----- Original Message -----
From: "Fathers 4 Justice Office"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:25 AM
Subject: Matt O'Connor: A Time to Unite
In the few days left before Fathers Day, we should pause for a moment and
reflect on our journey so far.
For everybody who has contributed both past and present to the cause, it is
a tribute to their efforts that we continue to prevail despite everything
that has been thrown at us.
That five-and-a-half years since I started Fathers 4 Justice, we remain
resolute in our determination to challenge the establishment and campaign
for equal rights for dads.
Yes, there have been fundamental disagreements, people have left to pursue
their own variants of F4J, but none has succeeded because you cannot run a
military campaign by committee. We could have been proved wrong, but those
that tried, failed.
You also need to run a campaign like a business because if you donıt, youıll
end up struck off at Companies House as other groups have and wonıt have the
money to invest in your campaign.
There are also many wishing for me to fail, both in government and in our
own movement, yet the thinking, strategy and investment in our ideas has yet
again paid spectacular dividends with which no-one can argue; £11.5 million
of coverage for an upfront investment of £200 which rivals our biggest ever
protests and with virtually unanimously positive coverage.
But how can we improve what we do? We must set aside our differences and
focus on what unites us, not what divides us. I understand that many people
feel a sense of emotional propriety about F4J, though might disagree with
elements of what we do.
We therefore want to rebuild a grassroots campaign, a bottom up campaign led
by you, rather than top-down management. That was right for our early years,
but as we evolve we understand the need for people to take ownership over
F4J themselves.
To that effect, we will help those of you who wish to set up local groups
and protests. We will help finance some activity where we can do so and
encourage you to run your own groups in your neighbourhoods providing you
follow our general guidelines.
If you think you can rise to the challenge laid down by Mark Harris and
Jolly Stanesby last weekend, then email
office@...
Be you old or new, the door is open for you to become a leading light in
this campaign and an example to all our children.
Happy Fathers Day,
Matt O'Connor
Founder, Fathers 4 Justice
27th-June-2008
