Friends, Allies, and Community Members,

We are sending this letter to update you on some important developments at SOUL, which impact our program work and future direction.  As many of you know, SOUL entered into a period of assessment and strategic planning in 2006.  With the help, guidance, and input of organizational allies, past participants, and constituents, the Staff and Board of SOUL collaboratively developed an exciting strategic direction and program plan that deepens our commitment to support grassroots membership based organizations and moves us in the explicit direction of working not just with young people, but intergenerational leaders of all ages.

As with any planning and assessment process, places of difference and alignment amongst staff, board and constituents are often brought to light. During SOUL’s process there was political disagreement over the direction of the organization, the leadership structure, and SOUL’s overall strategy on how to best serve and be accountable to the broader movement.  After considerable discussions it became clear we would not be able to reach alignment and the program staff made a collective decision to voluntarily resign, a decision the Board fully supports. The Board is in the process of restaffing the organization. Though it is always difficult when political differences arise, we feel confident that this decision, which the Board and Staff share agreement on, is the right move.  As an ally of SOUL’s we felt that it was critical that we share this in the spirit of openness, honesty, and moving forward.

The SOUL Board, comprised of movement leaders, key organizational allies, past staff members, and past participants, is dedicated to the vision of the strategic plan and the vision of SOUL to more strategically meet the needs of the movement.  It is an exciting time for SOUL, and the Board is committed to not only re-staffing the organization but also supporting this new program direction in the coming months.

We invite your support as we move forward, and we look forward to working with you. We invite you to contact us if you have any further questions.  We can be reached at info@schoolofunityandliberation.org.  We thank you for the work you do in the movement, and we are excited about collaborating in new ways that further our collective vision of a more just world.

Pa’lante, Siempre –

Maria Poblet, Danielle Mahones, Kimberly Aceves, Stacy Kono, Erik  Schnabel, Sara Kershnar & Genevieve Negron-Gonzales
SOUL Board Members

Tina Bartolome & Neelam Pathikonda,
SOUL Former Board Members