ICCT Policy Position Process

ICCT proudly takes positions on nonpartisan Creation Care policy issues.  Our process to adopt positions empowers us to raise our collective voices for climate and environmental policies that are guided by faith, informed by science, and focused on environmental justice for all.  Thanks to Russell Outcalt for providing leadership for developing the process.

You may propose a policy issue for consideration by submitting it to the board at ICCTriangle@gmail.com. Here is the full process for taking a position on a policy issue.

Fundamentals

  1. Any position taken on a policy will be consistent with ICCT’s mission and guiding principles listed below. In short, any proposed policy will be considered on the criteria of interfaith harmony, accepted science, and environmental justice.
  2. ICCT cooperates with faith-based congregations and other local institutions to inspire and organize citizens to influence policy that promotes creation care. Any statements about positions on policy or actions to advocate for policy, no matter the urgency and importance of an issue, will be made and conducted in a professional, respectful manner.
  3. Although ICCT is not a 501(c)(3) organization, it will abide by the IRS restriction of political campaign intervention in Section 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organizations. ICCT will not make political endorsements of candidates for public office nor take positions that can be reasonably viewed as partisan. ICCT’s positions will be determined strictly on a policy basis as they are related to creation care.

Process

  1. To propose a position on a policy, send a written request to any Board member or to ICCTriangle@gmail.com for consideration by the Board.
  2. A position taken on any particular policy, bill, executive order, regulatory proposal, or provision will be relevant to and consistent with ICCT’s mission and guiding principles as determined by the Board.
  3. The Board will consider the proposal and determine whether or not a position will be taken. Ideally, the Board will do this at a regular Board meeting, but when time does not allow, they can make the decision by email, teleconferencing, Zoom, or special in-person meetings.
  4. The Board will present the position to the Steering Committee and ICCT team leaders for feedback, at a meeting or by email, within an appropriate time frame. The time frame will depend on the importance and urgency of the issue.
  5. The Board will incorporate Steering Committee and team leader feedback as it deems appropriate and communicate ICCT’s official position as a statement from the Board, delivered by the President.
  6. ICCT can communicate official positions by whatever method is most appropriate and will archive positions on the ICCT web site.

Adopted by the ICCT board on June 11, 2020.

The Mission of ICCT: Working within and across communities of faith to urgently fulfill our sacred duty to love and protect Creation, address our changing climate, and ensure justice for all life.

The Guiding Principles of ICCT’s Work:

  • We offer motivating and inspiring responses to urgent concerns for Creation and our changing climate that are based on accepted scientific knowledge.
  • We are guided by our faith, loving and listening with respect to one another as we care for Creation and foster interfaith harmony.

We recognize that low-income people and people of color are disproportionately affected by environmental abuses and the changing climate. We will work to decrease the negative impacts on these groups and enable their participation in jobs and other benefits that solutions bring.