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The following are frequently asked questions. If you have a question not answered below, email us and we will try to answer it as quickly as we can.
Q: "What does SWOP do?"
A: SWOP is a statewide multi-racial, multi-issue, community based membership organization. For 20 years SWOP has worked "to empower our communties to realize racial and gender equality and social and economic justice." We work primarily in working class communities of color. We believe in the rights of people to determine our future, and to participate in decisions that affect our lives. We understand the only way we can confront the challenges facing our communities is to organize ourselves and build strong local, statewide, and regional organizations.
SWOP also believes local issues are linked with larger struggles throughout the world. We promote exchange of ideas, experience and knowledge with people from other countries and offer our solidarity to the working class of the world.
SWOP is an affiliate of the Southwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice, a regional network of organizations throughout the Southwest and border states of Mexico.
Q:"How is SWOP funded?"
A: We have diverse sources of funding. Most of our funding comes from private foundations like Solidago, French American Charitable Trust and Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation. We accept private donations, collect membership dues and sell SWOP products, including 500 years of Chicano History in Pictures, online in our cyber mercado. We are now accepting Visa and Mastercard.
Q: "Does SWOP do advocacy?"
SWOP does organizing. Organizing is bringing the talents, resources and skills of people in the community together to increase their collective power to transform themselves and their communtiy and work for social change. Organizing is different than advocacy, mobilizing, development or service work, but involves all of them. We build relationships and consolidate perspectives, thoughts and ideas into an organizational structure. We don't do things for people, we do things with people.
Q: "Are you environmentalists?"
A: We have a holistic approach to the environment. We define our environment as where we live, where we work, and where we play. We believe in the principles of environmental justice.
Q: "How can I get involved?"
You can become a member, volunteer or donate to SWOP. SWOP membership is made up of people like you who are concerned about our communities and are willing to do something to protect and improve them. Annual dues are $24 per year.
