National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund Report

The board of the NCPTF met in Washington, DC, in May for its semi-annual meeting. As usual, the May meeting includes a Lobby Day when board members and other NCPTF supporters are encouraged to set up appointments with their members of Congress to lobby for passage of the PTF legislation. This year we also celebrated the 23 years of committed leadership that Marian Franz has given to the Campaign. Marian has stepped down as Executive Director but still will be lobbying for the bill's passage on Capitol Hill.

There was a sense of anxiety and excitement present at our board meetings this past month. We are in the midst of transitioning from Marian's leadership to that of the newly appointed Executive Director, Alan Gamble. Marian has been the Executive Director since 1983 and has brought great skills, dedication and commitment to this task. She is well-known and respected in the halls of Congress. So, there was some anxiety about her relinquishing her role as Director. However, Alan Gamble, one of NCPTF's Congressional District Contacts in Michigan and a supporter of the Campaign for many years, brings a sense of excitement as he assumes the director's role. Alan has a passion for the task and also brings skills and abilities which should continue to bode well for the organization. Alan started as the new Executive Director on June 1 and is working with our out-going Interim Director, Tim Godshall, through the month of June. Tim will then be leaving NCPTF to pursue other interests.

On Thursday, May 18, a gala celebration of Marian's tenure took place at the Methodist Building just across the street from the Capitol. Fifty or sixty guests were present as we all remembered Marian's contributions to NCPTF. Marian was presented with a book of letters from friends and members of Congress along with a cash contribution. She also reflected on her years as Executive Director and the future of the organization. It was a fitting tribute to a woman who has done so much in keeping the issues of conscience and conscientious objection to military taxation alive and well in our nation's capitol.

By the end of June, there will be three full-time staff at the NCPTF office in DC. Alan Gamble will be serving as Executive Director. Chris Fretz continues his duties as Director of Outreach. And Daniel Longwing continues to serve as Office Coordinator and computer guru. There are hopes of hiring one or two interns to assist in the tasks ahead.

Most of the board's attention was spent on making the transition of leadership and to concentrate on fund-raising efforts. It is a continuing struggle to find sufficient funds to carry out the task. Not only do we feel we need to maintain our current level of activity but there is a sense that we need to double our budget to really be able to reach our goal of passage of PTF legislation. So we spent considerable time looking at structures and budgets and are considering hiring a part-time fund-raiser . . . perhaps along with another nonprofit in the area.

Conscience and Peace Tax International (CPTI) the world-wide organization of peace tax campaigns, continues to thrive. There are now campaigns in over a dozen countries and in places like Italy and Spain great strides towards conscientious objection to military taxation are being made. CPTI continues to have NGO status at the United Nations and regularly advocates for matters of conscience in both Geneva and New York City. CPTI is presently planning for its 11th International gathering in Berlin in October of this year.

I continue to serve as Chair of the Board and continue to appreciate the support received from MC USA. I still have a good of passion for this cause and would not be able to pursue this without your support.