VOTE NOW on the "S" in FACES!

What does it mean to you? Click here to download background information/considerations on changing the name of FACES. Send your vote to fcalpotura@transnationalaction.org by March 31.

SUMMARY REPORT: 2005 National Conference

The 3rd National Conference Summary report is NOW AVAILABLE.
Click here to download the summary report.
Click here to go to the conference website and view the conference agenda.

PHILIPPINES TRIP REPORT!!

The 2004 Philippines assessment trip summary report is now available for download.
Click here for a full-color PDF version of the report.

01/01/2004

FACES members, supporters, allies,

We are facing a critical moment in our work towards environmental justice in the Philippines. The political context of our work has shifted tremendously from when we first formed in 2000 to the current situation in 2003. This has caused us to pause and reflect on how far we've come, what barriers we face, and where we are headed.

The current FACES National Board was elected at the National Membership conference in February 2003. After the conference, the board concentrated their efforts on strengthening the organizational aspects of FACES, hoping to continue with the revised Vision, Mission, Goals (VMG) and Strategy. It was not long before some members expressed frustration and doubts with the Strategy and the organization as a whole. Given the gravity and seriousness of the situation and concerns, the board decided to meet face-to-face to discuss the state of the organization and develop a plan to move the organization forward.

The board convened on October 18-19, 2003. It became clear at this meeting that we must carefully examine our current VMG and Strategy before frustration and doubt gives way to a sense of helplessness and despair regarding the current political conditions. As a first step, this paper hopes to provide the basis for future discussion on sharpening FACES' vision and strengthening our organization. This paper is but a small part of a wider and comprehensive assessment process that employs participatory methods for strategy-building around FACES future potential direction.

The process includes internal and external assessment components here in the U.S. as well as in the Philippines. Chapter Focus Groups and one-on-one visits with key allies comprise the U.S. assessment. A planned and strategic visit to the Philippines in June of 2004 will hopefully give us a clearer sense of the possibilities with Philippine allies, as well as provide direction from the communities directly affected by the issues we hope to address. The information-gathering and analysis will be used to inform the decisions we will make in a National Conference in October of 2004 for all of us to decide the direction of FACES.

This position paper is a result of many discussions and will hopefully clarify the current status of FACES. We are at a vital crossroads. As an organization, we must consciously approach the historical opportunity/challenge set before us. We have the choice to make it an exciting opportunity for FACES. We urge you all to engage with us and each other on FACES and where we want to go with our organization. We look forward to meeting with everyone in the Chapter Focus Groups to further discuss the possibilities and roads we may take.

- FACES National Board

Continue on to the position paper »»»».

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