The New American Movement (NAM) was a movement for democratic socialism in the United States and was established in 1972. Two years later (1973), the Pittsburgh Chapter of NAM was organized. In 1982 the New American Movement and the Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee merged to form the Democratic Socialists of America.
The bulk of the collection is comprised of internal reports and publications. The internal reports address planning, organizing, and coordinating for NAM programs and activities. The initiatives of the Pittsburgh chapter are represented by reports, correspondence, strategy papers, minutes, and notes. The publications primarily are national in scope and contain a number of pamphlet, monographic, and serial titles.
The collection appears in two sections and contains a broad sampling of items from the various years covered. The first section contains items related to the programs and activities of the Pittsburgh Chapter. The initiatives of the Pittsburgh Chapter primarily centered upon energy, labor, health care, social services, gay liberation, and political education. A significant component of the collection, the files of the People's Power Project, highlight the chapter's work in the area of energy. Materials in this first section cover the period February 1973 to August 1982. The second section contains material related to the national body of NAM and covers the period January 1972 to May 1981.
No restrictions.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of the University of Pittsburgh as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
The records were deposited in the Archives by Ed Meek in 1989.
This collection was processed by Roland C. Barksdale-Hall in June 1991.
Revision and rearrangement for the encoded version of the finding aid provided by Clay Redding in April 1999. Information about the collection title and the controlled access terms was extracted from the MARC Record in the University of Pittsburgh catalog, Notis ID number AKF8585.
New American Movement, Pittsburgh Chapter Records, 1973-1982, AIS.1989.18, Archives Services Center, University of Pittsburgh
Series I. Bylaws and Constitution, 1973-1979
Scope and Content Notes
This series contains the by-laws and constitution of the New American Movement. Five items in two folders.
|
| Box | Folder | Bylaws, February 1973-October 1977 4 items in 1 folder | 1 | 1 |
|
| Folder | Constitution, September 1979 | 2 |
|
Return to Table of Contents »
|
Series II. History July 1973-March 1974
Scope and Content Notes
Contains an overview of the Chapter's projects and activities from 1971-1974. Three items in one folder.
|
| Folder | History, July 1973-March 1974 | 3 |
|
Return to Table of Contents »
|
Series III. Business Meetings, 1973-1980
Scope and Content Notes
This series contains twelve folder consisting minutes and notes. Minutes contains meeting agendas, election results, summaries of national mailings received by Pittsburgh chapter, and various reports regarding the activities of chapter committees and the Expanded National Interim Committee (ENIC). Lacks minutes from January 1974-November 1975.
Notes contains committee reports, financial reports, NIC (National Interim Committee) reports, and reports on chapter activity. Lacks notes from December 1974-April 1976; June 1976-February 1977; and October 1977-July 1978.
|
| Folder | Minutes, March 1973-November 1980 | 4-14 |
Contains meeting agendas, election results, summaries of national mailings received by Pittsburgh chapter, and various reports regarding the activities of chapter committees and the Expanded National Interim Committee (ENIC). Lacks minutes from January 1974-November 1975.
|
| Folder | Notes, January 1974-March 1979 | 15 |
Contains committee reports, financial reports, NIC (National Interim Committee) reports, and reports on chapter activity. Lacks notes from December 1974-April 1976; June 1976-February 1977; and October 1977-July 1978.
|
Return to Table of Contents »
|
Series IV. Committees, 1973-1982 |
| Folder | Steering Committee, June 1973-May 1978 | 16-18 |
The Steering Committee maintained communication with the Expanded National Interim Committee and national NAM, coordinated the joint work of the branches and organizing committees, oversaw chapter committees, prepared agendas for chapter business meetings. Contains minutes of meetings. Notes missing from October 1977-April 1978.
|
| Folder | Community Organizing Committee, September 1974-October 1974 | 19 |
The Community Organizing Committee worked with NAM and existing local groups and helped form coalitions between the groups. Contains miscellaneous notes and a statement of purpose.
|
| Folder | Cultural Affairs and Fundraising Committee, February 1976-August 1978 | 20 |
The Cultural Affairs Committee developed the work of the Chapter in the arts and coordinated fundraising efforts. Contains notes, correspondence, and miscellaneous material concerning the International Women's Day Celebration.
|
| Folder | Gay Liberation Committee, January 1977-March 1977 | 21 |
The Gay Liberation Committee supported legislation that protected against discrimination based on sexual preference.
|
| Folder | Labor Committee, January 1977-March 1977 | 22-24 |
The Labor Committee coordinated workplace organizing, produced educational materials, and supported other labor-related programs of the Chapter. Contains correspondence, reports, notes, and miscellaneous materials related to the Labor Theater.
|
| Folder | Newsletter Committee, April 1977 | 25 |
|
| Folder | Office Committee, April 1975-May 1981 | 26 |
The Office Committee handled the day-to-day activities of the Chapter through the Chapter office and reports to the Steering Committee. Contains telephone trees, membership lists, and monthly meeting schedules.
|
| Folder | People's Power Project, March 1975-December 1978 | 27-34 |
The People's Power Project developed the chapter's work in the area of energy. The committees worked with several local groups, which included South Oakland Citizens Council, Pennsylvania Alliance for Jobs and Energy (PAJE), and Pittsburgh Coalition for Non-Nuclear World. The bulk of the material contains references to Duquesne Light Company. It includes hearings and testimony, brochures, notes, strategy papers, photographs, miscellaneous reports, and reference files.
|
| Folder | Political Education Committee, January 1977-December 1980 | 35 |
The Political Education (PE) Committee had two tasks: 1) to provide education for the members and committees of the chapter and orientation sessions for new members, and 2) to provide socialist education against agitational work in the larger community. Contains correspondence and questionnaires.
|
| Folder | Public Presence and Outreach Committee, November 1975-October 1977 | 36-38 |
The Public Presence and Outreach Committee (PP O) was responsible for planning and executing the chapter's public events. It also worked with other committees in the chapter, when they planned to hold public events. Contains correspondence, strategy papers, flyers describing audiovisual programs, notes, and materials related to the Chapter's programs for women.
|
| Folder | Social Services Committee, October 1973-January 1974 | 39-41 |
The Social Services Committee focuses on social services within city and federal government. Contains correspondence, notes, and materials related to the call for former President Nixon's impeachment.
|
| Folder | Women's Committee, n.d. | 42 |
The Women's Committee developed a unified approach to socialist feminism within the chapter. Contains a survey questionnaire.
|
Return to Table of Contents »
|
Series V. Chapter Reports to the Regional and National Offices, February 1974-March 1980
Scope and Contents note
Contains committee reports, reports related to chapter activities, report on collaboration and evaluations of the chapter. Reports missing from 1978 and 1979.
|
| Folder | Chapter Reports to the Regional and National Offices, | 43 |
|
Return to Table of Contents »
|
Series VI. Chapter Programs and Activities, January 1977-January 1979
Scope and Contents note
Contains notes and papers.
|
| Folder | Chapter Programs and Activities, January 1977-January 1979 | 44 |
|
Return to Table of Contents »
|
Series VII. Traveler Reports from Ed Meek to the National Office, January 1972-August 1976
Scope and Contents note
In 1972 Ed Meek wrote one of the first proposals outlining the responsibilities of the traveler. As a traveler, Ed Meek subsequently visited chapters across the country, evaluated their activities, and offered suggestions for improvement. While Ed Meek was a member of the Pittsburgh Chapter, he also held a position as a national traveler. Contains proposal from Ed Meek to National (July 22), subsequent travel correspondence, lists of contacts made during trips, and reports to the National. Lacks correspondence from October 1973-June 1976.
|
| Folder | Traveler Reports from Ed Meek, January 1972-August 1976 | 45-49 |
|
Return to Table of Contents »
|
Series VIII. Publications of Local Chapter, January 1973-October 1982 |
| Box | Folder | Newsletters, January 1973-October 1982 | 2 | 50-56 |
Lacks February 1973-May 1973; July 1973-October 1973; December 1973-February 1974; April 1974; May 1975-August 1975; November 1975; February 1976-June 1976 (Volume 4, Numbers 2-3); February 1979 (Volume 7, Number 2); July 1979-September 1979 (Volume 7, Number 5); January 1981-February 1981 (Volume 9, Number 1); and May 1981-June 1981 (Volume 9, Number 3).
|
| Folder | Newsheets, February 1981-January 1982 | 57 |
Lacks March 1981, May 1981, August 1981.
|
Return to Table of Contents »
|
Series IX. Finance, January 1974-January 1976 |
| Folder | Financial Reports, January 1974-January 1976 | 58-60 |
Contains quarterly reports from November 1974 to January 1976, membership lists, and ledger sheets.
|
Return to Table of Contents »
|
Series X. Local Groups Affiliated with the Pittsburgh Chapter, April 1977-December 1979 |
| Folder | Affiliates of Pittsburgh Chapter, April 1977-December 1979 | 61-63 |
Contains materials related to the Pennsylvania Alliance for Jobs and Energy, Pittsburgh Coalitia for a Non-Nuclear World, and Pittsburgh Neighborhood Alliance.
|
Return to Table of Contents »
|
Series XI. Bylaws and Constitutional Amendment for Formation of Regional Council and Expanded National Interim Committee (ENIC), January 1975-December 1976 |
| Folder | Bylaws and Constitutional Amendments, January 1974-January 1976 | 64 |
|
Return to Table of Contents »
|
Series XII. Industrial Heartland Regional Council of the New American Movement, April 1975-October 1976 |
| Folder | Minutes, April 1975-October 1976 | 65-67 |
The revised constitution adopted in 1975 provided that a "regional organization was to be set up in each region." The National Interim Committee (NIC) established the boundaries of the region. The Industrial Heartland Regional Council...Each chapter from the Industrial Heartland Region elected one person for their steering committee, who served on the Industrial Heartland Regional Council. The Industrial Heartland Regional Council was comprised of chapters from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, New York, and Maryland. Contains meeting agendas, chapter reports, National Interim Committee (NIC) reports, mailing lists, and discussions of programs and activities.
|
| Folder | Local Chapter Reports Submitted to Regional Council, May 1975-May 1976 | 68-69 |
Reports included from local chapters in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Maryland, and New York. Contains material related to membership recruitment, political education, and programs and activities.
|
Return to Table of Contents »
|
Series XIII. National Interim Committee (NIC), January 1972-December 1980 |
| Box | Folder | Bylaws and Constitution, n.d. | 3 | 70 |
Between meetings of the National Convention and the Expanded National Interim Committee (ENIC), the National Interim Committee (NIC) was the highest political and administrative body of the National New American Movement. The NIC was composed of 11 members of whom at least half were women. Among the NIC membership the National office (also known as the Political Committee) had three representatives. The NIC met not less than five times a year and its responsibilities included organizing program task forces and other subcommittees on the national level, convening the Expanded National Interim Committee and the national convention, and chartering chapters.
|
| Folder | National Office (NO) and the National Interim Committee Reports, January 1972-December 1980 | 71-80 |
Contains progress reports, task force reports, financial statements, minutes of National Interim Committee meetings, chapter reports, proposals, mailing lists, convention reports, and position papers.
|
| Folder | Commission and Task Force Reports, January 1972-May 1977 | 81-84 |
Contains materials related to the War and Imperialism Task Force, Cultural Commissions, Health Task Force, Economic Task Force, and Utilities Task Force. Includes proposals, chapter reports, flyers, and correspondence. Records missing from January 1974-December 1974.
|
Return to Table of Contents »
|
Series XIV. Expanded National Interim Committee (ENIC), January 1974-March 1979 |
| Folder | Reports, January 1974-March 1979 | 85-87 |
The Expanded National Interim Committee (ENIC), the highest decision-making body after the national convention, met at least twice a year to review the organization's work and program. The ENIC was comprised of the National Interim Committee (NIC) plus representatives elected from each region. Contains agendas, minutes, position papers, office reports, evaluations of programs and activities. Lacks materials from June 1977-February 1979.
|
Return to Table of Contents »
|
Series XV. Conferences and Conventions, April 1965-June 1981 |
| Folder | Founding National Convention, June 1972 | 88-90 |
Issues addressed at national conferences included health, media, AT T, economics and labor, repression, war and imperialsim, anti-corporate organizing, occupational health and safety, co-ops, social services and housing, and youth and education.
|
| Folder | Second National Convention, July 1973 | 91-93 |
|
| Folder | Third National Convention, July 1974 | 94-95 |
|
| Folder | Industrial Heartland Regional Conference, April 1965 | 96 |
Conference focused on the capitalist economic system.
|
| Folder | Fourth National Convention, August 1975 | 97-98 |
|
| Folder | Fifth National Convention, August 1976 | 99-100 |
|
| Folder | Sixth National Convention, August 1977 | 101-102 |
|
| Folder | National Utilities Conference, March 1977 | 103-105 |
|
| Folder | Seventh National Convention, July 1978 | 106-107 |
|
| Folder | Eighth National Convention, August 1979 | 108-109 |
|
| Folder | Ninth National Convention, July 1980 | 110 |
|
| Folder | Tenth National Convention, July 1981 | 111 |
|
| Folder | Urban Organizing Conference, March 1981 | 112 |
|
| Folder | Regional Conference, June 1981 | 113 |
|
| Folder | Davenport Conference, November 1971 | 114-115 |
At the meeting in Davenport, Iowa, some 300 political activists from around the country met to form a new nation-wide socialist organization. The Davenport Conference laid the foundation for the New American Movement. Seven months later, at NAM's Founding Convention in Minneapolis, these ideas were codified in NAM's Political Perspective.
|
Return to Table of Contents »
|
Series XVI. Local Chapters, December 1971-September 1975 |
| Folder | Philadelphia Chapter, January 1972-May 1972 | 116 |
Political activists from Philadelphia attended the organizational meeting of NAM in Davenport, Iowa. Ed Meek, who attended the Davenport Conference from Philadelphia, was one of the organizers of the Philadelphia Chapter. Contains chapter history, minutes, meeting agendas, project proposals, membership lists, and workshop programs.
|
| Folder | Local Chapters, December 1971-September 1975 | 117-118 |
Includes material concerning Minneapolis, Long Island, Cleveland, San Diego County, Snake Ranch, Purham, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Berkeley, Dayton, and Baltimore chapters. Contains flyers, position papers, correspondence, reports, and miscellaneous newspapers.
|
Return to Table of Contents »
|
Series XVII. National Publication, September 1971-October 1983 |
| Box | Folder |
New American Movement, September 1971-December 1976 | 4 | 119-124 |
|
| Folder |
Moving On (Minneapolis, Minn.), April 1974-December 1976 | 125 |
|
| Folder |
Moving On (Chicago), March 1977-October 1983 | 126-129 |
|
Section:
Discussion Bulletin [New American Movement (Organization)], |
|
|
| Folder | Miscellaneous Serial Publications, June 1977-December 1981 | 142 |
Contains
Women Organizing Bulletin,the
Cultural Gazette,
Health Activists Digest,the
Struggle Against Racism,and the
Reproductive Rights Newsletter.
|
Section: Special Publications, January 1975-April 1981 |
| Folder |
Attica, n.d. | 143-145 |
|
Basic marxism: what it is and how to use it. The basic political education cource of the New American Movement, n.d. |
Building Political Education Course, n.d. |
Building a chapter of the New American Movement, n.d. |
Building a peoples movement, an organizing manual, n.d. |
Convention Papers 1975. Trategy one year plan and practice of the New American Movement, 1975 |
How we work. Constitution and By-laws of the New American Movement, n.d. |
An Introductory Course, New American Movement, June 1976 |
National Health Insurance. A Strategic Perspective. Reprinted from Discussion Bulletin number 18 of the New American Movement, n.d. |
For the peoples' eyes only. Papers on the war and Watergate. By North Country Peace Campaign/NAM, n.d. |
Revolution and Democracy. Reprinted by New American Movement, n.d. |
Socialist working papers on energy, n.d. |
Socialist working papers on energy,Revised edition, 1979 |
Undocumented workers: Are they the Problem?, n.d. |
Where we stand. Strategy and Resolutions of the New American Movement, n.d. |
Working Papers. Workplace Experiences of Members of the New American Movement, n.d. |
Afghanistan and the New Cold War. Dorothy Healy interviews Eqbals Ahmad, n.d. |
Friction in the System. A new songbook of political music, by Eastbay People's Music, 1976 |
Growing Up Female. A documentary about women. Pittsburgh 1905: A peoples history, n.d. |
Growing Up Female as Six Become One. A documentary film about women, n.d. |
Here We Go Again: Militarization, the Draft, the Cold War, n.d. |
NAM Film Guide,, n.d. |
New American Movement National Convention. The Labor Movement Today and the Role of the Left within it., July 19-23, 1978 |
New American Movement Convention '79. Looking toward the 80s. August 8-12, 1979 |
New York and the Crisis of Our Cities, n.d. |
Organizing a Socialist Student Movement. A Publication of the student wing of the New American Movement, n.d. |
A People's Energy Plan. An Alternative to Crisis and Monopoly Energy Policy, n.d. |
People's Power Project, n.d. |
Pittsburgh 1905: A People's History. A narrated slide show with music, n.d. |
Processed Ideas and Packaged Dreams. The Manufactoring and Marketing of American Reality, n.d. |
What's Wrong with the American Economy, n.d. |
Working Papers on Gay/Lesbian Liberation and Socialism, 1979 |
A written and graphic manifestoby: New American Movement, n.d. |
Yesterday's Lessons: Lay-offs, unemployment, and working class unity, n.d. |
Return to Table of Contents »
|
| | | | |