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!