Fundraising started for 2020 Vision Campaign
The Mayors for Peace 2020 Vision Campaign can only succeed with sufficient staff and funding. Hiroshima and Nagasaki have been spending more than 250,000 euros per year on Mayors for Peace activities alone. In a time of economic contraction, Hiroshima and Nagasaki cannot increase this funding to the level required for an effective, global campaign. Thus, the success of the 2020 Vision Campaign is entirely dependent on the willingness of other Mayors for Peace members to provide financial support.Promising results from a Belgian pilot project
On April 1st 2008 already 63 City Councils in Belgium have approved financial support the 2020 Vision Campaign. In 2007 we succeeded to raise over 15,000 euro, and by the end of 2008 we aim to raise approximately 25.000 euro from Belgian members, a figure we expect to grow each year.
International fundraising effort
Following an international Appeal launched by the President and Vice-Presidents of Mayors for Peace on December 21st 2007 today an increasing number of cities are considering to adopt the resolution, and we were happy to register the positive response of the Cities Leihhardt, NSW (Australia), Duncan, BC (Canada), Koprivnica (Croatia), Malakoff (France), Bloemendaal and Maasgouw (Netherlands), Riudecanyes (Spain), Geneva and Lausanne (Switzerland). The Mayor of Malakoff -a Vice-President- has also contacted the French members to encourage them to adopt a similar resolution.
We are now preparing to conduct fundraising campaigns in countries with conspicuously growing 2020 Vision Campaigns and Mayors for Peace membership. These include Austria, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, UK & the US. Immediately after the Executive Conference we plan to contact NGO’s and Mayors in these countries to receive input regarding the most appropriate approach to use in each.
By the end of 2008: 250,000 euros thereby ‘matching’ Hiroshima & Nagasaki contributions
By the end of 2009 : 350,000 euros
By the end of 2010 : 500,000 euros thereby ‘doubling’ H-N
Use of Funds
2. Sending campaign staff to the UN for lobbying activitie
3. Sending mayors, campaign staff and representatives to a wide variety of national and international conferences on peace, justice and environmental issues seeking to generate understanding and support for the 2020 Vision Campaign
4. Meeting and communicating with NGOs and peace groups around the world to coordinate our message and actions
5. Taking mayoral delegations to and hosting conferences and workshops at nuclear-weapons-related UN meetings.
6. Holding conferences in Hiroshima and Nagasaki
7. Hiring the services of a professional public relations firm to craft and help implement an effective media campaign
8. Hiring regional coordinators to assist the campaign primarily in the nuclear-weapon states, the Middle East, Africa and Central/South America
9. Creating first-rate printed and electronic campaign tools
10. Creating a global campaign database to promote communications at all levels
Control of Funds:
Funds will be raised and controlled through a new non-profit organization incorporated in accordance with Belgian law. The 2020 Vision Campaign Association will, in line with its Statutes, comprise:
1. A General Meeting, which will be identical in membership to the Executive Committee of Mayors for Peace;
2. A Board of Directors, which will be appointed and approved by the General Meeting; and
3. The International Campaign Secretariat, which will comprise those employees hired by the campaign.
Board of DirectorsThe Board of Directors will be chaired by the Mayor of Ypres. The treasurer will be nominated by the Mayor of Ypres and will serve as the primary controller. Other members of the Board will include representatives of cities and of closely allied international NGOs. Initially the Broad will be made up of nominees of the Executive Officials’ cities. The Board will meet and establish its by-laws, other rules, and a budget for 2008-2009 prior to the formal launch of Phase III at the NPT PrepCom in May 2008. Thereafter, any member of Mayors for Peace wishing to participate in the Board will be more than welcome to nominate a representative, and every effort will be made to overcome the barriers of distance and time.
International Secretariat
The initial members of the International Secretariat will be: International Manager Aaron Tovish, Secretariat Manager Pol D’Huyvetter, and Regional Coordinator Jackie Cabasso (USA and Canada). These three are currently being paid by the city of Hiroshima, but fifty percent of Pol DHuyvetter and Jackie Cabasso's current salaries and all raises in salary will be expected to come from campaign fundraising beginning in December 2007. The International Secretariat already has three local volunteers and two long-term EVS volunteers (European Voluntary Service) through a grant from the EU. Under the guidance of the Board, other staff will be added as jobs are defined and funds become available.
Banking and Budgeting
The International Secretariat currently has a bank account in Ypres that will be placed under the control of the Campaign Association. All funds raised for the campaign will enter this account.
The funds will be spent in accordance with by-laws, regulations and budgets produced by the International Secretariat and approved by the Board of Directors. The flow of funds will be routinely monitored by the Board Treasurer, who will help the International Secretariat produce quarterly and annual financial statements. These will be examined and approved by the Board of Directors, with periodic audits as required by law or by the Board. Financial statements will be reviewed annually by the General Meeting.
