Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/402/4581
From The Socialist newspaper, 21 July 2005
National finance meeting success
Around thirty members attended the national finance meeting on 16-17 July, with the aim of developing our finance organisers across England and Wales. Peter Taaffe opened the political session, with a report from his recent visit to Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. There was also a discussion on the London bombings.
Hugh Caffrey, Manchester
National treasurer, Jane James, reported that this year we raised more membership dues, subs and fighting fund than for nine years. Over £52,000 was raised through our week's income appeal - almost £10,000 more than in 2001. These donations financed our general election campaign, assisted the Committee for a Workers' International and replenished our contingency funds.
We also financed our participation at the World Social Forum and the March anti-war demo. We produced leaflets and posters in the build-up to the proposed pensions strike, and for the Make Poverty History demo.
The meeting discussed a resolution calling for an increase in our subs targets - all members should have discussions with a view to increasing their subs payments by November. A staged increase to the fighting fund targets, completed by the end of 2006, was also recommended.
It was agreed that all branches should use the fighting fund planners and fighting fund collectors' cards in planning how to reach their target. The few branches that do not have finance organisers should elect them as soon as possible.
Union caucuses should also appoint a finance organiser to discuss subs levels and to collect donations from union expenses to pay into the fighting fund. Every region should organise a finance meeting by the end of 2005. This resolution will go to the next national committee on 10-11 September.
There is a high level of confidence and pride in the Socialist Party among our members. Fantastic opportunities exist to meet young people at the schools, colleges and universities when term restarts. Socialism 2005 opens with a major rally and continues into a weekend of unrivalled discussion and debate of socialist ideas. We will be planning for a bumper fighting fund collection at this meeting.
All members can help - by raising fighting fund, increasing their subs, recruiting new members, taking part in discussions and reporting successes in these pages!
Why not click here to join the Socialist Party, or click here to donate to the Socialist Party.
In The Socialist 21 July 2005:
Hospital workers condemn terrorism and war
Iraq: War and occupation bring growing misery
al-Qa'ida: US imperialism's deadly legacy
Stop the War Coalition's missed opportunity
Karl Marx: the greatest philosopher of all time
Judge lets rail bosses walk free
Ted Heath, Tory premier who took on the workers and lost
Delegates fight to defend democracy at TGWU conference:
National finance meeting success
Home | The Socialist 21 July 2005 | Join the Socialist Party
Join us today!
Printable version
email to friend
