Organizing to Win
     By Rosemary Rivera, Alliance for Quality Education Organizer

Perhaps you have thought, “Another postcard, what difference does it make?” Or perhaps you look at the state our nation is in today and feel a sense of hopelessness. However, I would like an opportunity to reawaken your passion for social justice and the reason why you need to continue to support this organization.

This year, Metro Justice helped to win a statewide campaign of historic proportions. This year’s state budget includes a new foundation formula that distributes school aid throughout the state by need rather than politics. And the increase in funding will mean that the Rochester City Schools will receive significantly more funding, ramping up to $141 million dollars in 4 years. Needy rural school districts will also see increases. Equitable funding will also mean many suburban schools will be helped out. Greece Schools will receive an extra $5.8 million next year.

Rochester was critically important politically in turning the tide and sending the message that education is a number one priority to our people.

Yet, the victory did not come easily. In Rochester, it took a wonderful core group of area residents, determined to achieve a quality education for children across the state. The AQE campaign committee of Metro Justice coordinated with similar groups throughout New York to provide the necessary pressure on our legislators. That pressure was achieved through phone calls, letters, media events, lobby visits and other such direct action. We want to thank all the Metro Justice members who helped out.

Direct action is not the only way to create change, nor does it always work. However, history will demonstrate that it was people who felt the personal responsibility to take action that created the necessary changes in our communities, our state, and our nation. That sense of personal responsibility unifies the members of Metro Justice.

Although phone banking is not everybody’s favorite task, it is absolutely necessary. This kind of work is what is needed in order to get to the desired outcome. In order to turn out 250 people to the March 22 nd town hall meeting with Joe Robach we had to make hundreds of phone calls. Our persistence paid off. Furthermore, some people who phone banked actually had fun. What could be better than getting together with other like minded folks and working toward the same goal?

During this campaign, we went door-to-door in Senator Robach’s neighborhood in Greece. When one of our volunteers knocked on a particular door, a woman answered. Our volunteer asked the woman to write a letter to Senator Robach in support of the issue. T he woman was very confused and finally figured out that the volunteer did not know who she was talking to. Finally, she said, “I’ll do better than that. I will talk to him in bed tonight about this issue.” The point is that working on issues can be fun as well as hard work.

Now that we have secured equitable funding, we can all go home and be assured our children will receive the best education possible, right? WRONG!! It is now that our fight begins in earnest.

Locally, we will be working to close the racial achievement gap and ensure local accountability and parent participation. There is no better time to join the AQE team at Metro Justice as we start from the ground up and address questions such as why are our students failing? What does a successful district look like? Where do we concentrate our efforts? We will be asking Metro Justice members to fill out a survey in order that we move in the direction people will want to see change occur.

In the meantime, it is not everyday that Metro Justice wins on such a large scale. Therefore, we are organizing a party to say thank you to all our members and allies that stood up for the children across the state. We certainly encourage each one of you to help celebrate as hard as you helped us fight!