We had our first big KFTC meeting in Northern Kentucky last night, inviting existing members and friends from Campbell, Boone, and Kenton counties to talk about KFTC and our statewide issue campaigns, and allow them to get to know each other.

Incredibly, more than thirty people came out to this first meeting and it was a broad group in terms of issue interest and familiarity with KFTC.  One thread that united them all seemed to be a deep commitment.

Taking some time to get to know each other with an extended icebreaker was important to the group.

"I don't think anyone there really knew more than five other people at the meeting, so making some time to make those connections was key," said Joe Gallenstein, long-time KFTC member in the Central Kentucky chapter who recently moved back to Northern Kentucky and has been working hard to bring a KFTC group together there.  

A big piece of the agenda focused on KFTC's major issues through the lens of lobbying in the General Assembly, along with a brief lobbying workshop.  The group talked about Mountaintop Removal Mining, Voting Rights, and Revenue Reform and many people shared good information about each campaign and found threads of connection between them. 

"I joined this group for a singular issue, to restore voting rights to ex-offenders, but I've learned a lot about these other issues tonight and I'm excited about working on them," said Tom Jones.

Apart from just defining KFTC in terms of issues, folks spent a lot of time hearing different people in the room explain how they think about KFTC and how they define our work.  Many members talked about the value of grassroots, member-led organizing, coupled with a multi-issue approach.

"KFTC has helped me become politically empowered on a level I'd never really imagined just a few years ago.  We're a great organization," said Joe Gallenstein.

The Northern Kentucky group is anxious to start an official KFTC chapter and already has a few upcoming events on the calendar.  Feel free to join them if you're in the area!

Upcoming Northern Kentucky KFTC Events

NKY KFTC Meeting – Tuesday, February 16 at 7 p.m. at the Boone County Public Library, Main Branch.  We tentatively plan to meet on the third Tuesday of every month.

Euchre for Justice at Joe Gallenstein’s house - Saturday, Feb 27 – $5 for everyone to play.  We'll couple this fundraiser with action steps people can take to have an impact on the General Assembly.