NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #31/NN_1992_31.iso/spool/alt/org/pugwash/93

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From: Student Pugwash USA <[e-mail]>
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Date: 23 Dec 92 13:51 PST
Subject: Re: *Tough Questions-Winter 93 News
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TOUGH QUESTIONS - WINTER 1993
****************************************************************

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

WELCOME TO WASHINGTON, PRESIDENT CLINTON!
BY BETSY FADER

`This is the first time in my voting history that I voted for a
presidential candidate that won!`   `Finally I`m voting for a
candidate rather than against an opponent!`  `This is the first
time in a long time I actually feel excited about an election!`

     These were not uncommon phrases overheard on November 3,
election day, 1992.  Well, at least not where I cast my ballot.
(I vote in Baltimore, Maryland - 70% Democrat.)  As I stood in
line at the polls for over 1-1/2 hours that Tuesday morning, and
listened to the men and women around me commenting on the voter
turnout (`Harry, can you believe this?  I haven`t seen a
voter turnout like this in forty years!`), I was caught up in
the collective feeling of enthusiasm of those around me, and
overwhelmed by the potential for change.

     In these post-election months, many of us are now asking
what the next four years will hold under a Clinton
administration, and what changes are soon to be in store.  With
transition teams in place and economic and science advisors in
consultation, I wonder just how President-elect Clinton will go
about solving the problems and challenges he has rather
unluckily inherited.

     And yet, while the future is uncertain, I can still say I
have never felt so inspired by a presidential election.  Beyond
the possibilities afforded through a change in administration, I
know that I, along with many in my peer group of students and
young professionals, for the first time feel we have the ability
to do something positive about the future, our  future.  Was
this created by Clinton`s ethos of consensus-based decision
making, or merely by the fact that a sense was instilled that
positive change is in fact possible through both collaborative
efforts and individual actions?  Perhaps it is a result of the
collective perception that social problems will be addressed
with renewed vigor and fresh ideas, if not increased budgets.

     From the perspective of a progressive, non-profit
organization, the premise for optimism is equally great.
Perhaps never before has the potential been so promising for
collaboration between government and the not-for-profit sector.
Given Mr. Clinton`s commitment to solving the country`s social
ills, and Mrs. Clinton`s close association with the
philanthropic world, opportunities for non-profit organizations
to provide feedback to government leaders may present themselves
more frequently and pervasively than ever.  It has been said
that Mr. Clinton will look to the ideas and ideals of non-profit
leaders and activists in addressing many of the country`s social
problems left unattended in the previous administration (such as
educational improvement, homelessness, health care reform, and
urban renewal, among others).  That Mr. Clinton is likely to
look outside of the traditional policy and decision-making
circles for his answers to these problems, many of us would say,
is a positive sign.  (I can certainly vouch for the excitement
of this organization when we learned that a team of science
advisors assembled for President-elect Clinton included several
Student Pugwash USA and Pugwash Conference  leaders, including
John Holdren, Jerome Wiesner, Herbert York, and Shirley Malcom.)

     Non-profit organizations, by their very nature, seek to
illuminate and respond to social needs not adequately addressed
by government, employing innovative, effective strategies to do
so.  Government would be well-served to learn better how to do
what we doQbe flexible, adaptive, creative and produce valuable
services on a limited budget!  And, as government`s openness to
philanthropic/non-profit perspectives is perceived by the
public, it would not be unrealistic to look for an increase in
citizen participation and activism in social causes.  Among
other things, partnerships between the government and non-
profits will enable policy makers to better understand and more
effectively serve the needs of the public.

     A November 17, 1992 article in the Chronicle of
Philanthropy noted, `People who have worked closely with Mr.
Clinton say he will be most interested in non-profits that
emphasize self-sufficiency and personal responsibility.` This
interest, and President Clinton`s commitment to non-profit
organizations,  may be realized through a variety of legislative
and regulatory changes.  These include: tax-law changes aimed at
helping charitable organizations, and a permanent tax break for
individuals who donate appreciated property to such
organizations; the creation of a trust fund from which students
could borrow money for college that could be paid back through
community service, including work at non-profits; and the
creation of a White House office on social service organizations
and volunteerism to coordinate the Administration`s efforts to
work with the not-for-profit sector.  Such an office could
address federal regulations governing non-profits and recommend
tax policy revisions.

     Many people have asked me what impact the Clinton
administration will have on Student Pugwash USA.  Well, it
probably won`t mean increased funding for SPUSA, given that a
federal deficit of some $4 trillion confronts the new president.
What I feel the Clinton administration does mean, however, is
that young people will increasingly be called upon to address
and help find solutions to social problems, and to set the
course for the future.  As this transpires, organizations like
Student Pugwash will benefit from the sense of empowerment and
responsibility instilled by the Clinton ethosQthat positive
change is possible, that we can work together to achieve it, and
that personal commitment will make it happen.   Such an ideology
is invaluable, and one this country can ill afford to do
without.  Speaking only for myself, but from the viewpoint of
director of this non-profit, I`d like to say, `Mr. Clinton,
welcome to the White House!`

****************************************************************

     Betsy Fader is a 1985 graduate of Vanderbilt University
where she studied political science and communications.  While
at Vanderbilt, she served two years in the Student Senate and
was later elected to the University`s Board of Trustees upon her
graduation from the University.  Prior to her arrival at SPUSA,
Betsy served as Parliamentary Assistant to a member of the House
of Commons in London, England, and then as Legislative Assistant
in a D.C. law firm.  In both positions, Betsy tracked
legislation and developments in alternative energy and clean
energy technology policy.  Betsy then served as legislative
assistant at the Association of American Universities where she
followed a variety of science and research issues, with specific
concentration in biomedical research policy and policies
regarding ethical conduct in research.  She has served as
Executive Director of Student Pugwash USA since 1989.