With Abortion Rights On The Brink, NARAL Splits Over New Direction

[WhiskeyGrinder]

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/naral-restructuring-abortion_n_60ecfee1e4b0d5140eb881fa?mp

In late June, NARAL Pro-Choice America released a new five-year “Strategic Roadmap,” a plan that its board of directors say will put it on a course to “become more proactive, more powerful, and more inclusive,” according to a copy of the document obtained by HuffPost. At the center of its efforts will be a deeper commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of its work, from the organizational culture to its electoral and advocacy work.

But it’s the decision to get rid of its affiliate network that is causing the most conflict.

NARAL currently has 11 state affiliates, which are independent organizations tied to the national organization. They set their own agendas and raise their own funds ― with some money coming from national ― while working with the other state affiliates and the national group.

As the Strategic Roadmap lays out, NARAL intends to turn to a “chapter” model, meaning the state groups will lose their independence and become NARAL staffers. The move gives the national organization more control over strategy, communications and policies. But whether that’s a good thing is where the disagreement comes in.

[Solly Mack]

1. K&R

[SharonClark]

2. I worked for NARAL 30 years ago and they do

not have the influence they once did. This new plan should allow a more effective use of messaging and strategy.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

3. My local affiliate is disaffiliating rather than becoming a chapter.