MISSION STATEMENT
The ICJB North American Advisory Board (AB) strives to serve two communities: the gas and water-affected survivors of Bhopal, India, and the community of activists in North America (N.A.) working for justice for Bhopal survivors and a toxic-free future for all. The AB creates and implements organizing and campaign strategies for N.A. designed to help achieve the campaigns, demands and goals of the Bhopal survivors. The AB works to provide resources for supporters to take action and to educate potential activists about Bhopal and how it links to our communities. The AB serves as a communication link between Bhopalis, our targets (Dow, Indian and US Governments), and our supporters worldwide. Additionally, the AB strives to increase corporate accountability in N.A. and abroad through public awareness of the Bhopal disaster.
WHO WE ARE
The AB is currently comprised of 8 volunteers representing activists across N.A. Volunteer AB Members serve 1-year terms and are vetted and approved by ICJB leaders around the world. The AB is fortunate to be a diverse, dedicated and passionate group of people. Our commitment to transparency and equality in decision-making helps us function sustainably. Having direct lines of accountability to Bhopal survivors is key to our success.
HOW WE FUNCTION AND COMMUNICATE
Internal
AB members take on specific coordination roles, which range from treasury to outreach (see all of our roles here). The AB meets via conference call 2-4 times per month, depending on the intensity of the campaign workload. The objectives of our conference calls are to: communicate updates from Bhopal and N.A. campaign strategies; communicate our accomplishments since the last call; strategize and build consensus on campaign and organizing needs; assign tasks; and build camaraderie. Outside of our calls, we also have at least one face-to-face meeting every year, which convenes the day before the N.A. conference. We also communicate regularly over e-mail.
External
The AB serves as a communication link between survivors and supporters. We set and promote N.A. priorities for ICJB and provide resources to supporters, especially student activists (Students For Bhopal), to learn and engage in the campaign. We work within our local and wider international communities to build coalitions and momentum for ICJB objectives. We mainly use email, regular e-newsletters, and social media to communicate with supporters. Currently our email list includes 5,000 supporters. Our annual N.A. conference creates a crucial face-to-face engagement opportunity.
