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|| CARE ||
|| CATHOLIC CHARITIES-DIOCESE OF SANTA ROSA ||
|| CENTER FOR ECONOMIC CONVERSION ||
|| CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL SECURITY (STANFORD U.) ||
|| CENTER FOR SOUTH EAST ASIAN REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT ||
|| CENTRAL COMMISSION FOR CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS ||
|| CHINESE CULTURE FOUNDATION OF SAN FRANCISCO ||
|| CHURCH WORLD SERVICE/CROP ||
|| COMMONWEALTH CLUB OF CALIFORNIA ||
|| COMPUTER PROFESSIONALS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ||
 
CARE (COOPERATIVE FOR AMERICAN RELIEF EVERYWHERE)
KEY CONTACT
Laurel Johnston, Deputy Director
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS/SENIOR STAFF
Foundation Board of Trustees

BRIEF DESCRIPTION
CARE's purpose is to help the developing world's poor in their efforts to achieve social and economic well-being. The organization strives to reach new standards of excellence in offering disaster relief, technical assistance, training, food, other material resources and management in combinations appropriate to local priorities. CARE also advocates public policies and programs that support these ends. In 1993 it helped provide $405 million in goods and services to more than 30 million people in 53 nations worldwide.
 
BRIEF HISTORY
CARE was founded by 22 major U.S. service organizations in 1945 to assist the destitute and needy in Europe following World War II. CARE shipped food packages first to Europe, then as Europe recovered, to needy millions on other continents. In the 1950's CARE began shipping food commodities in bulk, using U.S. agricultural surpluses. By 1966 CARE had developed integrated package programs in partnership with host countries for individual and community self-help. Since then, partnership has become a key feature of CARE programs. The San Francisco Office was established in the late 1940s. The CARE Foundation was established in 1991 to spearhead fundraising activities and increase public awareness of CARE programs.
 
GEOGRAPHIC/PROBLEM AREAS
CARE operates in some 53 of the poorest developing countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the former Soviet Union and former Yugoslavia. CARE sponsors feeding programs, nutrition education, self-help education, health care, and disaster relief.
 
PROGRAMMING
The need for CARE programs is determined by the organization's international staff in cooperation with host country agencies and governments. CARE programs may be divided into five areas:
-- 42% are health and nutrition programs, including food and nutrition programs, daily feedings, child immunizations, AIDS prevention counseling, and health care for pregnant women and new mothers.
-- 29% are emergency relief programs for disaster victims.
-- 17% are agriculture and environment programs, including reforestation and forestry management programs, soil restoration programs, sustainable and organic agriculture programs.
-- 11% are small-business support programs and microeconomic education programs.
-- 1% goes toward population planning programs, providing family planning and health care services to local health providers, where appropriate.
U.S. regional offices carry out public education campaigns and fundraising activities, maintain source materials, and provide a speaker service to schools and community organizations.

CURRENT PRIORITIES
The CARE Foundation is primarily a fundraising arm for overseas programs. Carried out by a local Board of Trustees, projects include donor visits and work with corporations, and foundations.
 
MEMBERSHIP/TARGET AUDIENCE
The intended recipients of CARE services are the poor, primarily in rural areas. Children constitute the largest recipient group. Twenty-five member agencies in CARE include major relief and cooperative, religious, refugee, labor and other national and international service organizations. American, Canadian, European, Japanese and Australian individuals, school children, youth groups, corporations, foundations, and business firms contribute to CARE's work.
 
LEGAL STATUS: Washington, DC 501(c)(3).

ANNUAL BUDGET: $405 million (national).
 
FUNDING SOURCES
Agricultural commodities donated by the U.S. Government; contributions; U.S. and foreign government grants and contracts.
 
PUBLICATIONS
World Report, national quarterly; Annual Report;
Global Review.
 
 
CATHOLIC CHARITIES- DIOCESE OF SANTA ROSA
KEY CONTACT
Maureen E Shaw, Executive Director
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS/SENIOR STAFF
Bishop G. Patrick Ziemann, Chairperson, Corporate Board
Ann MacGee, Associate Director for the Programs
Frances Caballo, Director of Development
David Hinkley, Social Justice Program Director
 
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
Catholic Charities is a multi-program human services agency providing for the needs of society's poorest and most vulnerable members. Programs include shelter and supportive services for the homeless, legal representation for refugees and immigrants, respite for caregivers of people with Alzheimer's, and advocacy for social justice.
 
BRIEF HISTORY
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa was founded in 1954 to provide a comprehensive range of human services to the neediest in the community. It now annually serves 55,000 people at 25 locations in 6 Northern California counties.
 
GEOGRAPHIC/PROBLEM AREAS
Catholic Charities works in Sonoma, Napa, Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte.
 
CURRENT PRIORITIES
Homeless services and housing, immigrants rights, caregiver respite, social justice, food for rural poor and children at risk.
 
PROGRAMMING
Eighteen programs are headed by the Staff Directors and supported by volunteers and support staff. The administration of budget and cost control is centralized as is donor acknowledgment and development, grants and compliance. Program Directors report to Associate Directors for Programs.
 
TARGET AUDIENCE
Catholic Charities is not a membership organization. Its donor file is centralized. Its target audience for publicity and outreach includes community leaders, the press, the parish clergy and laity, the general public and a network of community service organizations.
 
PERSPECTIVE ON WORLD POLITICS
Its focus is on community services and local, state and federal laws which affect the poor, immigrants, and society's most vulnerable. Values arise from Catholic social teaching and embrace the principles and requirements of social justice.
 
LEGAL STATUS: California 501(c)(3).
 
ANNUAL BUDGET: $3,000,000
 
FUNDING SOURCES
Grants, fees, contributions and fundraising.
 
PUBLICATIONS
Quarterly newsletter.
 
CENTER FOR ECONOMIC CONVERSION
KEY CONTACT
Bruce Allen, Communications Director
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS/SENIOR STAFF
Michael Closson, Executive Director
Joan Holtzman, Associate Director
 
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
The Center for Economic Conversion is a nonprofit organization which promotes the conversion of the military-based U.S. economy to one that is civilian-based, peace-oriented, and environmentally sustainable. CEC works to influence public policy, educate the public, and promote positive alternatives to the military economy. It also serves as a central clearinghouse and organizing hub for grassroots conversion activists in military-dependent communities around the country. CEC provides consultation services to workers, businesses, citizens, and public officials seeking ways to replace military spending as the base of their local economies.
 
BRIEF HISTORY
Founded in 1975 with assistance from the American Friends Service Committee, CEC was originally known as the Mid-Peninsula Conversion Project. It became an independent organization in 1978. Throughout the 70s and early 80s, CEC built coalitions with other conversion, peace and justice and environmental organizations to build the conversion movement. As military bases began to close around the U.S. in the late 80s, CEC became a leading advocate for using base conversion as a tool to foster sustainable development. Now recognized as a national leader in base conversion, CEC is turning its focus toward the defense industry and technology policy as well.
 
GEOGRAPHIC/PROBLEM AREAS
CEC is very active in its own backyard, working to convert bases in the North Bay Area and defense contractors in Silicon Valley (i.e. tanks to electric vehicles, reemploying laid-off defense workers in environmental cleanup at the plant.) It is also a national organization which sends speakers and organizers to defense-dependent communities around the country. CEC has been instrumental in getting several pieces of conversion legislation introduced in CA, and has also advised other state governments and the Clinton administration on conversion strategies.
 
PROGRAMMING
The Conversion Leadership Project, which provides technical and financial support for grassroots conversion activists; the Bay Area Base Conversion Project (joint effort with Arms Control Research Center and Urban Habitat); California Network for a New Economy. CEC is teaming up with other national conversion groups to mount a campaign for much deeper cuts in military spending to offset the severe lack of funds for federal conversion programs, and to pass a comprehensive, effective package of national conversion legislation.
 
MEMBERSHIP/TARGET AUDIENCE
Activists in the conversion, peace, social justice, environmental, and labor movements; public officials, defense workers, and defense business owners; the general public.
 
PERSPECTIVE ON WORLD POLITICS
CEC believes the present global and national economy is fundamentally unsustainable. The Center envisions defense conversion as a catalyst for building a larger movement for a sustainable global economy that is founded on social justice and environmental responsibility. CEC does not subscribe to any specific ideology but seeks to build coalitions with all progressive organizations and any individuals who share the above goals.
 
LEGAL STATUS: California 501(c)(3).
 
ANNUAL BUDGET: $350,000
 
FUNDING SOURCES
Membership dues, grants, publication sales, consulting fees and benefit events.
 
PUBLICATIONS
Positive Alternatives, quarterly; Sustainable Economics, a curriculum for high school economics classes; A Citizen's Guide to Base Conversion; and Economic Conversion Update, an exhaustive summary of federal, state, and community relating to conversion; assorted fact sheets.
 
CENTER FOR INTL. SECURITY AND ARMS CONTROL
 
KEY CONTACTS
David Holloway, Michael May, Co-directors

PRINCIPAL OFFICERS/SENIOR STAFF
Gerry, Bowman, Administrator
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
The Center for International Security and Arms Control at Stanford seeks new prospects for peace, international security, and arms control. Through its program in research, teaching, and training, the Center works to help students, scholars, policymakers and the public develop a sound basis for dealing with the problems and challenges they face.
 
BRIEF HISTORY
Stanford’s Center for International Security and Arms Control had its origin as the Arms Control and Disarmament Program in 1970, when several members of the faculty organized an interdisciplinary graduate course on arms control. Grants from the Ford Foundation supported further activities, notably the writing of a textbook, establishment of a fellowship program, and outreach activities. Subsequent major grants from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Carnegie Corporation, and the MacArthur Foundation have enabled the program to expand. It became the Center for International Security and Arms Control in 1983. The Center is part of the International Strategic Institute at Stanford (ISIS).
 
GEOGRAPHIC/PROBLEM AREAS
The Center brings together an international community of scholars, drawn from a number of different disciplines. Its visiting fellows, research staff, and seventy-plus members, about half at Stanford and half elsewhere, engage in collaborative projects as well as their own research. The Center thus can approach problems from a variety of perspectives, bridging the gaps between technical and political viewpoints, theory and practice, outlooks of East and West. The Center-s work has always touched on issues of policy as they affect many countries.
 
CURRENT PRIORITIES
-- Strategic Stability and Arms Control to the Year 2000;
-- Industrial Demilitarization and Defense Conversion;
-- Peace and Cooperation in the Asian-Pacific Region;
-- Ethnicity, the State and Security.
 
MEMBERSHIP/TARGET AUDIENCE
Members of the Center are currently engaged in one or more of the ongoing collaborative research projects directed by the Center. University courses are restricted to students registered at Stanford University. Occasional seminars are offered to interested members of the community.
 
PERSPECTIVE ON WORLD POLITICS
Participants bring a variety of viewpoints to the Center which, though it does not take advocacy positions, does focus on problems of, and obstacles to, arms control and disarmament. The Center seeks to improve understanding of these problems and to contribute to their resolution through research, discussion and publication. Several members of the Center have held responsible positions in the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency and the State Department. Many more have held advisory positions with various governmental agencies.
 
LEGAL STATUS: Stanford University 501(c)(3).
 
FUNDING SOURCES
The Center is supported by Stanford University and by grants from foundations and individuals.
 
PUBLICATIONS
Research results are published in a series of Center Special Reports.
 
 
CENTER FOR SOUTHEAST ASIAN REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT
KEY CONTACT
Vu-Duc Vuong, Executive Director
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS/SENIOR STAFF
Chanon Chim & Thao Do, Co-chairs/Board of Directors
Mai T. Lam, Financial Officer
 
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
The Center for Southeast Asian Refugee Resettlement (CSEARR) serves immigrants and refugees with a dual mission: to integrate them into American society fully and quickly, and to retain/nurture their identity and culture from their countries of origin.
 
BRIEF HISTORY
The Center for Southeast Asian Refugee Resettlement was founded in 1975. It was incorporated in 1979 in San Francisco. It started with survival services such as food, shelter, languages, jobs and training. In the mid 1980s, it expanded with the growth of needs to small business development, loan fund, immigration, advocacy, HIV protection, international issues and operations.
 
GEOGRAPHIC/PROBLEM AREAS
The Center for Southeast Asian Refugee resettlement works primarily in the Bay Area but it could potentially expand to Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. It addresses problems such as cultural adjustment, economic justice, youth and seniors, and health prevention.
 
CURRENT PRIORITIES
Human services, economic and small business development, small business loans, health prevention and immigration.
 
PROGRAMMING
Its offices are located in San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland. Funded programs include senior employment and referrals.
 
TARGET AUDIENCE
Refugees and immigrants (former ones included), community of color, progressive segments of society, small business, and international groups.
 
PERSPECTIVE ON WORLD POLITICS
Local justice must be provided to achieve global peace. Progressive nonviolent, democratic new world order. Ideals of ethnic, racial, gender equality and harmony. All services are only vehicles toward goals of human dignity and happiness.
 
LEGAL STATUS: California 501(c)(3).
 
ANNUAL BUDGET: $1.3 million.
 
FUNDING SOURCES
Government funds (60%); Foundations (10%); self-generating (30%).
 
PUBLICATIONS
Marketplace (every 2 months), AIDS survey among Southeast Asians in San Francisco, Housing needs of Southeast Asians in San Jose and multilingual brochures on AIDS prevention and citizenship preparation.
 
CENTRAL COMMITTEE FOR CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS
KEY CONTACT
Sam Diener, Program Staff
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS/SENIOR STAFF
Bob Seeley, Executive Director
Alex Doty, Military Counselor's Manual Editor
Alan Nelson, Youth Outreach Coordinator
 
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
The Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors (CCCO) protects and promotes the rights of conscientious objectors to war. CCCO's counselor network has helped tens of thousands act on their consciences by refusing to participate in war and preparation for war. CCCO seeks to provide full and accurate information about military life and war to all individuals affected by military service, conscription, and recruitment.
 
BRIEF HISTORY
CCCO was founded in 1948 in Philadelphia by a coalition of religious, peace, and civil liberties groups who saw a need to support secular conscientious objectors. CCCO-Western Region began its work in 1966 and was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in the state of California in 1987. The office in San Francisco and the office in Philadelphia work together to promote peace through GI advocacy, counter-recruitment organizing, and educating about the need to end draft registration. Throughout the Western United States, soldiers, teachers, draft registrants and resisters, veterans, students, peace activists, counselors and attorneys depend on CCCO-WR for counseling, training, resources, and referrals.
 
GEOGRAPHIC/PROBLEM AREAS
The Western Regional office focuses on the 13 states west of the Rocky Mountains; the Philadelphia office serves the rest of the U.S.
 
PROGRAMMING
In an effort to resist militarism, CCCO reaches out to those already caught and lured into the military system. CCCO either directly counsels GIs or refers them to a growing network of volunteer counselors. CCCO has also counseled thousands of teens about draft registration and is involved in putting an end to the Selective Service System. CCCO trains people working to counter military misinformation about the realities of war and military life and publicizes nonviolent alternatives to financing college.
 
CURRENT PRIORITIES
CCCO's three main priorities are:
-- Stopping the increase in high school ROTC programs nationwide (slated to double from the current 1800 to 3500 high schools in 1997);
-- Educating about the opportunity to finally end draft registration;
-- Setting up a national 1-800 number to refer GIs with questions about their legal rights to counselors around the country.
 
MEMBERSHIP/TARGET AUDIENCE
CCCO's target audience includes all those interested in problems of military conscription.
 
PERSPECTIVE ON WORLD POLITICS
CCCO is a specialized research effort of the larger peace community. Outside of an overall opposition to war and to conscription, and a willingness to assist men and women within the military in leaving or in obtaining fair treatment by military authorities, CCCO has no overarching strategy. CCCO is objective and nonsectarian in its counselor training programs which emphasize non-directive counseling, that is, encouraging individuals to make their own decisions.
 
LEGAL STATUS: California 501(c)(3).
 
ANNUAL BUDGET: $100,000 (Western Region).
 
FUNDING SOURCES
Quarterly fund appeals to loyal donors, endowment money left by bequest.
 
PUBLICATIONS
The Objector, bimonthly. News Notes, trimonthly published by the Philadelphia office. Choosing Peace: A Handbook For Conscientious Objectors and Advice for Conscientious Objectors in the Armed Forces.

 
CHINESE CULTURE FOUNDATION OF SAN FRANCISCO
KEY CONTACT
Vivian Chiang, Administrator
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS/SENIOR STAFF
Mei Lam, President of the Board
Kathleen Guan, Executive Director
Manni Liu, Curator
 
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
The Chinese Culture Foundation of San Francisco is a nonprofit community membership organization promoting the understanding and appreciation of the Chinese and Chinese-American heritages in the U.S. Through an array of educational and cultural programs, the Foundation aspires to create a model of Chinese culture and history by which Chinese-Americans and Americans of all backgrounds may better understand each other's diverse traditions of thought, the arts, and lifestyle. Popularly known as the Chinese Cultural Center, its facilities include an auditorium, an exhibition gallery, workshop and classroom areas, and offices. A member-elected Board of Directors governs the Foundation's affairs.
 
BRIEF HISTORY
Since its founding in 1965, the Chinese Culture Foundation has become one of the leading Bay Area institutions representing the interests of Chinese and Chinese Americans to the larger community. It now occupies the third floor of a 27-story structure in central Chinatown.
 
GEOGRAPHIC/PROBLEM AREAS
The Foundation addresses both the traditional and contemporary culture and experiences of Chinese and Chinese-Americans.
 
PROGRAMMING
The Foundation conducts programs in education, the performing arts, and the fine arts. Typical programs in these respective areas might include a lecture series on Chinese historytory, philosophy, and literature; on Peking and Cantonese opera; or an exposition on the Dragon theme in Chinese art. "Docent" activities are an important part of its programs' that is, training community outreach workers to provide information to schools and community organizations and to conduct tours of exhibits and Chinatown.
 
CURRENT PRIORITIES
The Chinese Culture Foundation plans a major new exhibit every three months. The annual research program "In Search of Roots" is also a priority for the Foundation.
 
MEMBERSHIP/TARGET AUDIENCE
More than 800 members from the Bay Area belong to the Chinese Culture Foundation. Membership includes students, senior citizens, and small businesses and is open to all who share its interests.
 
PERSPECTIVE ON WORLD POLITICS
The Chinese Culture Foundation assumes no political position with regard to joining the Chinese and American heritages in understanding and friendship. By bridging traditional Chinese and Western modes of expression, the Foundation is preparing the ground for a new Chinese-American culture.
 
LEGAL STATUS: California 501(c)(3).
 
FUNDING SOURCES
Membership dues and donations, with matching funds from a National Endowment for the Arts, Grants for the Arts and California Arts Council.
 
PUBLICATIONS
Contact the Foundation for a current list of publications and exhibit catalogues.

 

 
CHURCH WORLD SERVICE/CROP
KEY CONTACT
George M. Baladjay
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS/SENIOR STAFF
Angelita Oblima, Program Assistant
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
CROP is the community education and fundraising educational program of Church World Service (CWS). CWS is the disaster response, refugee assistance, and development agency of the National Council of Churches. Through Church World Service, 32 Protestant and Eastern Orthodox denominations officially coordinate their disaster relief, refugee resettlement, and long-term development assistance work on a worldwide ecumenical basis.
 
BRIEF HISTORY
At the end of World War II, many Christians wanted to share America's abundance with European war victims; seventeen Protestant denominations formed Church World Service in 1946. CROP grew out of this organization in August, 1947. Originally known as the Christian Rural Overseas Program, CROP's first purpose was to gather wheat and other crops from American farms for shipment to Europe. Over the years, CROP increased its urban appeals while remaining in contact with its rural constituents. In 1966 the National Committee changed the official name to CROP (no longer an acronym), the Community Hunger Appeal of Church World Service.
 
GEOGRAPHIC/PROBLEM AREAS
CROP-raised resources are directed to combat hunger and aid development projects in more than 70 countries including the U.S. CWS/CROP has moved from primarily providing resources for emergency relief to supporting the long-range self-help and development work of CWS. CROP funds are used in eight program categories: 1) Development Materials and Equipment; 2) Family and Community Health; 3) Food Commodities; 4) Refugees, Displaced Persons; 5) Training/ Human Resource Development; 6) Seeds and Food Production; 7) Development Education; 8) Africa Emphasis.
 
PROGRAMMING
CROP Hunger Walks and Fasts are generally the fundraising events of CWS. It sponsors Work Days in which volunteers work on a variety of community projects. In addition, CROP makes available films, printed materials, and speakers for educational presentations to schools, churches, service clubs, and
other public education groups focusing on global education and hunger/development issues.
 
CURRENT PRIORITIES
CROP directives point to 50% fundraising/ 50% education. In addition to helping urban, suburban, and rural communities throughout Northern California /Northern Nevada in the organization of annual CROP hunger walks, the regional CROP office is available to assist local churches and other community groups in the development of other educational activities/seminars which help American citizens move toward a perspective and life-style of global citizenship in the world.
 
MEMBERSHIP/TARGET AUDIENCE
Thousands of volunteers from service clubs, schools, churches, and youth and women's groups participate in CROP fundraising and educational activities.
 
PERSPECTIVE ON WORLD POLITICS
CWS/CROP's perspective is based on the belief that we live in an interdependent world the way we relate to each other reflects the values we hold. It has come to realize that for work in relief and development, this idea is more than words; it takes real form as a network of relationships with particular agencies around the world.
 
LEGAL STATUS: New York 501(c)(3).
 
ANNUAL BUDGET: $126,200 regional; $54,616,744 national.

FUNDING SOURCES
Cash and commodities through Community Hunger and Clothing Appeals. In addition to CROP-raised funds, CWS budget reflects basic denominational support.
 
PUBLICATIONS
Connections, magazine published by the CWS Global Office of Education.

 

 
COMMONWEALTH CLUB OF CALIFORNIA
KEY CONTACT
James D. Rosenthal, Executive Director
 
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS/SENIOR STAFF
James Coplan, Assistant Executive Director
 
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's largest public affairs forum. It arranges programs for speakers on a broad range of topics and issues of regional, national, and international concern.
 
BRIEF HISTORY
The Club was founded in 1903 by San Francisco newspapermen Edward F. Adams who believed that California needed an impartial public citizens group to study questions of public interest. With the Study Sections as its major activity, the club in 1908 added its famous Friday luncheons at which distinguished national and international speakers with a diversity of viewpoints address the club. The Commonwealth Club is recognized as on of the country's major citizens' opinion-shaping forums on public affairs.
 
GEOGRAPHIC/PROBLEM AREAS
The club studies domestic and international political, military, educational, economic, and social issues.
 
PROGRAMMING
The Club's major activity is examining public issues in its luncheons, receptions, regional programs, and study sessions. Speakers are invited on a nonpartisan basis to express their views and answer questions from the audience. The Club's best known activity is the Friday Forum featuring prominent political figures and educators, as well as labor, religious, and military leaders. Nearly every President of the U.S. and most major Presidential candidates have addressed the Forum. Speeches are broadcast or rebroadcast by over 80 public radio stations and 140 commercial stations throughout the nation. The Club also presents an annual Book Award to an outstanding California author. In addition, the Club offers foreign language classes in Spanish and French along with a comprehensive national and international study tour program.
 
CURRENT PRIORITIES
The Club’s Study Sections on International Relations and Asia-Pacific Affairs present a comprehensive program on foreign policy issues and problems.
 
MEMBERSHIP/TARGET AUDIENCE
Membership is considered an opportunity to study current issues, as well as a mark of social prestige in Northern California. This combination attracts a highly educated membership interested in public affairs, which currently numbers about 17,000. Almost all members live in the Bay Area. The target audience is the informed public, principally in Northern California.
 
PERSPECTIVE ON WORLD POLITICS
The Club serves as an impartial forum for the expression of all viewpoints. It believes that this authoritative presentation of all sides of an issue better equips policymakers to address some of the most complex and critical domestic and international problems.
 
LEGAL STATUS: California 501(c)(3).
 
ANNUAL BUDGET: $2,000,000
 
FUNDING SOURCES
Membership dues (80%); program receipts (10%); and contributions (10%).
 
PUBLICATIONS
The Commonwealth, weekly newsletter carrying the major luncheon addresses and notices of upcoming events.

 

 

COMPUTER PROFESSIONALS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
KEY CONTACT
Kathleen Kells, Managing Director

PRINCIPAL OFFICES/SENIOR STAFF
Eric Roberts, President
Doug Schuler, Chair
 
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR) empowers computer professionals and computer users to advocate for the responsible use of information technology and empowers all who use computer technology to participate in the public debate. As technical experts CPSR members provide the public and policymakers with realistic assessments of the power, promise, and limitations of computer technology. As an organization of concerned citizens, CPSR directs public attention to critical choices concerning the applications of computing and how those choices affect society.
 
BRIEF HISTORY
Founded in 1981 by a small group of computer scientists concerned about the use of computers in nuclear weapons systems, CPSR has grown into a national public interest alliance of computer industry professionals dedicated to examining the impact of technology on society.
 
PROGRAMMING
As computer technology becomes increasingly pervasive, the issues facing us become more complex. CPSR provides a forum where we can examine technology’s impact on our lives, the lives of our fellow citizens and on society as a whole.
 
CURRENT PRIORITIES
By sponsoring both national and local projects, CPSR serves as a catalyst for in-depth discussion and effective action in key areas: the national information infrastructure; civil liberties and privacy; computers in the workplace; technology policy and human needs; reliability and risk of computer based systems. In addition, CPSR's chapter-based projects and national working groups tackle issues ranging from the implementation of Calling Number ID systems to the development of nanotechnology and virtual reality, from the use of computers in education to working conditions for computer professionals; from community networks to computer ethics.
 
MEMBERSHIP/TARGET AUDIENCE
CPSR welcomes everyone who uses technology or is concerned about the role of information technology.
 
PERSPECTIVE ON WORLD POLITICS
CPSR is a democratically organized grassroots alliance. Accomplishments are the result of member activism and support of computer professionals across the country. CPSR members serve as national and local leaders, experts and spokespeople, researchers and organizers. CPSR sponsors, supports and participates in conferences, roundtable discussions and meetings on advanced issues in computing, local civic networks, cryptography, participatory design, and computers and social change.
 
LEGAL STATUS: California 501(c)(3).
 
ANNUAL BUDGET: $150,000
 
FUNDING SOURCES
Membership dues and donations (12%); foundations (88%).
 
PUBLICATIONS: CPSR Quarterly.