where to start?

[tjraid18]

  Would a good place to start researching to become ACTIVELY involved be to e-mail or write each governor and request information on how the legislative process works in each state? Especially in regards to family law and non-custodial rights? Or should I go right to the legislature and see what can be found out there? I don't how government works.Usually when you try to talk to one agency or person they'll tell you to go talk to someone else. Then your running around in circles getting nowhere. Who would be the most helpful for something like this? Senator? Rep.? Gov.? Does anyone have any ideas?
                                                        tjraid18

[Hawkeye]

You've already made the first step by posting here on SPARC and on the state board. Don't be deterred by a run-around, eventually you'll hit a nugget, maybe even a vein of gold!

http://egov.oregon.gov/ is the official Oregon website.

//www.dpo.org    Oregon Democratic Party
Meetup with the county chairperson.
//www.orgop.org  Oregon Republican Party

http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/findset.htm
This site locates your House and Senate legislator.

Browse thru as much of the above sites to learn the basics.

Once you locate your Statehouse Representative and State Senator, contact them. Ask to set up a casual meeting or just chat with them on the phone initially. Most are very approachable folks and actually appreciate hearing about their constituent's concerns. If they lean at all in favor of fathers fulfilling their responsibilty to their children by being more than just a wallet, perhaps offer to do some volunteer work on their campaign. Stuff some envelopes, pass out literature, etc. Each time you do is an opportunity to meet someone that shares at least some of your thoughts.

Ones that are running for office or re-election are most apt to listen. Attend some campaign events and talk directly with the candidates. Some will be extremely helpful, others will brush you off. You'll almost immediately sense the difference.  Don't be afraid to ask questions, even somewhat personal ones. Ask if they are divorced and what their feelings are about "family law", courts, equal parenting... those sorts of things. They'll either be with you or against you or just plain vauge LOL.

http://www.peak.org/~jedwards/DADS.html Appears to be an active PRO-fathering group in Oregon.  Wow, 5th worse in the nation according to  
http://www.cpswatch.com/press/tablea.htm for removing children from their homes!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OregonMillionDadsMarch/ Try here too, only two members, but thats

Sign on to email lists, gather names and phone numbers of anyone that seems the least bit interested.  Keep networking! Start a notebook of contacts, ideas, questions, concerns and anything else that comes to mind.

Use Google to search for various topics, single dads, father's rights, co-parenting, divorce, joint parenting, etc etc and include Oregon, your county or town in searches. You never know what you might turn up. Some websites are not set up properly with titles or html tags that show up in searches, but keep trying different combinations of search terms.

Good Luck!  You're on the right path and every journey begins with a single step!

[Hawkeye]

Ohhh, almost forgot, get a copy of the SchoolHouse Rock video "I'm Just a Bill" at your local library, school system or videostore. It's a kid's eye view of how a bill becomes a law. Most states use the same process. Watch it with your kids if you can. They'll be singing the tune before too long.

I agree that most "agency" people are useless. Sortof like the highway workers we all see... 18 people standing around and watching only one or two actually working. haha... our tax dollars at work, eh?

[tjraid18]

  Wow!!!
               Thanks Hawkeye, thats some really great info. . I grew up watching "I'm just a bill" right before bugs bunny. It would be a good idea to rent it and watch with the kids. I really appreciate the good advice. Thanks again.
                                       tj