaster@uufames.org.