Looking Back:
Massachusetts Chapter in 2004

(December 2004)

by Bonnie Tenneriello and David Kelston, Chapter Co-Chairs

While the presidential horse race dominated the media in 2004, the Mass Chapter was working hard to preserve democracy in a deeper sense. When Democratic National Convention plans limited protestors to a dingy fenced-in pen, the chapter loudly challenged the affront to fee speech, with a lawsuit and with a successful publicity campaign. (See article by Jeff Feuer in this issue, p5.) When the MBTA announced plans to search passengers without cause, Guild members took to the streets and the subways with the now-famous “I DO NOT CONSENT TO A SEARCH” buttons and flyers protesting this unnecessary invasion of privacy, capturing the attention of T riders and the media. The Chapter also filed suit. (See Brenda Star Adams’ article, p.6.) And when police misuse of supposedly non-lethal weapons tragically took the life of a young woman celebrating the Red Sox’ playoffs victory, the Chapter rallied public opinion with a call for strict accountability and a moratorium on the use of such weapons. (See article by Howard Friedman, p.4.) The Chapter – led by student members – also helped protect the integrity of the electoral process, through the Election Protection Project, as detailed in the last issue of Mass Dissent.
The Chapter was at the barricades – and highly visible in the press – for much of the year. And yet, at the same time, the organization itself grew and is healthier than ever, largely thanks to Executive Director Urszula Masny-Latos, who put in overtime for several months on end. We now have more members than ever, at 310. Student members have continued to take on greater leadership and to grow in numbers. (See Benjamin Evans’ article, p.8.) And, as Brenda Star Adams writes, the Street Law Clinics uses student skills to bring legal know-how to community groups. (See p.9.) The Lawyer Referral Service remains a vibrant way for Guild attorneys to connect with new clients and to provide legal assistance when no one else would. (See Jose Klein’s article, p.9.)
For many of us, the sense of community that the Guild gives us is as important as the political work. This year’s annual dinner, honoring Mary Bonuato, Howard Friedman, Kazi Toure and Mary Lu Mendonca, gave members a chance to be in the same room with 250 others sharing a vision of a more just society. The March Annual meeting brought members up to date on DNC plans. The National Convention, this year in Alabama, was an opportunity to share information and inspiration with Guild members from across the country, as Barb Dougan, Julie Panino, and Damon Thomas report inside. And the upcoming holiday party will once again give us a chance to see each other slightly drunk on holiday spirits (or more tangible intoxicants) and laugh at Urszula’s cheating tactics in drawing raffle prizes.
The Guild is relevant, visible and effective. And it will continue to be so, as long as members keep giving their time and – just as importantly – their money. The costs of running an office, printing flyers, doing mailings, and rabble-rousing in general keep going up, despite Urszula’s tireless efforts and near-obsessive frugality. This means that in order for the work to continue, our contributions must also continue to rise. Give a little more this year than last year, if you can. Consider joining the group of Sustainers pledging $500 or more, if your resources permit. There are now 20 sustainers, thanks to the work of Jeff Feuer, David Kelston, and Judy Somberg, and these generous donors truly do sustain the chapter. (See p. 7.)
For the less well-heeled among us, smaller donations of money or time are equally vital to the Chapter’s health. Go ahead and send in a check for $25 or $50. Call Urszula and volunteer to help with a mailing or some data entry. Come to monthly Board of Directors’ meetings, which are open to all members, and share your thoughts. Bring a friend into the Guild. Come drink some cheap (but good!) wine with your fellows at the holiday party. And, above all, don’t take the Chapter for granted. It’s only as strong as its membership.

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