2004 State of NAAFA Address

Ladies and Gentlemen: My dear NAAFA Family and Friends,

2004.     NAAFA has been a civil rights organization for 35 years

now; since meager beginnings in 1969.  Thirty five years of providing
advocacy, education and support for people of all sizes of large!  I am so
proud to say that I have been a NAAFA member for over twenty years and get
just as excited and passionate about our cause as I did so long ago…..in
fact, in the midst of the current political climate and the blatant search
and destroy media mission called the “war on obesity”, I have renewed
commitment to volunteer and work for this beacon of sanity called NAAFA.

Since 1969, NAAFA has continued to have a proud history.  Strong leaders
and committed members of NAAFA have made an incredible impact on the lives
of others through their tireless dedication and efforts.  We need to take a
moment to acknowledge where we came from and give appreciation to our
former leaders.  We acknowledge our founder Bill Fabrey and his vision of a
better life for fat individuals.  There have been many, many effective
leaders that have stepped forward over the last 35 years – Conrad
Blickenstorfer, Leslie Dimaggio, Sally Smith, Lyn Meletiche, Barbara Altman
Bruno, Paul Ernsberger, Nancy Summer, Frances White and our dear Maryanne
Bodolay, to name only a few.

NAAFA has already accomplished a great deal in 2004.  Our new Board of
Directors have shown great enthusiasm and commitment to our cause for fat
acceptance.  We have made some difficult changes and transitions in 2004
most importantly: closing our Sacramento office and becoming an ALL
volunteer based organization.  Our new Board meets online almost every two
weeks to ensure that we can effectively steer NAAFA in accordance with our
mission. We have revised our constitution and bylaws to reflect our new all
volunteer status and to encourage effective leadership.

We have moved our web site to a new server, this has been a more difficult
project than expected; however, the results were worth the effort and we
are very happy that this is completed and much of the material on our site
has been updated. We anticipate great new articles and projects to be on
this site in the future.  We encourage all of you to come and visit the
website and participate in the discussion forums, also!

We have been able to lower our annual NAAFA dues….a regular membership is
only $35 a year and others with special needs may only pay from $15 to $34
on a sliding scale.  In fact, we have created a new level of membership for
those who are comfortable with e-mail communication only for only $26 per
year.  We want to make it clear that all Americans can afford to join and
reap the benefits of NAAFA!

Many of you are aware that NAAFA has created a new policy on
“feederism”-…..because we feel a certain responsibility to NAAFA and its
members and the public to encourage all sizes to engage in behaviors and
make choices that are HEALTHY and SELF AFFIRMING!”

We have established a great new format for NAAFA’s new online newsletter
through the capable leadership of our editor Bill Weitze and many who have
contributed some wonderful, informative articles.  In fact, again here is
an opportunity for NAAFA members to participate by contributing articles to
the newsletter and helping to support and build our community! We need your
time, abilities and talents!

NAAFA’s financial health has improved by leaps and bounds in 2004!  Carole,
my co-chair will give you more details on the financial end in a moment.
You have our heartfelt thanks for your continued support and we encourage
you to contribute to further the fight against size discrimination.

This year has been one of transition for NAAFA and has proven to be quite a
challenge…..we are at a crossroads----somewhat divided as to the direction
that NAAFA must take.  We all need to  choose to form a stronger, more
unified NAAFA….and WE CAN!

WE CAN widen our circle of influence and opportunity in this country.

WE CAN promote health and fitness for everybody at everysize !

We CAN DEMAND RESPECT and

WE CAN make NAAFA’s strong voice be known POLITICALLY and socially.

But how CAN WE?????

NOW is the time for NAAFA members to show the courage to ACT on our
convictions.  This is a SERIOUS time for our country and NAAFA needs meet
the challenge and be ready to champion our cause of size acceptance with
renewed energy and STRENGTH!  We must convince the American Public that we,
as fat Americans, will NOT sit silent to media attacks, persecution and
ostracizing of our precious  children who happened to be fat, we will NOT
sit by and witness discrimination in employment, education, insurance and
medical care………..

NAAFA WILL be a FORCE to be reckoned with and a VOICE for all Americans of
size!

I would like to repeat …..that each of us must SHOW the COURAGE to ACT on
our CONVICTIONS………….we must ALL make the choice to become an ACTIVIST in
SIZE ACCEPTANCE.

WHERE do you find that fine line between making a difference and just
“saying you will?”  You may be asking yourself….BUT what can I do?  I am
only one person.

US Activist Sonja Johnson reminds us…

“We must remember that ONE DETERMINED person CAN make a significant
DIFFERENCE, and that a SMALL group of DETERMINED people can CHANGE THE
COURSE OF HISTORY!”

So, how can you begin to become part of the solution?  Well, let me tell
you…….

Now is the time to give of your gifts of TIME and TALENTS---

Now is the time to VOLUNTEER for NAAFA nationally and through

your local chapters.

I am stepping forward tonight to VOLUNTEER- not only to co-chair our NAAFA
BOARD of Directors----but tonight I volunteer as CHAIRPERSON for NAAFA
VOLUNTEERS!  If you will step forward to advance size acceptance in this
year of change ---I will coordinate and organize our new arsenal of all
volunteers.  I WILL find you a place in this organization where your
talents, abilities and PASSION WILL be able to make a difference.  Email me
at kara_brewerallen@naafa.org and take the first step to finally ACT on
your convictions!

We LONG to be united!  We MUST be united!  Healthy choices and lifestyles
for ALL PEOPLE – People of any SIZE OR SHAPE!  NAAFA will be the leading
FORCE for all Americans of Size.

Do you want to be a part of that FORCE----Do you have the courage to act
and make NAAFA’s voice and YOURS heard?

To quote U.S. Social reformer, Marian Wright Endelman,

“If you don’t like the way the world is, you change it.  You have an
obligation to change it.  YOU JUST DO IT ONE STEP AT A TIME!”

One step at a time.

I ask each of you…….are you willing to STEP forward?

Thank you!  Onward and upward!

Kara Brewer Allen

Co-Chair, NAAFA Board of Directors

August 2004

http://www.naafa.org/