IAF will integrate economic initiatives that address inequality and wage paralysis while challenging market fundamentalism. This will include renewed overtures to and alliances with labor organizations, educational institutions, and social service agencies that share common interests. Market fundamentalists will squeal.
IAF organizations will localize climate change in actionable ways modeled after “Do Not Stand Idly By” - Metro IAF’s campaign against gun violence. Local initiatives will be driven by extreme weather events in multiple locales along with the growing awareness of economic benefits of alternative energy sources. “Do Not Stand Idly By” will gain visibility, power and impact as communities continue to struggle with gun violence and search for a viable response. IAF relational habits and practices will prove out as institution builders in diverse congregations, unions and associations whose concern for their own strength will grow along with expectations that IAF can help. Ground up relational work will break open inventive responses to immigration integration, public housing accountability, Medicaid expansion, elder care, education and children/youth. IAF communications technology will incrementally improve as a vehicle for enhancing face to face organizing methods. Cooperative experiments among member institutions will grow in diverse fields including energy, health care and job training. Initiatives pioneered by Common Ground, VOICE and COPS/Metro will fuel this expansion. IAF will further embrace an international perspective placing high value on work in the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and Canada. IAF universals will be tested in new contexts and frameworks inside growing organizations delivering big wins and demonstrable impacts. IAF Northwest will break open fresh organizational opportunities that cross national boundaries. IAF organizational practices will repeatedly demonstrate the capacity to overcome racial/ethnic and religious divisions where polarization undermines the common good. ————————-- Reprinted from The Pierson Letter, No 2. The views expressed here are not endorsed by the Industrial Areas Foundation or any IAF affiliated organization.
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Frank C. Pierson, Jr.Frank Pierson retired after forty years of work with the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) as a professional organizer. He began his career in 1971 in Chicago, moved to Queens, New York City and migrated west to work in Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and Colorado. He resides with his wife, Mary Ellen Kazda, in Oracle, Arizona. He may be reached at alinskynow@gmail.com Archives
June 2018
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