Amnesty International: Reform 2004

Accomplishments

Platform 1. FOCUS ON THE INDIVIDUAL VICTIMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES AND MAINTAIN AI'S STRENGTHS AND REPUTATION FOR IMPARTIALITY

Platform 1.1 The Board should ensure that all campaigns and pilot work on economic, social, and cultural rights include work on behalf of individual victims, while AI focuses on preventing and ending grave abuses of the right to physical and mental integrity, and the right to freedom of conscience and expression.

Platform 1.2 The Board should ensure that AI continues its priority on individual prisoners of conscience, "disappearances," and on abolition of torture and the death penalty.

Accomplishment 1.2 Co-sponsoring and supporting the resolution on AI's Mission, specifically:
(1) Amend the OP Global Impact Goal respecting human rights defenders to read "Campaign for the immediate and unconditional release of Prisoners of Conscience and protection of the rights of human rights defenders";

Accomplishment 1.2. Reform Board Members closely questioned AI Secretary General Irene Kahn and members of the IEC at the October Board meeting regarding the implementation of the ISP and Country Action Plans, and "exit strategies" for individual case Action Files.

Platform 1.3 The Board should carefully consider (a) the balance between work on domestic (USA) human rights abuses and work on international abuses and (b) the effect of AIUSA coalitions with other non-governmental organizations, to ensure that work on domestic abuses and coalitions does not inadvertently cloud AIUSA's credibility.

Reform Board members have expressed this concern at Board meetings. To be more effective in the future, the 2005 Platform contains planks 7 and 8, which attempt to address this concern. 2005 Platform.

Platform 2. SUPPORT AIUSA AS A GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION THAT SHARES LEADERSHIP BETWEEN STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS

Platform 2.1 AIUSA should implement the September 1995 Board decision for joint volunteer-staff planning and program review for volunteer programs, and such activities should take place at the AGM and at other venues as appropriate.

Accomplishment 2.1 Board approved GENERAL PLENARY MOTION 2004-M6-G-17: The Program Committee will review the status of implementation of program reviews and will address membership participation in this process, and will report back to the Board at the October meeting. One of the foundations of the discussion will be based on the Board and staff guidelines developed in 2002/2003.
Board approved GENERAL PLENARY MOTION 2004-M6-G-18: The Board will resume full implementation of the 1995 Board resolution regarding program review at AGMs.

Platform 2.2 The Board should ensure a return to a membership structure that prioritizes and empowers grassroots activism such as meetings between AIUSA volunteers and Members of Congress, outreach by AIUSA volunteers to VIPs and other organizations, and contacts between AIUSA groups and the media.

Accomplishment 2.2 Reform Board members have participated fully in the consultations on the "Activist Growth and Development BluePrint."
Board approved GENERAL PLENARY MOTION 2004-M6-G-15: All Board members will be tasked with providing input to the Blueprint consultation process by the September 9th deadline established by MMD, and participation will be tracked by the Program Committee Chair.

Platform 2.3 The Board should ensure that reporting on grassroots activism other than direct action (letter-writing, e-mail messages, etc.) returns to a leading position in Amnesty Now and other Amnesty publications.

Accomplishment 2.3 Reform Members of the Program Committee participated in a "summit" on reformulation of Amnesty NOW.The Winter 2004 isue of "Amnesty NOW" (retitled "Amnesty International") is more in line with what AI is doing, features volunteers, and there is no longer anything in the magazine which has nothing to do with AI's mission.

Platform 2.3 The Board should ensure that AIUSA's next Executive Director and his/her senior program staff (a) have experience working with grassroots organizations and (b) support AIUSA as a grassroots organization with shared decision-making between staff and volunteers.

[The process for recruiting a new Executive Director has not yet begun.]

Platform 2.4 The Board should facilitate shared decision-making between staff and volunteer leadership by issuing guidelines as to the types of decisions that should be shared and requiring training of volunteer leaders and staff on the role of volunteer leadership and conflict resolution.

Accomplishment 2.4 GENERAL PLENARY MOTION 2004-M6-G-20: The Board recommends that, wherever possible, HR trainings for staff are made mandatory to ensure full participation.

Accomplishment 2.4 The Board has requested staff to distribute and solicit feedback on a draft "Guidelines for Shared Leadership." It expects to approve these guidelines at its January meeting.

Platform 2.5 The Board should ensure that relevant volunteer leaders continue to have input into the selection of staff members who will have substantial responsibilities vis-a-vis volunteers, including Deputy Executive Directors with program responsibilities, Regional or Field Directors, Program Directors, and Network Directors.

Accomplishment 2.5 Volunteer leaders have participated in the hiring process of all such staff positions since April 2004. We sponsored and campaigned for the adoption of 2004 AGM decision M-01 requiring such participation.

Platform 2.6 The Board should improve communication between its members and AIUSA staff members beyond the senior management team, especially by (a) welcoming such staff to Board meetings, and (b) encouraging program staff to attend regional conferences and the AGM.

Platform 3. PROMOTE OPEN AND ACCOUNTABLE DECISION-MAKING

Platform 3.1 The Board General Secretary should report to the activist membership all Board and Executive Committee decisions, including consensus decisions not voted in the form of a motion. Documents cited in Board motions should be appended to the minutes.

Accomplishment 3.1 Board approved GENERAL PLENARY MOTION 2004-M6-G-13: The Board accepts the following recommendations of the Administration and Development Committee with regard to AGM resolutions:
G-2: The Committee requests that Eva Kadrey implement this resolution ASAP, but no later than October 1, 2004.
W e sponsored and campaigned for the AGM to adopt this resolution.

AGM2004-G2:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board publish its minutes and all minutes of its standing Committees (including the Executive Committee), on the Members page of the AIUSA website, within thirty (30) days in draft form and within seven (7) days of their approval in final form; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Directors be required to fulfill their stated responsibility to review and amend minutes as is currently required under Board policy; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Secretary of the Board shall post on the Members page of the AIUSA website, and make available in written form upon request, the time, place, and agenda of every meeting (including the call-in number for those by conference call) of the Board and any Board committee at least 7 days in advance of such meeting; in an emergency situation, the General Secretary (with the concurrence of the Board Chair) may post such information less than 7 days prior to the meeting, as long as the announcement includes an explanation of the reasons for the short notice; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT any member will receive paper copies of minutes, agendas, and referenced documents upon request to the Board Office; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a broadcast-only listserv be created before the end of fiscal year 2004 for the sole purpose of informing members of board activity. This includes, but is not limited to, meeting notices, agendas and minutes. Board activity means full Board, Executive Committee and Standing Committees.

The minutes of the July 2004 and October 2004 Board meeting fulfill this requirement. <www.amnestyusa.org/members/board/index.html>

Platform 3.2 The Board General Secretary should provide final minutes per Board policy to appropriate staff within three weeks of the Board meeting, for posting on the AIUSA members-only website. Minutes should include the names of Board members who speak at Board meetings as well as their opinions.

See Accomplishment 3.1

Platform 3.3 The Board and Executive Committee should approve, by a recorded two-thirds vote, each movement into executive session, and the motion must explain the reason why executive session is required.

Accomplishment 3.3 Following AGM2004 Decision G-03, the Board has adhered to this policy.

Platform 3.4 Following receipt of the report of the Lessons Learned Task Force, the Board should take decisive action to demand accountability of the International Secretariat, the 2002-2003 Board Chair and Board, and AIUSA staff for their actions relative to the Barb Bocek matter.

Accomplishment 3.4 On September 1, 2004, the Board published an account of actions taken with respect to accountability:
<http://www.amnestyusa.org/members/agm/2004/implementationreportdecisiong12.pdf>

Platform 3.5 The Board should require that volunteer leadership bodies such as regional planning groups and steering committees regularly inform the membership of their activities, recommendations, and decisions.

Platform 3.6 The Board should ensure that the resolutions process considers major issues within Amnesty International and AIUSA, and the Board should introduce resolutions that address the major questions AIUSA faces.

Accomplishment 3.6 Reform Board members supported submission of the resolution on AI's mission at all 5 Regional Conferences, which raised major issues facing the international movement.

Platform 3.7 The Board should establish a system to ensure implementation of AGM resolutions.

Accomplishment 3.7 Two of the three Standing Committee chairs and the Board Chair have pledged to keep this item on their committee's agenda.The AGM decisions database on the AIUSA members section will help us and other members keep track of implementation.

Platform 3.8 AIUSA should post information about hostels and other inexpensive accommodations for the AGM and Regional Conferences.

Accomplishment 3.8 The Board passed this motion at its July 04 meeting:
Board approved GENERAL PLENARY MOTION 2004-M6-G-11: Because some AIUSA activists can not afford to stay at conference hotels, AIUSA will post information about hostels and other inexpensive accommodations on the AIUSA website and in the Monthly Mailing, along with information regarding how to register for regional conferences, leadership meetings and the AGM.


		Reform '04 Accomplishments
	Accomplishments Platform 1. FOCUS ON THE INDIVIDUAL VICTIMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES AND MAINTAIN AI'S STRENGTHS AND REPUTATION FOR IMPARTIALITY Platform 1.1 The Board should ensure that all campaigns and pilot work on economic, social, and cultural rights include work on behalf of individual victims, while AI focuses on preventing and ending grave abuses of the right to physical and mental integrity, and the right to freedom of conscience and expression. Platform 1.2 The Board should ensure that AI continues its priority on individual prisoners of conscience, "disappearances," and on abolition of torture and the death penalty. Accomplishment 1.2 Co-sponsoring and supporting the resolution on AI's Mission, specifically: (1) Amend the OP Global Impact Goal respecting human rights defenders to read "Campaign for the immediate and unconditional release of Prisoners of Conscience and protection of the rights of human rights defenders"; Accomplishment 1.2. Reform Board Members closely questioned AI Secretary General Irene Kahn and members of the IEC at the October Board meeting regarding the implementation of the ISP and Country Action Plans, and "exit strategies" for individual case Action Files. Platform 1.3 The Board should carefully consider (a) the balance between work on domestic (USA) human rights abuses and work on international abuses and (b) the effect of AIUSA coalitions with other non-governmental organizations, to ensure that work on domestic abuses and coalitions does not inadvertently cloud AIUSA's credibility. Reform Board members have expressed this concern at Board meetings. To be more effective in the future, the 2005 Platform contains planks 7 and 8, which attempt to address this concern. 2005 Platform. Platform 2. SUPPORT AIUSA AS A GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION THAT SHARES LEADERSHIP BETWEEN STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS Platform 2.1 AIUSA should implement the September 1995 Board decision for joint volunteer-staff planning and program review for volunteer programs, and such activities should take place at the AGM and at other venues as appropriate. Accomplishment 2.1 Board approved GENERAL PLENARY MOTION 2004-M6-G-17: The Program Committee will review the status of implementation of program reviews and will address membership participation in this process, and will report back to the Board at the October meeting. One of the foundations of the discussion will be based on the Board and staff guidelines developed in 2002/2003. Board approved GENERAL PLENARY MOTION 2004-M6-G-18: The Board will resume full implementation of the 1995 Board resolution regarding program review at AGMs. Platform 2.2 The Board should ensure a return to a membership structure that prioritizes and empowers grassroots activism such as meetings between AIUSA volunteers and Members of Congress, outreach by AIUSA volunteers to VIPs and other organizations, and contacts between AIUSA groups and the media. Accomplishment 2.2 Reform Board members have participated fully in the consultations on the "Activist Growth and Development BluePrint." Board approved GENERAL PLENARY MOTION 2004-M6-G-15: All Board members will be tasked with providing input to the Blueprint consultation process by the September 9th deadline established by MMD, and participation will be tracked by the Program Committee Chair. Platform 2.3 The Board should ensure that reporting on grassroots activism other than direct action (letter-writing, e-mail messages, etc.) returns to a leading position in Amnesty Now and other Amnesty publications. Accomplishment 2.3 Reform Members of the Program Committee participated in a "summit" on reformulation of Amnesty NOW.The Winter 2004 isue of "Amnesty NOW" (retitled "Amnesty International") is more in line with what AI is doing, features volunteers, and there is no longer anything in the magazine which has nothing to do with AI's mission. Platform 2.3 The Board should ensure that AIUSA's next Executive Director and his/her senior program staff (a) have experience working with grassroots organizations and (b) support AIUSA as a grassroots organization with shared decision-making between staff and volunteers. [The process for recruiting a new Executive Director has not yet begun.] Platform 2.4 The Board should facilitate shared decision-making between staff and volunteer leadership by issuing guidelines as to the types of decisions that should be shared and requiring training of volunteer leaders and staff on the role of volunteer leadership and conflict resolution. Accomplishment 2.4 GENERAL PLENARY MOTION 2004-M6-G-20: The Board recommends that, wherever possible, HR trainings for staff are made mandatory to ensure full participation. Accomplishment 2.4 The Board has requested staff to distribute and solicit feedback on a draft "Guidelines for Shared Leadership." It expects to approve these guidelines at its January meeting. Platform 2.5 The Board should ensure that relevant volunteer leaders continue to have input into the selection of staff members who will have substantial responsibilities vis-a-vis volunteers, including Deputy Executive Directors with program responsibilities, Regional or Field Directors, Program Directors, and Network Directors. Accomplishment 2.5 Volunteer leaders have participated in the hiring process of all such staff positions since April 2004. We sponsored and campaigned for the adoption of 2004 AGM decision M-01 requiring such participation. Platform 2.6 The Board should improve communication between its members and AIUSA staff members beyond the senior management team, especially by (a) welcoming such staff to Board meetings, and (b) encouraging program staff to attend regional conferences and the AGM. Platform 3. PROMOTE OPEN AND ACCOUNTABLE DECISION-MAKING Platform 3.1 The Board General Secretary should report to the activist membership all Board and Executive Committee decisions, including consensus decisions not voted in the form of a motion. Documents cited in Board motions should be appended to the minutes. Accomplishment 3.1 Board approved GENERAL PLENARY MOTION 2004-M6-G-13: The Board accepts the following recommendations of the Administration and Development Committee with regard to AGM resolutions: G-2: The Committee requests that Eva Kadrey implement this resolution ASAP, but no later than October 1, 2004. W e sponsored and campaigned for the AGM to adopt this resolution. AGM2004-G2: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board publish its minutes and all minutes of its standing Committees (including the Executive Committee), on the Members page of the AIUSA website, within thirty (30) days in draft form and within seven (7) days of their approval in final form; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Directors be required to fulfill their stated responsibility to review and amend minutes as is currently required under Board policy; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Secretary of the Board shall post on the Members page of the AIUSA website, and make available in written form upon request, the time, place, and agenda of every meeting (including the call-in number for those by conference call) of the Board and any Board committee at least 7 days in advance of such meeting; in an emergency situation, the General Secretary (with the concurrence of the Board Chair) may post such information less than 7 days prior to the meeting, as long as the announcement includes an explanation of the reasons for the short notice; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT any member will receive paper copies of minutes, agendas, and referenced documents upon request to the Board Office; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a broadcast-only listserv be created before the end of fiscal year 2004 for the sole purpose of informing members of board activity. This includes, but is not limited to, meeting notices, agendas and minutes. Board activity means full Board, Executive Committee and Standing Committees. The minutes of the July 2004 and October 2004 Board meeting fulfill this requirement. <www.amnestyusa.org/members/board/index.html> Platform 3.2 The Board General Secretary should provide final minutes per Board policy to appropriate staff within three weeks of the Board meeting, for posting on the AIUSA members-only website. Minutes should include the names of Board members who speak at Board meetings as well as their opinions. See Accomplishment 3.1 Platform 3.3 The Board and Executive Committee should approve, by a recorded two-thirds vote, each movement into executive session, and the motion must explain the reason why executive session is required. Accomplishment 3.3 Following AGM2004 Decision G-03, the Board has adhered to this policy. Platform 3.4 Following receipt of the report of the Lessons Learned Task Force, the Board should take decisive action to demand accountability of the International Secretariat, the 2002-2003 Board Chair and Board, and AIUSA staff for their actions relative to the Barb Bocek matter. Accomplishment 3.4 On September 1, 2004, the Board published an account of actions taken with respect to accountability: <http://www.amnestyusa.org/members/agm/2004/implementationreportdecisiong12.pdf> Platform 3.5 The Board should require that volunteer leadership bodies such as regional planning groups and steering committees regularly inform the membership of their activities, recommendations, and decisions. Platform 3.6 The Board should ensure that the resolutions process considers major issues within Amnesty International and AIUSA, and the Board should introduce resolutions that address the major questions AIUSA faces. Accomplishment 3.6 Reform Board members supported submission of the resolution on AI's mission at all 5 Regional Conferences, which raised major issues facing the international movement. Platform 3.7 The Board should establish a system to ensure implementation of AGM resolutions. Accomplishment 3.7 Two of the three Standing Committee chairs and the Board Chair have pledged to keep this item on their committee's agenda.The AGM decisions database on the AIUSA members section will help us and other members keep track of implementation. Platform 3.8 AIUSA should post information about hostels and other inexpensive accommodations for the AGM and Regional Conferences. Accomplishment 3.8 The Board passed this motion at its July 04 meeting: Board approved GENERAL PLENARY MOTION 2004-M6-G-11: Because some AIUSA activists can not afford to stay at conference hotels, AIUSA will post information about hostels and other inexpensive accommodations on the AIUSA website and in the Monthly Mailing, along with information regarding how to register for regional conferences, leadership meetings and the AGM.