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Maggie
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Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed PIRG/Fund/GCI veterans can change the model.
Female
31 years old
NEW YORK, New York
United States
Last Login: 5/28/2008
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Maggie's Interests
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| General | We are not organizing because the people who work at these organizations are bad people (we worked there, we have friends who still work there, etc). We are not organizing because we don't want to work hard to affect change, or because we think activism should be comfortable.
Rather, we believe that there is a crisis of leadership in these organizations.
This crisis of leadership persists because: the organizations operate under a war-like mindset in which basic notions of respect and fairness (as well as legality!) are dismissed "for the cause," in which operation costs of all kinds are passed right down the line, in which all decisions are made without accountability, in which money and resources are transferred without transparency, and in which people who ask questions are isolated and people who try to make things better are pushed out.
It is our experience that this crisis of leadership is bad for those who work on these campaigns - the thousands of young activists whose commitment, more often than not, is soured. What's more: it also makes for campaigns that are less organized, innovative, and effective than they could be.
Why do we still care about this? Well, because we take seriously the ideals of progressive liberalism (ensuring respect for the rights and dignity of all - in particular respect to the conditions of both labor and the environment). Like any campaign against a polluting industry, we believe that the negative effects of these organizations are bad for the greater good. Like any group of workers, we know that more respect for our commitment would make for better products (i.e. campaigns). These organizations could be a really powerful force for positive political action - but first they need to learn how to do right by the people who place their trust in them.
Are there better ways we could be using our time? Actually, no. Don't you know - you gotta get right before you can do right. | | Books | Rules for Radicals
Action for a Change
Diminished Democracy
Beating Bush
Activism Inc (actually that one kind of sucked, but she was basically right) |
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Maggie's Details
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| Status: | Single | | Zodiac Sign: | Scorpio |
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Maggie's Latest Blog Entry
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This is what democracy looks like?
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Maggie's Blurbs |
About me:
I am every pissed off veteran of the Public Interest Research Groups, Fund for Public Interest Research, Grassroots Campaigns Inc.
Yes I am still pissed off.
There's a lot to be pissed off about.
Don't be shy if this matters to you.
I got kicked off of Facebook!
Read about it here!
So this profile is new. Stay tuned.
Also check out: groups.yahoo.com/groups/cgci
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Who I'd like to meet:
Other veterans of PIRG/Fund/GCI who want to see these organizations held accountable: canvassers, field managers, assistant directors, canvass directors, campus organizers, recruiters, administrative staff, field organizers, all y'all who feel a raw deal.
People who worked for the Fund between 2003 and now - you might be eligible to join a class action lawsuit to recover unpaid wages. See more here: www.thefundovertimelawsuit.com
I'd like to meet people who care about progressive values and grassroots activism, and who believe that one cannot be real without the other.
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