Report of Annual Meeting 2011

More than 200 Quakers from 34 states gathered in Washington, DC in early November 2011 to lobby Congress to cut the Pentagon and invest in preventing war, discuss strategies and tactics for advancing our legislative priorities and worship. Some highlights from our 68th Annual Meeting include:

It's All About the Lobbying

Thinking, practicing, and doing lobbying were a theme of Annual Meeting: from Thursday’s lobby day, focused on preventing war; to the skills-building workshops for beginner, intermediate, and advanced advocates; to the Field Committee’s rousing report; to the Saturday evening program focused on how you can talk to your senators about cutting the Pentagon budget. You can find the slideshow from that presentation here.

Peaceful Troublemakers

“I can’t remember a time in Washington, DC when I’ve been in a room with more troublemakers…peaceful troublemakers,” said Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern in accepting the Edward F. Snyder Award for National Legislative Leadership in Advancing Disarmament and Building Peace. Rep. McGovern and North Carolina Rep. Walter Jones received this award for their leadership in promoting a sensible strategy to end the war in Afghanistan.

Bold, Strategic, and Relentless

Diane Randall challenged us to be bold, strategic, and relentless in order to realize the world we seek. She called on us to creatively imagine the possibilities for our work ahead with young adults, with seasoned Friends, and with our growing network across the country. She said, “While we often focus on what's current and the immediate legislation pending, we have to also take a long view and consider how we will sustain our witness, our Quaker lobby in the public interest.”

Watch Diane's speech, or read a transcript.

Nonviolence in the Middle East

Arab-American Institute President Jim Zogby described the Palestinian’s bid for statehood recognition at the U.N. in the context of the history of nonviolent work for change in the Middle East. He challenged us to work for a U.S. policy that supports nonviolent movements for change instead of undermining them. Watch the video of his talk for more.

What Is Our Generation Led to Change?

Program assistant Emily Temple talked about this question in her address to FCNL's Annual Meeting.

Emily Temple's (bio) Intern Speech

Read Emily's speech.

April Mays (bio) Intern Speech

Read April's speech.

Bergin Parks (bio) Intern Speech

Tim Cullen (bio) Intern Speech

Patrick Lozada (bio) Intern Speech

Read Patrick's speech.

Kathy Zager (bio) Intern Speech

Read Kathy's speech.

Melanie Fox (bio) Intern Speech

Lena Garrettson (bio) Intern Speech

We look forward to seeing you next year at our Annual Meeting. Our lobby day will be November 15 followed by our meetings from November 15 to 18, 2012.