Funding proposal for
Sovereignty International, Inc.
P.O. Box 220, Lubec, ME 04652
This proposal seeks funding for five specific projects:
(1) State coordination $96,000
(2) Global warming conference $8,000
(3) American Nuclear Society $6,000
(4) UN meeting participation $24,000
(5) Speaker's bureau support $20,000
Total $154,000
State coordination:
The most effective policy response is generated by real voters motivated to take action. These
individuals typically join together in local and state organizations in order to multiply their
effectiveness. Sovereignty International has selected eight such organizations to launch a CPR
(Coordinated Policy Response) demonstration project. The project is designed to provide
minimal funding assistance to existing organizations to enable them to respond effectively to
events at the local level, and in a coordinated fashion, to national events and issues.
Sovereignty International is requesting $12,000 for each of eight organizations. Some of the
organizations are 501(C)(3) qualified, and could receive grants directly. Others are not
recognized by the IRS, but have demonstrated outstanding capability to activate their
membership. Sovereignty International will assume IRS responsibility for the distribution and
utilization of funds, and will not require any administrative fee. Every dollar will go directly to
the identified organizations.
Each of the organizations has been selected because of a long, well established relationship with
Sovereignty International, and has indicated a willingness to participate in a coordinated program
to promote alternatives to the Kyoto Protocol and administrative measures to implement the
Protocol before Senate ratification. Organizations selected include:
New Mexico - The PAJE Foundation (People's Alliance for Jobs and the Environment). This
unique organization consists of individuals who are employed by, or are officers of every major
resource group in New Mexico. Organized expressly to provide coordinated response through
their respective organizations, PAJE has demonstrated its ability to influence the outcome of
several local and national issues. PAJE is a 501(C)(3) organization.
Maine - Maine Conservation Rights Institute (MECRI). For more than a decade, this
organization has been in the forefront of activities in Maine and in national issues. They are
largely responsible for the defeat of the Federal Northern Forest Lands Council study in 1991,
the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1994, and the forest referendum in 1996 and 1997. Its membership and leadership can be counted on to
respond effectively to global warming issues. MECRI is a 501(C)(3) organization.
Missouri - Citizens for Private Property Rights. This group organized to fight the Scenic
Rivers Act several years ago - and was successful at the state level. It has continued to be
effective at the state level, succeeding in stopping the nomination of a UN biosphere reserve, and
the withdrawal of a state-wide coordinated resource planning program. Through "Town Hall"
meetings and organized programs, this group provides excellent coverage of the state. This is a
501(C)(3) organization.
Kentucky - Take Back Kentucky. This organization is emerging as a consolidation of two
other organizations that have a state-wide membership of 14,000. Headed by Norman Davis, this
group is directly responsible for passage of one of the nation's strongest property rights laws.
This group is in the process of incorporating and has not yet received 501(C)(3) designation.
Pennsylvania - Pennsylvania Landowners' Association. One of the oldest grassroots
organizations in the country, PLA has developed excellent relations with the state legislature and
the Congressional delegation. With more than 1100 members across the state, PLA has an active
program, and will be a valuable addition to the coordination team. PLA is a 501(C)(6)
organization.
Florida - Citizens for Constitutional Property Rights. With county chapters across the state,
CCPR has sponsored petition drives that yielded more than 100,000 signatures on state issues.
Local meetings keep the members involved and active. The organization is well connected to
legislators and has a special relationship with incoming Governor Jeb Bush. It is a 501(C)(4)
organization.
Utah - National Federal Lands Conference. This organization originated the "County Plan"
concept to protect local government from federal intrusion. With members and influence well
beyond Utah's borders, the organization's leadership is particularly close to state and local
government in the west. This group is a 501(C)(3) organization.
Property Rights Congress - This emerging organization
consists of nearly 50 organizations, most of which are state and local
grassroots groups. Two of Sovereignty International's board members are
involved in the organization of this group, and are positioned to
ensure that global warming initiatives are promoted throughout the
Congress. This group has not yet secured IRS recognition.
Each of these groups have worked in a coordinated fashion with the Environmental Conservation
Organization and with Sovereignty International. All of the groups are motivated by principle;
none are adequately funded. Most are operated by volunteers. Three of the groups have part-time office staff when their budgets permit. Funding has been the most severe limitation to the
effectiveness of these groups. All have demonstrated a willingness and ability to cooperate in
national campaigns in the past - to the limit of their ability. They have indicated a desire to
cooperate in a coordinated campaign to inform and educate the elected officials in their
respective states, as well as the public at large.
The funding requested for these state organizations is to pay for basic expenses incurred as the
result of increased activities related to a coordinated campaign on the impacts of the Kyoto
Protocol and related global warming issues.
The cost of this project is $96,000
Global Warming Conference:
The EPA has scheduled a global warming education conference in Bangor, Maine, for April,
1998. Sovereignty International was denied the opportunity to present dissenting views. We
have, therefore, scheduled a "preemptive" conference in late March. This project requests
funding assistance for three speakers, (Dr. Kieth Idso; Dr. Patrick Michaels; and Bonner Cohen,
Editor of EPA Watch) facilities, and pre-event promotion activities.
The cost of this project is $8,000.
American Nuclear Society Conference:
Because our Vice Chair, Floy Lilley is a member of the society's executive committee, we have
the opportunity to designate three speakers at the society's national meeting in Long Beach, CA,
November 16-17, 1999. A one-day symposium entitled "Global Warming - Scientific
Perspectives" will feature 8 speakers, three of whom we can designate. We would like to invite
Richard Lindzen, Robert Stephenson, and Keith/Sherwood Idso to this group of scientists and
engineers. Abstracts and papers submitted by the speakers will also be published in Nuclear
News, and divisional newsletters. This is a unique opportunity to influence a group that is
unaccustomed to hearing both sides of the debate.
The cost of this project is $6,000.
Expanded UN presence:
Sovereignty International's effectiveness at UN climate change meetings is enhanced
significantly by the presence of additional staff. Two additional people will enable us to expand
our radio broadcasts and to improve the quality and frequency of our newsletter, World
Concerns. SI has taken a leadership role in coordinating the efforts of other like-minded NGOs
that send representatives to these UN conferences. Activities now being planned will be
presented in a separate project proposal submitted by the Cooler Heads Coalition. To coordinate
these activities and maximize the effectiveness both at the meetings and in America, we need to
send Floy Lilley and Mike Coffman to assist Henry and Irene Lamb. (This project does not
include expenses for Henry and Irene Lamb.) This project anticipates participation at the
summer meeting in Bonn, and COP 5.
The cost of this project is $24,000
Speaker Bureau Support
Five members of Sovereignty's Board of Directors maintain an extensive speaking schedule
around the country. Often, grassroots organizations that are most responsive and active, cannot
afford to pay travel and expenses. Our policy is to try to provide workshops, seminars, and
speakers whenever the opportunity is presented by recognized organizations, whether or not they
can pay. This project seeks funding assistance to ensure that any grassroots organization that
wishes to sponsor a conference on global warming and related issues in 1999, will be able to do
so.
The cost of this project is $20,000
These projects, added to our existing schedule of publications, conferences, Internet activities,
and radio outreach, will greatly enhance the effectiveness and impact of our message. These next
two years may be our last opportunity to prevent the implementation of policies that erode the
principles of individual freedom, private property, free markets, and national sovereignty.
Sovereignty International appreciates your consideration of this request.
Respectfully submitted,
Henry Lamb
Chairman