#progressive organizations

[ljspencerauthor]

Open Letter to #Progressive #Clergy (particularly young clergy, but it applies to a lot of you)

For 6 years I was in a leadership position in a very small, independent progressive Christian organization. Three of those years I spent as head of that organization.

I'll tell you, it wasn't easy. There was a lot of drama from older members of the organization when I first became the head of the organization. I won't go into details, obviously, but suffice it to say there was a lot of cis white clergy telling me how to run the organization, and a lot of other people emailing me periodically that they could do it better than me.

I'm sure most non-profit org leaders can relate.

My answer was always the same: Well, the next time we have elections, you are welcome to run for office and run the org as you see fit. The organization is an all-volunteer organization, and needs people to volunteer to run for the positions.

For some reason, I never saw these people run for office. In fact, when it came time for elections, there were times I worried that we wouldn't have any volunteers to fill the emtpy offices. Or to run our Ordination Committee

Recently, there have been people calling for stipends or pay from this organization, saying that paying people will hold the org more accountable.

The problem is this: this is a small, independent Christian organization that's been run by volunteers. There is no money for stipends. There is no money for salaries. There's barely any money to support its taxes each year.

And then it was suggested that clergy pay $200/year for dues to pay these salaries.

This is a small, independent Christian organization that's been run by volunteers that ordains people on the margins, particularly queer and transgender clergy. There are lots of elderly clergy ordained as well. MANY CAN'T PAY THAT KIND OF MONEY, NOR WILL PEOPLE PAY THAT KIND OF MONEY.

People bitched when dues were brought up AT ALL, and we were only asking for $10/yr!

So, why is this an open letter to progressive clergy in general? In my frustation, I see a lot of progressive clergy and other folks assume that those who run non-profits make money or get paid. Not all of them do. Not even all clergy get a salary. Most progressive clergy are lucky to get a small stipend, and many of them work a regular day job in addition to their ministerial duties. A friend of mine, between his day job and RUNNING a church for a major denomination is working over 80hr/week just to feed his family.

My mentor didn't start getting a salary with healthcare from their church until it had been in operation for over 20 years.

So, I ask you, if you think an independent progressive Christian org isn't doing what you want it to be doing, then stop bitching and get to work.

SHOW UP OR SHUT UP, BECAUSE LACK OF VOLUNTEERS IS HOW INDEPENDENT PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENTS DIE.

[jencabanez]

The attacks on progressive organizations nationwide and even outside is increasing in alarming rate. The crackdown only shows that the state is guilty of its negligence to the people and instead of facing the problem at hand, they tend to divert. This picture was taken last UNIFIL's anniversary in Hongkong. Despite of redtagging and ridiculous accusations to the progressive organizations, we continuesly give service, go forth to struggle and aim for victories. For the people, to the people.

From : UNIFIL'S 34th Anniversary, September 2019

#photographyeveryday

#photographyislife

#photojournalism

#documentaryphotography

#documentary

#reportage

#streetscene

#photodocumentary

#photostory

#wheninhk

#fujifilm_street

#explorehk

#momentlens

#JiniStyle

@everydayeverywhere @everydayasia

@thecwhpto

[redshift-13]

Through research and outreach that inspire action, the Worldwatch Institute works to accelerate the transition to a sustainable world that meets human needs. The Institute’s top mission objectives are universal access to renewable energy and nutritious food, expansion of environmentally sound jobs and development, transformation of cultures from consumerism to sustainability, and an early end to population growth through healthy and intentional childbearing.

[brianbrownnet]

A new article has been published on www.brianbrown.net

New Post has been published on http://www.brianbrown.net/2014/10/11/condemn-government-threats-against-supporters-of-rasmea-odeh/

Condemn government threats against supporters of Rasmea Odeh.

Fight Back News Service is urging all progressive organizations to sign the following statement. To add your organization to the statement, please email [email protected].

The statement reads in part: “The undersigned organizations support the democratic rights of the Rasmea Defense Committee, the Committee to Stop FBI Repression, the U.S. Palestinian Community Network, and other organizations to organize broad, public support to drop the charges against Rasmea Odeh.”

In a chilling attack on civil liberties, prosecutors in the case of Palestinian American leader Rasmea Odeh filed a motion in Federal Court Oct. 3, which characterized the efforts of the Rasmea Odeh defense campaign, as “jury tampering” and “almost certainly criminal.” The prosecution asked Judge Gershwin Drain for an “Anonymous Jury,” which means that the names of the jurors are kept secret from the defense attorneys, and that an array of security measures are put it place during the trial that make it seem like 67-year-old Rasmea Odeh is a very dangerous person.

Everyone who has ever participated in protest at a courthouse against an unjust legal proceeding or raised their voice in defense of a political prisoner should be alarmed at this turn of events.

There is no evidence at all for the baseless accusations against the movement in support of Rasmea. The prosecutor’s motion is a clumsy attempt at intimidation and it is an attack on all of our civil liberties.

The prosecutor’s talk about jury “tampering” is bizarre and dangerous. Until there is a trial, there is no jury, so how could a jury possibly be tampered with? What the prospection is angry about is protected first amendment activity, such as holding rallies at Detroit’s Federal Court Building and organizing call in days to the Department of Justice.

The prosecutor’s motion states that Hatem Abudayyeh, a leader of the effort to drop the charges against Rasmea Odeh, “has orchestrated a concerted effort to influence the criminal proceedings against defendant, which has resulted, at each proceeding, in a large group outside the Courthouse protesting and parading, carrying signs demanding dismissal of charges and ‘Justice for Rasmea’ and displaying the Palestinian flag.” Palestinians, Arabs and progressive people are responding to an injustice by holding protests and engaging in activity that is protected by the First Amendment. In the world that the Detroit U.S. Attorney wants, speaking out is “almost certainly criminal.” On the contrary – it is criminal for the prosecutors to attempt to restrict our constitutional rights.

It is worth noting that there is a distinctly racist, anti-Arab undertone to the prosecutor’s motion, where spirited and dignified protests, with a majority of Palestinian American participants, are described as “hordes” and “mobs.” Again, the federal government is trying to sow fear among people in the U.S. by criminalizing and stereotyping Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims.

The undersigned organizations support the democratic rights of the Rasmea Defense Committee, the Committee to Stop FBI Repression, the U.S. Palestinian Community Network, and other organizations to organize broad, public support to drop the charges against Rasmea Odeh.

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[whiteguysdoingitbythemselves]

2Pale2Male tracks organizations with progressive missions that are predominantly run by whites and men.