March 26th, 2009

Dear CJM Members,

CJM IS CELEBRATING TWO IMPORTANT EVENTS IN 2009
CJM 20th ANNIVERSARY AND THE RENOVATION OF THE CJM BOARD OF DIRECTORS

This year will be an important chapter in CJM’s history, because the coalition is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its dedication to social, economic, and environmental justice for maquila workers. CJM members also will be nominating and electing a new Board of Directors for 2009-2011.

During its growth and consolidation, CJM has distinguished itself as a pioneer, multi-sectoral organization in international organizing.  During the past two decades of implementing our mission statement, CJM has strengthened alliances beyond borders and looked for alternatives to the neoliberal economic model. The current financial, economic, environmental, and food crises offer opportunities to form new ties and create new models for organizing that can build a world with dignity and equality for all.

CJM is excited to be able to rededicate ourselves to our mission, the common denominator that articulates CJM members.  Our mission establishes relationships of understanding across distance, language, cultural barriers, and borders. It unites us as a strong multi-sectoral international coalition of organizations.

Because CJM is a coalition of organizations, CJM members will nominate and elect to the board those organizations they deem the most suitable to steer CJM forward.
Undoubtedly, the new CJM board will face big challenges in these difficult times. We can only accomplish our goals with the commitment and unity of a membership that grows stronger through the coordinated strategies of our organizations.

In the upcoming CJM General Assembly this summer, the new CJM Board and its members will develop an analysis of the current context. They will consider the sectors that are most impacted by the economic crisis and identify opportunities to build alternatives from a social perspective that also reclaims human dignity.

The CJM Executive Committee is inviting current board members to join the Nominations Committee and become part of the Elections Committee for the 2009-2011 Board of Directors.  This committee will call nominees to confirm their interest in being candidates, confirm candidates’ eligibility, and conduct the elections.

We are also asking current member organizations to nominate candidates for the Board of Directors.  Please follow the instructions and fill out the accompanying forms and return them to the CJM office by April 1, 2009, at the latest.  And please keep watching your mail for your ballot once the nominations process has ended.

In solidarity

Martha A. Ojeda

Click Here To Download & Print Form