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Organizations: for the years ahead
Where do we look, to apply our energies in the years ahead? Especially as we ask ourselves, “Which organization?”
Our starting list is necessarily partial. Following the reunion, the site will continue and be available; this page in particular will add entries as suggestions may come along. [Contact: David Allen, Concord MA, david@davidallen.org]
There is a quite broad range of possible groups we can engage. In this welter of options, we all know that getting results requires sufficient political heft to move the needle. Which means, in the end, bringing together rivulets of interest and concern – those scattered organizations and groups – to create concentrated 'ummph.'
Perhaps the mission you choose is to work and bring together several different organizations, to amass political power?
Organizations can of course be national in breadth, regional, focused on a state, and especially local, such as your hometown. The League of Women Voters may for instance be a powerful local voice.
You can also start a new organization (as one of our number is considering)!
We begin with just a few ... but already augmented by suggestions made.
National / Global
The Third Act: Building a community of experienced Americans over 60 determined to change the world for the better.
The New Economy Coalition: A movement to put people and planet over profits. Rooted in participatory democracy, cooperation, solidarity, and respect for the earth.
The Poor People’s Campaign: A movement against systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation and the war economy, to create a society that benefits all. Led by Rev. William Barber, rebuilding the movement that MLK Jr. was creating when he was assassinated.
350.org: A global movement to end the age of fossil fuels and build a world of community-led renewable energy for all.
The Just Net Coalition: Based in Bangalore, a coalition of 41 global and regional civil society organizations committed to protecting and strengthening democracy around the world, in an open, free, just and equitable Internet. At the UN, NYC, 2015.
Movement Voter Project: Ships money contributions from blue states to keystone election areas. In those places, identifies existing, established local orgs, mentors them, maintains relationship beyond just a given election. Probably played decisive role in some elections the last two cycles.
More Perfect: Against toxic polarization, a bi-partisan movement to generate action toward five goals.
Braver Angels: A “legion of Americans who believe that the fight to save our nation begins with a ceasefire among ourselves.”
American Promise: “Uniting and empowering all Americans to pass the For Our Freedom constitutional amendment,” and end Citizens United to get corporate money out of politics.
For the focus on climate specifically, please recall that the Climate breakout page (also in the Menu upper left) lists a range of resources, also to be updated as we go.
Already now, there is the Consortium of University Alumni for a Sustainable Planet – CUSP, a new joint effort of Harvard, MIT, and Yale alumni “to activate our alumni communities in climate and sustainability.”
Regional / State
New Virginia Majority – VA: Taking action on a full range of justice and democracy issues. See the site and click on Priorities.
Open Democracy – NH: “Working to achieve political equality for all. We envision a government accountable to the people, free from the influence of wealthy special interest groups.”
and Resources
How We Win the Civil War – Securing a Multiracial Democracy and Ending White Supremacy for Good, Steve Phillips
It's Even Worse Than It Looks – How the American Constitutional System Collided with the New Politics of Extremism, Thomas E. Mann and Norman J. Ornstein
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities – The “best resource on any data or policy issue or current bills before Congress that relate to poverty/opportunity/economic policy or taxes.”
Thank you, Kathy Nelson, for this and other pointers you have added here.