Transitional Directorship Applicants
The Graphic Alliance Transitional Directorship
Elected July 26 - August 2, 2004
** currently active as of July 17, 2005
1. SABIHA BASRAI - Philadelphia, PA
My name is Sabiha Basrai, and I am interested in being involved with the Graphic Alliance. I have recently graduated from the Art and Design Program at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo where I focused in graphic design. I was an active member of the Progressive Student Alliance, and became director of the organization during my last two years at the University. My search for opportunities to combine my love of art and design with my passions for social justice activism lead me to seek an internship with Design Action in Oakland where I worked with other activist designers to put together the conference "Designs on Democracy." I am about to settle in Philadelphia where I will be working for PIRG GRFX. I am thrilled that the Graphic Alliance is forming, and I look forward to seeing it grow.
Sabiha Basrai
2. MICHAEL CAPLAN - Quebec, Canada
I currently serve on the present standing GA internal group (which I have been doing since its foundation), and would like the opportunity to continue my involvement in developing the Graphic Alliance as a member of the Transitional Directorship. My background is both activist/administrative and technical. I currently serve as the Director of the Institute for Anarchist Studies (IAS), a foundation dedicated to the development of contemporary anarchist praxis, and also operate a small web development and hosting company called Mom & Pop Media. Mom & Pop focuses on primarily LAMP (Linux/Apache/MySQL/PHP) development and shared Linux Internet hosting. My involvement with activist organizations has focused on organizational management and development. Besides my current work with the IAS which focuses mostly on publication design, fundraising, and PR, I have served as a coordinator of the Quebec Public Interest Research Group (of Ralph Nader PIRG fame) where I was mostly responsible for PR, media, and training on small group democratic process. I have also served as a collective member of the Librairie Alternative, a 27 year old self managed and owned anarchist bookstore, for a three year period.
My interest in serving on the GA Transitional Directorship stems from my interest and involvement in media work guided by progressive goals. I see the GA playing an important role in helping sustain and support progressive visual and web-based media workers through the establishment of an organization that encourages networking, skill and resource sharing. As a member of the Transitional Directorship, I would work to ensure that the GA develops a strong organizational structure that is encoded in well documented rules and procedures. I would also like to see the GA take on a variety of different programs that would allow members to better represent themselves both internally and externally (member portfolios) and encourage exchange between members (discussion forums, project listings, organizational newsletter).
Michael Caplan
http://www.eggplant.ws
**3. JOHN EMERSON - New York, NY
I am a graphic designer and programmer dedicated to researching, promoting, and executing design in the public interest.
I have designed and implemented the Web sites of the United Nations CyberSchoolBus, the Government of Tibet in Exile, idealist.org, Amnesty International USA, and most recently, Human Rights Watch where I was on staff for the last three years.
Though most of my work has been for large human rights NGOs, I am increasingly interested in working with more local, radical groups, and am currently exploring the advocacy potential of mapping and interactive cartography.
At the Designs for Democracy conference, I was inspired to quit my full-time job and am now freelancing and pursuing those interests.
Since May 2002, I have maintained a Web log of notes on design in the public interest at http://backspace.com/notes/
4. NANCIE FOUR WATERS - Redway, CA
First, thank you to all who have brought the Alliance to the place that it is. Collaborative work is necessary to our movement: it is a physical manifestation of many of our philosophies, it empowers a broad range of voices, it creates fertile ground for creativity, it allows input from the otherwise unheard. Collaborative work is also challenging: it requires a lot patience and asks that you set aside your ego. So, I appreciate all of the effort to this point.
I would like to join the Transitional Directorship. I have 8 years of active movement organization experience, including being a fundamental part of the '96 EF! jail & legal support affinity group, legal team work at the Seattle WTO protest, helping to form the Trees Foundation Collective and work on several other campaigns. I have been a graphic designer since 1987, and have worked primarily for non-profits and as a volunteer since 1996. As workers in the communications arena we are uniquely suited to support, strengthen and articulate a larger movement strategy, learn to communicate outside of our own comfort zones-and to broader audiences, bring about awareness of sensitive-or less comfortable-issues and learn cross-pollinations methods. I would be honored to work with you on these things, and whatever the Alliance comes together to focus on. Thank you for considering me for this position.
references (if needed): ilise hogue, john sellers, cynthia elkins (EPIC); other provided (as well as a resume) upon request.
thank you,
Nancie fourwaters (aka four waters)
Waters Design
**5. STEPHANIE GLAROS - Minneapolis, MN
My name is Stephanie Glaros, and I have been involved with the GA for the past several months. I would like to continue my involvement as part of the Transitional Directorship. I believe strongly in the GA's mission and values, and I think that we are on our way towards developing an excellent organization.
For those who don't know me yet, I am a Minneapolis-based (recently graduated) Graphic Designer who is extremely passionate about the social and political issues outlined in the GA mission statement. I want to use my visual communications skills as a means towards social change, and look forward to collaborating with the GA membership.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Glaros
www.glarosdesign.com
**6. JASON JUSTICE - Oakland, CA
I am a founding member of the Graphic Alliance (GA) and have been working collectively with the current GA Internal group since its inception. I would like to continue democratically developing the GA by serving on the Transitional Directorship.
I currently work full time as a graphic designer for social change, serving groups and causes such as the Iraq Occupation Watch Center, United for Peace and Justice, Direct Action to Stop the War, Bay Area Committee In Solidarity with the People of El Salvador, Rainforest Action Network, UNITE HERE, SEIU, Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride, DanceSafe and others. My latest major production is a City Lights books premiere, Globalize Liberation - How to uproot the system and build a better world, (edited by David Solnit), including 33 essays with 180 photos and images amplifying the new global radicalism. My work as a graphic designer stems from my interest in art and freedom, and from my own direct involvement in the causes I serve, particularly the labor movement, peace and global justice causes, and anti-authoritarian struggles for self-determination. I have been working as a professional graphic designer for 6 years and have been involved in radical grassroots activism for social justice for 15 years.
I would like to see the GA facilitate a useful network for activist designers, work together with our allies, provide benefits & opportunities for our members as well as resources for activist organizations, and contribute to building a sustainable participatory structure for designers working for social change. I am interested in listening to and learning from the leadership, vision and imagination of my associates in the Transitional Directorship and the GA and working together to make it all happen.
Jason Justice
JusticeDesign
Graphic Design for Social Change
http://www.justicedesign.com
7. JASON G. LEMIEUX - Plainfield, VT
I have been chosen by my cooperative to represent Eggplant Active Media Workers Collective in participation of the Transitional Directorship of the Graphic Alliance. Eggplant Active Media Workers Collective intends to actively participate in the further formation of the Graphic Alliance by offering both administrative and developmental services. I have read and understand the member responsibilities listed at http://www.graphicalliance.org/news/index.php and commit to following them.
We at Eggplant are looking forward to working with you all to build a powerful organization.
In Solidarity,
Jason G. Lemieux | Creative Director
Eggplant Active Media Workers Collective
http://www.eggplant.coop | 802.324.1560 | 877.272.7552
Eggplant Active Media is a worker owned, democratic, self-managed web consulting collective offering sliding-scale new media services to communities and organizations that share our commitment to social, political, economic and civil freedom.
**8. JOY DEBORAH ROBISON - Pittsburgh, PA
I am a designer heavily involved in art and politics and am interested in continuing my role on the GA TD to grow and strengthen the organization. Freelance design can be a lonely and ethically challenging choice of professions, especially in times as trying as the current socioeconomic culture. The GA can offer resources, support and kindred spirits on this path. I want to be a part of this progressive force for wise change in my chosen industry.
Joy Deborah Robison
http://www.jdrobison.com
**9. NOAH SCALIN - Richmond, VA
As founder of Another Limited Rebellion Design (ALR Design) I have committed to doing the work of graphic design from an socially, environmental, and politically conscious perspective. As a teacher at Virginia Commonwealth University I have committed to teaching courses that encourage students to think about the ethical questions of design and make informed choices. As a lifelong political activist and artist I understand the need for community building in the process of making the world a better place for all. As a member of the Transitional Directorship I will continue the work I have done on the Ad Hoc committee to form the Graphic Alliance into a viable source for inspiration and agitation in the design community and beyond.
Noah Scalin
president
ALR Design
socially conscious graphic design
http://www.ALRdesign.com
10. ELANA F STANGER - Philadelphia, PA
If selected to participate on the Transitional Team, I will contribute a clear awareness of the capacity of the image in the achievement of social change through art. I will help by trying to give as much as I can of my time and energy, to help the mission and vision develop and help the organization grow. My project, the Theater for Ending All Racism (TEAR) is going on tour throughout the nation in 2004 and onward. It is based on the image and cartoon art to elevate people's consciousnesses, challenge stereotypes and misinformation we have all internalized in relation to others, and heal our relationships with everyone and the Earth. See www.diversityarts.com. It would be great for the Graphic Alliance to support this project and in return, GA would receive public visibility to help the GA grow. I plan to set up a viable organization for healing racism through the image to which donations may be made, independently of the theatre ticket sales, a website for building the new community around the play, a product line with posters to promote the healing of racism, books, etc. I know that the members of the Alliance and myself are probably very like-minded. I think GA could consider getting behind this project and maybe using it as the mold for similar projects dealing with other social issues.
One more item - my awareness of conflict resolution, facilitation, and organizational development experience could be a welcome asset for the Transition Team. I got my Master's Degree in the first area I mentioned from George Mason, considered to be a top program in this field.
Blessings for Peace and the Unity of Vision,
Elana (Saint Anger)
Elana F. Stanger, President
DIVERSITY ARTS
"Products to Promote Diversity... Because It's A Diverse City in Which We Live."
www.diversityarts.com
**11. AMY WOLOSZYN - San Francisco, CA
I am a graphic designer, dedicated to putting my knowledge and energy toward the betterment of humanity. When I first made the fusion of graphic design and political activism I was instantly in love. Not only was I doing what I studied and practiced passionately, but focusing it on creating positive change in the world. I see becoming a part of the Graphic Alliance as a wonderful opportunity to continue this path and join forces with like-minded designers and activists. I am prepared to share my intensity, design skills, organizational proficiency and good humor to help carry out the Mission Statement that so succinctly describes what drives me to create.
peace
Amy Woloszyn
