The Formation of Allies for Racial Equity
During the weekend of November 4-6, 2005, thirty-six individuals who identify as white people gathered together in Tom’s River, New Jersey to develop a formal organization of white allies with a clear leadership structure, in direct response to a request from our sisters and brothers of color in DRUUMM. The planning team who organized the conference, Minton Brooks, Beth Dana, Julian Sharp, Annette Marquis, Hannah Stampe, Diane Martin and Gini Courter, asked the Rev. Tracey Robinson-Harris, UUA staff, to facilitate the business meetings to help us accomplish our goal. We knew going in that it was an aggressive agenda and, as a member of the planning team, I am here to announce that we were successful in reaching our primary objectives.
By the end of the weekend, we adopted a vision, mission, and organizational structure; affirmed DRUUMM's understanding of our relationship, adopted an organizational structure, developed a proposed list of short term and longer term objectives, elected a steering committee, and began a membership drive.
Steering Committee members (elected for a one-year term)
Facilitator: Annette Marquis
At-Large Youth, Age 14-18: Elisabeth Moore
At Large Young Adult, Age 18-35: Ashley Satorius
At Large Member: Kathryn Hope
Secretary/Treasurer:
Ordained Minister: Rev. Wendy von Zirpolo
Communications Coordinator: Becca Brown
Membership Coordinator: Paul Phillips
Program Coordinator: Nancy Lawrence
The steering committee will begin meeting immediately to prepare for a very visible presence at General Assembly 2006 to assure that people of color have an effective system of white allies in place when and if issues arise that must be addressed. If you are interested in being a part of this effort, I invite you to join with us.
In faith,
Annette Marquis