Update: Thanks to my wife Millie, to Tony, and my parents for donating the $310 I had at my Friday 3pm deadline, and to everyone who supported my campaign, even if you did not donate at this time.  This campaign was not succesful at meeting my goal like the last two I carried out, but that is life, sometimes you win, sometimes you don't. I am already aware of some of the factors that contributed to not reaching the goal, and I think those lessons will help me be a better fundraiser in the future. 

It's not too late to donate, you can still contribute to SAF  right here or at saf-unite.org, and we will greatly appreciate your support.

iMuchas gracias!

Ron

Dear Friends,

I am reaching out to you to ask you to donate to Student Action with Farmworkers (SAF).

This September I am attending my last meeting as a SAF Board member. I joined the board in 2009, invited by phone by Irene Godinez, and I immediately accepted, because I knew I wanted to be a part of this great group of people. I am now at the maximum of six years allowed by our bylaws, and this is my last fundraiser while I’m on the board.

As its name suggests, SAF enables action between students and farmworkers. This is done in many ways, though 10-week summer internships where students are placed in organizations throughout the Southeast, through the Levante Leadership Program with farmworker youth in Benson, NC, through the Student Organizing School based in university campuses in the Triangle area, and through active participation in two statewide coalitions.

SAF is unique not only in the type of work it does, but also in how lives its’ values, including the following ways:

• Reflection: SAF engages in ongoing reflection about its work. Part of this is done at board meetings, where we make a space for discussing different aspects of the work where the staff needs direction from the board.  Reflection is critical for improvement, but organizations often forget to do it in a way that takes all stakeholders into account, which is something SAF engages in regularly.
• Relationship-Building: SAF believes that it is critical to build relationships throughout it’s work, to ensure that our community is heard and participates in building the organization. SAF has developed great relationships with students, donors, funders, allies, and between staff and board members.
• Joy: Board meetings are joyful, with good food, ice-breakers, laughter, and interesting discussions. SAF also celebrates achievements through lively events, and thanks volunteers and allies with thoughtful and heartfelt hand-written cards.
• Leadership: SAF is carrying out effective youth leadership development work. Many SAF alumni now work at ally organizations, and some are even engaged in national organizing work on social justice issues. We hosted a SAF intern at our house this past summer, and we got to learn about her family's farmworkers background, her own work on the fields when she was a child, and how the SAF internship had impacted her. The student interns are engaged through direct work with farmworkers to try to make a difference. The farmworker youth in Benson, NC, also have increased possibilities for university options and for job possibilities as a result of SAF's work. 
• Accountability: SAF practices accountability, between staff and board, with donors, and with the students who are at the center of SAF's work. SAF does this through ongoing evaluation of its work, but also in being transparent with its finances and the way it works. In addition, SAF is one of less than a handful of Carolina nonprofit organizations that is unionized, the true way to ensure that the organization's leadership is accountable to the staff.

SAF has been a rock for me during turbulent times, and I want to be able to give back to the organization as I step off the board. Will you support me by giving a contribution today? My campaign ends at 3:00 pm this Friday, August 28, and I need to reach the goal of $1,200 by then. Thanks for supporting SAF!

Ron