Partners: Cardinal Values Coalition, Virginia New Majority, Sierra Club, Virginia Education Association, SEIU, League of Conservation Voters, Planned Parenthood, NAACP, A. Philip Randolph Institute
During the 2012 elections, CWA engaged more volunteers in Virginia than any other organization to help catapult Terry McAuliffe into the governor’s mansion and several progressive lawmakers into the statehouse. CWA volunteers far outnumbered those from other organizations walking door-to-door on Saturdays and hand billing at worksites.
Though it was an off-year election, CWA seized the opportunity to expand movement building in the state by partnering with Cardinal Values Coalition, Virginia New Majority, Sierra Club, Virginia Education Association, SEIU, League of Conservation Voters and Planned Parenthood.
Virginia CWAers began forging these alliances as early as 2010. CWA State Council President Richard Hatch and Glen Besa, the state’s Sierra Club director, were working together to promote broadband build-out, so they organized a wintertime training that deepened the understanding of their common goals and shared advocacy skills. Together, they lobbied the Virginia State Assembly on bills designed to weaken regulations that protect communities. They held joint press conferences and rallied around issues like wind power.
“We honestly don’t have the members to make sure that it all happens ourselves,” said Hatch. “So we have to work with these allies. We have to develop relationships. It ensures we speak with an even louder voice.”