by Carol Schachet

Last year was a special one for RESIST-a time to remember its impressive activist history, to honor its founders, and to celebrate by giving out more money to the grassroots groups that continue to resist illegitimate authority.

It was also my last full year as a staff member here.

Nearly 13 years ago, I walked into the RESIST office, then located in a somewhat dilapidated building in Union Square in Somerville, Massachusetts. Cement cinders and old painted boards kept aloft various files, collegial publications and the waxer we used to layout the Newsletter on the big light box we shared with Dollars and Sense and Radical America. My name not only appeared on the Newsletter masthead but joined a list of remarkable people who have been a part of RESIST's storied history.

Compelled as much by the squirrels who would occasionally slip through the windows to sit on office keyboards as the desire to relocate to a more accessible area and building, RESIST moved down the road to a new office in Davis Square. That was just the first-and perhaps the least meaningful-of transitions that have occurred in my tenure in this venerable, powerful and politically relevant organization.
More substantial changes and growth kept coming. The Newsletter became an in-house desktop publication, forming around topics of importance to grant recipients and progressive activists, usually in their own voices. Grant files moved from folders and paper-clipped stacks to computer databases, and the grant award climbed from $800 to $1,000, then $1,500, then $2,000 and now $3,000. With massive help and patience from pledge supporters Robert Morrison and Steve Wishengrad, RESIST finally caught up with technology and created a webpage in 1999. And with more support from Damien Keith we upgraded to a more design-pleasing version in 2007, as well as implementing an e-Newsletter program that now boasts nearly 1,000 subscribers.

Internally, RESIST also moved from a mostly white board to a more diverse collection of activists and academics, including many younger voices involved in a board range of grassroots movements. Based on input from our larger community, RESIST implemented multi-year grants in 1999 and moved to provide only general support (rather than project-specific) grants in 2004. I have been honored to be a part of these and other significant changes. And I greatly appreciate the fabulous people who have walked all or part of this journey with me. Please indulge me as I give a "shout out" to a few of them.

.       Robin Carton joined the staff at the same time as I did in 1995. We've worked together through many personal and organizational changes, and I remain grateful to have such a solid friend and colleague.  I extend a special thanks to her, as well as all the staff and interns who have carried on the vision and work of RESIST.

.       The Board of Directors of RESIST does an amazing amount of work, and an amazing job at it! The names are too many to list, but I am especially proud to have worked with Henry Rosemont, Marc Miller and Abby Scher on the Newsletter for so many years, where I relied on their political and editorial insights. Thanks to all of the past and current Board members, who step up to the plate - again and again - with neither fanfare nor excessive cajoling.

.       RESIST's grantees do an impressive amount of work, and as Newsletter editor, I've often added to their already overwhelming to-do lists by asking for articles. And I'd do it again in a minute, because their voices, insights and real-world examples put our common ideals and political vision into clear relief.

.       None of the work of RESIST would be possible without contributors who prioritize funding social change and grassroots organizing. I've written about 170 letters and updates over the past 12-plus years, and I've received far more notes, comments, calls and contacts in return. I can truly say what an impressive group of people donate to RESIST - leading activists, thinkers, artists, teachers, students. Many notes talk about being unemployed but still sending along a small gift to "do what I can."  Some supporters I've followed through careers, cancer and crises. Thanks for all you continue to do to promote peace, justice and a more inhabitable planet.
RESIST just celebrated turning 40 years old. The anniversary party mixed politics and music with those movement favorites of fundraising and networking. Together we raised enough money to give all the 2007 grantees a "bonus" of $40,000. They received unsolicited checks in the mail, with no strings attached - something unheard of from a foundation! But RESIST has never been a "regular" foundation, and that tradition continues.

As I leave, two people have taken up residence in my office. Malika McCray takes over as RESIST's development director, and Christy Pardew will serve as the new communications director. Both women bring a passion for justice, a good sense of humor and a great deal of expectation.

RESIST's Board also continues to experience its own transitions. Becca Howes-Mischel left the Board to study reproductive health in Oaxaca, Mexico. Catherine Joseph, Sophia Kim and Amanda Matos-Gonzalez also finished their service.  Meanwhile, RESIST welcomes to the Board Jim O'Brien, an historian active in Historians Against the War; Carol Gomez, founding director of Matahari: Eye of the Day; and most recently, Miabi Chatterji, an activist and doctoral student in New York City.

I will remain involved with RESIST as a pledge contributor as well as serving on its Board. Who knows, I may even sneak an article into the Newsletter every so often. My immediate next steps include rest and reading. Meanwhile, I look forward to receiving the RESIST Newsletter in the mail and being surprised at and inspired by the articles.

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Carol Schachet has been RESIST's Director of Development and Communications since 1995. When not providing comic relief in the office, she also has managed to network the computers, do the daily crossword puzzle and avoid entirely completing any filing project.