With growing numbers of Proact supporters, and a more global
membership, the significance of world and sub-national (or provincial) regions increases.
It was never intended that Proact should be a centralised, self-serving organisation. We do not seek out
or initiate campaigns; we respond to appeals for help worldwide; especially when the problem is perhaps too insignificant
for the larger conservation organisations; or where they are too unwieldy or inflexible to react when time is of the essence.
We can also give new impetus to the solution of long-standing problems. We are NOT in competition with BirdLife, WWF et al.,
- we work in parallel and fill a niche in the overall conservation field.
Our function is to campaign for birds and their habitats - wherever we are needed. One of our main
strengths as an internet-based group is immediate contact between members and regions and the ability to mobilise our members
for rapid and flexible actions. Like the birds we seek to protect there are no boundaries or borders between us.
I hope that regions (The Americas, Africa); but also more localised counties or provinces will identify
where Proact can help. Here the whole weight of our team and its capabilities can be brought to bear.
The first step in this direction is the establishment of a worldwide network of Proact coordinators. Members
who see the problems at first hand, who can identify our local aims and targets, and steer and monitor the campaign.
We also aim to recruit more members without becoming unwieldy. That way we have more weight to 'throw around'.
But all members must remain individuals and be able to identfy themselves with the Proact principles; and have a regional
or local point of contact when they need advice or support.
Nothing new or world-shattering here; let's put the true and tried 'grass roots' principle to good effect.
David Conlin