Author: Tim Mooney

The Pedalshift Project 284: The Missing Link – Part 5

This part covers the last challenge of the trip – cycling to LAX! Starting from the El Segundo, winding my way to my airport hotel, plus the next morning’s complete ride to Terminal 1. Can we call LAX a truly bikeable airport?


The Pedalshift Project 284: The Missing Link - Part 5

Hey it’s the direct download link for  The Pedalshift Project 284: The Missing Link – Part 5 (mp3).

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSS – iTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – Stitcher – TuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify

Reach out to the show via email, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too.

Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet – all welcome. Email the show at pedalshift@pedalshift.net or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109

The Missing Link – Part 5

Go check out FOTS and Pedalshift Society member Greg Braithwaite’s videos of HIS CA tour over at Bike Vids on YouTube… I’m going to give this more of a shout out next week, but my insanely busy week shouldn’t prevent you from checking them out. Hoping to get Greg on the show soon!
 
Quick programming note… next week we hit a best of that tracks back to 2017, and then we’ve got a wrap-up takeaways episode for the Missing Link. Then we’re going to travel completely across the country and test out some cross-borough riding in New York City before returning to the studio for some topical shows as we gear up for summer…
 

Statistics

New airports cycled to – 1
Times mistaken as a Los Angelean – 1
Cost of premium lounge admittance – 30
Amount of complementary food and drink imbibed at said lounge – solid 50 bucks
Flats – 0

As always we like to close out the show with a special shoutout to the Pedalshift Society! Because of support from listeners like you, Pedalshift is a weekly bicycle touring podcast with a global community, expanding into live shows and covering new tours like this summer’s upcoming bike tour! If you like what you hear, you can support the show for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or even a buck a month. And there’s one-shot and annual options if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it all out at pedalshift.net/society.

Kimberly Wilson
Caleb Jenkinson
Cameron Lien
Andrew MacGregor
Michael Hart
Keith Nagel
Brock Dittus
Thomas Skadow
Marco Lo
Terrance Manson
Harry Telgadas
Chris Barron
Mark Van Raam
Brad Hipwell
Mr. T
Nathan Poulton
Stephen Dickerson
Vince LoGreco
Cody Floerchinger
Tom Benenati
Greg Braithwaite
Sandy Pizzio
Jeff Muster
Seth Pollack
Joseph Quinn
Drue Porter
Byron Paterson
Joachim Raber
Ray Jackson
Jeff Frey
Kenny Mikey
Lisa Hart
John Denkler
Steve Hankel
Miguel Quinones
Alejandro Avilés-Reyes
Keith Spangler
Greg Towner
Dan Gebhart, RIP
Jody Dzuranin
Lucas Barwick
Michael Baker
Brian Bechtol
Reinhart Bigl
Greg Middlemis
Connie Moore
William Gothmann
Brian Benton
Joan Churchill
Mike Bender
Rick Weinberg
Billy Crafton
Gary Matushak
Greg L’Etoile-Lopes
James Sloan
Jonathan Dillard
John Funk
Tom Bilcze
Ronald Piroli
Dave Roll
Brian Hafner
Misha LeBlanc
Ari Messinger
David Gratke
Todd Groesbeck
Wally Estrella
Sue Reinert
John Leko
Stephen Granata
Phillip Mueller
Robert Lackey
Dominic Carol
Jacqi McCulloch
John Hickman
Carl Presseault
David Neves
Patty Louise
Terry Fitzgerald
Peter Steinmetz
Timothy Fitzpatrick
Michael Liszewski
Hank O’Donnell
David Zanoni
David Weil
Matthew Sponseller
Chad Reno
Spartan Dale
Carolyn Ferguson
Peggy Littlefield
Lauren Allansmith
Eric Burns
Thomas Pearl
Darrin McKibben
Richard Stewart
Dave Fletcher
Jack Smith
Luke Parkinson
Ryan Patterson
Cyrus Farivar

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new track available NOW, and a new album dropping very soon AND Jason’s first solo album is now streaming on Spotify, including America, the Pedalshift theme. Go listen! 

The post The Pedalshift Project 284: The Missing Link – Part 5 appeared first on Pedalshift.

The Pedalshift Project 283: The Missing Link – Part 4

This part covers some zero day observations and riding a newly repaired Brompton from downtown Los Angeles to Venice and Redondo Beach, circling back to my airport hotel. A bit of a tour reset, but great adventures in bicycle touring LA County!


The Pedalshift Project 283: The Missing Link - Part 4

Hey it’s the direct download link for  The Pedalshift Project 283: The Missing Link – Part 4 (mp3).

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSS – iTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – Stitcher – TuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify

Reach out to the show via email, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too.

Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet – all welcome. Email the show at pedalshift@pedalshift.net or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109

The Missing Link – Part 4

Go check out FOTS and Pedalshift Society member Greg Braithwaite’s videos of HIS CA tour over at Bike Vids on YouTube… I’m going to give this more of a shout out next week, but my insanely busy week shouldn’t prevent you from checking them out. Hoping to get Greg on the show soon!
 
Quick programming note… next week we wrap the journal up for this trip, then we hit a best of that tracks back to 2017, and then we’ve got a wrap-up takeaways episode for the Missing Link. Then we’re going to take a break from tour journals for a few episodes since I haven’t had time to tour! If you’ve got ideas on what you’d like me to cover, shoot em my way!

Statistics

  • New tires 1
  • Miles biked 35
  • Fish tacos eaten 3
  • Beach towns cycled through 6
  • Flats 0

As always we like to close out the show with a special shoutout to the Pedalshift Society! Because of support from listeners like you, Pedalshift is a weekly bicycle touring podcast with a global community, expanding into live shows and covering new tours like this summer’s upcoming bike tour! If you like what you hear, you can support the show for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or even a buck a month. And there’s one-shot and annual options if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it all out at pedalshift.net/society.

Kimberly Wilson
Caleb Jenkinson
Cameron Lien
Andrew MacGregor
Michael Hart
Keith Nagel
Brock Dittus
Thomas Skadow
Marco Lo
Terrance Manson
Harry Telgadas
Chris Barron
Mark Van Raam
Brad Hipwell
Mr. T
Nathan Poulton
Stephen Dickerson
Vince LoGreco
Cody Floerchinger
Tom Benenati
Greg Braithwaite
Sandy Pizzio
Jeff Muster
Seth Pollack
Joseph Quinn
Drue Porter
Byron Paterson
Joachim Raber
Ray Jackson
Jeff Frey
Kenny Mikey
Lisa Hart
John Denkler
Steve Hankel
Miguel Quinones
Alejandro Avilés-Reyes
Keith Spangler
Greg Towner
Dan Gebhart, RIP
Jody Dzuranin
Lucas Barwick
Michael Baker
Brian Bechtol
Reinhart Bigl
Greg Middlemis
Connie Moore
William Gothmann
Brian Benton
Joan Churchill
Mike Bender
Rick Weinberg
Billy Crafton
Gary Matushak
Greg L’Etoile-Lopes
James Sloan
Jonathan Dillard
John Funk
Tom Bilcze
Ronald Piroli
Dave Roll
Brian Hafner
Misha LeBlanc
Ari Messinger
David Gratke
Todd Groesbeck
Wally Estrella
Sue Reinert
John Leko
Stephen Granata
Phillip Mueller
Robert Lackey
Dominic Carol
Jacqi McCulloch
John Hickman
Carl Presseault
David Neves
Patty Louise
Terry Fitzgerald
Peter Steinmetz
Timothy Fitzpatrick
Michael Liszewski
Hank O’Donnell
David Zanoni
David Weil
Matthew Sponseller
Chad Reno
Spartan Dale
Carolyn Ferguson
Peggy Littlefield
Lauren Allansmith
Eric Burns
Thomas Pearl
Darrin McKibben
Richard Stewart
Dave Fletcher
Jack Smith
Luke Parkinson
Ryan Patterson
Cyrus Farivar

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new track available NOW, and a new album dropping very soon AND Jason’s first solo album is now streaming on Spotify, including America, the Pedalshift theme. Go listen! 

The post The Pedalshift Project 283: The Missing Link – Part 4 appeared first on Pedalshift.

Candidate Debates and Forums

On this episode, our third in our 2022 Election series, we thought we’d look at how nonprofits can further democracy through candidate debates. Since the pandemic, we’ve seen organizations get seriously creative in using technology to engage and keep us safe and socially distanced. If you’re a long-time listener, you might recall that we also hosted an episode on Candidate Debates in 2020, back when we launched during the shutdown.  

Link: 

Attorneys for this episode 

Leslie Barnes, Tim Mooney, Quyen Tu 

Shownotes 

  • Public charities can convene candidate debates and forums 
  • The safe harbor for (c)(3)s hosting candidate debates 
  • Narrowing invitees based on nonpartisan criteria 
  • Publicize widely and invite public 
  • Neutral moderator 
  • Questions: broad and wide-ranging topics 
  • Equal treatment of each candidate 
  • No pledges 
  • Best practices  
  • Hosting a debate watch party and commenting on debates 
  • Fact checking is ok, supporting/opposing candidates is not 
  • Forums 
  • Facts & Circumstances analysis 
  • Federal university rule 
  • Candidate meet and greets 

Resources 

The Pedalshift Project 282: The Missing Link – Part 3

Continuing The Missing Link bike tour of southern California. Part 3 chronicles my ride from  Marine Camp Pendleton to San Clemente. Sort of. Plans were scuttled, but adventures were had!


The Pedalshift Project 282: The Missing Link - Part 3

Hey it’s the direct download link for  The Pedalshift Project 282: The Missing Link – Part 3 (mp3).

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSS – iTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – Stitcher – TuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify

Reach out to the show via email, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too.

Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet – all welcome. Email the show at pedalshift@pedalshift.net or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109

The Missing Link – Part 3

This part covers the type 2 part of day 2… because it got a little crazy. In the edit, things seem way less onerous than they kind of were, but it’s good to hear I kept a reasonable attitude. You love pods where my plans get scuttled, right?
 
Go check out FOTS and Pedalshift Society member Greg Braithwaite’s videos of HIS CA tour over at Bike Vids on YouTube… I’m going to give this more of a shout out next week, but my insanely busy week shouldn’t prevent you from checking them out. Hoping to get Greg on the show soon!

Statistics

  • Number of tubes punctured by a rogue Marine base thorn 2
  • Number of nuclear power plants walked past 1
  • Number of rides hitched 1
  • Ride shares taken 3
  • Trains taken 1
  • Missing links completed .44
  • Missing links remaining .44 (math was never my strong suit)

As always we like to close out the show with a special shoutout to the Pedalshift Society! Because of support from listeners like you, Pedalshift is a weekly bicycle touring podcast with a global community, expanding into live shows and covering new tours like this summer’s upcoming bike tour! If you like what you hear, you can support the show for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or even a buck a month. And there’s one-shot and annual options if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it all out at pedalshift.net/society.

Kimberly Wilson
Caleb Jenkinson
Cameron Lien
Andrew MacGregor
Michael Hart
Keith Nagel
Brock Dittus
Thomas Skadow
Marco Lo
Terrance Manson
Harry Telgadas
Chris Barron
Mark Van Raam
Brad Hipwell
Mr. T
Nathan Poulton
Stephen Dickerson
Vince LoGreco
Cody Floerchinger
Tom Benenati
Greg Braithwaite
Sandy Pizzio
Jeff Muster
Seth Pollack
Joseph Quinn
Drue Porter
Byron Paterson
Joachim Raber
Ray Jackson
Jeff Frey
Kenny Mikey
Lisa Hart
John Denkler
Steve Hankel
Miguel Quinones
Alejandro Avilés-Reyes
Keith Spangler
Greg Towner
Dan Gebhart, RIP
Jody Dzuranin
Lucas Barwick
Michael Baker
Brian Bechtol
Reinhart Bigl
Greg Middlemis
Connie Moore
William Gothmann
Brian Benton
Joan Churchill
Mike Bender
Rick Weinberg
Billy Crafton
Gary Matushak
Greg L’Etoile-Lopes
James Sloan
Jonathan Dillard
John Funk
Tom Bilcze
Ronald Piroli
Dave Roll
Brian Hafner
Misha LeBlanc
Ari Messinger
David Gratke
Todd Groesbeck
Wally Estrella
Sue Reinert
John Leko
Stephen Granata
Phillip Mueller
Robert Lackey
Dominic Carol
Jacqi McCulloch
John Hickman
Carl Presseault
David Neves
Patty Louise
Terry Fitzgerald
Peter Steinmetz
Timothy Fitzpatrick
Michael Liszewski
Hank O’Donnell
David Zanoni
David Weil
Matthew Sponseller
Chad Reno
Spartan Dale
Carolyn Ferguson
Peggy Littlefield
Lauren Allansmith
Eric Burns
Thomas Pearl
Darrin McKibben
Richard Stewart
Dave Fletcher
Jack Smith
Luke Parkinson
Ryan Patterson
Cyrus Farivar

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new track available NOW, and a new album dropping very soon AND Jason’s first solo album is now streaming on Spotify, including America, the Pedalshift theme. Go listen! 

The post The Pedalshift Project 282: The Missing Link – Part 3 appeared first on Pedalshift.

Reproductive Rights Advocacy

On this special edition of the podcast, we respond to the release of the draft decision that suggests the Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, removing the federal constitutional protection to choose an abortion. While Roe and the fundamental right to reproductive autonomy remains as we speak, nonprofits across the country are poised to act, should this draft become reality. Today we’ll cover just some of the things you and your organization can do. 

 

Our Attorneys for this Episode 

  • Leslie Barnes
  • Tim Mooney
  • Quyen Tu 

Resources 

Reproductive Rights, Health, and Justice Resource Guide 

5 Ways Nonprofits Can Respond to Dobbs v. JWHO 

 

Quick Overview 

  • The Dobbs opinion is only a draft – it is not law now. Roe is. 
  • People who seek an abortion now have a fundamental constitutional right to those medical services 
  • That said, should this draft become the majority opinion, Roe will be overturned ending federal protections, returning the question to the states 
  • Many states have ghost bans on the books, others have trigger laws that will end abortion rights when Roe is overturned (or the decision is issued). Other states have constitutional or other legal protections for the right to reproductive autonomy. 
  • It’s likely that state courts and legislatures will become a major focus 
  • There are efforts to legalize abortion and ban it nationally in Congress. 
  • Some states are looking to do much more than ban abortion. The draft is breathtaking in its scope, putting marriage equality, the right to contraception, and much more at risk of losing protection under the US Constitution. 

 

What nonprofits can do 

  • Organize and protest 
  • Provide services to people seeking reproductive healthcare 
  • Lobby Congress to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act 
  • Lobby your state legislature to protect the right to choose 
  • Consider ballot measure options 
  • Accountability advocacy 
  • Support litigation to block bans 
  • Elections – 501(c)(4)s can make this an issue in their support/opposition of candidates  
  • Nonpartisan voter education – 501(c)(3)s need to tread carefully as we get closer to primaries and the general election. Reproductive health advocacy can continue, but be mindful that it cannot look like support or opposition to candidates or parties 
  • Individuals – you have more flexibility in what you can do. Protesting, organizing, donating, volunteering, voting for the candidates of your choice and more. 

 

Bolder Advocacy is here to help your organization in its efforts. 

Contact us: 866-NP-LOBBY or advocacy@afj.org 

Best of Pedalshift 178: Cold Soaking and Your Bike Touring Questions

As we look forward to the summer of 2022, let’s revisit some summery content with with a cold soaking demo, reveling in the success of making cold brew coffee on a bike tour, plus answers to your bike touring questions. Recorded live August 30, 2019.

Originally podcast September 19, 2019.

Best of Pedalshift 178: Cold Soaking and Your Bike Touring Questions

The post Best of Pedalshift 178: Cold Soaking and Your Bike Touring Questions appeared first on Pedalshift.

Get Out the Vote

On this episode we’ll continue our election series and answer the question: “Now that you’ve registered your community members to vote, how can you convince them to turn out at the polls?” Today, we’ll dissect tax code rules for 501(c)(3)s and 501(c)(4)s so that you can confidently hit the streets and get out that vote (GOTV).

Our Attorneys for this Episode 

  • Tim Mooney  
  • Natalie Ossenfort   
  • Quyen Tu 

 

Show Notes 

  • Why do GOTV? Nonprofits can strengthen our democracy and racial equality by encouraging their communities to go vote.  
  • GOTV for 501(c)(3)s 
  • Must be nonpartisan 
  • Can be targeted 
  • Okay to express a broad range of issues 
  • Avoid mixing issue advocacy with GOTV 
  • GOTV for 501(c)(4)s 
  • Nonpartisan GOTV is pretty common. This counts as primary purpose activity. 
  • Partisan GOTV is allowed but is limited to overall secondary activity. 
  • If you use express advocacy, your GOTV might be an independent expenditure and reportable to state or federal agencies. 
  • If not, some states regulate partisan activity without express advocacy. 
  • GOTV doesn’t have to be hard or take a lot of resources. Every nonprofit should do it. 

 

 

Resources 

The Pedalshift Project 281: The Missing Link – Part 2

Continuing The Missing Link bike tour of southern California. Part 2 chronicles my ride from Carlsbad through Marine Camp Pendleton, and the host of jinxes I threw at my soon-to-be-amended tour plans… with special guest star, audio-ruining wind gusts!


The Pedalshift Project 281: The Missing Link - Part 2

Hey it’s the direct download link for  The Pedalshift Project 281: The Missing Link – Part 2 (mp3).

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSS – iTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – Stitcher – TuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify

Reach out to the show via email, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too.

Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet – all welcome. Email the show at pedalshift@pedalshift.net or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109

The Missing Link – Part 2

This part covers part of day 2… because it got a little crazy and needs to be split into two! A couple of things:

  • The cross winds created some periods of time when the audio is less soundscape and more “annoying.” I tried to edit out the worst of the worst without cutting out some of the stories I was telling and the sights I was describing.
  • The amount of times I jinxed this ride in this episode is simply staggering. I taunted the bicycle gods aplenty, and I preview what they did to me towards the end of this episode. All  can say is, clearly I deserved it.

Statistics

Partial list because we’ll cover all of day 2’s stats next episode… but partial list:

Number of Marine Base cycling permits accrued 1
Bagel shop reviews 1
Number of times I foolishly taunted the bicycle tour gods with proclamations of my plans 44
Flats… <sigh> see you next week…

As always we like to close out the show with a special shoutout to the Pedalshift Society! Because of support from listeners like you, Pedalshift is a weekly bicycle touring podcast with a global community, expanding into live shows and covering new tours like this summer’s upcoming bike tour! If you like what you hear, you can support the show for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or even a buck a month. And there’s one-shot and annual options if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it all out at pedalshift.net/society.

Kimberly Wilson
Caleb Jenkinson
Cameron Lien
Andrew MacGregor
Michael Hart
Keith Nagel
Brock Dittus
Thomas Skadow
Marco Lo
Terrance Manson
Harry Telgadas
Chris Barron
Mark Van Raam
Brad Hipwell
Mr. T
Nathan Poulton
Stephen Dickerson
Vince LoGreco
Cody Floerchinger
Tom Benenati
Greg Braithwaite
Sandy Pizzio
Jeff Muster
Seth Pollack
Joseph Quinn
Drue Porter
Byron Paterson
Joachim Raber
Ray Jackson
Jeff Frey
Kenny Mikey
Lisa Hart
John Denkler
Steve Hankel
Miguel Quinones
Alejandro Avilés-Reyes
Keith Spangler
Greg Towner
Dan Gebhart, RIP
Jody Dzuranin
Lucas Barwick
Michael Baker
Brian Bechtol
Reinhart Bigl
Greg Middlemis
Connie Moore
William Gothmann
Brian Benton
Joan Churchill
Mike Bender
Rick Weinberg
Billy Crafton
Gary Matushak
Greg L’Etoile-Lopes
James Sloan
Jonathan Dillard
John Funk
Tom Bilcze
Ronald Piroli
Dave Roll
Brian Hafner
Misha LeBlanc
Ari Messinger
David Gratke
Todd Groesbeck
Wally Estrella
Sue Reinert
John Leko
Stephen Granata
Phillip Mueller
Robert Lackey
Dominic Carol
Jacqi McCulloch
John Hickman
Carl Presseault
David Neves
Patty Louise
Terry Fitzgerald
Peter Steinmetz
Timothy Fitzpatrick
Michael Liszewski
Hank O’Donnell
David Zanoni
David Weil
Matthew Sponseller
Chad Reno
Spartan Dale
Carolyn Ferguson
Peggy Littlefield
Lauren Allansmith
Eric Burns
Thomas Pearl
Darrin McKibben
Richard Stewart
Dave Fletcher
Jack Smith
Luke Parkinson
Ryan Patterson

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new track available NOW, and a new album dropping very soon AND Jason’s first solo album is now streaming on Spotify, including America, the Pedalshift theme. Go listen! 

The post The Pedalshift Project 281: The Missing Link – Part 2 appeared first on Pedalshift.

The Pedalshift Project 280: The Missing Link – Part 1

In 2014, I cycled the entire Pacific Coast from Canada to Mexico. Sort of. Because of the difficulty getting through a section in southern California, I always had a teeny tiny section unbicycled… a missing link, if you will. In 2022, it’s time to bike that missing link. Part 1 chronicles my flight to San Diego and the first day of riding to Carlsbad.


The Pedalshift Project 280: The Missing Link - Part 1

Hey it’s the direct download link for  The Pedalshift Project 280: The Missing Link – Part 1 (mp3).

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSS – iTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – Stitcher – TuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify

Reach out to the show via email, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too.

Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet – all welcome. Email the show at pedalshift@pedalshift.net or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109

The Missing Link – Part 1

Statistics

Miles biked 33.6
Elevation gained 1349 feet
Flights successfully flown with a Brompton stowed in the overhead 2
Flats 0

As always we like to close out the show with a special shoutout to the Pedalshift Society! Because of support from listeners like you, Pedalshift is a weekly bicycle touring podcast with a global community, expanding into live shows and covering new tours like this summer’s upcoming bike tour! If you like what you hear, you can support the show for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or even a buck a month. And there’s one-shot and annual options if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it all out at pedalshift.net/society.

Kimberly Wilson
Caleb Jenkinson
Cameron Lien
Andrew MacGregor
Michael Hart
Keith Nagel
Brock Dittus
Thomas Skadow
Marco Lo
Terrance Manson
Harry Telgadas
Chris Barron
Mark Van Raam
Brad Hipwell
Mr. T
Nathan Poulton
Stephen Dickerson
Vince LoGreco
Cody Floerchinger
Tom Benenati
Greg Braithwaite
Sandy Pizzio
Jeff Muster
Seth Pollack
Joseph Quinn
Drue Porter
Byron Paterson
Joachim Raber
Ray Jackson
Jeff Frey
Kenny Mikey
Lisa Hart
John Denkler
Steve Hankel
Miguel Quinones
Alejandro Avilés-Reyes
Keith Spangler
Greg Towner
Dan Gebhart, RIP
Jody Dzuranin
Lucas Barwick
Michael Baker
Brian Bechtol
Reinhart Bigl
Greg Middlemis
Connie Moore
William Gothmann
Brian Benton
Joan Churchill
Mike Bender
Rick Weinberg
Billy Crafton
Gary Matushak
Greg L’Etoile-Lopes
James Sloan
Jonathan Dillard
John Funk
Tom Bilcze
Ronald Piroli
Dave Roll
Brian Hafner
Misha LeBlanc
Ari Messinger
David Gratke
Todd Groesbeck
Wally Estrella
Sue Reinert
John Leko
Stephen Granata
Phillip Mueller
Robert Lackey
Dominic Carol
Jacqi McCulloch
John Hickman
Carl Presseault
David Neves
Patty Louise
Terry Fitzgerald
Peter Steinmetz
Timothy Fitzpatrick
Michael Liszewski
Hank O’Donnell
David Zanoni
David Weil
Matthew Sponseller
Chad Reno
Spartan Dale
Carolyn Ferguson
Peggy Littlefield
Lauren Allansmith
Eric Burns
Thomas Pearl
Darrin McKibben
Richard Stewart
Dave Fletcher
Jack Smith
Luke Parkinson
Ryan Patterson

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new track available NOW, and a new album dropping very soon AND Jason’s first solo album is now streaming on Spotify, including America, the Pedalshift theme. Go listen! 

The post The Pedalshift Project 280: The Missing Link – Part 1 appeared first on Pedalshift.

Voter Registration

On this episode, we’ll start taking a closer look at one activity that your organization may be interested in engaging in during this midterm election season: voter registration! Since voter registration activities take place in an election context, you’ll want to be thinking about multiple areas of the law when designing and implementing voter registration campaigns and drives. That’s why we’ll spend this episode talking about what you need to consider when it comes to nonprofit tax law, federal election law, and of course… state law.

 

Our attorneys for this episode 

Leslie Barnes 

Tim Mooney

Natalie Ossenfort 

 

Tax Law 

  • 501(c)(3) Public Charities: Must keep voter registration activities nonpartisan
  • Activities designed to encourage voting by all those eligible
  • Targeting must be for neutral nonpartisan reason
  • Offer services to everyone
  • Be careful when tying issue advocacy to voter registration

 

Federal Election Law

  • FEC regulations prohibit coordination of VR activities with candidates and parties (no candidate contributions by corporations)
  • Post-Citizens United, independent expenditures as voter registration and partisan targeting are legal for (c)(4)s – not (c)(3)s.
  • No payments or anything of value (even pizza) to people in exchange for registering to vote

 

State Laws

  • Many states permit use of state and federal voter registration form (National Mail Voter Registration Form)
  • Texas: Only Volunteer Deputy Registrars can register voters
    • These individuals must meet certain eligibility requirements
    • Must be trained by the county in which they conduct VR activities
    • Rules related to assisting applicants, etc.
  • Recent trend in some states to make it harder to assist voter registration – Florida passed limits on nonprofits engaging in voter registration, but a federal district court recently blocked the law (NBC News)

 

Foundations

  • Public and private foundations can support (c)(3) grantees that engage in voter registration drives
  • Rules prohibit private foundations earmarking grants for nonprofits working on voter registration drives in less than 5 states and in a single election cycle
  • Grantees need to meet the detailed requirements of 26 CFR 4945(f)

 

Voter Mobilization, Voter Protection, Candidate Engagement – coming up on other episodes

 

Resources