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Our
financial emergency
If
you received the desperate email or letter I sent out a few months
ago, you know the Advocates for Self-Government was facing a serious
financial emergency.
As you may recall, lower-than-expected attendance at our 20th anniversary
conference left us with a hotel debt of $48,906 -- a debt that was
due immediately.
As president, I accepted full responsibility for getting the Advocates
into such a dangerous financial position.
I knew it was my responsibility to find a solution.
But how? The Advocates simply didn't have $48,906.
Shut
down the Advocates?
A few pessimistic souls suggested to me privately that
the Advocates might have to shut down. "There's no way you can
raise that kind of money," they told me. "It would take
a miracle."
That advice, however well-meaning, made me angry.
Shut down the Advocates for Self-Government? One of the most active
and innovative groups in the libertarian movement? At a time when
America so desperately needs to hear our libertarian message?
There had to be a better way!
I decided to turn to the people who had always stood by the Advocates
in the past. People like you. Our friends and supporters.
In the emergency email and letter, I explained the problem. I told
you exactly how far in debt we were. I explained that all our important
projects were in jeopardy.
I asked for your help.
You responded. And a miracle happened.
Donations
from around the world
In the weeks that followed, money poured in from around
the United States -- and from around the world. (In addition to donations
from our friends in America, we received checks from libertarians
in Hungary, Cypress, Denmark, Indonesia, South Africa, and a dozen
other countries.)
Some generous supporters sent $1,000, $500, or $250. I'm sure you
can imagine how helpful those large donations were.
But even more heartwarming were the donations of $10, or $5, or
$2. They came from libertarians who were unemployed, or living on
fixed incomes, or trying to save money to start a business.
It hurt for them to send $10, or $5, or $2. But they did.
Whatever the amount libertarians were able to contribute, I was honored
-- and grateful -- to receive it.
(In addition, many libertarians sent words of encouragement along
with their donations. In the email message I sent you, you'll see
some of the heartfelt comments that lifted our spirits when things
looked so bleak.)
When we finished sorting through the hundreds of envelopes and emails,
we had raised the $48,906 we needed.
Walking
on air
I tell you, I was walking on air the day I went to
the hotel and handed the manager the final check to settle our bill.
It had been the most serious financial crisis in the history of the
Advocates.
But it resulted -- unexpectedly -- in the most astonishing outpouring
of generosity I've ever experienced.
Click HERE to see the
names of all the "Lifesavers" who helped us get through
this financial crisis. (A few additional people asked to remain anonymous.)
If your name is on that list, thank you. You were part of a miracle.
Exciting
new project
If your name is not on that list, don't worry. As you'll
see in the letter that accompanies this report, the Advocates is charging
ahead with all our vital programs to advance the cause of liberty.
In that letter, I also reveal an exciting new project that will
put the World's Smallest Political Quiz into the hands of many of
America's most influential people.
So -- whether you've helped us in the past, or were waiting until
the right time to make a contribution -- now is the perfect opportunity
to show your support.
The Advocates is back! And we're working every day to build
an effective mass movement for liberty.
With your help, we will keep moving forward.
CLICK
HERE to return to our "October Report" letter
about our progress and plans.
Or,
if you're ready to make a donation, CLICK
HERE to go to our easy, secure online donation form.
Thank you!
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