2023 Year in Review
As I look back on 2023 I am humbled and so grateful for how Ohioans showed up together to defend democracy and protect abortion rights. You’ll read more in this review about Ohio Citizen Action’s role in these fights, but I think a word or two is in order about why we were part of them.
From our beginning as the Ohio Public Interest Campaign in 1975, we were never just an environmental or consumer group. In fact, the first issue around which we organized was precipitous factory closings in northeast Ohio that were devastating families and local economies. Over the years we also worked on single-payer healthcare, campaign finance reform, redistricting, worker’s compensation, and tort reform, just to name a few issues outside the environmental or consumer fields. Our North Star has never been about impacting one specific issue. We show up to fights where powerful, corrupt forces work to impose their interests on us and show people their power to fight back and demand better. Nevertheless, over time we developed a reputation as an environmental and consumer group, which led some to question why we’d weigh in on something like abortion rights.
To this end, the boards of Ohio Citizen Action and Ohio Citizen Action Education Fund approved an updated mission statement at their December 2023 meeting. This update is only seven additional words, but we hope it better expresses the breadth of the work we do for a better Ohio.
Our Mission: Ohio Citizen Action informs, organizes and mobilizes people to advocate for public interests across issues and campaigns. In person, by phone and online we engage people in actions that protect public health, improve environmental quality and benefit consumers. Our campaigns connect Ohioans and build a movement to protect democracy and create a sustainable and equitable future.
Because we rely on individual gifts for a considerable part of our budget, we must work on issues people care about. Your support keeps us grounded in the mission and we are grateful for it. We consider it a privilege to serve as a vehicle for your power to manifest your values at the legislature, the ballot box, the marketplace and beyond. To do that, we must have two-way communication.
For our part, we will release a 4-year strategic plan this month that encompasses perspectives from board, staff, donors and allies. For your part, I invite your comments or questions anytime to [email protected].
Thanks for your continued support and partnership,
Rachael Belz, Chief Eexecutive Officer, Ohio Citizen Action