Of the People, For the People by Anitra Kitts

Someone once observed that the process of running for office isn’t so much about educating the voters about the candidates as it is educating the candidates about the voters. One of the easiest ways to educate candidates about issues of concern to you and others in your congregation is to host a candidates fair. With a smidgen of organization and promotion, Presbyterian Women can call attention to social justice issues in their communities—why people come to the local food bank, the community’s need for meaningful youth recreation programs or the need for better transportation support for the elderly. By getting involved in local and regional political races, Presbyterian Women can participate in shaping an elected official’s understanding of complex issues that will last throughout the elected official’s public career.

Anitra Kitts is a former member of the Oregon House of Representatives where she ran for and won office for three terms, from 1995 to 2000. She recently graduated from San Francisco Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree and is exploring how Presbyterians are called to live out mission through advocacy.

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*Organize a candidates fair with the helpful planning guide offered in the full text of this article in the November/December 2006 issue of Horizons.*	Of the People, For the People by Anitra Kitts Someone once observed that the process of running for office isn’t so much about educating the voters about the candidates as it is educating the candidates about the voters. One of the easiest ways to educate candidates about issues of concern to you and others in your congregation is to host a candidates fair. With a smidgen of organization and promotion, Presbyterian Women can call attention to social justice issues in their communities—why people come to the local food bank, the community’s need for meaningful youth recreation programs or the need for better transportation support for the elderly. By getting involved in local and regional political races, Presbyterian Women can participate in shaping an elected official’s understanding of complex issues that will last throughout the elected official’s public career. Anitra Kitts is a former member of the Oregon House of Representatives where she ran for and won office for three terms, from 1995 to 2000. She recently graduated from San Francisco Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree and is exploring how Presbyterians are called to live out mission through advocacy. Other Articles Online This Issue Until Every Need Is Met Of the People, For the People Rebuilding Hope: One House at a Time Creating a Hospitable Community for Homeless Families Presbyterians and Gender Justice Faithful Food: Social Justice and Food Production Fellowship of the Least Coin 2006 Dispatch from Forbearance Presbyterian Church Nurturing Our Faith Supporting Mission Health Connections Strengthening the PC(USA)	Current Issue Nov/Dec 2006 About This Issue Features PW Resources Departments FREE Resource Nov/Dec Index How to Use In Our Next Issue Items underlined can be seen in this Web site, all others appear in the November/December 2006 (HZN-06-250) issue of Horizons magazine. to Horizons, call 800/524-2612 or this issue ($4 plus shipping/handling)

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