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We are studying the convention documents. We think it is helpful to learn about the work of clubs around the country. We want to share the voices of some club members and some of our experiences.

The Fair Haven club is a neighborhood club in a multi-racial, multi-national neighborhood. It is full of beautiful people. There are a lot of problems like unemployment and gangs on the street and people are looking to solve them.

We are taking hold and helping people understand why all these problems exist and that they can be solved working together as a community.

Our members have complicated work schedules. We solved the problem of finding a common meeting time by meeting once a month on the weekend and once a month on a weekday over lunch.

Bringing each week’s People’s World to 60 households, discussing articles in club meetings and then turning that into participation in neighborhood activities is an important part.

Through the election of our Alderwoman we helped change the political climate in our ward from one of intimidation and non-participation to one of involvement and improving the quality of life. Our ward had the largest increase in voter turnout during the election of President Barack Obama.

Our neighborhood is deeply hurting, like the experience of our club chair. She says,

“I am a single parent who worked three part-time jobs at different levels. In March of 2009 I lost one due to cutbacks, and the other two jobs are cut back some. I found one to make up a few hours but in this day it is hard to find a job because there are so many other people looking also. I can only hope that this situation will soon get better. I know what it is like to worry about a mortgage, utilities and everything else that must be paid, besides how to feed your family and get all the basic needs. I am sure there are many, many people who are in the same boat as me. All we can do is continue to stride forward and remember we are not the only one.”

Another member of our club took early retirement last year when layoffs hit the industrial factory where he worked. He says,

“The country is broke. We aren’t manufacturing anything here except a few computers, cars and military equipment. The corporations took the jobs abroad for even higher profits. We need to bring back manufacturing to deliver good jobs to the people.. Also, the big corporations don’t pay taxes and it raises the cost of living for working people. They should pay.”

As the campaign for job creation heats up, our neighborhood will be a part. We hope to organize people in the community so they can contribute. People who are out of work and can’t afford school can get involved.

The contradictions of capitalism are everywhere, with people out of work and jobs needing to be done, people without health care and neighborhood clinics in need of resources when they should be able to provide healthcare as a right.

Two new elementary schools in our neighborhood were supposed to be accessible for community activities, but they do not have the funds. A club member who works with seniors is now helping the middle school reach out to community members over 55 to get involved at the school.. As a Peace Commissioner in the city, he is leading an effort to plant a peace tree at a neighborhood park on International Peace Day. He says,

“Fair Haven is a good place for a peace tree because there are so many different nationalities here. The peace tree and plaque and a big celebration with folkloric cultural presentations and foods from many nations will bring people together in unity If the troops are brought home from Afghanistan and Iraq, $200 billion would be available for people’s needs here.”

Another club member is a parent of five and leader for quality, bi-lingual public education. In a neighborhood survey we did on her block, education and safety were the number one concerns. We organized a meeting and met with the community police representative and got protection when the school bus brings children home to a busy corner. Another issue is Spanish language interpretation for parents when they go to their childrens’ school. She says

“I believe in equality and justice. Our communities need and will work together for a better today, tomorrow and future. Education is the key to power. We need to be educated and actively involved in our communities. We are all in this together and together we’ll stand!”

There is an excitement that things don’t have to be the way they are but fighting together we can see change taking place.

Our club works together. We help each other in our political problems and our everyday problems. When people become part of our club they feel part of a bigger community.

Working together on issues in coalition with other organizations helps us solve our problems more readily. Sometimes we can’t solve them but the struggle goes on.

We know that we need many more members to arise to this moment. More people are questioning the ability of capitalism to meet people’s needs. Our club is discussing what steps to take to become larger so that we can contribute more to the struggles underway and show that these struggles are connected to the possibility of winning a more equal and just society.

A club member who has been in the Communist Party for 74 years, a retired teacher and shipyard worker on the legislative committee of her union’s retiree chapter, shared what the club means to her:

“As a member who has been in the party and League for 73 years I still get strength and fortitude from my club and the Party working in the multi-racial class struggle in coalition and unity. Our club has been in this neighborhood for many years and it has had a profound positive impact in it because of the participation in their sturggles, helping and leading and electing a good Alderperson. I can feel and see a change taking place and people more ready to come together. Workers ready to make things happen on the side of the people.”

We look forward to getting many new ideas and educating ourselves more as part of this convention.

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