Tag Archives: politics

Deceptive Advertising Laws and PHOs

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Pregnancy center marketing has been under attack for decades, but recent legislation in some states has made more aggressive advances towards silencing the voices of those who want to provide women with alternatives to abortion. Jor-El Godsey, Tracie Shellhouse, Andrea Trudden, and Danielle White discuss how these laws are deceptive and attempt to tell a false narrative of the work of pro-life pregnancy help.

Links:

 

Sponsored by Pregnancy Help News

Notes:

  • The First Amendment protects the speech of pregnancy help organizations. Historically, the courts have struck down legislation based on First Amendment prudence (laws were too vague, viewpoint discrimination, content discrimination, etc.)
  • This legislation is intended to cause confusion and fear so that pregnancy centers are scared into silence.
  • Training your staff on answering questions regarding your services is essential to providing quality care for your clients.
  • Be aware of the standards that social media advertising have that might limit how you advertise; these standards continue to change over time.
  • Disclaimers on your website can be helpful, but are not a legal requirement.
  • Be consistent in your messaging. Women need to know that pregnancy help exists. There’s nothing wrong with truthfully promoting your services!

 

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Reacting to Election Results

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David Mahan from Center for Christian Virtue joins Heartbeat team members Andrea Trudden, Jessica Warner, and Lora Current to discuss the national ramifications of the recent election in Ohio that resulted in the enshrinement of abortion into the state constitution.

Visit www.heartbeatservices.org/gotv for “Get Out the Vote” resources

Sponsor: Option Line
OptionLine.org info@optionline.org

Notes: 

  • Amendments that states like MI and OH went up against are confusing and broadly worded; this caused much division among voters
  • Voters responded strongly to the concern over parental rights (even over abortion rights)
  • Abortion is just one piece of the “reproductive decisions” wording that is used
  • The abortion lobby falsely claimed that without this amendment, women could not get care for a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy
  • Pro-life efforts were outspent by roughly 20 million dollars in media advertising by the abortion lobby in Ohio this election season
  •  Church engagement is vital. Ohio saw an increase in churches speaking out against Issue 1, but we still needed more.
  • Some people assumed that Ohio is a “life state” and an abortion amendment could never pass. There weren’t enough people willing to get out and vote, or who didn’t realize the severity of Issue 1.
  • Nine additional states could have a similar amendment on the ballot next year
  • In Ohio, existing pro-life regulations will be challenged in the courts. It will be difficult to uphold anything on parental rights, abortion limits, etc. when put up against the new amendment
  • Pregnancy Help Organizations are vital now more than ever in states like Ohio to be there for women as abortion is pushed on them even more than before

 

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Get Out the Vote

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November elections are quickly approaching, and states like Ohio have abortion on the ballot. There is a growing need for the pregnancy help movement to step into the political conversation in defense of life in all states, and we must speak up and ensure our hard-earned victories are not erased, nor is abortion further embedded into our constitutions. Join Heartbeat staff members Jessica Warner, Leanna Baumer, and Lora Current in this discussion about strategy, resources, and practical steps that you can take to protect life in your state.

Resources:

Notes:

  • States like Ohio are facing (or could soon face) ballot initiatives to change the state constitution to allow for abortion up until birth
  • The ballot language is often broad and causes confusion among voters
  • If passed, these changes to the state’s constitution would be very difficult to amend in the future
  • Big Abortion is watching Ohio to see how well this tactic works, planning ballot initiatives in additional states for 2024 if this passes
  • Pregnancy Help Organizations are uniquely positioned to share the truth on life issues with clients, donors, and community supporters; you are the experts on the needs the families in your community!
  • It is important to stay updated and to educate your staff on state issues
  • State coalitions are a powerful way to make your voice heard, and can help you strategize as a group to make sure the story of pregnancy help is told on your terms
  • 501(c)(3) organizations are allowed to share their perspective about how policies might help/harm their community
  • Partnering with groups such as your local Family Research Council and Right to Life can equip you and help you stay informed
  • Pray! Take time to care for yourself and your team

Sponsor: Pregnancy Help News

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Pro-Life Activism – Angela Erickson

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With a background ranging from Executive Director of a pregnancy center to Students for Life Regional Coordinator, Angela Erickson has a lot of experience in pro-life work in the state of Minnesota. Angela draws from her experience to share about the challenges of lobbying in an abortion state, and shares what works well to promote collaboration between communities, legislators, and pregnancy help organizations.

Resources

Sponsored by: Heartbeat Academy

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Getting to Know Your Legislator

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Jessica Warner is joined by her dad, Former Ohio State Representative Kyle Koehler to talk about how pro-life pregnancy help organizations can effectively make their voices heard in public policy. Gain insight from a legislator’s perspective on capturing the attention of lawmakers and learn simple, actionable steps that you can take to strengthen their support for your ministry.

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Championing Pregnancy Help – KY Attorney General Daniel Cameron

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Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron joins us in this episode along with Pregnancy Help News Managing Editor Lisa Bourne, as we delve into what he and his team have been working on in support of pregnancy centers to defend them from misrepresentation, and to provide more opportunities for service.

Stay tuned for more content from our conference!

Sponsored by: Pregnancy Help News

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Smear Tactics, Legal Demands, and Data

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Senator Elizabeth Warren recently wrote a letter to Heartbeat International making accusations against our work. Listen to Heartbeat’s President, Jor-El Godsey and General Counsel, Danielle White discuss the real motivation behind the letter and how Heartbeat has responded. As pro-life groups continue to be targeted, find out what rights elected officials have (or don’t have) to make demands of organizations and what rights we have to request information from them in return.

Click here for Senator Warren’s letter and click here for Heartbeat’s response 

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From the Archives: Rapid Growth

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Cindi Boston tells of her experience as a center director during a time of rapid growth for her center. Listen to hear how you can prepare your board, staff, and volunteers to serve more clients than ever when pro-life legislation leads to an influx of clients.
This episode was originally published July 2019.

Heartbeat Affiliates — Click HERE to listen to a conversation on client marketing with Beth Diemert and Liliana Grace.
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Impact on Centers – Dobbs Part 3

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Heartbeat’s Vice President, Betty McDowell, and Director of Affiliate Services, Beth Diemert, discuss what you can do now to prepare for the impact of Dobbs on your Pregnancy Help Organization. From combating myths about the work of the pregnancy help movement to helping your own staff understand pro-life apologetics, there is work to be done. Tune in to hear their ideas and suggestions!

Pregnancy Help Appreciation Week is November 8-12! Listen to last year’s podcast episode where we talk about how we started Appreciation Week here!

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