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MISSION, VISION &
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES |
Our
Mission
Haymarket People’s Fund is an anti-racist and multi-cultural
foundation that is committed to strengthening the movement for social
justice in New England.
Through grantmaking,
fundraising and capacity building, we support grassroots organizations
that address the root causes of injustice.
Haymarket also organizes
to increase sustainable community philanthropy throughout our region.
Our Vision
Haymarket
envisions a world free of racism and other oppressions:
Where peace
and cooperation flourish
Where people are valued and respected for their gifts and able to
bring their whole selves to humanity
Where vibrant communities thrive and different cultures are celebrated
Where abundant resources and opportunities are equally shared and
distributed while honoring the earth and all within it.
Haymarket's
Statement of Principles
In order to realize our
vision of a just, anti-racist society, we recognize the need to
change culture, systems, and structures of power. Haymarket seeks
to embody that change in the way our organization works. The following
principles were approved as part of a long range planning process
and reflect our values and guide our work together:
Be
Inclusive
If we hope to achieve
just societies that include all people in decision-making and assure
that all people have an equitable share of the wealth and the work
of this world, then we must work to build that kind of inclusiveness
into our own organization. This requires more than tokenism.
It includes diversity
at the planning table, in staffing, and in coordination. It may
delay achievement of other important goals. It will require discussion,
hard work, patience and planning. It may involve conflict, but through
this conflict we can learn better ways of working together.
Let
People Speak for Themselves
We must be sure to hear
the voices of people directly affected by our policies and practices.
Haymarket must provide ways for spokespersons to represent and be
responsible to the
affected constituencies.
Organizations and individuals participating in Haymarket must be
clear about their roles and about who they represent in order to
assure accountability within our structures.
Work
Together in Solidarity and Mutuality
Haymarket funds a variety
of social change issues. People in Haymarket represent a
wide range of communities, goals, and strategies. Individuals and
groups working on similar issues with compatible visions should
consciously act in solidarity and mutuality and support each other's
work.
Honesty
We need to treat each
other with justice and respect, both on an individual and an organizational
level, in this country and across borders. This includes
a commitment to honesty, integrity, and to face-to-face confrontation,
and a rejection of dishonesty, manipulation, and polarization.
Defining and developing "just relationships" will be a process that
won't happen overnight. It must include clarity about decision-making,
sharing strategies, power, and resource distribution.
Commitment
to Self Transformation
As we change societies,
we must change from operating in the mode of individualism to community-centeredness.
We must embody the values that we say we're struggling for.
As Haymarket members, we are committed to political and personal
growth, and open to being challenged.
Sharing
Culture
Culture is the life support
system of a community. If a community's culture is respected and
nurtured, the community's power will grow. Sharing culture is central
to our work together. We know that different cultures express themselves
in different ways and we will work to respect different modes of
expression.
Internal
Dynamics of Leadership Development
Grassroots leadership
needs to be developed intentionally and systematically within all
Haymarket's structures.
Networking
The growth of an effective
broad-based movement for social change requires networking or "building
a net that works." As the movement develops a strong net, people
are less likely to fall through.
Openness
and Commitment to the Process
We encourage an atmosphere
of open dialogue about issues. We trust Haymarket members to participate
in dialogue, disagreement and struggle with the intention of building
the organization and making it stronger. We understand dissent to
be integral to the process and commit to engaging with dissent honestly,
creatively and productively. In the spirit of consensus process,
we understand that "blocking" consensus entails the responsibility
for staying in the process and hammering out a new solution. Disagreement
and dissent also entail that responsibility.
Taking
Responsibility
We expect each person
to take responsibility for his/her needs, feelings and actions.
We call on each person to discern the difference between their personal
issues and issues that are of interest to the organization as a
whole, and to be mindful of what is useful to bring to the group.
Sharing
Information
In order to work effectively,
Haymarket members need to be fully informed of ideas, changes and
developments that impact our work. We will work to communicate
as effectively as possible and to disseminate information in a timely
manner.
Support
We are engaged in powerful,
difficult work where conflict and tension is inevitable. In order
to move forward we need to take the time to support each other.
Humor
Anything that we would
try to write about humor would be hopelessly over-earnest. Just
plan to laugh a lot.
Statement
of Accountability
Accountability to the
community is key to organizing effectively and with integrity. It
is critical for maintaining adherence to these principles and for
moving forward as an anti-racist organization involved in undoing
racism. As a principle, it connotes inter-relationship, interdependence,
and community.
* These principles
are based on material developed by the People's Institute for Survival
and Beyond. (www.pisab.org/temp
)
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