[Peace-discuss] Fwd: Your seat at the table

Sun Dec 7 03:11:28 CST 2008

It's the UFPJ national conference.

Note that Code Pink - which is also part of UFPJ - sent an alert
recently which called on the Obama people to meet w reps of the peace
movement. so there is already a pending request that folks could chime
in on.

On Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 8:13 PM, Barbara kessel <barkes at gmail.com> wrote:
> Dave, Rachel, Laurie, John, et al,
>       I like the way this idea is morphing. Just want everyone to know that
> UFPJ is meeting in Chicago next weekend December 12 - don't know the scope,
> but probably Illinois. Perhaps Mort or Naiman would know. So this idea
> should be taken to that marketplace, no?
>       Personally, I think that getting our "document" on to their online
> network that is apparently open to ten million people would be bigger than
> getting some kind of face-to-face meeting. For that virtual strategy we
> undoubtedly need more clout also and need to be talking to the groups you
> mentioned, Dave. Barbara
>
>
> On Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 7:22 PM, unionyes <unionyes at ameritech.net> wrote:
>>
>> AWARE probably wouldn't be deemed importent enough, BUT,
>> AWARE could take the initiative to get UFPJ and IVAW ( Iraq Veterens
>> Against the War ) together to make a request for a meeting.
>> And we cou ld probably also get CODEPINK and other good national
>> organizations on board in a " coalition " effort.
>>
>> David J.
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: John W.
>> To: Barbara kessel
>> Cc: Peace Discuss
>> Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2008 5:10 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Peace-discuss] Fwd: Your seat at the table
>> The way I read the Podesta letter, you (as an individual or as an
>> organization) can at a minimum submit your suggestions for their perusal and
>> publication on their web site.  If your organization is deemed to be
>> important enough, however they define that, then you could also actually
>> meet physically with some member(s) of the Obama transition team.  See below
>> under "Scope":
>>
>> 2. Meetings: The date and organizations represented at official meetings
>> in the Transition headquarters or agency offices, with any documents
>> presented as noted above.
>>
>> With all due respect, I doubt that AWARE would be deemed important enough
>> for a personal meeting, but you never know.  I'm guessing that such
>> face-to-face meetings are reserved for national organizations like the ACLU,
>> the Sierra Club, etc.
>>
>> John Wason
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 12:03 PM, Barbara kessel <barkes at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> As near as I can tell from exploring this change.gov website, we might be
>>> able to submit our "document" of the demands in the areas of foreign policy,
>>> (which I believe is the flyer for today's
>>> demonstration.) Supposedly it then becomes available to the rest of the
>>> readers of the website for commentary. That is what "Seat at the Table"
>>> means - it is a virtual seat. why not? Barbara Kessel
>>> P.S. My understanding of virtual things is pretty limited, so I am
>>> waiting to be corrected about what is possible.
>>>
>>
>>>
>>> On Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 9:29 AM, Rachel Storm <rstorm2 at illinois.edu>
>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hm, perhaps we at AWARE should consider putting together a meeting with
>>>> the Obama-Biden team?
>>>>
>>>> Rachel
>>>> International Studies/ Transnational Gender Studies
>>>> WIMSE Program Assistant
>>>> Forte International Exchange Local Rep.
>>>> (630) 677.7219
>>>> 402 S. Race St, Apt. 2
>>>> Urbana, IL. 61801
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Dear Rachel,
>>>>
>>>> Everyday, we meet with organizations that present ideas for the
>>>> Transition and the incoming Obama-Biden Administration. In past transitions,
>>>> meetings like this have been held behind closed doors.
>>>>
>>>> Not anymore. Today, every Obama-Biden Transition staff member received a
>>>> memo outlining the "Seat at the Table" Transparency Policy. I've included a
>>>> copy of it below.
>>>>
>>>> The policy is pretty simple: the people and groups we're meeting with,
>>>> the subjects of the meetings, and any documents shared in the meetings will
>>>> now be made available on Change.gov. Most importantly, the American public
>>>> can weigh in with comments or their own materials.
>>>>
>>>> Read the memo and watch our "Seat at the Table" video:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> This is our latest step toward a more transparent and accessible
>>>> Transition. We look forward to benefitting from the many more voices that
>>>> will now be a part of the decision-making process.
>>>>
>>>> Thank you,
>>>>
>>>> John
>>>>
>>>> John D. Podesta
>>>> Co-chair
>>>> The Obama-Biden Transition Project
>>>>
>>>> ________________________________
>>>> MEMORANDUM
>>>> From: John Podesta
>>>> To: All Obama-Biden Transition Project Staff
>>>> Date: December 4, 2008
>>>> Re: "Seat at the Table" Transparency Policy -- EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
>>>>
>>>> Overview:
>>>> As an extension of the unprecedented ethics guidelines already in place
>>>> for the Obama-Biden Transition Project, we take another significant step
>>>> towards transparency of our efforts for the American people. Every day, we
>>>> meet with organizations who present ideas for the Transition and the
>>>> Administration, both orally and in writing. We want to ensure that we give
>>>> the American people a "seat at the table" and that we receive the benefit of
>>>> their feedback.
>>>>
>>>> Accordingly, any documents from official meetings with outside
>>>> organizations will be posted on our website for people to review and comment
>>>> on. In addition to presenting ideas as individuals at www.change.gov, the
>>>> American people deserve a "seat at the table" as we receive input from
>>>> organizations and make decisions. In the interest of protecting the personal
>>>> privacy of individuals, this policy does not apply to personnel matters and
>>>> hiring recommendations.
>>>>
>>>> Scope:
>>>> The following information will be posted on our website:
>>>> 1. Documents: All policy documents1 and written policy recommendations
>>>> from official meetings2 with outside organizations.
>>>> 2. Meetings: The date and organizations represented at official meetings
>>>> in the Transition headquarters or agency offices, with any documents
>>>> presented as noted above.
>>>>
>>>> This scope is a floor, not a ceiling, and all staff are strongly
>>>> encouraged to include additional materials. Such materials could include
>>>> documents (recommendations, press releases, etc.) presented in smaller
>>>> meetings or materials or made public by the outside organization without a
>>>> connection to an official meeting.
>>>>
>>>> If you have any questions as to whether documents should be included,
>>>> please email [REDACTED].
>>>>
>>>> Process:
>>>> Prior to an official meeting with an outside organization or
>>>> organizations, Obama-Biden Transition Project staff members will inform
>>>> attendees that any documents provided will be posted on our "Seat at the
>>>> Table" website found at www.change.gov. Suggested language for email
>>>> invitations is: "By presenting or submitting any document at a meeting with
>>>> the Obama-Biden Transition Project, you agree to allow the document to be
>>>> made public and posted on www.change.gov." At the completion of each meeting
>>>> or upon receipt of such documents, Transition staff will provide the
>>>> documents to [REDACTED] with the date of the meeting, a list of the
>>>> organizations in attendance, and the topic of the meeting.
>>>>
>>>> Notes:
>>>> 1) This policy does not apply to non-public or classified information
>>>> acquired from the Agency Review Process and internal memorandum.
>>>> 2) An "official meeting" is defined as a meeting with outside
>>>> organizations or representatives of those organizations to which three or
>>>> more outside participants attend.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Copyright policy
>>>>
>>>> This email was sent to: rstorm2 at uiuc.edu
>>>>
>>>> To unsubscribe, go to: http://www.change.gov/unsubscribe
>>>>
>>>>
>>
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-- 
Robert Naiman
Just Foreign Policy
www.justforeignpolicy.org
naiman at justforeignpolicy.org

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