Half-Way There Back in May, at the start of the 1983 sustainer campaign, we stated that we needed to raise $50,000 by December if we were to continue our work in 1984. Now, three months into the campaign, we are extremely pleased to an- nounce that, so far, we have raised over $20,000-almost half-way to our total-with contributions still coming in. Most of this money has arrived in the form of small con- tributions from individual donors, and an overwhelming amount has come from first-time contributors. And in June, Betsy Aron, Jack Spence and Sue Dorfman organ- ized a special NACLA benefit at the home of John and Ellen Maher in Boston. Nobel laureate George Wald, a member of the Permanent Tribunal of the People, which has held hearings on Central Ameri- ca, and Dr. Charles Clements, an American physician who has treated civilians in El Salvador's guerrilla-controlled Guazapa re- gion, talked about the crisis in Central America and the impor- tance of NACLA's work in the U.S. debate. NACLA researcher Janet Shenk, recently returned from El Salvador, spoke about her trip and our organization's current work. The 50 Bostonians contributed over $1,400. Our financial troubles are still with us, but it is most gratifying to know that even in these hard times, we can rely on our readership to help us stay afloat. Many thanks to all who participated in our fund- raising campaign. And, as we still Sept/Oct 1983 need to reach our goal of $50,000. we would like to encourage any of our readers who have not yet sent in contributions to do so. It is never too late to lend your support. Transitions Feeling the need to devote more time to musical pursuits, sometime folk singer and musician Bob Nor- man is leaving NACLA after work- ing for three years as our subscrip- tion manager. Cecilia Chacon, a native of El Salvador who worked previously in the business depart- ment of an accounting firm, is now tackling our mailroom functions. Eric Feinberg will end his two- year stint as NACLA office man- ager this fall to head for law school at the City University of New York. Keeping our office running smooth- ly in the future will be Kate Browne, who leaves The Nation business department to join our staff. Virginia Cannon, also recruited from The Nation, recently joined us as editorial associate, and is also in charge of the sustainer campaign. Good luck to Bob and Eric, and welcome Cecilia, Kate and Virginia! Visit Nicaragua With NACLA We are planning our sixth tour to Nicaragua during January and February 1984. Watch for details in the November/December issue of Report on the Americas. Central America Hotline Judging from the number of telephone calls we've been get- ting recently, President Reagan's bellicosity toward Central America has just gone too far. We're fre- quently quizzed on legislative ac- tivities, and how best to register an opinion. A few tips: * The Coalition for a New For- eign and Military Policy has started a Central America hotline provid- ing up-to-date information on Con- gressional debates, key votes and lobbying needs. The tape is up- dated twice weekly and can be heard by calling (202) 546-8400. * For those wishing to voice an opinion directly, members of Con- gress may be reached through the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. * Letters may be sent to your Senator or Representative at the House or Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20515. * Western Union offers reduced rates for "opinion grams" addressed to government officials, the UN or foreign embassies. Subscriptions Donated Latin Americanists in Wichita, Kansas may be surprised to find Report on the Americas among the current periodicals on display at the Wichita Public Library and the Wichita State University Library. Wichita attorney Jim Johnson, who participated in our May tour to Nicaragua, has donated subscrip- tions to the magazine to each in- stitution, and intends to do the same for three college libraries in the area. Libraries throughout the country are feeling the pinch of budget cuts, and specialized jour- nals are often the first to go. John- son has come upon one way to counteract these cuts, and expand our readership: We thank you.
