Amnesty International USA

Program Goals

P.1. Amnesty International USA will establish two to four national priorities every two years developed from the international Integrated Strategic Plan.

Objectives

P.1.1 National priorities will be identified through the human rights priorities process biannually by the Board of Directors.

P.1.2 The human rights priorities process will reflect input of members and staff about the gravest human rights concerns upon which AIUSA can have the greatest impact.

P.1.3 National priorities will be reflected in the development of the two-year work plan.

P.2. Amnesty International USA will make abolition of the death penalty one of these national priorities until that goal is achieved.

Objectives

P.2.1 A national strategy and campaign for worldwide abolition of the death penalty will be developed and implemented.

P.2.2 A greater number of effective partnerships between AIUSA and other organizations will be developed in the pursuit of abolition of the death penalty.

P.2.3 The general public will know and understand AI's position on the death penalty.

P.2.4 AIUSA activists will be sophisticated in their understanding of the issues and in their use of the tools for death penalty abolition.

P.2.5 Government officials with control over the death penalty system will choose alternatives to the death penalty.

P.3. Amnesty International USA will make combating racism and discrimination in the United States and worldwide a priority in all its human rights work.

Objectives

P.3.1 AIUSA members and staff will recognize the racial dimensions of human rights issues and carry out their work reflecting these dimensions.

P.3.2 Through the Campaign Against Discrimination Worldwide (one of the national priorities for 2003-2004), AIUSA members will educate, mobilize and act to combat racism.

P.3.3 -- A greater number of effective partnerships between AIUSA and other organizations will be developed in the pursuit of combating racism and discrimination in the US.

P.4. Amnesty International USA will develop its capacity to address economic, social and cultural rights and economic sector issues.

Objectives

P.4.1 By 2004, in conjunction with the international movement, AIUSA membership and staff will have an understanding of economic, social and cultural rights and economic sector issues.

P.4.2 By 2005, AIUSA will have a clear position on economic, social and cultural rights to present to the International Council Meeting.

P.4.3 By 2006, AIUSA membership and staff will have the capacity to work on economic, social and cultural rights and economic sector issues in accordance with international Decisions.

P.5. Amnesty International USA will support and strengthen work on behalf of individuals, including prisoners of conscience. We will integrate work on behalf of individuals into all Amnesty International USA programs and campaigns.

Objectives

P.5.1 All programs will identify individual cases for activists? work.

P.5.2 Activists and groups will have the increased capacity (materials, skills, information) to work effectively on behalf of individual victims and defenders of human rights abuses.

P.5.3 The general public will know that AIUSA works on behalf of individuals.

P.6. Amnesty International USA will require that all programs reflect the results of AIUSA's implementation of its multicultural organizational development (MCOD) strategy.

Objectives

P.6.1 All AIUSA programs and activities will advance multiculturalism as a core operating principle.

P.6.2 AIUSA members and staff will recognize the multicultural dimensions of human rights issues and carry out their work reflecting these dimensions.

P.7. Amnesty International USA will ensure that all programs provide opportunities for substantive membership involvement and for recruitment of members.

Objectives

P.7.1 Volunteer leadership will have opportunities to actively participate in their programs' planning and implementation.

P.7.2 AIUSA members will be identified and their capacity developed to participate as leaders in the national and regional programs

P.7.3 Each program will value members' expertise and respect available time and desired level of involvement.

P.7.4 Internal and external outreach and recruitment targets will be set and met by all programs.

P.7.5 Objectives will be set for each membership action that are specific, achievable and measurable, and inspire and empower volunteers and staff.

P.7.6. Multilingual outreach (e.g., to Spanish and Arabic speaking communities) will be used to promote human rights goals.

P.7.7 Membership development strategies will reflect the joint planning of national programs (e.g., OUTfront, PADP) and regional structures.

P.8. Amnesty International USA will work towards the recognition by all persons in the United States that human rights are fundamental to a just world.

Objectives

P.8.1 A larger percentage of the American voting public will adopt human rights as a value for their political decision-making and increasingly will turn to AIUSA as a source of information on human rights issues.

P.8.2 Youth (potential voters) increasingly will adopt human rights as a value and turn to AIUSA as a source for education and activism.

P.8.3 Activists will take responsibility for educating their communities about human rights issues.

P.9. Amnesty International USA will enhance its research capacity in coordination with the International Secretariat.

Objectives

P.9.1 AIUSA?s capacity for conducting research will be assessed and strengthened in order to maximize the quality and scope of AI research.

P.9.2 International policies regarding research by sections will be implemented by AIUSA.

P.10. Amnesty International USA will develop the capacity to demand a human rights responsive United States government at the local, state and federal levels.

Objectives

P.10.1 AIUSA will increase its capacity to impact policy and legislation in the human rights arena.

P.10.2 AIUSA will increase its visibility in the public policy arena.

Membership Goals

M.1. Amnesty International USA will recognize that all forms of membership are critical to the fulfillment of our mission.

Objectives

M.1.1 An integrated national membership organizing strategy will be designed and implemented.

M.1.2 Members will be aware of the mission and priorities of AIUSA and will understand how, as members, they contribute to the achievement of our human rights goals.

M.1.3 All members will know that AIUSA values them and the contributions of their membership role to the fulfillment of the organization's mission.

M.2. Amnesty International USA volunteer leadership will work together with staff to foster a culture of respect between members and staff in order that they more effectively work together.

Objectives

M.2.1 Respective roles of Board, members and staff will be understood and respected by all.

M.2.2 Awareness of, respect for, and sensitivity to our multicultural differences will be a standard that is commonly practiced by and among all staff and members.

M.2.3 Dialogue between members and staff to assure respectful interactions will be held as needed.

M.2.4 Members and staff will develop and use ?best practices? for organizing their work together.

M.3. Amnesty International USA will create and sustain a variety of structures through which a diverse membership can engage in human rights work and build its capacity to achieve Amnesty International USA's mission.

Objectives

M.3.1 All membership structures within AIUSA will be informed by and contribute to the integrated national membership organizing strategy

M.3.2 New membership structures will be created as needed to attract and engage diverse members.

M.4. Amnesty International USA will create and sustain local and student groups in ways that are flexible and accessible.

Objectives

M.4.1 Annually, regional growth targets will be set and met for local and student groups.

M4.2 Local and student groups will be serviced and supported through efficient regional structures and will feel valued by AIUSA.

M.4.3 Local and student groups will have clear and manageable opportunities for action.

M.5. Amnesty International USA will increase and diversify the number of people who select Amnesty International USA as the organization through which they work to end human rights abuses.

Objectives

M.5.1 Human rights issues and strategies that are relevant to a more diverse membership increasingly will be included in AIUSA?s programs.

M.5.2 Recruitment targets for a diverse membership will be set and met to achieve AIUSA's human rights goals.

M.5.3 The recruitment of new members organization-wide will be supported through the use of appropriate methods and technologies.

M.6. Amnesty International USA will retain more members and encourage lifetime activism.

Objectives

M.6.1 Individuals of all ages and life circumstances will easily access opportunities for continued involvement with AIUSA.

M.6.2 Policies, systems and processes that focus on supporting members and offer opportunities for continued participation will be developed and implemented.

M.6.3 Donors will understand and engage in additional opportunities for activism in AIUSA.

M.6.4 Activists will understand the importance of and engage in supporting AIUSA's work financially.

M.6.5 Members will know, understand and incorporate AIUSA's mission, core values, goals and operating methods fully in their work.

M.6.6 Members will feel they are a part of an international community of human rights activists.

M.7. Amnesty International USA will strengthen its partnerships with other sections and structures and the International Secretariat.

Objectives

M.7.1 Program priorities, goals and outcomes will reflect partnerships with sections/structures and the International Secretariat.

M.7.2 Work in international partnerships will be communicated to members to increase awareness of participation in the international movement.

Operations Goals

O.1. Amnesty International USA?s management will strengthen planning and evaluation processes, and communicate operational priorities effectively.

Objectives

O.1.1 AIUSA's management will use the strategic plan to serve as a reference tool for the creation of work-plans and budgets, measurement of accomplishments and performance review of staff.

O1.2 AIUSA's staff and members will fully understand AIUSA's national priorities and use them to effectively plan, carry out and evaluate their work.

O1.3 AIUSA's staff and volunteer leaders will understand and contribute to the planning, implementation and evaluation of the programs in which they are involved.

O.2. Amnesty International USA staff will work together with volunteer leadership to foster a culture of respect between staff and members in order that they more effectively work together.

Objectives

O.2.1 Respective roles of Board, members and staff will be understood and respected by all.

O.2.2 Awareness of, respect for, and sensitivity to our multicultural differences will be standard practice by and among staff and members.

O.2.3 Dialogue between members and staff to assure respectful interactions will be held as needed.

O.2.4 Members and staff will develop and use 'best practices' for organizing their work together.

O.3. Amnesty International USA will continue to develop, train and support staff to facilitate the fulfillment of its mission.

Objectives

O.3.1 AIUSA staff will have the skill, knowledge and expertise, as appropriate to their positions, to guide, train, develop and support members to accomplish the human rights goals of AIUSA.

O.3.2 AIUSA staff will have the individual skills, knowledge and expertise necessary to carry out their jobs efficiently and effectively.

O.3.3 AIUSA supervisory staff will have the appropriate capacity to guide, develop, support and evaluate their staff.

O.4. Amnesty International USA will develop and support the infrastructure and financial resources necessary to enable the organization to fulfill its mission and sustain its core values.

Objectives

O.4.1 AIUSA's offices will accommodate needs for productivity, security, health, comfort and accessibility.

O.4.2 AIUSA's information systems requirements will drive the development and application of the hardware and software management plan.

O.4.3 AIUSA will develop a versatile database that will ensure accurate tracking of and appropriate access to all membership information.

O.4.4 AIUSA's financial planning and activities will reflect continued commitment to maintaining financial stability and growth.

O.4.5 AIUSA's operational, administrative, financial and human resource policies, procedures, systems and staffing will be appropriate, responsive and effective, and understood by all AIUSA staff and board.

O.4.6 A comprehensive, accessible information management system will be implemented.

O.5. Amnesty International USA will utilize an effective mix of communication tools to significantly enhance information and idea-sharing within the Amnesty International community.

Objectives

O.5.1 An integrated internal communication plan will be created and implemented to facilitate direct communication throughout the AIUSA community.

O.5.2 Opportunities will be developed and implemented for broadly participatory discussions of policy, strategy, and emerging issues and avoiding information overload.

O.6. Amnesty International USA will increase the awareness of its name, mission, and accomplishments in the public consciousness.

Objectives

O.6.1 AIUSA's image as a global activist organization that works to protect human rights will be recognized by the public and attract new audiences and supporters.

O.6.2 Staff and members will have the capacity to conduct activities that increase the awareness of AIUSA?s name, mission and accomplishments.

O.6.3 AIUSA's communications efforts will broaden the culture of respect for human rights by reaching new, diverse and targeted audiences.

Governance Goals

G.1. Amnesty International USA's Board of Directors will be comprised of diverse and multicultural leaders who are AI members with the individual expertise and experience necessary to govern a complex non-profit organization.

Objectives

G.1.1 AIUSA members and staff will have an increased understanding about the role of the Board.

G.1.2 The nominating and elections processes will be effective, efficient, democratic and responsive to the governance, financial and strategic needs of the organization.

G.1.3 The environment of the Board will be welcoming and supportive of active participation by people from diverse backgrounds and having diverse experiences.

G.1.4 Members from diverse backgrounds and having diverse experiences will serve on the Board of Directors and the bodies to whom it delegates authority.

G.2. Amnesty International USA?s Board of Directors will set policy and provide oversight that is fully informed and accountable.

Objectives

G.2.1 Throughout their terms, Board members will receive the training and support necessary to fulfill their responsibilities.

G.2.2 Board decision-making will be sensitive to and informed by member expectations.

G.2.3 Members will have timely access to, more understanding about, and opportunity to respond to Board plans, decisions and actions.

G.2.4 Members will have opportunities for ongoing and constructive communication with the Board.

G.2.5 Board-approved policies, procedures and plans will be monitored for full and consistent implementation.

G.2.6 AIUSA's Board will monitor the implementation of the strategic plan regularly, and staff and members will know the degree to which the strategic plan has been accomplished.

G.3. Amnesty International USA will ensure that its elections and policy-making processes more readily facilitate participation and are democratic, accessible and appropriate to a large and increasingly multicultural organization.

Objectives

G.3.1 The purpose and nature of the AGM and regional conferences will be assessed and adjusted as needed.

G.3.2 Specific options for improving the resolutions process will be developed, presented to the membership and implemented.

G.3.3 Specific plans for improving AIUSA's elections process will be developed, presented to the membership and implemented.

G.4. Amnesty International USA will enhance the consistency and quality of its participation in international strategic planning and decision-making processes.

Objectives

G.4.1 AIUSA members and staff will be well-versed and actively engaged in discussions of international issues.

G.4.2 Members and staff who participate in international meetings will be respectful, informed and responsive, and represent AIUSA to the highest standard.

Managerial staff are expected to oversee and monitor the implementation of the plan they are responsible for. AIUSA expects to hire a part time evaluation officer whose job in part will be to track overall implementation of the strategic plan, with periodic senior management review. The Board has also formed a committee to succeed the Strategic Planning Team to review and monitor implementation of the strategic plan.

Update: AIUSA has integrated this strategic plan into all facets of its programs via our operational workplan and budget process for fiscal year 2003/2004. AIUSA’s Board of Directors assessed, advised and approved the official workplan in September of 2002. As such, each manager began overseeing implementation with the new mission, and our strategic planning goals and objectives at the core of a myriad of projects, programs and important initiatives over the last year.

Managerial and program staff have had the responsibility of overseeing implementation throughout the year. AIUSA Senior management has routinely reviewed departmental workplans to ensure consistency with the strategic directions and goals outlined. The Senior Management Team has scheduled a mid-year review to be held shortly to review and assess in detail the progress being made in implementation. Further, the Board will be establishing a committee to further evaluate the section’s progress.

We had planned to hire an experienced, part-time evaluation officer who would help with ongoing tracking and evaluation of implementation to ensure we are on course. However, due to financial constraints we have had to delay the hiring of this officer although we expect to move on this in the coming months.