To:    All Fellow Workers in the IWW
Re:     On Nomination to the Office of General Secretary Treasurer of the IWW in 2006.
I accept the nomination for the office of General Secretary Treasurer of the IWW in 2006, and thank those who have offered their support and encouragement.
I realize that the office of GST it is not an easy job, and realize that FW Buss has done much for the union during her tenure.  I also realize that there is even more that needs to be done, and I have seen good Wobs take a beating trying to maintain the GHQ.  Every GST brings different strengths and different weaknesses to the job . . . Some are good fund-raisers, some able administrators, some good spokespersons, others good at internal relations . . . and each has to try to be all of these things. Should I be elected, I can only promise to do give my all to see that the expectations of the union are met and exceeded in the coming year.
I have been proud to serve the IWW in the past . . . five terms on the General Executive Board,  Secretary of the GDC from 2001 to 2004, as Branch Secretary to the Ohio Valley GMB for 2003-2004, and numerous other Committee positions . . . and will be proud to continuing serving the IWW in the years ahead.
If elected GST, I will move the GHQ to Cincinnati, Ohio.  Although we have a small and relatively new General Membership Branch in Cincinnati, the branch has stated that they are very keen on taking on the challenge, and have promised support.  We are already scouting locations for an office, which we hope to locate in the Northside area (a rare pocket of progressives in an otherwise conservative city), which is easily accessible from Downtown and the neighborhoods around the University, where most of our members currently reside.
I will begin working with the GST and GHQ this fall, to make sure that I am well prepared for the transition, should I be elected.  
As every GST must do, I will be diligent in maintaining the union’s  financial, membership,  and business records of the union, including branch and delegates reports, correspondence, minutes, etc, and I will provide for the operation of the GHQ as the union’s clearinghouse.
For my part, I will also try to set the following goals for my administration:
Return to regular production of the General Organization Bulletin:
My first goal will be the return of regular production of the GOB . . . with a minimum of 10 issues a year . . . Ideally monthly.  I think the GOB is the only sure way that the membership can keep abreast of what is going on within the union, and I will make the production of the GOB my first goal as GST.
Regular Financial Reporting:
Ideally, regular GOBs will help to keep the union more up-to-date on the finances of the union, and I will strive to make sure that monthly financial reports are filed.  To do this, I will not hesitate to ask for help from the Finance Committee . . .
It is my hope that I will be able to utilize the talents and abilities of others in the union who will be willing to serve on our key committees.  Knowing that we can utilize these resources will always be in the best interest of the union, and make for the most efficient and productive GHQ.
Improve Communications between the GHQ and the GEB
By improving the communications between the GHQ and the Board, I hope that we will be better able to focus on immediate needs of the union and long term plans.  My goal will be to report at least monthly to the GEB, to include in that report any significant communications that have come to the GHQ, updates on communications with the branches, and the needs and concerns of the GHQ.
Develop New Methods of Communications between the GHQ and the Branches
I will make improved communications between the GHQ and branches an important goal in the next year.  I have a number of ideas of how this might be achieved. Possibilities I will explore include a regular update to be provided to branches through their GEB contacts, and an e-mail list including all BSTs and the GHQ.  There will probably be a bit of trial and error until we find what works best for the branches and for the GHQ.
Enhance Union-wide Discussion in Preparation for the Assembly and Referenda:
One of the greatest aspects of the IWW is the fact that we are all leaders . . . To that end I will make it a goal that in the coming year to work to see that more ideas are discussed, and more voices heard in preparation for the Assembly and in advance of the annual referenda . . .
If I am elected, there will be changes, and no doubt some adjustments will have to be made, both by myself and by the members . . .
As FW Michael Hargis recently noted, in the last several years the office of the GST has been trying to do two jobs: that of General Secretary-Treasurer and that of General Organizer. The work as General Organizer (organizer training, speaking for the union, propaganda, fundraising) has been beneficial for the Union but it has also hurt the work of GST (administration, producing GOBs, financial statements, etc).  
I will make my first priority the administrative jobs of the GST . . . Admittedly, the Organizing is a lot more exciting and satisfying; but the grunt work needs to get done first.  That means other Fellow Workers will have to come forward and take up the some of the work that the GST has been doing in the field . . . organizer trainings, campaign support, etc.  That does not mean I will not give my all in these areas, simply that I will put my constitutionally mandated duties first.
With three kids in my family, I will also need to supplement my income by continuing to teach as time allows throughout the school year. However, this will always be a secondary pursuit to my primary responsibility as GST of the union, and I will devote a minimum of 40 hours a week to the maintenance of the GHQ. 
FW Buss has also done the union a great service in the way she has turned our Literature Department into a source of revenue for the union.  To see that this source of revenue continues, and is given the attention it deserves, I will turn over the management of the literature department to the Philadelphia GMB.  A plan to accomplish this has already been submitted to the GEB.
This plan will lighten the load on the GHQ, and hopefully allow us to concentrate on other areas of the job.  It will also reduce the expense to the union incurred from moving the GHQ, and allow the Literature Department to continue to be a significant source of added income for the union.
I have also asked that the Literature Department continue the distribution of the Industrial Worker.  It is edited and produced in Philadelphia . . . It only makes sense that it should be distributed from there.   Naturally, the GHQ would work with the Literature Department to make sure that bundle and subscription records are kept up to date.
As we enter our second century, the IWW finds itself ready to move forward with new vigor and determination.  I am renewing my commitment to the IWW; to its ideals, and to the promise that it holds.  I promise to give my all to making the most of the upcoming year; to work diligently, to represent the IWW honorably, to seek the guidance and input of the membership, and to uphold the duties of the office if it is entrusted to me . . .
In Solidarity,
                                                                                  Mark 'Cap' Damron