As we hire our ground team and launch the first stage of the OneVoice campaign, we count on all our constituents to support this effort with the same excellence that has brought us this far.
We have experienced commendable progress in the past month and are gathering incredible momentum, but the most difficult challenges still lie ahead.
We must all do our part to stand up and break the shackles of fury, absolutism, and hatred that violent extremists seek to cast on the minds and hearts of millions -success in this historic endeavor will require nothing less.
***Major Developments***
*IBM PARTNERSHIP TAKES OFF: The IBM International Foundation has approved a $422,000 inaugural donation that will enable OneVoice to complete the first stage of this important campaign. The contribution encompasses cutting-edge software, hardware, and consultancy services. IBM has assigned a team of full-time consultants to help refine and implement OneVoice's interactive negotiations platforms.
*BRIEFINGS IN MIDDLE EAST MOVE FORWARD: In addition to speaking with several Palestinian community leaders, Dr. Fathi Darwish, the Palestinian Executive Director of OneVoice, briefed Palestinian Minister Yasser Abed Rabo and representatives from neighboring Arab countries; David Leffler, the Israeli Executive Director of OneVoice, briefed former Israeli Minister of Science Matan Vilnay and other Israeli leaders on the initiative.
*PROCLAMATION BEING TESTED ON THE GROUND: The Proclamation approved by the Executive Team and the Steering Committee, and reviewed by the diverse Boards and Advisory Committees, is being circulated among Israelis and Palestinians on the ground to secure signatories. Assuming the team confirms that the present formulation is gaining traction, the Proclamation will become official and a "soft launch" will continue online and through signature drives.
* IVR PLATFORM DESIGNED: OneVoice is developing a state-of-the-art voice/telephony platform that will allow participants to vote digitally, through their cell phones or landlines. The platform is scheduled to be unveiled within four to eight weeks.
* PROGRESS ON THE GROUND: Palestinian and Israeli Executive Team members of OneVoice are completing marketing materials, reaching out to Member Organizations, finalizing communications plans, developing the infrastructure and the negotiations platform, fine-tuning outreach strategy, and strengthening the diverse Boards and Committees of the organization.
***Vital Statistics***
Number of
BODY Members Web Access
Steering Committee 13 www.silentnolonger.org/wwa_steering.html
Honorary Board Advisors 10 www.silentnolonger.org/wwa_hon_advisors.html
Board of Trustees 16 www.silentnolonger.org/wwa_trustees.html
Council of Experts 7 To be Unveiled in May
Ad Hoc Advisory Council 233 http://www.silentnolonger.com/wwa_adhoc.html
Entertainment Council 22 http://silentnolonger.com/wwa_entcouncil.html
Staff/Core Volunteers 6/15 http://www.silentnolonger.com/wwa_team.html
Donors/Members 143 Being Built
Committed Volunteers 78 N/A
Exec. Supporters List 496 N/A
Gen. Supporters List 958 N/A
Total Number Involved 1755
Member Organizations 18 Being Updated
Proclamation Signatories - Not Yet Disseminated
People's Mandate Sign - Not Yet Developed
Number of Core Issues On Which
Broad Consensus Has Been Attained None Yet
***REMEMBER***
“Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” -Margaret Mead.
We can and will amplify the heretofore silent voice of the overwhelming majority; we can and will empower moderates to seize back the agenda from violent extremists. Hard work lies ahead. But we will not waver, for too much is at stake.
Our goal is to achieve consensus for conflict resolution at the grassroots level, with a People's Mandate containing ten key points of agreement based on security, dignity, respect, and the right to build a better future for the next generation of Palestinians and Israelis-supported and signed on to by the broadest segment of the population we can reach, through a variety of innovative platforms.
The potential of this movement is nothing less than historic in magnitude. Our methodology provides a concrete path towards constructively unleashing the power of the people, bestowing upon them the responsibility and the ability to take back their lives-to make a difference with their united voice. With the challenges our civilization is facing, it is imperative that this initiative succeed. Make the pledge to get involved, and be a part of the solution.
