AMOS

Seek good not evil that you may live,
and that the Lord, the God of hosts may
truly be with you…Hate evil and love good,
and establish justice at the gate. Amos 5:14-15

AMOS (A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy) is a broad-based non-partisan, interfaith community organization comprised of more than 26 diverse religious congregations. We believe that ordinary people, working together, can accomplish great things in a democracy and have a say in the destiny of their own community.

What does AMOS do?
AMOS, an affiliate of the Industrial Area Foundation, is distinguished from other community-based organizations in its commitment to the iron rule: Never do for others what they can do for themselves.

AMOS believes in the inherent dignity of each person. AMOS seeks to channel individual action into a responsible and powerfully organized force. Through face-to-face, one-on-one meetings, AMOS members build relationships with members of their communities. In the process, they cut through divisions such as race, religion, and socioeconomic status, and discover the passion and concerns that unite us.

AMOS pursues an agenda with multiples issues and responds to the concerns and pressures people feel. These concerns and pressures are identified through hundreds of small-group conversations, and are then explored in depth by investigative issue teams who research the facts and develop possible solutions.

AMOS acts publicly, bringing the power of organized people to decision makers to implement the AMOS agenda. Through this three-step process, hundreds of people re-enter public life and reclaim responsibility for their future in central Iowa.

The United Church of Christ-Congregational is a member of the Ames cluster of AMOS. Recent issue teams have worked on criminal justice, economic justice, environmental justice, health care, immigration, workforce development, and youth and education.
www.amosiowa.org