BY NAOMI CRAINE
"We're really gratified with the response we've been
getting," said Sara Gates, a leader of the active supporter
auxiliary of the Socialist Workers Party in Seattle. Gates
was speaking about an effort to increase monthly
contributions to the SWP by supporters and friends of the
party. These pledges from 25 people in the Seattle area now
add more than $1,500 per month to the party's finances
nationally, up from $695 before the fund raising campaign
began.
The supporters in Seattle are asking others to contribute, and are aiming for a monthly total of $1,670, or $20,000 annually. "Many people were waiting to be asked" to make a pledge, Gates said. "They appreciated being able to concretely express support for the party."
The fund-raising in Seattle is part of a national effort launched at a meeting of the Socialist Workers Party National Committee in April. Initially the goal was to increase monthly pledges from party supporters to a total of $100,000 per year by June 30, compared to $83,000 contributed in this way in 1994.
By the time the SWP National Committee met again at the beginning of June, the $100,000 goal was already surpassed by more than $9,000. In his report to the meeting, SWP national trade union director Joel Britton proposed new targets of increasing the pledges to an annual level of $150,000 by July 12 and $200,000 by October 1.
These goals were adopted, along with a proposal to urge all party branches to set targets for the recruitment of active supporters in their area and set a total monthly goal of pledges from supporters and friends of the party.
The National Committee meeting also voted to invite all members of active supporters groups to attend the party's convention, which will be held July 8-12 in Oberlin, Ohio.
Increasing firepower of movement
"As we raise the money we will be increasing the political
firepower of our movement," Britton said in his report. "Not
just because we will strengthen our bedrock sustaining
funds.-We will also have more people committed to doing one
thing or another actively, politically, with and for the
Socialist Workers Party, whether it's work to defend the
Cuban revolution or helping us sell Pathfinder literature."
The SWP's 1990 political resolution explains that active supporters are members of the socialist movement who meet monthly and carry out various activities in support of the party's program and campaigns - getting out socialist literature, helping with the Socialist Workers election efforts, participating in activities in defense of Cuba, and other political work - but not on the weekly rhythm of party members.
"Above all the work of active supporters includes systematic fund-raising from friends of the party and from active supporters themselves, which they organize and review with party leaders as part of their periodic meetings," the resolution states.
To help launch the fund-raising campaign, Britton met with the active supporters group in Los Angeles, which along with the executive committee of the Los Angeles branch decided to take responsibility for organizing and leading the effort nationally.
A May 27 letter to SWP branches signed by Britton, Jan Gangel for the Los Angeles active supporters group, and John Benson for the Los Angeles branch executive committee, noted that income from regular contributions by supporters and friends is an important part of the party's national operating budget, adding substantially to the weekly contributions made by party members to sustain local and national activity. The letter pointed to the initial success in several cities.
Getting positive results
Jeri Mullen, an active supporter in Chicago, said the
results of calling potential contributors there have been
very positive so far. "It's been easy to get people to
commit some resources," she said, "and we haven't reached
everyone yet."
Mullen said the calling was valuable, even when it didn't result in immediate pledges. "I talked to a couple who have been attending the Militant Labor Forums and support the work of the party. They didn't think they could give a monthly pledge until they finish school, but said they would like to contribute to special funds."
The campaign has helped build the active supporters group in Chicago, Mullen noted. Three people have recently decided to become active supporters of the SWP there. Encouraged by their success so far, the active supporters in Chicago plan to discuss how to have more ongoing political contact with other party supporters in the area, Mullen said.
The campaign is an opportunity to ask long-term readers of the Militant and Pathfinder books, workers who have had ongoing political relationships with party members and support the party's campaigns, and others to take a step in formalizing a relationship with the party. Active supporters groups plan to work more with these friends of the party. "We want to more regularly keep them up to date on what's happening politically," said Gates in Seattle.
Gates said she thought the fund-raising in Seattle was getting a positive response because "it seems like there's a bit more happening." More young people have been coming to Militant Labor Forums and joining the Young Socialists there, she said, and "the political will is there" to support the socialist movement.
Readers who would like to make a monthly pledge as part of this effort can contact the nearest branch of the Socialist Workers Party, listed on page 12. (On Peacenet, see "Like this paper? Look us up!" topic in this conference.)