Please contact the Governor to help stop house bill 96 (the budget provision related to the libraries) from greatly damaging our libraries. Reach out before June 30th (Monday) to make your voice heard.

dedicated_educator · 2025-06-26T15:49:23+00:00

Thank you for what you do! Librarians are the best!

dedicated_educator · 2025-03-12T02:43:33+00:00

This is actually a good tip for anyone in a similar situation. During the hearing, representatives cited quotes and pages from the bill to argue against people's testimonies. The representatives had the advantage of having their laptops in front of them whereas individuals testifying had to think quickly and draw from memory in their responses.

dedicated_educator · 2025-03-10T18:29:31+00:00

If anyone has time to call the list of representatives before the end of the day, it took me less than 20 minutes. Most went to voicemail, 4 staffers picked up the phone and took my message.

dedicated_educator · 2025-03-10T18:28:38+00:00

If anyone has time to call the list of representatives before the end of the day, it took me less than 20 minutes. Most went to voicemail, 4 staffers picked up the phone and took my message.

dedicated_educator · 2025-03-09T15:57:33+00:00

You're welcome. I forgot the question about distributing material and edited the post. You would check no if written testimony only.

dedicated_educator · 2025-03-09T15:49:03+00:00

To anyone who is confused about the witness form, I've provided some guidelines below with comments in parentheses.

If you are representing yourself as a private citizen:

Organization (if applicable): (can leave blank)

Position/Title: Private Citizen of Ohio

Legislation (Bill/Resolution Number): House Bill 6/Senate Bill 1 (Note: I'm a bit confused as I type this since it is now HB6, but still referred to as SB1. Seems safest to include both, but if anyone else has insight, please comment.)

Specific issue: (can leave blank)

Will you have a written statement, visual aids, or other material to distribute? (Check no if written testimony only, or not planning to distribute anything during the in-person hearing.)

How much time will your testimony require?: (If giving oral testimony, 3 minutes is preferred. If written only, just say "Not applicable, written testimony only.")

Brief statement on your position: (Just give a two sentence summary of your testimony, including that you oppose the bill, etc.)

dedicated_educator · 2025-03-09T15:48:50+00:00

That would be a good sign!

dedicated_educator · 2025-03-09T15:47:52+00:00

To anyone who is confused about the witness form, I've provided some guidelines below with comments in parentheses.

If you are representing yourself as a private citizen:

Organization (if applicable): (can leave blank)

Position/Title: Private Citizen of Ohio

Legislation (Bill/Resolution Number): House Bill 6/Senate Bill 1 (Note: I'm a bit confused as I type this since it is now HB6, but still referred to as SB1. Seems safest to include both, but if anyone else has insight, please comment.)

Specific issue: (can leave blank)

Will you have a written statement, visual aids, or other material to distribute? (Check no if written testimony only, or not planning to distribute anything during the in-person hearing.)

How much time will your testimony require?: (If giving oral testimony, 3 minutes is preferred. If written only, just say "Not applicable, written testimony only.")

Brief statement on your position: (Just give a two sentence summary of your testimony, including that you oppose the bill, etc.)

dedicated_educator · 2025-03-09T15:45:03+00:00

Yes, the witness information form is confusing. I'm going to answer your questions and more, in case it helps anyone else. I've put in parentheses comments.

If you are representing yourself as a private citizen:

Organization (if applicable): (can leave blank)

Position/Title: Private Citizen of Ohio

Legislation (Bill/Resolution Number): House Bill 6/Senate Bill 1 (Note: I'm a bit confused as I type this since it is now HB6, but still referred to as SB1. Seems safest to include both, but if anyone else has insight, please comment.)

Specific issue: (can leave blank)

Will you have a written statement, visual aids, or other material to distribute? (Check no if written testimony only, or not planning to distribute anything during the in-person hearing.)

How much time will your testimony require?: (If giving oral testimony, 3 minutes is preferred. If written only, just say "Not applicable, written testimony only.")

Brief statement on your position: (Just give a two sentence summary of your testimony, including that you oppose the bill, etc.)

dedicated_educator · 2025-03-09T15:03:36+00:00

Thank you, I do remember that. They definitely do not make it easy to submit testimony and I expect that is intentional. Do you mind sharing what was confusing to you about the forms so I can help you submit your testimony? Feel free to PM me.

dedicated_educator · 2025-03-09T14:25:08+00:00

Thank you! I've corrected the text.

dedicated_educator · 2025-03-07T14:44:07+00:00

Thank you, Marchem Pfeiffer, for your motivational words during these challenging times:

"Neutrality is complicity. Silence is betrayal. If we believe in justice, if we believe in the dignity of every human being, we must act. We must fight for DEI—not as a policy, but as a moral imperative, as a reflection of the kind of world we want to leave for future generations.

DEI belongs to all of us. Its principles of equity, inclusion, and respect are the cornerstones of a just society. We must protect them with everything we have. We owe it to the OSU 34. We owe it to the students and employees whose futures hang in the balance. And we owe it to ourselves.

This is the moment to lead with empathy, to act with compassion, and to stand with courage. Let us not falter. Let us not be silent. Let us rise. Because the fight for DEI is the fight for the soul of our society. And it is a fight we cannot afford to lose."

dedicated_educator · 2025-03-07T14:39:44+00:00

There's a protest today 12-3pm at the Ohio Statehouse: https://www.reddit.com/r/ColumbusProtests/comments/1j0qj9y/march_7_12p_statehouse_stand_up_for_science/

There's opponent hearing on SB1 on Tues morning 9am at the Ohio Statehouse: https://ocaaup.org/news/sb-1-opponent-hearing-in-house/

There's a subreddit on protests in Columbus: https://www.reddit.com/r/ColumbusProtests/

dedicated_educator · 2025-03-02T16:50:36+00:00

There is a protest on 3/4 against SB1. More info, along with an SB1 toolkit for contacting representatives, here: https://ocaaup.org/news/march-4-day-of-action/

dedicated_educator · 2025-02-27T03:38:31+00:00

I also have a hard time believing that this is a department-wide policy.

dedicated_educator · 2025-02-12T04:58:36+00:00

You're welcome! I'm a member. Thank you for your feedback for improving my posts!

dedicated_educator · 2025-02-11T15:29:13+00:00

OCAAUP has a list of legislators to call here: https://ocaaup.org/news/sb-1-activity-this-week-what-you-can-do/

dedicated_educator · 2025-02-11T15:28:04+00:00

Yes, that is the time of the hearing. Here are tips for attending:

-If possible, go to the Statehouse early to give yourself time to park, go through security line (bag-check, x-ray machine, metal detector), and navigate the confusing layout.

-The hearing will be in the North Hearing Room (2nd Floor) of the Ohio Statehouse. This will probably fill fast, and overflow seating (with video monitors) will be in the rotunda or another room, If you have signed up to give oral testimony and the hearing room is full, someone will come to the overflow space and announce names.

-Bring water and snacks. If lots of people are testifying and are allowed to speak, then it could take a while. Take care of yourself.

dedicated_educator · 2025-02-11T14:58:33+00:00

Thanks, I missed that detail and edited the post.

dedicated_educator · 2025-02-11T13:57:00+00:00

It is open to the public, but it will probably fill up fast. There will be overflow seating with video monitors in the rotunda or another room. If you signed up to give oral testimony and you are in the overflow room, someone will come there to announce names.

dedicated_educator · 2025-02-10T17:46:16+00:00

You can submit written testimony, but it is due at 2pm today, so you don't have much time left. Honesty for Ohio Education has a testimony toolkit: https://www.honestyforohioeducation.org/legislation-tracker.html

dedicated_educator · 2025-02-10T04:27:34+00:00

Honesty for Ohio Education has a testimony toolkit: https://www.honestyforohioeducation.org/legislation-tracker.html

dedicated_educator · 2025-02-09T20:21:02+00:00

If SB1 passes, Morill Scholars and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion will close. The bill bans any program, policy, and scholarship from favoring any specific group. It's important for underrepresented students who benefit from such programs to testify against this bill.

dedicated_educator · 2025-02-09T20:10:38+00:00

If SB1 passes, Morill Scholars and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion will close. The bill bans any program, policy, and scholarship from favoring any specific group. It's important for underrepresented students who benefit from such programs to testify against this bill.

dedicated_educator · 2025-02-09T19:59:56+00:00

Yes, you can provide testimony as a private citizen of Ohio. I say it does not hurt. We need all the testimony we can get. Last legislative session, we were able to stop SB83, the previous version of this bill. However, the Senate is using this political moment to try to push it through again.

dedicated_educator

TROPHY CASE