AGENDA: Process Committee, Speakers' Bureau, Iraq Veterans Forum, State & National Actions, People of Color Against War Forum, Announcements
1. PROCESS COMMITTEE: We continued our discussion of the Process Committee report from our previous meeting. To view a copy of the written Process Committee's report & proposals you can click on this link: http://northlandantiwar.blogspot.com
We voted to accept the general line of the report and its proposals. We also discussed and voted on several specific issues coming out of the report, such as: A.) we will start holding half hour socials before each NAWC meeting at the Chester Creek Cafe; B.) we will hold quarterly potlucks at Joan N.'s house [2329 Rosyln Ave. in Duluth]. The first of which will be on Saturday, Jan. 19 from 5-7pm. C.) We will start sending out a monthly Peace Calendar in email and printed forum beginning in January. The Outreach Committee will handle the calendar. D.) Joel S. & Peter K. volunteered to put together a specific proposal on meeting facilitation to be discussed and voted on at our next general meeting.
A sign up sheet was passed around for the 4 new standing committees that we've set up [Process Committee, Finance Committee, Outreach Committee & Vision Committee]. A call will be sent out via our email lists and websites soliciting further members for these committees. People can join them at any time. They'll meet at the end of each regular NAWC meeting, at no later than 3:30pm.
2. SPEAKERS' BUREAU: Hal reported on the recent 3 meetings of the Speakers' Bureau committee. They've come up with a tenative list of speakers and catagories of speakers for the bureau. The goal is to produce a brochure of our speakers that can be sent around to area groups, teachers and churches. If you have any ideas for speakers you can email them to Hal at hbertils@uwsuper.edu.
3. IRAQ VETERANS FORUM: NAWC, together with Iraq Veterans Against the War, will be hosting 3 campus teach-ins featuring Duluth and Twin Cities Iraq veterans on Wednesday, Feb. 13. We're tenatively shooting to hold a noon teach-in at UWS, and mid-afternoon teach-in at LSC and an evening teach-in at UMD. Afterwards, that same evening, there'll be a social/get together with the speakers at Sir Ben's tavern in Duluth. One of the goals of these teach-ins is to reach out to young returning veterans.
We brainstormed locations and times for the teach-ins. Steve W. is heading up the work on that is at UMD. We also need more students and/or faculty at Lake Superior College to help with this. Email adamritscher@gmail.com if you go to LSC, or know someone who does. More details on these teach-ins to come!
4. NATIONAL & STATE EVENTS: It was reported that at our last general NAWC meeting we voted to endorse the idea of bi-coastal mass demonstrations against the war on or around the 5th anniverary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Since then, Peace North in Hayward has also endorsed the call, and the Wisconsin Network for Peace & Justice is considering the proposal. We voted on this proposal at the requrest of New England United, an anti-war coalition in the Boston area that is seeking to get a feel for how much support for Spring bi-coastal demos there is among local peace groups.
FYI: It was also reported that there is going to be a national peace confernece in San Francisco this coming January that is sponsored by Cindy Sheehan.
And it was also discussed that there is going to be an planning meeting in the Twin Cities on Feb. 9-10 at the U of M to talk about the protests against the Republican National Convention that'll take place this fall. There will be a car caravan going to this meeting from Duluth. For more info call Gary of Vets for Peace at (218) 729-6712.
5. JANUARY FORUM: We decided to shoot to hold our Jan. 18 "Native & African American Voices Against the War" forum at the Central Hillside Community Center at 7pm. We also put together a list of speakers to invite and decided to let the Outreach Committee work on the other outstanding details, like press work, etc.
6. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-Adam reported that Socialist Action is holding a forum on the Jena 6 on Dec. 9 at 6pm at the Amazing Grace coffee house. The current issue of SA Newspaper also contains some great articles on Iraq & Blackwater.
-Joan recommended people read an article by Josepth Stiglitz called "The Economic Consequences of Mr. Bush" which appeared in the December issue of Vanity Fair.
-Steve reported that UMD Students for Peace is going to be holding a film showing of "On the Line" about the School of the Americas protests on Weds., Dec. 12 at 7pm in the Kirby Lounge.
-Colette reported that Movon.org is sponsored a meeting with Jim Oberstar about possible war with Iran. Gather at noon at the Duluth Federal Building on Friday. For more info email Colette at colettek_rn@yahoo.com
-NAWC won't be holding an Iraq Moratorium event in Duluth this month on Friday, Dec. 21 - instead we're urging folks to go to the vigil that day in Hayward, WI that is being organized by Peace North. The vigil will be held from 4-5 p.m., at the intersection of Highways 27 and 63. If you're looking for a ride to this event, you can email Suzanne G. scgriffith@gmail.com at or Carl S. at northlandiguana@gmail.com.
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Meeting Attendenace: Fern A., Joan N., Colette K., Steve W., Peter K., Suzanne G., Ron M., Hal B., Joel S., Carl S., Adam R.
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NEXT NAWC MEETING: Sunday, Dec. 23 at 2pm at the Chester Creek Cafe [1902 E. 8th Street] in Duluth, MN. Everyone is welcome!
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[minutes taken by Adam R.]
December 10, 2007
Sign Up for a NAWC Committee!
Recently the Northland Anti-War Coalition voted to establish 4 standing committees: a process committee, finance committee, outreach committee and vision committee. These committees are designed to better divy up the work of the organization, make it easier for people to volunteer with NAWC, and to make for smoother, and less hectic general meetings.
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Here is summary of what each of the committees purpose is:
-PROCESS COMMITTEE: Responsible for facilitating meetings, welcoming new members (incl. hosting the "coffeehouse" social that'll take place half an hour before each regular NAWC meeting) and staying attentive to interpersonal and power dynamics in the coalition.
-FINANCE COMMITTEE: Tend to book-keeping and fundraising. They'd also be empowered to approve minor expenses (under $100?) by working groups.
-OUTREACH COMMITTEE: Responsible for reaching out to new activists (tabling, leafleting) and groups, with special attention to broadening the Coalition's diversity. They'd also maintain a speaker's bureau & work with the media.
-VISION COMMITTEE: This committee would assess our mission statement and broad agenda, and help map out a strategy based on the needs and strengths of the Coalition and allies in the region. It could be temporary and reactiviated as needed (perhaps annually) & include reps from a broad array of member groups as well as seasoned local community organizers.
------------------------------------------------------
At our meeting this past Sunday we divided up into the four committees. But, these committees are open to anyone to join at any time. If you would like to be a part of one of these committees, please email me at adamritscher@gmail.com and I'll put you in touch with them.
The committees will meet after each of the regular bi-weekly NAWC meetings [2nd & 4th Sunday of each month, 2pm at Chester Creek Cafe] at no later than 3:30pm. The committees are also free to meet at other additional times in the need arises.
-------------------------------------------------------
Here is summary of what each of the committees purpose is:
-PROCESS COMMITTEE: Responsible for facilitating meetings, welcoming new members (incl. hosting the "coffeehouse" social that'll take place half an hour before each regular NAWC meeting) and staying attentive to interpersonal and power dynamics in the coalition.
-FINANCE COMMITTEE: Tend to book-keeping and fundraising. They'd also be empowered to approve minor expenses (under $100?) by working groups.
-OUTREACH COMMITTEE: Responsible for reaching out to new activists (tabling, leafleting) and groups, with special attention to broadening the Coalition's diversity. They'd also maintain a speaker's bureau & work with the media.
-VISION COMMITTEE: This committee would assess our mission statement and broad agenda, and help map out a strategy based on the needs and strengths of the Coalition and allies in the region. It could be temporary and reactiviated as needed (perhaps annually) & include reps from a broad array of member groups as well as seasoned local community organizers.
------------------------------------------------------
At our meeting this past Sunday we divided up into the four committees. But, these committees are open to anyone to join at any time. If you would like to be a part of one of these committees, please email me at adamritscher@gmail.com and I'll put you in touch with them.
The committees will meet after each of the regular bi-weekly NAWC meetings [2nd & 4th Sunday of each month, 2pm at Chester Creek Cafe] at no later than 3:30pm. The committees are also free to meet at other additional times in the need arises.
December 7, 2007
Report from the Nov. 25 NAWC Meeting
NAWC meeting minutes – November 25, 2007
[Minutes taken by Carl Sack]
In Attendance: Adam Ritscher, Carl Sack, Joel Kilgour, Peter Krause, Suzanne Griffiths, David Moulton, Ozone Baghun, Leo Priesseur, Gary Sorensen, Gene M., Jacob Obozo, Sabah Alwan, Steve Carlson, Ron Miller (14) (many apologies for name misspellings)
------------------------------------------
Meeting Agenda:
-Process Committee report
-IVAW meeting
-Upcoming forums
-Spring Action
-SOAW event
-Free Democracy Summit
-Incorporation (501c)
-Announcements
------------------------------------------
Process Committee Report
Peter K., Joel K. and Suzanne G. presented their findings from interviewing about a dozen present and former NAWC members. They are in the process of developing a questionnaire for the general NAWC membership.
Interview findings were varied. There were some themes:
* Things people like about NAWC: Action-oriented, democratic decision-making process, politically diverse, consistent anti-war voice in the community.
* Concerns and suggestions: Need more diversity of voices, especially from labor rank & file, high school students, and people of color; could take better advantage of resources in the community; need to provide more support for member groups' concerns; meetings should be streamlined, with the agenda sent out in advance and better facilitation; more community-building within the organization; more work should be delegated to committees; ideological frameworks are dominant over others.
The committee presented two sets of proposals:
1. a. Have a ½-hour "get to know each other" social time before each meeting.
b. Act as a clearinghouse for information from member groups; publish a monthly calendar for member organizations' events.
2. Designate four standing committees, with a minimum of four people each:
a. Process committee – would be responsible for facilitation, notetaking, agenda and group dynamics
b. Finance committee – would be responsible for bookkeeping and fundraising activities
c. Outreach committee – would be responsible for finding speakers and doing publicity work
d. Vision committee – would set the broad agenda for NAWC's future activities
Each person would serve on no more than two committees.
After discussion, the second set of proposals was tabled until the next meeting to give people time to mull it over. Section 1 of the proposals was voted on in two parts and each was passed unanimously. It was decided to wait until the next meeting to assign responsibility for compiling the calendar.
-IVAW meeting and forums
Peter K. reported that two veterans in Iraq Veterans Against the War came up from Minneapolis last week and met with a few campus activists and others, and they are really gung-ho to present their stories to people here. That meeting decided to propose having three forums on February 13th, one each at UMD, Lake Superior College and UWS, for these veterans to present at, as well as an evening social event, and to ask NAWC to help build the forums. The purpose of the forums is to get people, especially recent veterans, acquainted with and plugged into IVAW. Most of the organizing will be done by the campus groups. The proposal to endorse and build the February 13th forums was voted on and passed unanimously.
-Iraq Moratorium forums
Adam reported that the November 16th picket had about 10 people, several from UMD. Suzanne reported that the Communities of Faith forum drew about 40 and lasted an hour and 45 minutes; discussion was wide-ranging and at times heated. There was some discussion around the forum. Gary S. videotaped the forum, and will work with Ozone to distill it for public access TV.
There won't be a NAWC forum in December. In January, we've planned a People of Color Against the War forum. Some ideas for speakers were suggested; send further suggestions to Adam R. at mnsocialist@yahoo.com.
-Spring Anti-War Actions
Adam reported that a coalition on the East Coast, New England United Against the War, is making a proposal to UFPJ to hold bicoastal protests in March around the 4th anniversary of the invasion. They want support and endorsements from as many local coalitions as possible. It was voted (unanimous) for NAWC to endorse this call. We will also have our own spring action the weekend before or after, but that's a ways ahead yet.
-SOA
Ozone reported that he was arrested last weekend for "crossing the line" at SOA. His trial is in January; he faces a six-month sentence. He is planning a fundraiser for his arrest trip to Georgia; contact him if you want to help get something together.
-Free Democracy Summit
Ron M. reported that he has been talking with MPIRG about NAWC doing more with the FDS this year than in the past. Jake Obozo (sic?) from MPIRG was in attendance, and pledged to bring up the possibility of NAWC holding a panel or forum of some kind at the event. The FDS is planned for some time around April 14th. MPIRG meetings are Tuesdays, 5-6 PM in the Garden Room at UMD.
-Incorporation
Ozone brought up a continuation of the discussion around the possibility of incorporating as a 501c nonprofit organization. There was some discussion, and it was decided to table the issue for the finance committee to address if the proposal for one gets adopted at the next meeting.
-Announcements
UWS – Tuesday at noon, there will be a panel on war with Ella Cross, Dick Hudelson and Marshall Johnson, in the Rothwell Student Center. Thursday at 10 AM, and Friday at Noon and 7 PM, there will be dramatic readings of the play Peace Crimes, about the Minnesota 8, in the Holden Fine Arts Experimental Theatre.
Peace North – The group endorsed the Iraq Moratorium and is working with Wisconsin's statewide coordinator. Their November 16th event drew 40 people and was reported on in Uppity Wisconsin newsletter and the Daily Kos. On December 21, their goal is to more than double that number for their vigil. They are encouraging NAWC members to carpool to Hayward for the vigil, since there won't be an event here at that time.
Critical Mass – There is a montly CM bike parade at 5 PM on Friday at Leif Erickson Park.
Socialist Action – There will be a forum on the Jena 6 at 6 PM on December 9th at Amazing Grace Café.
Meeting Adjourned
[Minutes taken by Carl Sack]
In Attendance: Adam Ritscher, Carl Sack, Joel Kilgour, Peter Krause, Suzanne Griffiths, David Moulton, Ozone Baghun, Leo Priesseur, Gary Sorensen, Gene M., Jacob Obozo, Sabah Alwan, Steve Carlson, Ron Miller (14) (many apologies for name misspellings)
------------------------------------------
Meeting Agenda:
-Process Committee report
-IVAW meeting
-Upcoming forums
-Spring Action
-SOAW event
-Free Democracy Summit
-Incorporation (501c)
-Announcements
------------------------------------------
Process Committee Report
Peter K., Joel K. and Suzanne G. presented their findings from interviewing about a dozen present and former NAWC members. They are in the process of developing a questionnaire for the general NAWC membership.
Interview findings were varied. There were some themes:
* Things people like about NAWC: Action-oriented, democratic decision-making process, politically diverse, consistent anti-war voice in the community.
* Concerns and suggestions: Need more diversity of voices, especially from labor rank & file, high school students, and people of color; could take better advantage of resources in the community; need to provide more support for member groups' concerns; meetings should be streamlined, with the agenda sent out in advance and better facilitation; more community-building within the organization; more work should be delegated to committees; ideological frameworks are dominant over others.
The committee presented two sets of proposals:
1. a. Have a ½-hour "get to know each other" social time before each meeting.
b. Act as a clearinghouse for information from member groups; publish a monthly calendar for member organizations' events.
2. Designate four standing committees, with a minimum of four people each:
a. Process committee – would be responsible for facilitation, notetaking, agenda and group dynamics
b. Finance committee – would be responsible for bookkeeping and fundraising activities
c. Outreach committee – would be responsible for finding speakers and doing publicity work
d. Vision committee – would set the broad agenda for NAWC's future activities
Each person would serve on no more than two committees.
After discussion, the second set of proposals was tabled until the next meeting to give people time to mull it over. Section 1 of the proposals was voted on in two parts and each was passed unanimously. It was decided to wait until the next meeting to assign responsibility for compiling the calendar.
-IVAW meeting and forums
Peter K. reported that two veterans in Iraq Veterans Against the War came up from Minneapolis last week and met with a few campus activists and others, and they are really gung-ho to present their stories to people here. That meeting decided to propose having three forums on February 13th, one each at UMD, Lake Superior College and UWS, for these veterans to present at, as well as an evening social event, and to ask NAWC to help build the forums. The purpose of the forums is to get people, especially recent veterans, acquainted with and plugged into IVAW. Most of the organizing will be done by the campus groups. The proposal to endorse and build the February 13th forums was voted on and passed unanimously.
-Iraq Moratorium forums
Adam reported that the November 16th picket had about 10 people, several from UMD. Suzanne reported that the Communities of Faith forum drew about 40 and lasted an hour and 45 minutes; discussion was wide-ranging and at times heated. There was some discussion around the forum. Gary S. videotaped the forum, and will work with Ozone to distill it for public access TV.
There won't be a NAWC forum in December. In January, we've planned a People of Color Against the War forum. Some ideas for speakers were suggested; send further suggestions to Adam R. at mnsocialist@yahoo.com.
-Spring Anti-War Actions
Adam reported that a coalition on the East Coast, New England United Against the War, is making a proposal to UFPJ to hold bicoastal protests in March around the 4th anniversary of the invasion. They want support and endorsements from as many local coalitions as possible. It was voted (unanimous) for NAWC to endorse this call. We will also have our own spring action the weekend before or after, but that's a ways ahead yet.
-SOA
Ozone reported that he was arrested last weekend for "crossing the line" at SOA. His trial is in January; he faces a six-month sentence. He is planning a fundraiser for his arrest trip to Georgia; contact him if you want to help get something together.
-Free Democracy Summit
Ron M. reported that he has been talking with MPIRG about NAWC doing more with the FDS this year than in the past. Jake Obozo (sic?) from MPIRG was in attendance, and pledged to bring up the possibility of NAWC holding a panel or forum of some kind at the event. The FDS is planned for some time around April 14th. MPIRG meetings are Tuesdays, 5-6 PM in the Garden Room at UMD.
-Incorporation
Ozone brought up a continuation of the discussion around the possibility of incorporating as a 501c nonprofit organization. There was some discussion, and it was decided to table the issue for the finance committee to address if the proposal for one gets adopted at the next meeting.
-Announcements
UWS – Tuesday at noon, there will be a panel on war with Ella Cross, Dick Hudelson and Marshall Johnson, in the Rothwell Student Center. Thursday at 10 AM, and Friday at Noon and 7 PM, there will be dramatic readings of the play Peace Crimes, about the Minnesota 8, in the Holden Fine Arts Experimental Theatre.
Peace North – The group endorsed the Iraq Moratorium and is working with Wisconsin's statewide coordinator. Their November 16th event drew 40 people and was reported on in Uppity Wisconsin newsletter and the Daily Kos. On December 21, their goal is to more than double that number for their vigil. They are encouraging NAWC members to carpool to Hayward for the vigil, since there won't be an event here at that time.
Critical Mass – There is a montly CM bike parade at 5 PM on Friday at Leif Erickson Park.
Socialist Action – There will be a forum on the Jena 6 at 6 PM on December 9th at Amazing Grace Café.
Meeting Adjourned
NAWC Procress Committee Report
Your very own NAWC Process Committee Survey Report, complete with exciting proposals!!!!
For the past month, Peter Krause, Suzanne Griffith and I have been interviewing current, lapsed and ex-NAWC activists about their experiences & ideas for the Coalition's structure and long-term strategy. We got some diverse critiques & great suggestions for building a more dynamic & democratic coalition. There were some blunt criticisms, which we've got to look square in the eye if we really want to represent & organize the antiwar majority in our region.
Please take some time to look our results and proposals (below), especially the "standing committees" section in Part II of our proposal (Part I was voted on and approved at the last meeting). They could affect the structure of NAWC in a profound way. We had a favorable response at the last meeting, but we want to make sure that everyone gets a chance to consider and comment on them before we make a decision.
What do you like or not like about our ideas? Are they practical? Would you step up to the plate and serve on one of these proposed working groups?
I look forward to your feedback. You can send me an email or give me a call... just make sure I hear from you before the next NAWC meeting on December 9 - or better yet, show up at the meeting yourself. Remember, if you're against the war, this is your coalition, too!
Joel Kilgour
for the NAWC Process Committee
218-722-2490 (h)
jrkilgour(at)yahoo.com
Survey results
These are the themes that were common to a majority of respondents:
What's good about NAWC:
- Focus on action.
- Democratic decision-making (in form, if not in function).
- Activists from diverse political backgrounds working toward a common goal.
- Regular rallies & other events offer a consistent outlet for antiwar feelings & keep the war in public consciousness.
Room for improvement:
- We need to do a better job of welcoming diversity to the coalition (especially more rank-and-file union members, people of color & students). Establish diversity and/or outreach committees.
- We have a tremendous wealth of people power available to us – artists, community organizers, educators, etc -, both members of our coalition and allies in the community. We should identify and encourage people’s skills, and not be afraid to ask for help from outside our main organizing body.
- We should expand the kinds of activities we organize (targeting lawmakers, counter-recruiting, etc), and think more strategically & less ideologically about our campaigns.
- We can’t and shouldn’t do everything as a coalition, but we should support the efforts of our member organizations by acting as an information clearinghouse.
- We should always look at ways to streamline meetings and plug people in where they could feel most useful – breaking into specific project committees could help.
- We should announce our agenda ahead of each meeting and take time at the meeting to explain our decision-making process and current projects – this will encourage new activists and folks who haven’t been at meetings in awhile to get more engaged.
The following concerns weren't universal, but were repeated by many respondents:
- One ideological framework (or a few similar ones - described variously as ‘socialist’ and ‘old-guard left’) has too strong an influence on the coalition’s structure and strategy (large street protests over, say, legislative activism or community organizing). Several respondents felt that when they dissented from this framework their positions were not respected by the group. Respondents cited specific instances of potential allies being turned off by what they perceived as NAWC’s strong identification with (or blurry distinction from) a particular party or ideology.
- Meetings are poorly facilitated and chaotic, but don’t need to be. We should consider facilitation training, and have people fill the roles of vibeswatchers and timekeepers to keep things running more smoothly and fairly.
- We need more time for community-building & getting to know each other – preferably outside of the business meetings.
- NAWC asks for support from unions, communities of color, & other busy activists, but rarely returns the favor. We should think of ways we can support other social justice movements.
- Some patriarchal tendencies in meeting structure. Strained civility passes for real solidarity, and micro-level (interpersonal) peace work is almost entirely overlooked. Respondents mentioned specific cases of dissenting voices being placated or dismissed by meeting chairpeople. Few women attend meetings.
- New people often feel unwelcome. Several respondents reported that no-one from NAWC showed interest in them when they came to their first meeting. They were left to figure out for themselves what NAWC is and how it makes decisions. New folks should be asked what they have to bring to the table (interests and skills).
- There seems to be a lack of trust between people – the whole group wants to review, and sometimes re-review even minor decisions that could just as well have been made in small groups. Some people in the group seem to have more power than others to force a re-vote.
PROPOSALS:
These proposals are a way to respond to our survey findings. Some of them would radically restructure the Coalition and shouldn't be adopted lightly. Keep in mind that structural changes alone can't make a group welcoming, dynamic or democratic. This is something that has to come out of a real desire to make our meetings more participatory, our coalition more diverse, and our organizing more effective. These proposals are only tools to reach that goal.
Part I
1. Peace coffeehouse. Many people told us that they didn't feel particularly welcome at NAWC meetings, and sometimes personal stuff and venting interrupts our business meetings. We propose that NAWC host an informal get-together before each business meeting. Extend a special invitation to new people & folks returning to the meetings after a hiatus. Experiment with different styles (from totally formless hang-out time to a loose program led by reps of member groups). Begin ½ hour prior to the formal meeting.
2. Monthly calendar. NAWC can’t endorse everything our member groups do, but an important function of a coalition is to share information between groups. We propose that NAWC publish a monthly calendar of events to be posted on our website, listservs and myspace, and mailed to folks without internet access. All coalition member groups can contribute events, as long as they're vaguely justice-related (NAWC-endorsed events in highlight). Look into offering web pages to member groups that don’t have their own.
Part II Committees, committees, committees!
A. Working groups
NAWC can accomplish more when we work in small groups, rather than wrangling over minor planning details at large meetings. It's also hard for people to add another meeting to their already taxed schedule.
We propose that meetings continue on a twice-monthly basis, with the 2nd Sunday meeting dedicated primarily to action planning, and setting aside more time at the 4th Sunday meeting to talk about group process and long-term strategy. Post a tentative agenda for each meeting in advance to the listserv. We further propose that, following reports and necessary business in the large group, meetings break into small working groups to organize specific actions/events. Return to the large group for reports and follow-up.
B. Standing committees/working groups
We propose the establishment of 3-4 standing committees to tend to the group process & business end of things. These committees would replace our current executive committee and take responsibility for other details that unnecessarily tie up our large-group meetings. Each committee can set its own meeting time, of course, but meeting immediately before or after the coalition-as-a-whole might encourage greater participation. Minimum 4 members on each committee. No-one would serve on more than 2 (ideally one) committees. Committee reps would give a brief report at each meeting of the coalition-as-a-whole.
- Process. Responsible for facilitating meetings, welcoming new members (incl. hosting the coffeehouse) and staying attentive to interpersonal and power dynamics in the coalition.
- Finances. Tend to book-keeping and fundraising. They’d also be empowered to approve minor expenses (under $100?) by working groups.
- Outreach. Responsible for reaching out to new activists (tabling, leafleting) and groups, with special attention to broadening the Coalition's diversity. They'd also maintain a speaker’s bureau & work with the media.
- Vision. This committee would assess our mission statement and broad agenda, and help map out a strategy based on the needs and strengths of the Coalition and allies in the region. It could be temporary and reactiviated as needed (perhaps annually) & include reps from a broad array of member groups as well as seasoned local community organizers.
Committee members don’t have to implement everything under their purview. The finance committee, for example, could propose a fundraiser to the coalition and ask for volunteers to help organize it.
The committees should be gender balanced if possible, and strive for political, ethnic and age diversity.
Submitted by the NAWC Process Committee
November 30, 2007
For the past month, Peter Krause, Suzanne Griffith and I have been interviewing current, lapsed and ex-NAWC activists about their experiences & ideas for the Coalition's structure and long-term strategy. We got some diverse critiques & great suggestions for building a more dynamic & democratic coalition. There were some blunt criticisms, which we've got to look square in the eye if we really want to represent & organize the antiwar majority in our region.
Please take some time to look our results and proposals (below), especially the "standing committees" section in Part II of our proposal (Part I was voted on and approved at the last meeting). They could affect the structure of NAWC in a profound way. We had a favorable response at the last meeting, but we want to make sure that everyone gets a chance to consider and comment on them before we make a decision.
What do you like or not like about our ideas? Are they practical? Would you step up to the plate and serve on one of these proposed working groups?
I look forward to your feedback. You can send me an email or give me a call... just make sure I hear from you before the next NAWC meeting on December 9 - or better yet, show up at the meeting yourself. Remember, if you're against the war, this is your coalition, too!
Joel Kilgour
for the NAWC Process Committee
218-722-2490 (h)
jrkilgour(at)yahoo.com
Survey results
These are the themes that were common to a majority of respondents:
What's good about NAWC:
- Focus on action.
- Democratic decision-making (in form, if not in function).
- Activists from diverse political backgrounds working toward a common goal.
- Regular rallies & other events offer a consistent outlet for antiwar feelings & keep the war in public consciousness.
Room for improvement:
- We need to do a better job of welcoming diversity to the coalition (especially more rank-and-file union members, people of color & students). Establish diversity and/or outreach committees.
- We have a tremendous wealth of people power available to us – artists, community organizers, educators, etc -, both members of our coalition and allies in the community. We should identify and encourage people’s skills, and not be afraid to ask for help from outside our main organizing body.
- We should expand the kinds of activities we organize (targeting lawmakers, counter-recruiting, etc), and think more strategically & less ideologically about our campaigns.
- We can’t and shouldn’t do everything as a coalition, but we should support the efforts of our member organizations by acting as an information clearinghouse.
- We should always look at ways to streamline meetings and plug people in where they could feel most useful – breaking into specific project committees could help.
- We should announce our agenda ahead of each meeting and take time at the meeting to explain our decision-making process and current projects – this will encourage new activists and folks who haven’t been at meetings in awhile to get more engaged.
The following concerns weren't universal, but were repeated by many respondents:
- One ideological framework (or a few similar ones - described variously as ‘socialist’ and ‘old-guard left’) has too strong an influence on the coalition’s structure and strategy (large street protests over, say, legislative activism or community organizing). Several respondents felt that when they dissented from this framework their positions were not respected by the group. Respondents cited specific instances of potential allies being turned off by what they perceived as NAWC’s strong identification with (or blurry distinction from) a particular party or ideology.
- Meetings are poorly facilitated and chaotic, but don’t need to be. We should consider facilitation training, and have people fill the roles of vibeswatchers and timekeepers to keep things running more smoothly and fairly.
- We need more time for community-building & getting to know each other – preferably outside of the business meetings.
- NAWC asks for support from unions, communities of color, & other busy activists, but rarely returns the favor. We should think of ways we can support other social justice movements.
- Some patriarchal tendencies in meeting structure. Strained civility passes for real solidarity, and micro-level (interpersonal) peace work is almost entirely overlooked. Respondents mentioned specific cases of dissenting voices being placated or dismissed by meeting chairpeople. Few women attend meetings.
- New people often feel unwelcome. Several respondents reported that no-one from NAWC showed interest in them when they came to their first meeting. They were left to figure out for themselves what NAWC is and how it makes decisions. New folks should be asked what they have to bring to the table (interests and skills).
- There seems to be a lack of trust between people – the whole group wants to review, and sometimes re-review even minor decisions that could just as well have been made in small groups. Some people in the group seem to have more power than others to force a re-vote.
PROPOSALS:
These proposals are a way to respond to our survey findings. Some of them would radically restructure the Coalition and shouldn't be adopted lightly. Keep in mind that structural changes alone can't make a group welcoming, dynamic or democratic. This is something that has to come out of a real desire to make our meetings more participatory, our coalition more diverse, and our organizing more effective. These proposals are only tools to reach that goal.
Part I
1. Peace coffeehouse. Many people told us that they didn't feel particularly welcome at NAWC meetings, and sometimes personal stuff and venting interrupts our business meetings. We propose that NAWC host an informal get-together before each business meeting. Extend a special invitation to new people & folks returning to the meetings after a hiatus. Experiment with different styles (from totally formless hang-out time to a loose program led by reps of member groups). Begin ½ hour prior to the formal meeting.
2. Monthly calendar. NAWC can’t endorse everything our member groups do, but an important function of a coalition is to share information between groups. We propose that NAWC publish a monthly calendar of events to be posted on our website, listservs and myspace, and mailed to folks without internet access. All coalition member groups can contribute events, as long as they're vaguely justice-related (NAWC-endorsed events in highlight). Look into offering web pages to member groups that don’t have their own.
Part II Committees, committees, committees!
A. Working groups
NAWC can accomplish more when we work in small groups, rather than wrangling over minor planning details at large meetings. It's also hard for people to add another meeting to their already taxed schedule.
We propose that meetings continue on a twice-monthly basis, with the 2nd Sunday meeting dedicated primarily to action planning, and setting aside more time at the 4th Sunday meeting to talk about group process and long-term strategy. Post a tentative agenda for each meeting in advance to the listserv. We further propose that, following reports and necessary business in the large group, meetings break into small working groups to organize specific actions/events. Return to the large group for reports and follow-up.
B. Standing committees/working groups
We propose the establishment of 3-4 standing committees to tend to the group process & business end of things. These committees would replace our current executive committee and take responsibility for other details that unnecessarily tie up our large-group meetings. Each committee can set its own meeting time, of course, but meeting immediately before or after the coalition-as-a-whole might encourage greater participation. Minimum 4 members on each committee. No-one would serve on more than 2 (ideally one) committees. Committee reps would give a brief report at each meeting of the coalition-as-a-whole.
- Process. Responsible for facilitating meetings, welcoming new members (incl. hosting the coffeehouse) and staying attentive to interpersonal and power dynamics in the coalition.
- Finances. Tend to book-keeping and fundraising. They’d also be empowered to approve minor expenses (under $100?) by working groups.
- Outreach. Responsible for reaching out to new activists (tabling, leafleting) and groups, with special attention to broadening the Coalition's diversity. They'd also maintain a speaker’s bureau & work with the media.
- Vision. This committee would assess our mission statement and broad agenda, and help map out a strategy based on the needs and strengths of the Coalition and allies in the region. It could be temporary and reactiviated as needed (perhaps annually) & include reps from a broad array of member groups as well as seasoned local community organizers.
Committee members don’t have to implement everything under their purview. The finance committee, for example, could propose a fundraiser to the coalition and ask for volunteers to help organize it.
The committees should be gender balanced if possible, and strive for political, ethnic and age diversity.
Submitted by the NAWC Process Committee
November 30, 2007
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