September 21, 2011

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We have some exciting changes to share with you about Border Action Network!   For nearly 13 years, Border Action Network’s organizational heart and soul has rested in building power in low-income immigrant and border communities through community organizing and advocacy. We believe that the individuals, families, and communities hit the hardest by our failing immigration system, and then scapegoated and criminalized by our state legislature need to be leading the movement for ALL people’s fundamental rights and dignity, regardless of their citizenship status.

The political, social and economic climate has been increasingly hostile over the past few years, and Border Action rose to the occasion by learning the ropes of state and national policy advocacy.  The Board of Directors and I have reflected a great deal on how we can sustain this multi-faceted struggle for the long-haul. We identified initial steps that will prioritize our mission of building power in border and immigrant communities while sustaining our policy advocacy:

• First, the board is providing support to a coalition of Arizona border organizations affiliated with the Southern Border Communities Coalition so that the Arizona coalition can assume greater leadership on issues impacting the US-Mexico border.

• Second, after ten years at Border Action’s helm, I have decided to step down as the Executive Director to dedicate my passion and skills to strengthening this coalition.

• Next, BAN’s board will hire an Interim Executive Director to facilitate a process of assessing our goals, strengths and weaknesses, and opportunities ahead.

• The Interim Director will pave the way for the final step of hiring a new, permanent Executive Director who can charge forward in an organization that is re-focused and with greater capacity.

As this transition moves forward, we will keep you updated and welcome your thoughts on what has made Border Action successful and what you see our future looking like. Please join us on Saturday, November 5, at Mercado San Agustin from 7-9PM, to celebrate our accomplishments at Border Action, introduce the Interim Executive Director, and share more about our future.

I am grateful and privileged to have had the opportunity to grow with and lead such a powerful organization over the last ten years. The decision to step down was neither quick nor easy, but I am very excited about Border Action’s future and confident in the Board of Directors’ and our Human Rights Promoters and Committees’ leadership. I am also excited to have the opportunity to work with other amazing organizations and leaders in the Arizona-Sonora border region and border-wide through the Southern Border Communities Coalition.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to Border Action Network.

With great respect,

Jennifer Allen
Executive Director

P.S.  I just wanted to remind you that BAN will be sending end-of-year acknowledgements for financial contributions made this year that you can use for tax purposes.

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