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Click here to see the 2003 report to the Administrative Board.

Covenant United Methodist Church is a dues-paying member of the Spokane Alliance, a broad-based organization of local institutions representing faith-based, labor and civic organizations.

Primary Goals

The Spokane Alliance (The Alliance) is a countywide organization of diverse religious institutions, education associations, unions and other interested groups representing over 30,000 local residents. It is driven by the belief that these Mediating Institutions must be strong because they are the cornerstones of a vibrant democratic society and hold the key to mending and reweaving the social fabric essential for strong families, healthy communities and a just world. The Alliance, therefore, has two primary goals:

l. To help strengthen each member organization. This involves fostering organizational cultures that are Relational, Action-Oriented ~ Reflective / Learning.

2. To serve as a vehicle for member groups to act in the public, arena with sufficient power for justice and the common good.

Background & Purpose

The Spokane Alliance was launched as a public organization in May 2002 with thirty-six dues-paying Alliance leaders are continuing to recruit new members plan to reach over 50 participating institutions representing cultural, religious, racial, economic and geographical diversity of the county.

The Alliance's first "Agenda for the Common Good" was formed through conversations with nearly 1,000 people from member institutions. Over 100 people currently participate in Research-Action Teams that develop concrete action proposals in the following areas:

Sustainable Jobs
• Youth &
Education
• Health Care & Drug Costs
• Diversity & Human Rights

Alliance Members:

A.F.S.C.M.E. Local 270

Amalgamated Transit Local 1015

Building & Const. Trades Council

Cement Masons & Plasters Local 72

Centenary United Methodist Church

Central Baptist Church

Central United Methodist Church

CWA Local 7818

Covenant United Methodist Church

Eastern Washington Association for the Education of Young Children

HERE Local 8

Highland Park United Methodist Church

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

IBEW Local 73

Iron Workers Local 14

Kateri NW Ministry Institute

Laborers Local 238

Liberty Park United Methodist Church

Mead United Methodist Church

Operating Engineers Local 370

SEIU Local 1199

Sheet Metal Workers Local 66

Sheridan Elementary PTA

Spokane Education Association

St. Aloysius Catholic Church

St. Ann's Catholic Church

St. Augustine's Catholic Church

St. Joseph Catholic Church, Colbert

St. Mark's Lutheran Church

United Steelworkers Local 329

United Steelworkers Local 338

UFCW Local 1439

Veradale United Church of Christ

VOICES

WEA Eastern Washington

Westminster United Church of Christ

Accomplishments of the Spokane Alliance

To date the Spokane Alliance has:

Convinced the Bonneville Power Administration to include contractual incentives in their $1.5 billion power line upgrade project that rewards contractors for local hiring

Marshaled resources to create a community development corporation, Stewardship Works, that will retro-fit non-profit institution build with energy efficient modifications

Mounted a campaign for passage of state of to lower prescription drug costs, bring health coverage to employees previously uninsured and minimize cuts in the State Basic Health Plan.

Engaged over 150 people in the Stand Up & Charge walk, canvassing of 5 lower income neighborhoods across Spokane that resulted in: 81 people registered or re-registered 287 people pursuing unclaimed Earned Income Tax Credits; and, 331 uninsured or people are pursuing health coverage for themselves and their families

Organized 3 "Strangers to Neighbors" events that have brought together members of the majority culture with Japanese-American, Muslims and members of the disabled community.

The Spokane Alliance is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit organization directed by a team of leaders drawn from its member institutions and served by a professional organizing staff. The current Covenant Alliance Core Team co-chairs are Twila Slind and Tom Robinson.

 

 

Covenant United Methodist Church
15515 N. Gleneden Drive
Spokane, WA  99208-9743
509-466-1768