[355] in peace2
We want YOU to help change the face of globalization
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Christopher Lucas)
Sun Sep 10 20:22:18 2000
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From: Christopher Lucas <cwlucas@earthlink.net>
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Date: Sun, 10 Sep 2000 20:21:52 -0400
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Spank the Bank - make Citibank invest with social and environmental responsibility
Greetings activists!
I am incredibly psyched to be kicking off the Citibank campaign here at MIT! We are facing an incredible challenge, taking on one of the largest financial institutions in the world. But we also have an amazing opportunity to change the path of corporate globalization; to force multinational corporations to consider the social and environmental impacts of their development projects. By building a campaign here in Massachusetts and linking it to Citibank campaigns across the country, we have the power to educate consumers about the environmental and social destruction that Citibank is funding, and the social and economic clout to demand Citibank improve its lending practices.
Below you'll find a little more information on the structure of the campaign, as well as information on how you can become involved in the campaign to spank the bank.
FIRST MEETING: There will be a general interest meeting on Tuesday, September 12th at 6:00 p.m. in the Dome Café (4th floor). At the meeting we will be discussing the specific projects Citibank is funding, the unique opportunity we have to influence Citibank, and the potential tactics the campaign will use to influence the bank. We will also be planning our participation in a national call-in day September 14th, and our campaign kick-off meeting September 19st.
Roles in the campaign:
Working on the Citibank campaign can range from a semester-long internship to just a couple of hours per week. Everyone's contribution to the campaign is appreciated, and it will be discussions within the group that guide the campaign plan for the semester. There are a number of opportunities within the campaign to learn valuable organizing, media, and fundraising skills, and to participate in grassroots organizing, street theatre, press work, and direct action.
Campus Outreach and Campus Visibility: Students working on campus visibility and outreach would be responsible for keeping the student body aware of the Citibank campaign, and actively participating in our events and activities. Projects would include running a mid-semester recruitment drive, building visibility around the days of action and campus events, speaking to professors and classes about the campaign, and coordinating visibility events with the political theater group, as well as creating posters and banners about the campaign.
Media: Media volunteers would be responsible for keeping the Citibank campaign at the forefront of local and statewide consciousness. Projects include meeting with local media about the campaign, drafting and submitting press advisories and press releases about upcoming events, and working with the campus outreach and political theater groups to plan mediagenic events.
Political Theater: The political theater group would be responsible for creating skits and demonstrations that would give people a visual context with which to understand the campaign. The group will plan skits and events to correspond with all the major days of action, and will be making costumes and puppets for the international day of action.
Fundraising: Fundraising is the backbone of campaign organizing (i.e. no money = little campaign.) Fundraisers will be responsible for securing funding sources for speakers, campaign trainings, and transportation to days of action. They will also work on canvassing materials (posters, copies, faxes, etc...), food, and everything else that will help the campaign.
Coalition Building: Coalition-builders will work to expand the Massachusetts network working on the Citibank campaign. Responsibilities include meeting with local environmental, religious, and social justice groups, and mobilizing a coalition for the international day of action on October 17th.
Research: The research team will be investigating the college's investments in Citibank, and Citibank's plans to recruit and solicit credit card applicants on campus. They will also help secure numbers for the phone in and fax-in days, and help plan logistics for the international day of action
Grassroots organizing: The grassroots organizers will coordinate all aspects of the campaign. They are responsible for oversight of the other teams, and in charge of setting up campaign and planning meetings to coordinate work on events and activities.
Internships: Internships will be available for the fall 2000 semester. They are unpaid, but may offer class credit to those that qualify. Interns will work closely with the Rainforest Action Network organizer in planning the campaign and coordinating the work of each team. They will also be trained in recruitment, fundraising, media, and coalition building, so that they can teach these skills to new recruits. To apply for an internship, contact Chris Lucas at cwlucas@earthlink.net.
So, there's the campaign and campaign roles in a nutshell!!! Once again, I'm excited to be working with all of you, and together we can make this campaign a watershed victory for environmental protection and social justice!
Christopher Lucas
Boston Field Organizer, Citigroup Campaign
cwlucas@earhtlink.net
617.970.3022
