FW: CPC founder Bill Vandenberg to say goodbye; new Executive Directors announced
meredith Lopez
From: CO Progressive Coalition [mailto:c...@progressivecoalition.org]
Sent: Monday, May 05, 2008 8:01 AM
Subject: CPC founder Bill Vandenberg to say goodbye; new Executive Directors announced
Greetings from the Colorado Progressive Coalition!
CPC founder Bill Vandenberg says goodbye:
new Co-Executive Directors announced
posted May 5, 2008
Dear Colorado Progressive Coalition Friends and Family:
This is one of the hardest messages that I've written in my 12 years as a CPC founder and Co-Executive Director. On June 13, I will spend my last day with CPC and will then head back to the East Coast to take on an exciting new opportunity. If you'll indulge me, I'd like to share some thoughts about my CPC history, Colorado's progressive movement, and exciting new additions to our CPC family.
CPC'S ROOTS IN THE 1990's: TAKING ON THE RISE OF THE RIGHT-WING
CPC began in the mid-90s during a time of right-wing state legislative and ballot dominance, the Newt Gingrich led U.S. Congress, and the rise of Focus on the Family and other extremist organizations that pushed a narrow minded, hateful political agenda through "divide and conquer" style political scapegoating.At that time hardly anyone in Colorado was using the term "progressive," let alone naming their organization with it proudly in its title. Very few organizations then (and still too few today) placed racial and economic justice, voter engagement, and political accountability issues at the center of their agendas.
COLORADO'S EVOLUTION SINCE 1996; CPC'S ESSENTIAL, GRASSROOTS ROLE
Colorado has evolved greatly since the mid-90s and I believe that CPC has played a key, grassroots role in this change. Through direct organizing, statewide outreach, building dynamic coalitions, and developing new leaders and strategic campaigns, CPC has won many victories for social justice and community change.Among my favorite victories include: raising Colorado's minimum wage for 136,000 Coloradans; passing one of the nation's strongest laws against police racial profiling; knocking on 52,000 doors to play a key grassroots role in rolling back the terrible TABOR law; making prescription drugs more affordable; and kicking a notorious Pueblo polluter out of a hard working but low-income neighborhood. We at CPC believe in the need for lasting systemic change and in working to change the daily lives of people and communities for the better.
We've also built what is now recognized by many to be one of the nation's top community voter programs, an effort that this year will register more than 30,000 new voters and inspire 118,000 infrequent voters to use their voices through voting this November. We've brought thousands of new activists - including many beyond the self-identified progressive universe - into the larger social justice movement.
CPC has grown from 15 activists, no office, and $15,000 in the bank to 10,300 members in our non-profit and lobbying arms; 17 experienced, talented and diverse staffers from all over the world; offices in Denver, Greeley, and Pueblo; and an annual budget of $1 million each year. I want to say 'thank you' for helping to make this happen!
TAKING ON A GREAT NEW OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT SOCIAL JUSTICE NATIONWIDE
After 12 years as a CPC founder and Co-Executive Director, I've decided to take on an amazing new opportunity. In June I will move to New York City to work for the Open Society Institute, a dynamic foundation that advances human rights around the world. I'll be the Director for the new Democracy and Power Fund, a funding program that will invest in organizations across the U.S. that advance social justice, develop new leaders, and engage diverse communities, including people of color, immigrants, and young people. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity that'll also bring me closer to my family in New England.
While all of us here are excited by this opportunity, it's also bittersweet, too, as building Colorado's grassroots progressive movement has been my life's work for the past 16+ years, 12 at CPC. I've met many of you through campaigns, workshops, demonstrations, and community events, at the State Capitol, and in community centers in all corners of Colorado. I'll miss you but know that we're all part of the larger movement for social justice to build a brighter future for generations to come.
A SNEAK PEEK AT CPC'S NEW CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
While you'll soon hear more from Lisa Duran, CPC's visionary Board Chair and a great friend, I'd like to briefly introduce CPC's new Co-Executive Directors who will help guide CPC long into the future.After a lengthy and very competitive national search - with many amazingly talented candidates - CPC's Board and staff are excited to welcome Carlos Valverde, Jr. and Jason McKain as our new Co-Executive Directors.
Carlos Valverde, Jr. grew up on Denver's Westside and graduated from Colorado College (B.A.) and Regis University (Master's of Non-Profit Management). Currently the Senior Education Policy Specialist for the National Conference of State Legislatures, Carlos works with elected leaders across the U.S. to engage Latina/ o communities in closing the educational achievement gap. Carlos brings a wide range of community experiences to CPC, including working for Servicios de la Raza and the Daniels Fund, and is on the Board of the Chinook Fund (CPC's first supporter in 1996!) and the Steering Committee of the Denver Foundation's Non-Profit Inclusiveness Project. Carlos brings Colorado roots, program and staff development, policy analysis, communications, fundraising, and community expertise to CPC.
Jason McKain grew up in Texas and is a graduate of the University of Colorado, Boulder (B.A.). Currently the Director of Development and Director of Outreach for Free Speech TV, a national progressive network that broadcasts to 30 million homes across the U.S., Jason brings a wide range of community experiences to CPC. He is currently the lead organizer for the Colorado IndyMedia Center and, prior to moving to Denver in 2006, Jason played key leadership roles in Oregon's conservation community, including working as Director of Outreach and Member Services for SOLV, a group similar to Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado. Jason brings program development and management, media and communications, e-organizing, volunteer recruitment, fundraising, and community expertise to CPC.
Carlos and Jason will join CPC's amazing staff on May 27 and I'm very excited to work with them until my last day on June 13. Yes, there will be a farewell party! If you'd like to know the details - or send me a farewell message - please email c...@progressivecoalition.org or call me at 303.866.0908.
ONE LAST REQUEST: MAKE A SEND-OFF GIFT TO INVEST IN CPC'S FUTURE!
One last request: as a send-off to me and an investment in the next chapter in CPC's history, I'd like to ask you to please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to CPC. Your contribution will be matched by two generous CPC supporters, doubling any donation that you make today!So, my CPC friends and family, I'll deeply miss you and this organization which I've worked with you to build since 1996. I am inspired by each of you and your commitment to human rights and progressive social change and will remember my experiences here in Colorado for the rest of my life.
Thank you for all that you do to build a progressive future and for joining me in welcoming CPC's new Co-Executive Directors to our family.
In peace and solidarity,
Bill Vandenberg
CPC Founder and Executive Director
May 5, 2008
CPC Turns 12! Celebrating 12 Years of Progressive Change
Not a CPC member yet or need to renew your membership dues? Get caught up in two minutes at http://www.progressivecoalition.org and invest in our work today to build a progressive future for Colorado!
Colorado Progressive Coalition • State Office • 1600 Downing St. Ste. 210, Denver, CO 80218
Tel: 303-866-0908• Fax: 303-832-6416 • Email: c...@progressivecoalition.org •
Southern Colorado Office • 409 N. Main St., Ste. 318 • Pueblo, CO 81003 • Tel: 719-544-0866 •
Northern Colorado Office • 1403 2nd St. • Greeley, CO 80631• Tel: 970-378-6560 •
Web: www.progressivecoalition.org
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