National and Affiliates Connect
by Pamela Chalfant
Members of PAM's board pose at the Board retreat, Fall 2001 Peace Action's 14th Annual National Congress was held in Austin, Texas this year, and although it was titled " Race To Space: The Renewed Risk of Nuclear War," the real focus was on the challenge precipitated by the events of September 11th. Instead of pursuing the long-term strategy decided upon at last year's Congress, National's top program priority for the next several years, along with the "Star Wars is a Lemon Campaign," is now the "Justice not War: Real Solutions for a Safer World Campaign." These campaigns will still be supported by advancing Peace Action's core issues: creating a nuclear free world, reducing military spending, stopping weapons sales, and building peace in our community.
Resolutions were passed to:
- End the bombing in Afghanistan
- Oppose "smart sanctions," support lifting all sanctions on the people of Iraq, and oppose unconditionally any future bombing of Iraq.
- Systematically cut military spending, and devote the resulting savings to more productive societal uses.
- Call upon the U.S. to honor its commitments to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Anti-Ballistics Missile Treaty and the Outer Space Treaty, and to acknowledge that its real security lies with protecting the environment and working for economic and social justice and political freedom.
In his State of the Organization Report, Kevin Martin, National's new Executive Director, stressed National's major task: increasing membership and funding. He also spoke about how National can support affiliates by providing, for example, speeches to be given by affiliate speaker's bureaus. Some other ideas included: establishing Peace Sites, working in coalition with large international organizations, continuing to work toward establishing a Department of Peace, and holding a large rally in D.C. in February. And finally, all of the National staff expressed a desire to know what kind of support affiliates need and to provide that help. Because this is "a rare moment, when justice and security issues are on most people's minds, Peace Action has the opportunity to propose real and practical alternatives to war and national insecurity." Peace Action Maine has responded with energy and initiative to this opportunity. We're already working in coalitions and independently on projects such as legislative initiatives, media campaigns and educational outreach. As Acting Director, it is my goal as well, to increase membership and funding for Peace Action Maine, but even more importantly, to make people aware of these alternatives to violence and to participate in creating these real solutions. My goal for Peace Action Maine is to double our membership base in 2002. My vision for Peace Action Maine is to be a resource, a gathering place, a forum, a catalyst, not just for the "choir," but also for an ever-growing, diverse community of Mainers who are looking for real answers.
The National Congress was, for me, a chance to put faces to the e-mail messages and voices on the phone, and an opportunity to start building the relationships that are necessary to support one another. I'm looking forward to the National Peace Action Organizers meeting this January in Washington D.C. to continue to build my own and Peace Action Maine's relationship with National.
Back to Peace Talk Index, Winter, 2001-2002