ADVOCACY OVERVIEW

Our Advocacy Overview will endeavor to keep us apprised of current and pending legislation and other issues relative to the First Coast Freethought Society. We take our cue from the United States Constitution, the Florida Constitution, and applicable jurisprudence.

The Advocacy Committee members edit the Advocacy Pages on the First Coast Freethought Society Website. The FCFS Board appoints and oversees the Advocacy Committee.

Members of the FCFS are invited to submit items to be included in the Advocacy Pages. These items may include information about a current issue of importance to freethinkers which members may wish to take action upon. Examples of such issues could be: potential legislation at the local, state or national level about which members would want to write their representatives, or local news outlets, etc.; violations of civil rights or of state/church separation which call for responses from freethinkers and humanists, etc. Submissions of such items ideally include a short explanation of the issue to be addressed, links to reliable information about the issue, and suggestions for appropriate action (e.g., letters, petitions, demonstrations, etc.). These issues should not be of a politically partisan nature – that is, supporting particular candidates or political parties. The First Coast Freethought Society is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and therefore cannot support candidates or parties.

The FCFS Advocacy Committee encourages members to submit items to post on the Advocacy pages of our website that are related to specifically humanist and freethought concerns. The Advocacy Committee strives to be as unrestrictive as possible. If the Advocacy Committee feels that there is a question about a particular submission, it will consult with the member submitting the item to resolve the problem. Use our Contact Page to submit an Advocacy suggestion. Please mark your submission “ADVOCACY”.


Legislation affects our daily lives whether the legislation is local, state, or nationally originated. We believe it is important to understand which legislation is upcoming so our voices can be heard whether it is yay or nay. We’re glad you’re here!

Amendment I – U.S. Constitution
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Article 1 Section 3 of the Florida Constitution
Religious freedom.—There shall be no law respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting or penalizing the free exercise thereof. Religious freedom shall not justify practices inconsistent with public morals, peace or safety. No revenue of the state or any political subdivision or agency thereof shall ever be taken from the public treasury directly or indirectly in aid of any church, sect, or religious denomination or in aid of any sectarian institution.

Democracy works best when the electorate is paying attention to what their elected officials are doing. Let them hear from you! Here are some helpful hints as to how to contact your representatives:

  1. Lists elected officials for Duval County: https://www.duvalelections.com/Elected-Officials
  2. At this link you can find YOUR elected representatives: https://www.duvalelections.com/Voter-Information/My-Elected-Officials After reaching the website type in your address, then it will offer a suggested match. Press enter and it will give you a list of all YOUR elected officials. It will tell you office name, office holder, contact information, and the physical location of the voters who have elected that representative.
  3. At this link, you can find YOUR Florida legislators for both the state and US Congress: https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/FindYourRepresentative
    These are also included in items #1 and #2 but it might be quicker to find them at this link.

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About David Schwam-Baird

Dr. David Schwam-Baird formerly served as Associate Professor of Political Science in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, at the University of North Florida. Dr. Schwam-Baird taught courses on International Politics, with an emphasis on the Middle East, Latin America, and Europe. He also taught courses on Political Philosophy. David has lived in Jacksonville and taught at UNF since 1994. He has been a member of the First Coast Freethought Society since its earliest days, having served as president, vice president, and program chair in the past. He is happy to be active in FCFS again. He strongly believes that as freethinkers, defenders of free speech, and as science advocates, FCFS has an important role to play in Northeast Florida.
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