| Fall 1999
Love Your Body Day: Panel explores gender issues Making a major shift: A letter from MN NOW lobbyist Susal Stebbins New cosmetic surgery technique makes emulating false standards of beauty dangerously easy Conventioneers discuss proposed Feminist Communications Network National NOW conference a "head-spinning" experience Headwaters Walk for Justice draws 700 participants
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Making a major shift: A letter from MN NOW lobbyist Susal Stebbins
After ten years as Minnesota NOW’s lobbyist, I have made the difficult decision to leave that role. It is difficult because I believe strongly in the mission of Minnesota NOW, because I think the organization is on the edge of a renaissance, because I know I have played a central role in the organization and its success, because I have learned so much and grown so much in this job, because I love the people I have worked with, because my life is so thoroughly intertwined with this work, and because of the uncertainties of any transition from a major staff position to a smaller volunteer role. There are many reasons that I feel this is the right decision for me and for the organization. Essentially, it is clear to me that working in the legislative arena is no longer the best development or use of my abilities or the most effective way to achieve my goals for transforming society. And MN NOW needs leadership outside the legislative arena that I cannot give from the position of lobbyist. Woven in with all that, I’m a bit burnt out and in need of fresh perspectives and a more solid foundation for doing work that makes fundamental changes. The work I want to do is about changing the economic system so that its based on cooperation, meeting real human needs, and caring for the earth, rather than on greed and competition, exploitation, and destructive production/consumption. This work will be international and intercultural and will involve assisting people to notice they care about everything and to act on that caring. Women’s liberation will remain important to me and part of my work. In general, the work that needs to be done with MN NOW is organization and movement building: developing vision (what we want rather than just what we don’t want), unity, abilities, community, and resources. The work that needs to be done with the legislature—on women’s issues and all other progressive issues—is getting accurate information and perspectives to large numbers of people and involving them to engage in and change the political process. These are essential, engaging projects, but at this point in my life I want to get closer to what I am most passionate about and what will make the most difference from my perspective. I will continue to write occasionally for the MN NOW Times, and to work with MN NOW leaders in an advisory capacity, especially in the legislative area. I have great confidence in Legislative Chair Rachel Callanan. I have worked with her for a year and found her to be principled, articulate, committed, an effective organizer, knowledgeable about the issues and the legislative process, and a quick study to learn more. I encourage all MN NOW members to work with Rachel to build a more effective legislative program. I also encourage all MN NOW members to support the process of hiring an effective executive director or coordinator. This person will be critical to the future of MN NOW; putting the organization on a more solid foundation and helping us become a more decisive force for change. I don’t think MN NOW will be able to sustain having a full-time lobbyist again unless there is someone dedicated full time to developing and guiding a year-round program for MN NOW and ensuring that we have the resources (especially activists and money) to carry it out. On the other hand, an executive director could do some effective strategic lobbying, especially with the involvement of a capable and dedicated Legislative Chair like Rachel. And as I indicated before, having a full-time lobbyist at the capitol is not the best use of limited resources at this time even if it were possible. I do not have another job at this time. I am taking a sabbatical for three months (September, October and November) to get my life in order and rejuvenate myself, to take the next steps in my lifework and find a job that suits me, and to write and travel. MN NOW has many assets: a strong core of experienced leaders; an exciting, talented bunch of new leaders; a smart, hard-working office coordinator; thousands of dynamic members; an inspiring new vision statement; a still vital purpose; a lot of excellent work to build on; some interesting big challenges; and now, a well seasoned former lobbyist who will lend her expertise and perspectives to help others lead the organization. I look forward to seeing what happens from here! If you want to be in contact with Susal, you can write to her at home: 2724 Pleasant Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN 55408, or by e-mail: luftx003@tc.umn.edu She will be out of the country from Oct. 5 to Nov. 7. |