“The biggest gift you can give is to be absolutely present, and when you're worrying about whether you're hopeful or hopeless or pessimistic or optimistic, who cares? The main thing is that you're showing up, that you're here and that you're finding ever more capacity to love this world because it will not be healed without that. That is what is going to unleash our intelligence and our ingenuity and our solidarity for the healing of our world.” – Joanna Macy
Greetings, State House Watchers.
Welcome to spring! As the snow piles recede, let’s look for the signs of hope and new life that will inspire and sustain us. You’ll see many such signs (pun intended!) at the next No Kings demonstrations, scheduled for this coming Saturday, March 28. Thanks to Kent Street Coalition for this listing of No Kings events throughout the state.
We’ve reached the official midpoint of the state legislative session, with “Crossover Day” set for this coming Thursday, March 26. This is the deadline by which the House and Senate have to act on all bills that originated in their chamber. Scroll down for action alerts related to bills on the Senate calendar, including two bills that would redefine the State’s obligation to fund an adequate public education, a bill that would roll back discrimination protections for transgender people, and one that would weaken civil rights laws. Join 603 Forward on Thursday evening at 7 PM for an update on key bills after the Thursday sessions: Fed Up & Fired Up Crossover Check-In.
Also this week, there are a number of important public hearings scheduled for Wednesday, March 25. Issues include open enrollment for public schools, prohibiting state funding to promote vaccines, and yet another anti-transgender bill. There are also some positive bills that would protect children in foster care and residential facilities and would increase standards and oversight for recovery housing.
Legislative Advocacy Day, previously scheduled for March 24, has been rescheduled/ redesigned. Instead, join NH Voices of Faith for a series of “Short & Sweet” online programs throughout April, and a special State House luncheon with legislators on Thursday, April 23, 11:45 AM to 2 PM. More information here.
ACTION ALERTS!
The House and Senate will meet on Thursday, March 26 for “Crossover Day,” to act on all remaining bills that originated in their chamber. We have action alerts for you related to bills on the Senate calendar for Thursday, as well as several public hearings scheduled for Wednesday, and a continued outreach to the governor.
Here are the links:
Sign in for House bills.
Sign in for Senate bills.
Email House committees.
Email Senate committees.
Contact your Senator.
Contact your Representatives.
Contact the governor.
Today – Contact the governor – Protect voting rights.
OPPOSE HB 323, requiring the presentation of a government-issued photographic means of identification in order to vote. From the NH Campaign for Voting Rights: “This legislation would narrow the number of acceptable forms of identity for voters, requiring that only government-issued IDs be used. It would eliminate the use of student IDs but continue to allow government IDs issued by other states. Why this matters: Voters who are 18, U.S. citizens, and domiciled in New Hampshire have the right to vote here and are asked to prove their identity when they do so. By restricting the list of acceptable IDs to government-issued only, eligible voters—especially young people and those without a driver’s license or passport—will be turned away solely because they don’t have the ‘right’ document, even when they can otherwise prove who they are and that they are eligible.” Please contact Governor Ayotte and urge her to veto this bill when it arrives to her desk.
Wednesday, March 25 – Public Hearings
OPPOSE SB 101, (New Title) authorizing parents to enroll their children in any public school in the state and creating a limited exemption from parental consent required for certain recordings under the parental bill of rights. From NEA-NH: “This legislation mandates statewide open enrollment, allowing families to enroll their child in any public school in the state, regardless of where they live and requiring property taxpayers from one school district to potentially send 100% of the amount spent on average per pupil to the district the student attends. We know that property taxpayers are already stretched to keep up with costs of running their own local public schools and educators don't need larger class sizes; this legislation will only make that harder by requiring them to use local property tax dollars to pay tuition to other schools. As evidence of the statewide opposition to this plan, more than 70 school districts at their annual meeting this March overwhelmingly voted to cap how much of their budget could be sent to other school districts. Though mandatory open enrollment advocates say it increases educational choice, we know it is only choice for those who have another school nearby, who can secure their own transportation, and who can finance the difference between districts’ costs, if there is one. As educators, we believe every student should have access to a high-quality education, regardless of where they live, but at the end of the day, we fear this sudden restructuring of public schools will exacerbate the inequities our students and our schools experience throughout the state—not fix them.” This harmful bill is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Education Policy and Administration Committee on Wednesday, March 25 at 1 PM in Room 232, GP. Please show up if you are able to do so, and sign in to oppose and share testimony.
SUPPORT SB 298, relative to sober living house certification and operational standards. This bill requires the development of a certification process for recovery residences. From New Futures: “SB 298 would protect residents and communities by ensuring that all recovery houses meet established health and safety standards. This would strengthen New Hampshire’s recovery housing system.” It has a public hearing in the House Executive Departments and Administration Committee on Wednesday, March 25 at 1:50 PM in Room 231, GP. Please sign in to support and share testimony.
SUPPORT HB 661, relative to the department of health and human services management of social security payments, supplemental security income payments, and veterans benefits for children in foster care. From disability rights advocates: “This bill requires the state to stop taking foster youth’s federal benefits, such as social security death or disability benefits, to cover their cost of care. Instead, these funds would be conserved for the youth’s benefit and help support transition out of care. For example, these funds could be used to help a young person secure housing, transportation, or pay for college expenses.” It has a public hearing in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday, March 25 at 9 AM in Room 100, SH. Please sign in to support and share testimony.
SUPPORT SB 670, establishing a developmental services oversight commission; relative to reporting requirements regarding the death of a child in residential care; and relative to the registry of founded reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults. This is a late bill, filed in response to news stories regarding the tragic pattern of abuse and neglect in the disability system here in NH. The bill establishes a study commission to examine services, quality and oversight issues. It also increases reporting requirements for incidents resulting in death or serious bodily injury of people with disabilities who receive state-funded residential services. This important bill has a public hearing on Wednesday, March 25 at 1 PM in the House Health and Human Services Committee in Room 158, GP. Please sign in to support and share testimony.
OPPOSE SB 552, permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain limited circumstances. This bill provides a definition for "biological sex" and provides that certain designations by biological sex do not constitute unlawful discrimination. From 603 Equality: “SB 552 is a multi-faceted bill that limits access for trans folks in public restrooms, in sports settings, and designates that ‘biological sex’ must be the determining factor in prison placement. This bill sponsor defines ‘biological sex’ like many of the other proposed bathroom and locker room bans this legislative season on a binary, despite the vast number of variations to biological sex that exist. This bill is another example of the state legislature attempting to police the movements of trans people in New Hampshire, despite two separate governors vetoing three similar bills already.” It has a public hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, March 25 at 10:30 AM in Room 230, GP. Please sign in to oppose and share testimony.
OPPOSE Anti-Vaccine Amendment – Non-germane amendment #2026-1231h to SB 572, relative to New Hampshire hospital real estate. This amendment prohibits any state agency or political subdivision from using public funds to advertise or otherwise promote vaccines. This amendment also requires that any educational materials regarding vaccines produced by a state agency or political subdivision provide risks and benefits in the same font size as the recommendations, avoid generalized recommendations for universal vaccination, and encourage individuals to consult their personal health care providers to determine whether immunization is necessary. The amendment has a public hearing on Wednesday, March 25 at 11 AM in House Executive Departments and Administration in Room 231, GP. Please sign in to oppose and share testimony. (Note that the amendment will be listed as SB 572.)
Thursday, March 26 – Crossover Day in the Senate
Please take a moment to contact your senator about the following bills which will be voted on during the March 26 session.
OPPOSE HB 1815-FN, relative to education financing, and OPPOSE SB 659, relative to education financing. These bills are an attempt by lawmakers to diminish the obligation of the state to define and fund an adequate education. Read more at Reaching Higher NH.
OPPOSE SB 464, relative to civil rights enforcement. From ACLU: “This bill changes the standard for civil rights enforcement, adding language that creates a new threshold of motivation for those committing civil rights infringements. That threshold in turn creates an additional burden on prosecutors pursuing action against those who have committed civil rights offenses. This weakens the ability to apply civil rights protections and enforcement within the state. The legal ramifications of changing this one sentence in existing state statute will have wide-sweeping implications for those seeking justice within one of the protected classes outline in existing law.”
OPPOSE SB 459, relative to biological sex in student athletics and prisons. This bill requires school athletics and the associated use of locker rooms be designated based on a participant's biological sex as assigned at birth. The bill also requires that those living in New Hampshire state prisons be housed separately on the basis of inmates' biological sex. It will erode the state’s current non-discrimination protections for transgender people.
OPPOSE HB 348, relative to eligibility for local assistance. From Housing Action NH: “As introduced, Housing Action NH strongly opposed this proposal because it would allow municipalities to impose strict documentation requirements on individuals seeking public assistance. These requirements would be difficult for individuals fleeing domestic violence and unhoused individuals to meet, leading to the denial of benefits that they are legally entitled to. As amended, HB 348 extends the initial granting of benefits to six days and, if there is a dispute among municipalities as to which one is required to fund the services, the municipalities must enter into a hearing process designed to resolve the disagreement. This is a significant improvement over the bill as introduced, but we still believe it is unnecessary and will lead to individuals being denied benefits they are legally entitled to due to documentation issues.”
Key:
GP – Granite Place. More information here.
SH – State House (107 N. Main St. Concord)
SL – State Library
OTP – “Ought to Pass,” the recommendation for approving a bill or an amendment
OTP/A – Ought to Pass with Amendment
ITL – “Inexpedient to Legislate,” the recommendation for defeating a bill or an amendment.
ITL” can also be used as a verb.
“Without Recommendation” - This indicates that the committee vote was a tie for both ITL and OTP. During the House session, these bills will be considered first as Ought to Pass.
Re-refer – When a Senate committee wishes to hold onto a bill for further consideration. The recommendation to re-refer must be approved in the full Senate. The committee will have until the end of the calendar year to meet about the bill and make a recommendation for further action.
Retain – When a House committee wishes to hold onto a bill for further consideration. The committee makes this decision for themselves; approval in the full House is not needed. The committee has until the end of the calendar year to make a recommendation for further action.
RC – Roll call vote. Each legislator’s vote is recorded and attributed to them.
VV – Voice vote
DV – Division vote
Last week in the House
The full House did not meet last week.
Last week in the Senate
The Senate did not meet last week.
Coming Up in the House
The full House will next week for “Crossover Day” on Thursday, March 26 starting at 10 AM. You can watch it here. Here are the bills we’re tracking which are coming up for a vote.
On the Consent Calendar
FINANCE
HB 1600-FN, (New Title) relative to access to the centralized voter registration database on election days. Committee recommends OTP-A.
HB 1622-FN, requiring the state to develop additional solid waste disposal capacity. Committee recommends OTP.
HB 1718-FN, relative to authorizing energy storage in connection with net metering. Committee recommends OTP.
HB 1720-FN, relative to notice to child day care providers of child care scholarships. Committee recommends to lay on table.
WAYS AND MEANS
HB 1738-FN, relative to ratepayer benefits from the regional greenhouse gas initiative. Committee recommends OTP.
On the Regular Calendar
FINANCE
HB 112-FN, (New Title) requiring students in the university and community college systems of New Hampshire to pass the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services civics naturalization test, take a course that covers fundamental American documents as part of the general education curriculum, or pass a civics course competency test. Majority committee recommends OTP. Minority committee recommends ITL.
HB 1633-FN, expanding the information provided to survivors of sexual assault regarding their existing rights. Majority committee recommends OTP. Minority committee recommends ITL.
HB 1705-FN, establishing an employee assistance program for small town and volunteer first responders and making an appropriation therefor. Majority committee recommends referral for interim study. Minority committee recommends OTP-A.
HB 1775-FN, relative to utility ownership of natural gas and nuclear power generation facilities. Majority committee recommends OTP. Minority committee recommends ITL.
Coming Up in House Committees
You can watch the House hearings here. You can sign in for House bills here. And you can contact House committees here.
Wednesday, March 25
EDUCATION POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 232, GP
1:00 PM SB 101-FN, authorizing parents to enroll their children in any public school in the state and creating a limited exemption from parental consent required for certain recordings under the parental bill of rights.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 231, GP
11:00 AM Public hearing on proposed non-germane amendment #2026-1231h to SB 572, relative to New Hampshire hospital real estate. This amendment prohibits any state agency or political subdivision from using public funds to advertise or otherwise promote vaccines. This amendment also requires that any educational materials regarding vaccines produced by a state agency or political subdivision provide risks and benefits in the same font size as the recommendations, avoid generalized recommendations for universal vaccination, and encourage individuals to consult their personal health care providers to determine whether immunization is necessary.
11:10 AM SB 423, reestablishing the commission to study the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder in first responders.
1:40 PM SB 530-FN, relative to fetal death reporting to the Centers for Disease Control.
1:50 PM SB 298-FN, relative to sober living house certification and operational standards.
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS, Room 158, GP
2:00 PM SB 549-FN, requiring certain syringe service program entities to provide options for disposal of used syringes and needles and creating reporting requirements for such entities.
JUDICIARY, Room 230, GP
10:30 AM SB 552, permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain limited circumstances.
RESOURCES, RECREATION AND DEVELOPMENT, Room 228, GP
9:30 AM SB 450-FN, relative to a state parks pass pilot program for recovery centers and community mental health centers.
Coming Up in the Senate
The Senate will meet in session on Thursday, March 26 starting at 9 AM for “Crossover Day.” You can watch it here. Here are the bills we’re tracking which are coming up for votes.
On the Consent Calendar
EDUCATION
HB 1202, relative to dual and concurrent enrollment requirements for courses at institutions within the community college system of New Hampshire. Committee recommends OTP.
HB 1270, clarifying the definition of part-time teacher. Committee recommends OTP.
HB 1574-FN, relative to the extension of free and reduced price breakfast and lunch for students under the age of 22 and making an appropriation therefor. Committee recommends OTP.
ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
HB 158, relative to public inspection of absentee ballot lists. Committee recommends OTP-A.
HB 348, relative to eligibility for local assistance. Committee recommends OTP-A.
FINANCE
SB 541-FN-A, making an appropriation for regional drinking water infrastructure. Committee recommends OTP-A.
SB 545-FN, relative to financial eligibility for the Medicare savings program. Committee recommends OTP-A.
SB 615-FN, establishing a commission to study the use and regulation of SNAP in New Hampshire. Committee recommends OTP.
SB 661-FN, relative to pooled risk management programs. Committee recommends OTP-A.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
SB 520, relative to breast surgeries for minors. Committee recommends OTP-A.
On the Regular Calendar
EDUCATION FINANCE
HB 1815-FN, relative to education financing. Committee recommends OTP.
SB 659, relative to education financing. Committee recommends OTP.
FINANCE
SB 645-FN, relative to income eligibility for the New Hampshire child care scholarship program and reallocating certain revenue to fund the program. Committee recommends OTP.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
SB 476, relative to consumer health care cost transparency. Committee recommends referral for interim study.
SB 665-FN, requiring pharmacies to charge consumers the lowest available price for prescription drugs. Committee recommends OTP-A.
JUDICIARY
SB 459, relative to biological sex in student athletics and prisons. Committee recommends OTP-A.
SB 464-FN, relative to civil rights enforcement. Committee recommends referral for interim study.
SB 512-FN, relative to fees to annul criminal records related to charges that do not result in conviction. Committee recommends referral for interim study.
SB 558, relative to the appointment of the youth development center claims administrator. Committee recommends ITL.
SB 648, requiring age verification to allow access to certain material harmful to minors. Committee recommends referral for interim study.
SB 657-FN, relative to the oversight of artificial intelligence. Committee recommends OTP-A.
Coming Up in Senate Committees
You can watch the Senate hearings here. You can sign in for Senate bills here. And you can contact Senate committees here.
Tuesday, March 24
EDUCATION, Map Room, SL
9:35 AM HB 131, relative to bullying and cyberbullying prevention.
9:55 AM HB 1635, modifying the requirements of suicide prevention education policies in schools.
ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, Room 122-123, SH
9:25 AM HB 1505-FN, requiring municipalities, towns, and cities to submit documentation to the department of revenue administration proving they are in compliance with local budget and tax caps.
Wednesday, March 25
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 103, SH
9:40 AM HB 1097, requiring legislative approval of the amendment or permanent removal of historical markers.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Room 100, SH
9:00 AM HB 661-FN, relative to the department of health and human services management of social security payments, supplemental security income payments, and veterans benefits for children in foster care.
9:30 AM HB 1515-FN, repealing the requirement that the department of health and human services’ biennial budget request include funding for certain child care workforce programs.
Upcoming Events
Want us to list your peace and justice-related event? Contact us at afscnh@afsc.org.
Every Third Tuesday
Protect, Resist and Build with AFSC– 8 PM to 9:30 PM. Hosted by AFSC. Monthly webinar series that brings together AFSC constituents to learn about how to protect, resist, and build just peace, just migration, and just economies.
Every Wednesday
Solemn Vigils for Ceasefire Now – 2 PM in Dover at the district offices of Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Congressman Chris Pappas. The March 25 vigil will be at Pappas' district office, 15 Third Street, Dover. The April 1 vigil will be at Shaheen’s office, 2 Washington Street, Dover; we gather at the entrance to Henry Law Park.
Every First Wednesday
Mindful Meditation with Aryaloka Buddhist Center of Newmarket - 6 PM to 7 PM, Waysmeet, 15 Mill Road, Durham. Join us for a monthly, volunteer-led guided meditation. We have some cushions and yoga mats to share; you’re invited to bring whatever you may need to feel comfortable for 30 minutes of meditation. Free and open to all. For more information: waysmeetcenter.org/calendar.
Every Third Wednesday
Countering Christian Nationalism conversation – 7 PM, hosted by the NH Council of Churches, every third Wednesday of the month. Zoom link here.
Every Thursday
Meeting for Worship with Attention to Peace – 7:30 PM. Hosted by AFSC. Every week, AFSC’s Quaker Engagement team hosts Meeting for Worship virtually for Friends from across the globe. Embracing the practice of Quaker unprogrammed worship, we gather to bring our attention to witnessing injustice in our world and bolstering our solidarity with people facing oppression. Join us to explore and experience the spiritual dimensions of activism and social justice.
Solemn Vigils for Ceasefire Now – 12 noon at City Hall Plaza, in front of the State House, Concord.
Every Friday
AFSC Action Hour for a Ceasefire – 12 noon. Join AFSC staff every Friday to hear updates on what’s happening in Gaza. Then, take action with us as we contact Congress and call for a permanent cease-fire, arms embargo on Israel, and humanitarian access for Gaza. Our elected officials need to keep hearing from us!
Stronger Together: Protect Our Neighbors Weekly Visibility – 3 PM to 4 PM. Hosted by the Stronger Together Coalition. Corner of North Main Street and Loudon Road, Concord. Join us for a weekly visibility to stand against the war being raged against our communities. Our immigrant loved ones and neighbors are being targeted and kidnapped off the streets. Our public dollars are being funneled into a violent, bloated deportation and detention machine while local police are being weaponized against the communities they are supposed to serve, and life-giving programs are being defunded. Stand with us to protect our communities. All are welcome!
Every Second Saturday
Nashua Immigrant Solidarity Vigil – 12 PM to 1 PM, hosted by Granite State Organizing Project (GSOP), at United Methodist Church, 154 Main Street, Nashua. Lately, the loudest voices have been those of hate and division. This is our opportunity to show our community that there are people here who welcome immigrants. Bring signs with positive messages.
Every Fourth Friday
Sacred Circle Dance for Spring Equinox – 6 PM to 7:30 PM, at the Community Church of Durham UCC, 15 Main Street Durham. Join us to celebrate the Spring Equinox with dance! People in all cultures, throughout history and across the world, dance. We join in this tradition with dances from a multi-cultural folk dance background. The dances are accessible to many ages, body types and experience levels. Steps taught at all dance sessions. No experience or partner needed. We gather to dance on the fourth Friday of every month in Seacoast NH. Cost: sliding scale of $5-25, pay at the door, cash or check please.
Monday, March 23, 2026
Peace & Justice Conversations: Korea’s Fight for Sovereignty - 7 PM to 8 PM, online. This talk explores how Washington’s hegemonic ambitions have undermined Korea’s sovereignty and how grassroots movements are mobilizing to resist U.S. militarism. It also highlights the vital role of international solidarity in supporting people-led struggles for self-determination and lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula. Dr. Chun will share insights on the impact of the U.S.’s Indo-Pacific military and economic strategy on Korea, the political situation in the ROK (South Korea), and actions we can take to support diplomatic and peaceful solutions.
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Advocacy and Pizza - 6 PM to 7 PM, every Tuesday in March, at the YWCA, 72 Concord Street, Manchester. Hosted by Queerlective and 603 Forward. Too many bills. Not enough executive function? Join us every Tuesday at the YWCA Manchester to eat pizza and take action together. We’ll provide a weekly cheat sheet of current bills, clear action steps from community partners, and support walking through sign-ins and testimony.
Pizza & Politics: What is a “Master Plan”? – 6 PM to 8 PM, 41 West Street, Concord. Join Mark Davie, AICP; Ward 4 City Councilor & other local urban & regional planning professionals who will provide an overview on what a master plan is and how residents can get involved in shaping Concord’s next Master Plan.
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
What Granite State Families Need to Know About Changes to Medicaid – 6 PM, at the Boys & Girls Club, 40 East Derry Street, Derry. Join NH Medicaid Matters for a local community conversation. This event will provide updates on the upcoming changes to Medicaid and how they will impact your community. Dinner from Wrap City will be provided to all attendees, and on-site childcare is available.
Christian Nationalism: A Threat to Our Democracy- 6:30 PM, at the Friends of Tuftonboro Library, 221 Middle Road, Center Tuftonboro. Faith, Freedom, and Democracy: Countering Christian/White Nationalism with Lisa Beaudoin, NH Council of Churches.
Thursday, March 26, 2026
ReWeaving the Social Fabric of Our Communities – 9:15 AM to 12 noon at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Manchester, 555 Union Street. Join leaders, innovators, and community builders from across New Hampshire for a dynamic, interactive morning exploring how public spaces and community engagement shape the future of our towns and cities. Building on CDFA’s investment in community centers statewide, this half-day event expands the conversation to include all forms of inclusive and accessible public spaces — from youth and senior centers to small businesses, arts initiatives, and BIPOC-led community efforts. Together, we’ll explore how social infrastructure strengthens connection, belonging, and civic life.
Lenten Luncheon: Guest Speaker - Pastor Jon Hopkins – 12 noon – 1 PM, Wesley United Methodist Church, 79 Clinton Street, Concord. Hosted by the Greater Concord Interfaith Council. All are invited to share a meal and fellowship and listen to Rev. Jon Hopkins share how faith has impacted his work, volunteer activities, and other aspects of his life. Pastor Jon was in Minnesota on January 21-24, along with hundreds of other clergy from around the country. He will share his experience there and suggestions for how New Hampshire can take action to support and protect our immigrant neighbors.
Fed Up & Fired Up Crossover Check-In – 7 PM, online. Crossover Day marks the half-way point of the legislative session! It is the point when bills that have passed one chamber move to the other, and anything that has not passed is effectively dead for the year. Join 603 Forward for a virtual Fed Up & Fired Up update where we will break down what made it through crossover and what it means for the issues our communities care about. This session will also include time for questions and discussion so participants can better understand what is happening at the State House and how to take meaningful action (like running for office). If you’re trying to keep up with the legislative session, this event is designed to help you get oriented, informed, and ready to plug in. Zoom link provided at registration.
Your Passion, Your Leadership: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training – 6 PM to 7:30 PM, Hanover Howe Library, 13 South Street, Hanover. This is the fourth workshop in our series “Your Passion, Your Leadership: A Workshop Series for Aspiring Women Advocates” and will provide a hands-on, accessible session designed to build comfort with digital tools—covering everything from managing emails to Zoom meetings—so that every leader can confidently engage in advocacy and organizing in today's hyper-online world. Your presenter Dr. Dottie Morris is the Associate Vice President for Institutional Equity and Diversity at Keene State College, where she provides leadership and guidance as the institution advances its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and multiculturalism. A member of the President’s Cabinet, Dr. Morris works across executive leadership, academic affairs, student engagement, advancement, and administration to embed equity and social justice throughout the college.
Friday, March 27, 2026
NH Black & African Diaspora Dialogue – 4 PM to 5 PM, online. Hosted by AFSC. Join us to build, connect, listen, exchange ideas, share perspective & explore areas of community engagement and support.
Black Queer Music (for ages 13-18) – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, at the Community Campus, 100 Campus Drive, Portsmouth. Join NH Outright and BLM NH Youth Division for a special Friday night experience celebrating the power, history, and joy of Black queer music! This interactive workshop explores the roots and evolution of Black queer sound—from gospel and soul to hip hop and beyond, while centering creativity, culture, and community. Expect great music, conversation, movement, food, and most importantly - queer joy. Whether you love music, want to learn something new, or just want to hang out in an affirming space, this night is for you.
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Unmasking Christian Nationalism: Institution, Ideology, & Impact: Impacts on Government & Family – 10 AM to 12 noon. Online event hosted by NH Council of Churches. This is the first of a 3-part series on how this ideology is playing out in government and family life. We will examine concrete examples of how this version of white supremacy influences legislation, administrative decisions, civic participation, and public narratives about families, gender roles, authority, and belonging.
No Kings III Dover – 11 AM to 1 PM, Lower Square (Central Ave & Washington), Dover. Hosted by Greater Seacoast Indivisible.
No Thrones, No Crowns, No Kings in New Hampshire – Noon to 4 PM, at the State House, 107 North Main Street, Concord. Join us as we support the Constitution and reject authoritarianism! Hosted by 50501 NH.
No Kings III Nashua- 12 noon to 2 PM. Hosted by Gate City Voices at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument Nashua. Guest speakers, live music, rally energy, food & necessities drive.
No Kings Seacoast –1 PM to 3 PM, Market Square, Portsmouth. Come out to say no! No to the murder of US citizens, and anonymous "law enforcement" thugs. No to the attacks on Venezuela, and the threats to Iran and Greenland. Hosted by Occupy New Hampshire Seacoast, NH for Bernie Sanders, NH Labor for Bernie, Seacoast Overpass Light Brigade, and Occupy New Hampshire.
For a full list of No Kings events in New Hampshire on March 28, see this list from Kent Street Coalition.
Sunday, March 29, 2026
An Afternoon with Holocaust Survivor Kati Preston – 1 PM, at the Red River Theatre, 11 South Main Street, Concord. The NH Jewish Film Festival will show the award-winning movie about Kati Preston's childhood experience in the Holocaust. She was five years old, hidden in a barn, hunted by her own countrymen. The film retraces Kati's survival during Hungary’s descent into fascism and then communism. Through the eyes of a child, Kati reveals how ordinary people were turned into enemies, how a joyful life was stripped away law by law – and how love, memory, and resilience endured against all odds. A haunting true story of innocence shattered and the quiet courage that refused to be erased. The film will be followed by a post-film discussion with Kati Preston.
Tales from Marriage Equality – 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM, in Concord (address shown upon registration). Join 603 Equality for an evening of storytelling to learn more about the lives of local transgender and nonbinary people, in an intimate and inviting environment. Storytellers will share their lives at some depth, with humor and openness: transition, healthcare, schools, challenges, successes, hopes, and fears. Following individual sharing, we will open the floor to thoughtful questions and reflections.
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Advocacy and Pizza - 6 PM to 7 PM, every Tuesday in March, at the YWCA, 72 Concord Street, Manchester. Hosted by Queerlective and 603 Forward. Too many bills. Not enough executive function? Join us every Tuesday at the YWCA Manchester to eat pizza and take action together. We’ll provide a weekly cheat sheet of current bills, share action steps from community partners, and provide support for online sign-ins and testimony.
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Your Passion Your Leadership: Managing Great Volunteers – 6 PM to 7:30 PM, Hanover Howe Library, 13 South Street, Hanover. This is the fifth workshop in our series “Your Passion, Your Leadership: A Workshop Series for Aspiring Women Advocates,” and will focus on recruiting, training, and sustaining volunteers, with strategies for creating inclusive and energized teams that can carry the work forward. Your presenter MacKenzie Nicholson is a policy and advocacy leader and a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, holding a B.S. in Family Studies with a concentration in Child Advocacy and Family Policy, and an M.S. in Public Policy. She is currently Senior Director at MomsRising, where she leads advocacy efforts focused on policies impacting low-income families, pay equity, and health equity.
Friday, April 3, 2026
A Good Friday Musical Meditation: The Music of Paul Simon – 7:30 PM, 33 Government Street, Kittery, Maine. Hosted by Second Christian Church of Kittery, UCC, North Church of Portsmouth and First Congregational Church of Kittery Point, UCC. Join us for our 2026 Good Friday Musical Meditation. Make sure you have this on your calendar. You won't want to miss it! Your $20 suggested donation at the door will go to support the important work of Kittery's social service hub Mainspring Collective.
Monday, April 6, 2026
Peace & Justice Conversations: Nuclear Weapons & Your Tax Dollars - 7 PM to 8 PM, online. Every year on tax day, our country funds its national priorities and budget. According to Jim Wallis of Sojourners Magazine “budgets are moral documents.“ Where do nuclear weapons fit in our priorities? Now in its 38th year, the Nuclear Weapons Community Cost Project presents a comprehensive calculation of the total nuclear expenditures by our communities. Dr. Dodge will present an overview of this year‘s project.
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Film: The Voice of Hind Rajab – 7 PM at 3S Artspace, Portsmouth. Join 3S Artspace and Not in My Name NH for a film screening followed by a Q&A facilitated by Not in My Name NH. The evening will also include a marketplace of Palestinian art and crafts, and olive oil from the West Bank. About the film: On January 29, 2024, Red Crescent volunteers received an emergency call. A 5-year-old girl trapped in a car under fire in Gaza, pleading for rescue. While trying to keep her on the line, they did everything they could to get an ambulance to her. Her name was Hind Rajab. Blending real emergency call recordings with narrative story structure, the film follows the Red Crescent dispatchers who fight against time and impossible barriers to reach her.
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Your Passion Your Leadership: Stories of Success – 6 PM to 7:30 PM, Hanover Howe Library, 13 South Street, Hanover. This is the sixth workshop in our series, “Your Passion, Your Leadership: A Workshop Series for Aspiring Women Advocates.” A panel of women community advocates will share firsthand experiences of organizing against harmful policies, building coalitions, and winning real victories, offering inspiration and practical lessons for participants’ own leadership journeys. Your presenter Zandra Rice Hawkins is a nonprofit executive director, former City Councilor, PTA volunteer, and longtime community advocate who believes deeply that we are stronger together. She is the Founding Executive Director of Granite State Progress, a statewide communications and research hub advancing progressive policy in New Hampshire.
Saturday, April 11, 2026
A Long Talk - Transformative Conversations for Change – 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 79 Clinton Street, Concord. A Long Talk was developed by two black fathers, Kyle Williams and Kamal Carter, in the wake of George Floyd’s murder in May 2020, during a moment of national reckoning. There was a collective and international outcry, but a notable gap existed between intention and action. People wanted to help but didn’t know where to start. A Long Talk was developed. It provides a space for conversations that people are afraid to have. A Long Talk provides an activation experience designed to empower participants with knowledge and skills to interrupt problematic thinking and behaviors. This program has been offered to universities, corporations, high schools, and grade schools across the US. A Long Talk has become “a war on ignorance” and has grown to be an experience that empowers people to respond to racism, xenophobia, and homophobia.
Bird-dog Training - 1 PM to 3 PM, at 4 Park Street, Concord. Want to learn to bird-dog the candidates like a pro? Join us for a training by Arnie Alpert and Olivia Zink. The term “bird-dog” comes from hunting; the bird-dog’s job is to flush the birds out of the bushes and into the open. Politicians are like the birds–they try to keep their positions hidden behind vague rhetoric. Using tightly crafted questions, the successful bird-dog forces candidates to reveal their position on an issue. Learn how to ask questions on issues of importance to the candidates who are visiting our towns! The NH Coalition for a Just Peace in the Middle East, Open Democracy Action and NH Peace Action are hosting this training designed to explain how to strategically follow and quiz candidates about significant issues. With incomparable access to presidential candidates and the media who follow them, New Hampshire’s citizen “bird-dog” can shift the political tides of the nation. We show up at candidate appearances with honed questions that both educate onlookers and the media and elicit informative answers from the targeted candidate. Space is limited! Register today.
Sunday April 12, 2026
Tales from Trans+ Lives Nashua/Milford – 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM (address shared at registration). Hosted by 603 Equality. Join us for an evening of storytelling to learn more about the lives of local transgender and nonbinary people, in an intimate and inviting environment. Storytellers will share their lives at some depth, with humor and openness: transition, healthcare, schools, challenges, successes, hopes, and fears. Following individual sharing, we will open the floor to thoughtful questions and reflections.
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Open Democracy Book Club: The Hard Work of Hope – 7 PM to 8:30 PM, online. The Hard Work of Hope takes you into the heady days of 1960s and 1970s activism, chronicling the hopes and strategies of the young people who created the movements that rocked the country. Hosted by Open Democracy.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Voices of Faith Legislative Luncheon- 11:45 AM to 2PM, NH State House cafeteria, 107 North Main Street, Concord. Join NH Voices of Faith, NH Conference United Church of Christ, NH Council of Churches, Granite State Organizing Project, and Welcoming NH for lunch with our legislators at the NH State House! We'll build community, connect with our elected officials, and speak to our issues of concern related to immigration, LGBTQ+, public education, worker rights, housing, and fair taxation. After lunch, join us as we head to Governor Ayotte's office to urge her to veto several bills that would be harmful to Granite Staters.
Friday, April 24, 2026
For the Sake of Joy: Meetings, Pilgrimage, and the Re-Olding of Quakerism – 7 PM, in person or on Zoom. Are you part of a Friends Meeting, new to or exploring worship with Quakers, or curious about the life and testimony of Friends today—and tomorrow? Noah Merrill will offer some reflections and invitations, grounded in ministry with Friends and beyond over the past two decades, on the relevance, reality, and possibility of local faith communities rooted in the faith and practice of the Society of Friends (Quakers) in these times.
Saturday, April 26, 2026
603 Equality De-Escalation Trainings – 10 AM to 5 PM, in Keene, NH (address shared at registration). 603 Equality is offering a Deescalation and Self-Defense training led by Impact Boston. This is a scenario-based training to develop verbal deescalation and basic physical self-defense skills specifically for the trans/queer/gender non-conforming community. This will include responses to bullying, harassment and bathroom enforcement scenarios. This training is centered in a trauma-informed, disability-aware, queer-positive, feminist approach, and your feelings are welcomed.
With best wishes,
Maggie Fogarty, Maille & Kathleen Wooten, and April Richer
AFSC’s New Hampshire “State House Watch" newsletter is published to bring you information about matters being discussed in Concord including housing, the death penalty, immigration, education, civil liberties, and labor rights. We also follow the state budget and tax system, voting rights, corrections policy, and more.
The AFSC is a Quaker organization supported by people of many faiths who care about peace, social justice, humanitarian service, and nonviolent change. Maggie Fogarty is the NH Director for AFSC which publishes this newsletter; April Richer is the NH Interfaith Organizer. Maille Wooten, in partnership with Kathleen Wooten, is AFSC’s State House Watch researcher and database manager.
"State House Watch" is made possible with your financial support. Click the DONATE NOW button on our web page to send a secure donation to support the work of the AFSC’s New Hampshire Program. Thank you!