CREATION OF A

 MOROCCAN AMERICAN NETWORK

Working Paper

Washington D.C.

June 2007

I. BACKGROUND

• The latest American Census Report indicates that the number of Moroccans residing in the United States exceeds 100,000, and is fast growing.
• The characteristics of a successful ethnic minority in the United States consist of four main traits. First, it is economically successful.  Second, it is well assimilated in political and social institutions of the society.  Third, it enjoys a positive image in the society and is able to defend its members against ethnic hostility. Fourth, it lives with dignity and self-respect, which arises from behaving with courage and moral righteousness.
• The community of Moroccan Americans enjoys all these traits.  It is a highly educated and prosperous group of people, with a higher standard of living than many other ethnic groups in the United States.
• However, in order to wield a persuasive voice that can influence policies affecting our lives, both in the US and in Morocco; we must fully exploit our growing presence and our successes to empower our community socially, economically and politically.
• Therefore, we must organize and pull our resources together.  Our objective must be clear and our strategy must be carefully planned.  We must also remain united and speak with one voice.
• The time has come for Moroccan Americans to create a framework through which our combined ideas and collective experiences would be employed toward the most pressing issues facing us here in the US and in Morocco.
• We believe this process holds great promises for our community and for our beloved country of origin, and we strongly encourage everyone to be part of this historic effort.

II. OBJECTIVES

• Our main objective is to create a Nationwide Network which would be dedicated to the overall achievement and advancement of Moroccan Americans in the communities in which they live and work.  The network would promote the causes pertaining to the community’s needs, aspirations and goals.  This would result in great benefits to us domestically, but would also allow us to help and support our county of origin, Morocco.
• The network would become the largest and most influential Moroccan American grassroots organization. Working in coordination with associations and supporters throughout the United States, the organization would actively work to advance the concerns of the Moroccan American community on a broad range of issues.
• This civic organization would become the community’s preeminent non-partisan advocate representing Moroccan American interests, providing ever expanding opportunities for the active participation of all Moroccan Americans in the American democratic process at the federal, state and local levels, and working to strengthen relations between the United States and Morocco.
• Through its network, the organization would reach thousands of Moroccans in every state.  They would be a vibrant source of professional development, networking opportunities, cultural education, civic and political education and community service for our members.  It would also promote better understanding between American and Moroccan peoples through social, educational, cultural and charitable activities.
• The goal is not to create a federation since member associations would preserve their independence and their own unique identity, reflecting the specificities of their home state, city and membership.  Rather, the aim is to benefit from the coordination of the work of different associations in order to strengthen the community.
• In order to accomplish these objectives, however, we have to work simultaneously at the following various levels.

A.  Communications Link

• Find out where and how many Moroccans live in the United States, and identify states, cities and districts with the highest concentrations of Moroccans.
• Identify and contact Moroccan associations, clubs and organizations in different parts of the country.
• Develop an extensive mailing list (including address, phone and email) of Moroccans throughout the country with the assistance of the US Census Bureau, the Moroccan Embassy and its Consulates, local Moroccan clubs or associations, local Mosques, businesses, universities, etc., for the purpose of informing them about the activities of the organization.
• While respecting the privacy of other association’s databases, rely on their network which is already in place where they operate.
• Create and maintain a dynamic website for the organization.
• Develop a database on Government officials, Congressmen, Senators, think tank, political and intelligence analysts as well as lobbyists throughout the nation for the purpose of interacting with them on issues affecting the community.

B.  Professional Development

• To fulfill its objectives, the organization would strive to educate its members by undertaking a number of activities such as educational lectures and seminars on grassroots advocacy and civic leadership, conferences on contemporary political, social and economic issues related to Morocco and US-Moroccan relations.
• Host forums where members can hear about current issues from experts and discuss among themselves the pertaining issues.
• Provide capacity-building assistance to its affiliates who work at the state and local level to advance opportunities for individuals and families.
• Learn to achieve leadership positions available in the private, public and non-profit sectors.
• Create a strong internal social network by helping create jobs for each other and supporting each other’s business initiatives.
• Train activists in areas such as media relations, public speaking, lobbying and civil rights.
• Prepare the next generation of Moroccan American leaders through grass-root student activist campaigns, civil rights work, and educating them about the political process in the United States at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Support future generations by placing them in internships on Capitol Hill, media outlets, think tanks and federal agencies, while enabling former interns to participate in similar programs in Morocco.

C.  Community Service

• Minorities that enjoy a strong sense of solidarity without isolating themselves from the rest of the society tend to be more successful, so we must try to increase and strengthen our bonds with the people around us.
• Participation in community service programs, local politics, social and professional clubs would increase the influence of an ethnic group in communities where its relative share of the population is not significant.
• Members need to use their time and resources to help and support charities in their community, across America and in Morocco.
• Host local events such as soup kitchens, food banks and community centers in order to give back to local communities.
• Initiate and carry out various community-service projects.
• Members should also leverage the resources of their companies, universities, and associations to raise money and awareness for community organizations in the US and Morocco.

D.  Cultural Awareness

• Sponsor lecture series and symposiums seeking to heighten the awareness of the American public, US government officials and policy-makers as to the accurate economic and political situation in Morocco.
• Offer regular conferences, seminars and workshops for government, media professionals and the academic community. 
• Maintain direct links and contacts with local governments and school districts.
• Organize cultural events to promote Morocco’s rich traditions, heritage, arts and literature.
• Support and deepen US-Moroccan relationships based upon a common vision of democracy, the rule of law, open markets and regional security.
• Promote public and private civil society initiatives within Morocco.

E.  Coalitions

• These are major non-Moroccan groups.  They include Arab, Moslem and other minority groups.
• Establish strategic relationships and work in close cooperation with key activists and community leaders.
• Establish an outreach program where groups from the Network would work to build strong relationships with other communities.
• Joining other civil rights organizations and working with other ethnic groups has many benefits.  First, one could learn from their experience in political and social campaigns, and second, by supporting their causes we can count on their support for our causes.

F.  Research

• Work as an information clearinghouse by regularly publishing position papers, press releases, fact sheets, reference material and regional newsletters on issues that concern the Moroccan American community.
• Support the Network’s programs with research, analysis, and links to the scholarly community.
• Conduct empirical research studies on subjects relevant to the Moroccan American community, including gathering and analyzing data.

G.  Media

• Maintain proactive, coordinated and regular communication with Moroccan and American media.
• Organize media campaigns, and send editorials and add campaigns to major and local newspapers.
• Our target audiences should include the Administration, Members of Congress and their staff, think tanks, academicians and the Moroccan American community.
• Promote Moroccan American issues and become a critical source for media seeking reliable information and informed viewpoints on Moroccan issues.
• Work in conjunction with local and national media to ensure an accurate portrayal of Morocco and Moroccans is presented to the American public.
• Monitor local and national media to challenge negative stereotypes, but also to applaud and encourage positive representations.
• Support existing and future Moroccan newspapers in the US.
• Encourage the establishment of a Moroccan radio and television stations as this will help create a sense of common identity and ethnic solidarity.  It will also serve as an instrument for cultural entertainment, civil rights awareness, and will help introduce potential community leaders to Moroccan Americans.

H.  Action Alerts

• To empower the Moroccan American community, issue timely briefings and “Action Alerts” as a means of generating a grassroots response to critical political, social and media-related issues.
• Use an email list to communicate information and news for the American Moroccan community.  Subscribers would receive news release and other materials dealing with Moroccan American positions on issues of importance.
• These alerts will produce overwhelming results and will have a significant impact in bringing about change.
• Write Open Letters to the President, the Secretary of State, Key Congressional Senate and House Members regarding critical issues.

I.  Political Awareness

• Ensure that our issues are heard on Capitol Hill by lobbying and advising leaders from state capitals to the U.S. Capitol, and from the local party offices to the National Committees.

• To increase Moroccan participation in the political arena, organize workshops for Moroccan constituents in key states, and host regular meetings with U.S. Presidents, members of the administration, members of Congress, their staff, governors, and members of state legislators, county commissioners and others.
• Provide Moroccan American voters with up-to-date information about the positions of candidates on Moroccan American concerns.  Endorse candidates, organize voter registration drives and distribute Candidate Questionnaires, Congressional Report Cards and Election Guides to Moroccan American voters.
• On every level, building a strong, effective and respected Moroccan voice in Washington and across the country.  Mobilize Moroccan Americans in all 50 states to contact their Members of Congress and the White House on pending legislation and critical policy issues affecting Morocco and Moroccan Americans.
• Aggressively engage in political activities across the country in order to support, politically and financially, the incumbents and the challengers who reflect our priorities and principles.  Award Congressmen and Senators for their outstanding public service, commitment and dedication to Moroccan issues.  Organize leadership trips to Morocco for Members of Congress, governors and other leaders.
• Participate in the American electoral process at the federal, state, and local levels, and orchestrate aggressive on-line political campaigns to educate elected officials about the Moroccan American community and Moroccan American issues.  Monitor legislation and government activities and then respond on behalf of the Moroccan American community.
• Become active in political advocacy by getting involved in more legislative and policy initiatives aimed at broadening and deepening US-Morocco relations and increasing US aid levels to Morocco in order to promote economic and democratic development.
• Lobby for and support any initiative intended to guarantee Moroccan territorial integrity.
• Encourage Moroccan Americans to run for political office and participate in local and national politics.

III. NETWORK PLATFORM

A.  Organization

• Create a private and legal, nonprofit, nonpartisan, national organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.
• Apply for a 501(c) 3 tax-exempt status, so dues and donations are tax-deductible.

B.  Membership

• Our people are our greatest resource, and the organization should strive to work with everyone in our community and provide a platform for working on the opportunities and challenges of society.
• Membership will therefore consist of large and small associations, growing and well established associations.
• The growth of the organization cannot be sustained without the strength of a large and consistent membership base.  The viability of any membership organization depends on just that - its members.  Active membership is therefore important to the organization. Without your participation, your voice is not heard and our organization is weaker by one... YOU!
• By becoming a member you will be part of a network of Moroccan Americans, making connections and strategizing with people from around the US on matters of concern to us as a minority living in this country.
• Your membership will convey to Washington decision makers that non-partisan leaders and organizations in our community are united in purpose and priority.
• We must present a common voice to those in the executive and legislative branches that make policy decisions directly impacting Morocco and the Moroccan community.
• The organization would be maintained by annual pledges from its affiliates, endowments, fund raising events and individual donations.
• Grassroots means nothing without the "roots". And that's YOU!

C.  Structure

• The organization shall be governed by an all volunteer Board of Directors which is the highest legislative body of the organization.  The affairs and business of the organization shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Directors.
• An Executive Committee shall be elected by the Board of Directors to administer the business of the organization and exercise the full authority of the Directors.
• The Board of Directors may appoint such other operating committees, special committees or ad hoc committees.
• More details will be found in the By-Laws concerning: name of the organization, purpose and activities, membership and dues, composition of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, votes and elections, regulation of internal affairs, committees, officers and general provisions.
• Before finalization, the structure of the organization and its By-Laws will be thoroughly discussed for approval by all participants in the upcoming Moroccan Americans Second annual convention in Washington D.C. on June 23, 2007.