30.06.2010

Take note

Howard Roak points out that the political work of the SO can actually be fun

I always try to impress on readers that the CPGB regards our annual fundraising drive - the Summer Offensive - as a chance for comrades to actually turned outwards, to politically engage with a wider audience.

Obviously, many comrades have set themselves ambitious personal targets for the cash they are trying to raise. Because of this, there may be a temptation on the part of some to retreat into a sort of self-denying purdah for the two-month duration of the campaign. This is in fact the exact opposite of what we want out of the Summer Offensive. The SO is a high point of the political work of the organisation during the year. We want our comrades out and about, talking to people about communism and the party. Definitely not sitting in a dark room, miserably contemplating that day’s bowl of rice and glass of water. The political work of the SO can actually be fun ...

On Saturday June 26, for example, CPGBers in Leeds organised their first street work of the Summer Offensive 2010 on Briggate, a busy shopping street in Leeds. As Rozh Ahmad reports in his letter (here), the comrades had actually run out of papers at the end of their three-hour stint. Other comrades around the country take note! With the application of some imagination, flair and a matt black spray can, you too could be fighting the punters off in your local shopping centre.

This week saw a solid pace being maintained after the fantastic start of the campaign last week. Another £1,550 was raised, bringing our running total to £6,101. One comrade is streaking ahead with a total that already stands at £1,230. Behind (quite a way behind him, actually) is the pack - most of whom are only just off the blocks in the race to reach their personal SO targets. In addition to the Leeds comrades, special mentions this week to JT for his £50 and to comrades SB (£15), PM (30) and RL (£10).

The Leeds comrades promise us pictures of their stall - which sounds a little on the Goth side, what with all that matt black and red net fabric. How about some socialist competition for the best dressed CPGB stall?