We are pleased to share a summary of the survey that 506 of you recently completed.

The complete results will be reviewed and incorporated into our Board and Co-Directors retreat discussions beginning today in Chicago.

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Responses: 506: 22% of those sent | 58% of those who opened.

External priorities

We the People Amendment: Major support (5s + 4s) for reintroduction in the U.S. House (91%) and U.S. Senate (87%), with strong support for exploring a legislative alternative (80%). On the question of researching and discussing an Article V convention, surprisingly 53% gave it a 5 and 18% recorded a 4, while only 7.5% marked 1.

Outreach/making connections: There was strong support (5s + 4s) for connecting with groups working on solutions unattainable due to corporate constitutional rights and money as speech (84%). Meanwhile, 80% felt the same in connecting with groups working to pass other amendments, while 72% supported continuing to make direct connections between democracy and systemic oppression.

Local projects (5s + 4s): Solicit candidates to sign the Pledge to Amend: 85%, pass additional local and state municipal resolutions or ballot measures: 82%,

Joint local/national projects (5s + 4s): Add additional organizational endorsements, 76%,

National projects (5s + 4s): Gather additional endorsements from law school and other professors, 77%; attend selected national conferences and rallies to promote MTA, our amendment and to make connections, 75%. Only 48% supported engaging in direct actions that could risk arrest.

Internal priorities

Move to Amend national gathering: Nearly 40% felt it was extremely important  that we organize either a virtual or in-person event next year with nearly 30% marking it as slightly less important. If the event was virtual, almost the exact percentage (44.6) responded they would attend as responding (44.4) that maybe that would attend. The number of respondents marking they would attend was 222, those who responded “Maybe” was 221.

Move to Amend “advocates”: Just over 40% felt it was extremely important that we expand recruitment of individuals who want to advocate for MTA in their community. Another 34% felt it was just slightly less important. When asked for those interested in exploring becoming an advocate, only 14.5% responded “Yes” (71 individuals) while 52% responded “Maybe” (256 individuals). No definition or specifics were provided about being an “advocate."

Education / training: (5s + 4s): Just over 45% supported sending out 2-3 emails per week, with the single largest response in the middle, 35%. Just over 67% supported organizing virtual training on selected issues, while just under 67% supported organizing sessions of our Movement Education Program – which is notable given the limited awareness of MEP. Nearly 77% support us developing simpler written materials while nearly 79% support us developing simpler virtual materials.

Working with specific constituencies to either continue or restart efforts to connect money as speech and corporate constitutional rights to their interests

• Working people / organized labor: Just over 68% rated this as extremely important. When asked if interested in joining such efforts, 13.6% said “Yes” (67 individuals) and just over 48% said “Maybe” (237 individuals).
• Environmentalists: Just over 54% rated this as extremely important. When asked if interested in joining such efforts, 15% said “Yes” (73 individuals) and just over 45% said “Maybe” (218 individuals).
• People of faith / ethical persuasions: Only 36% rated this as extremely important. When asked if interested in joining such efforts, 6.6% said “Yes” (32 individuals) and 25.4% said “Maybe” (124 individuals).
• Youth: Just over 65% rated this as extremely important. When asked if interested in joining such efforts, 8% said “Yes” (39 individuals) and 34% said “Maybe” (168 individuals). This is at least in part due to a lack of young people who responded to the survey.

Funding / Donations (5s + 4s): Over 78% support raising most of our budget from grassroots supporters to remain politically and economically independent. Just over 47% (221 individuals) responded they would increase their financial contributions in 2025. Concerning external funding, 63% responded we should seek greater family foundation funding. Several specific foundations were suggested.

Move to Amend’s “SWOT”

Strengths: 360 responses. Repeated words/themes: persistence, people, leadership, truth/ethics, inspirating, purpose - ending corporate personhood/money as speech, mission, deep understanding of issues, compelling, commitment, education, direct and clear solution, support for democracy in general

Weaknesses: 357 responses. Difficulty in passing a constitutional amendment, money, vague name, public profile/visibility/awareness/mass media, insufficient local/national movement building, outreach to young people, too much focus on left/liberals, too complicated, not focuses on positive (what would change),

Opportunities: 357 responses. Connecting to other groups and issues (climate change, health care, big ag, trade), engaging youth, education (especially about corporate power), tap into current political energy and excitement / changes to Supreme Court, 2024 elections, electing democrats

Threats: 361 responses. Corporations/lobbyists, money, MAGA/Trump, apathy/inertia, billionaires, not attracting enough youth, duopoly propaganda, GOP, lack of focus on building local communities, other concerns that demand time/attention, cooptation of MTA, Supreme Court, lack of public understanding, Congress, corporate media/think tanks, cooptation of democracy groups.

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Many thanks to all for your thoughtful, considerate and honest input.

In solidarity,

George, Daniel, Margaret, Michael, Jessica, Katie, Keyan, Jennie, Alfonso, Tara, Shelly, Cole, Jason & Greg

Move to Amend National Team