For contact people and meeting times, see either the Calendar on the MOSES website (MOSESMadison.org) or the General Meeting Agenda/Minutes

Participation Opportunities

MOSES NEEDS YOU – JOIN US

I. MOSES TASK FORCES AND THEIR FOCUS GROUPS

A. JUSTICE SYSTEM REFORM INITIATIVE (JSRI) TASK FORCE

Purpose: To reduce the number of people in the Dane County Jail and their overall involvement with the criminal justice system. Using an evidence-based approach, this includes addressing racial inequity, ensuring safety in the jail, and dealing with mental health and substance abuse in a fairer and more humane way.

Actions

Become informed about Dane County criminal justice system issues
Attend and testify at Dane County Board Committee meetings
Research best practices around the country
Write position statements, op-ed pieces, and letters to the editor
Meet with stakeholders within the Dane County criminal justice system
Communicate with other relevant community organizations
Participate in county workgroups when possible

JSRI Groups

Crisis Restoration – Purpose: To develop a 24/7 facility for mental health crises, to provide an option other than an emergency room and/or the jail.
Data – Purpose: To analyze and understand data related to the Dane County criminal justice system and to advocate for improved data collection, sharing, and reporting to enable analysis and accountability.
Diversions – Purpose: To focus on diversion initiatives related to the Dane County Jail, attend Criminal Justice Council and other relevant county meetings, and engage with leaders of the criminal justice system to learn and advocate for change.
Education – Purpose: To focus on the JSRI Task Force operation and on keeping the rest of MOSES informed of what JSRI is doing. This focus group also helps JSRI members to speak confidently on issues and testify effectively in settings such as county committee meetings.
Jail – Purpose: To share information between MOSES and Dane County Jail staff and support key policy changes, such as eliminating solitary confinement.

B. RACIAL JUSTICE FOR ALL CHILDREN (RJAC) TASK FORCE

Purpose: To eradicate the childhood-to-school-to-prison pipeline via strategic supports to reduce the generational deprivation experienced by children of color and children in poverty due to systemic racism

Actions:

Expand trauma-informed school programs for children of color
Promote funding for trauma-informed school programs
Testify for increased funding for school programs at municipal budget hearings in Dane County
Contact the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD), Board of Education-MMSD, and Madison City Council to advocate for effective programs for children of color
Educate local member congregations and community organizations on the issues

RJAC Groups

Education Advocacy: To eradicate the childhood-to-school-to-prison pipeline via strategic supports that will improve education for children of color and children in poverty and reduce the generational deprivation experienced due to systemic racism.
Housing: To eradicate the childhood to school-to-prison pipeline via strategic improvements in support for children and families by focusing on meeting children’s housing needs as a first step to reduce the generational deprivation experienced by children of color due to systemic racism or children in poverty.

C. PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE

Purpose: To improve public safety in Dane County and its municipalities and schools

Actions

Reduce the overall reliance on armed law enforcement officers for maintaining public safety for both juveniles and adults
Reduce racial disparities in rates of law enforcement surveillance and arrest for both juveniles and adults
Increase responsiveness of public safety organizations and programs to the priorities and needs of lower-income people, Blacks, and other people of color residing in Dane County
Testify at Madison Police and Fire Commission meetings and at municipal budget hearings in Dane County to advocate for measures in support of improved public safety
Educate local member congregations and community organizations on the issues

II. MOSES OPERATIONAL TEAMS

A. Communications Team

Purpose: To produce the MOSES newsletter and yearbook and to offer, if requested, editorial assistance on a variety of MOSES informational materials and the MOSES website

Actions

Create and produce bimonthly MOSES newsletters, which may include articles from the community organizer and sustaining members, as well as reports on MOSES events, book reviews, and core team reports
Plan, review, edit, and provide graphics for a yearbook of new or previously published topical and substantive articles on the work of MOSES, a president’s letter, and ads from supporting faith communities and organizations
Provide oversight on content and appearance of the MOSES website
Provide editorial support for MOSES informational materials

B. Events Team

Purpose: To organize and facilitate internal programs for MOSES monthly meetings and to assist task forces that wish to have public events. The team is not responsible for finding venues or organizing refreshments.

Actions

Schedule the speakers for the general meetings
Coordinate with task forces that want to host forums

C. Fundraising Team

Purpose: To take responsibility for the financial viability of MOSES by meeting our financial goals in support of the vital work of MOSES

Actions

Develop strategies and plans for current fundraising events, such as the Annual Gala and Lunch & Learn
Encourage and promote sustaining memberships
Research and design strategies for new grants and maintain current grants

D. New Member Engagement Team

Purpose: To welcome new and current members to MOSES meetings and encourage new member participation in MOSES advocacy and activities

Actions

Be a welcoming presence at monthly general membership meetings
Track meeting attendance
Phone new members to further welcome and orient them to MOSES
Provide new members with information on MOSES participation opportunities
Educate members on our history, structure, and accomplishments; the benefits of membership; and common terms
Survey the ministry teams of member congregations and the Individual Caucus on their needs and activities

III. The Racial Equity Team

Purpose: To help MOSES fulfill the ideals of racial equity, justice, and inclusion expressed in our mission and values statement.

Actions

Plan and direct Racial Equity discussions at the monthly MOSES General Meetings.
Coordinate with WISDOM’s Racial Equity Core Team to plan statewide programs and help other affiliates deal with racial issues in their own communities
Help to publicize opportunities in and around Madison for members of MOSES and our congregations to learn more about systemic racism and take a stand for racial equity, justice, and inclusion.

IV. WISDOM TASK FORCES

A. CONDITIONS OF CONFINEMENT TASK FORCE

Purpose: To reduce or eliminate solitary confinement and the use of lockdowns in Wisconsin prisons by advocating for changes in the Wisconsin criminal justice system

Actions

Advocate for ending the use of solitary confinement, or reducing its use to no more than 10 days and only when absolutely necessary
Advocate for mental health checks before and after the use of solitary confinement
Reduce or eliminate the excessive use of prison lockdowns to 5-10 days, and only when absolutely necessary
Contact the Governor, legislators, and the Department of Corrections Secretary
Educate local member congregations and community organizations on the issues

B. OLD LAW TASK FORCE

Purpose: To ensure that people are given a fair chance to be released on parole in Wisconsin. Nearly 3,000 current Wisconsin prisoners were sentenced before truth-in-sentencing went into effect in 2000 and are eligible for parole.

Actions

Educate the community on the people who have already served at least 20 years in Wisconsin prisons and who are eligible for parole
Press the Governor and Parole Commission Chair to dramatically increase the rate of release of people incarcerated under Old Law, wherever this can be done safely
During the pandemic, press the Governor to use his power to commute sentences, to achieve the immediate release of elderly prisoners, those seriously ill, and those with underlying conditions that make them dangerously vulnerable to the coronavirus;
Attend monthly meetings of the Parole Commission and monitor changes there, including the pace of releases, length of defers, etc.

C. POST-RELEASE TASK FORCE

Purpose: To focus on issues impacting individuals after their release from prison or jail, to prevent reincarceration and reduce barriers to community re-entry.

Actions

Oppose supervision practices that result in unreasonable conditions of supervision, responses that are disproportionate to a violation, or excessive time on supervision
Advocate for legislation that eliminates crimeless revocation
Promote policies that reduce barriers to employment and housing and enhance reintegration into the community
Review legislative documents, reports, and articles on topics of interest
Contact the Governor, legislators, and the Department of Corrections about these issues

D. TREATMENT ALTERNATIVES AND DIVERSIONS TASK FORCE

Purpose: To advocate for expansion of TAD state funding and program eligibility as well as equitable fund allocation with the goal of reducing the number of people in Wisconsin jails and prisons and enhancing public safety while saving taxpayer money.

Actions

Promote funding for the Wisconsin Treatment Alternatives and Diversion Program (TAD)
Testify for increased funding at state biennial budget hearings
Contact the Governor, legislators, and the Department of Corrections to encourage changes in TAD program eligibility and equitable fund allocation
Educate local member congregations and organizations on the issues

Revised 8/3/22 Printable Version of Participation Opportunities