Tell Your Story with MAFA

Your Club or Organization can help MOVE AMERICA FORWARD AGAIN

1. What is MAFA? Explain & Tell Your Service Story

2. Mission Statement: Patriotism Through Progress

3. Parallel Structures for People Power

4. Inclusivity and Tribal or Team Unity

5. Focus On Achievement, Not Just Activity

6. Visual Identity and Symbolism of MAFA

7. Some Helpful “How To” Hints

8. Can Any of This Really Make a Difference?

9. Promotional Items to Boost Your Club’s Membership & Fund Raising

1. What is MAFA?

MAFA - Moving America Forward Again, is a spirit like our country’s pioneer spirit of old that moved this country from one shore to the other. It is a conviction that progress can be achieved at a small group or community level when federal help is simply not available or just not working well.

MAFA is meant to be a rallying call to local service organizations that already have experience working on projects that benefit their local communities. Many of these organizations are international in nature like the Lions Club, the Kiwanis and the Rotary Club that serve their local communities in a variety of ways. And, of course, there are many other local organizations that form to take on specific projects that their communities desire.

What they all would like is to increase their membership and their level of service to their communities. Rallying around and promoting the MAFA spirit and conviction is one possible way of achieving that goal.

Promotional products like ball caps and T-shirts embroidered with the MAFA logo and website are available to be purchased from professional companies at cost by local organizations to be sold at retail price as a fund raising and promotional effort to help the general public know what it is that these organizations do for their communities. Hopefully that will help build membership and levels of service, thereby moving their communities and the country as a whole forward toward a better life.

You can Google those organizations that exist in your community to learn more about them and when and where they meet so you can learn even more about their local activities if you are so inclined. You don’t have to wait for an invitation to inquire about joining. And you may even feel that you’d like to start a specific effort in a group that you already belong to, or start a new one!

If you’d like to order MAFA promotional items to help launch your effort you’ll find opportunities at these companies who are licensed to provide MAFA gear:

2. Mission Statement

Patriotism Through Progress:

Moving America Forward Again is a spirit or conviction that taking action to improve America's living conditions for all residents of the country is a noble way of demonstrating patriotism. It is the belief that by working together to solve problems we will make the world around us a better place. MAFA is not an organization, but rather a unifying conviction that true patriots don’t waste time and energy on over idolizing the past, but instead focus on building a better future. Deciding on the details of how to do that is where the real work lies and implementing those plans once they are formed is what we call progress, moving forward! Political efforts alone don’t seem to be the sole solution.

The energy of the MAGA movement thrills some, dismays some, and confuses others who may agree with various objectives, but may also disagree with various means. MAFA is simply a parallel concept where energy is essential and variety of possible solutions is key, but peaceful debate, diplomacy, legality and honesty are equally critical to achieving desired results.

What issues would you like to see addressed? What is important to you and yours and how would you like to move forward? How many possible solutions can be generated? Who might the important players be? How would you like to build your team? What would you like to accomplish? How do you take effective action?

There are areas of concern that too many of our elected officials have failed to adequately address. They seem to have stalled out therefore preventing meaningful progress that would improve the lives of their constituents and hopefully the lives of all of us!

So, moving forward in the bold “pioneer spirit” that built this country may need to be revisited and re-energized at the grassroots level. That pioneering spirit moved a nation forward from one ocean’s shore across a continent to another ocean’s shore, but often with aggression and conflict. Perhaps we should start moving forward again, but with cooperation and dignity.

3. Parallel Structures for People Power

The MAFA spirit and conviction would hopefully inspire the development or bolstering of independent community structures that address identified needs. At least some of those needs may be ones that government, parties or politicians have failed to meet effectively.

Many resources are already in place whether it's a local cooperative to tackle affordable housing, a political action committee that makes recommendations to legislators, a citizen journalism blog, a neighborhood safety team or some of the many civic organizations that already exist in communities.

Promotion of the MAFA spirit in combination with explicit community goals would hopefully boost membership numbers in existing service organizations as well as possibly create new channels for civic engagement outside of partisan gridlock.

These parallel structures should be enclaves of creative thinking and sound reasoning, empowering citizens with a “do it ourselves” mentality. The MAFA movement should be self-generating from the grassroots of American communities and ideally would be an inspiring example of self-initiative, American ingenuity and productivity: Moving America Forward Again.

4. Inclusivity and Tribal or Team Unity

The MAFA spirit, the MAFA conviction, hopefully would be shared by all Americans of all creeds, cultures and political persuasions, all who share a common desire for a better future, all who believe we should focus on shared concerns, keeping families safe, reducing the cost of living, ensuring fair opportunities, and protecting the nation's values. By working independently, and together, we are bonding in purpose over these issues. We would be forming a new team, a new American tribe of problem solvers generally, but realistically a variety of tribes, groups, organizations or teams that are addressing concerns that they choose to focus on. No matter your background, if you're willing to roll up your sleeves for America's future, you share the spirit of MAFA.

However, this MAFA spirit would be a “productive movement” only if people participate in its promotion and hopefully participate in one or more of the civic projects that are conceived and carried out. In other words, it’s only a movement if you would like it to be; it’s only a movement if you make it one. It’s only a movement if you participate, in even the smallest way. No one needs to feel the pressure to strive to be the star quarterback, but it would be nice if everyone was at least a cheerleader. And if real progress is going to be achieved, there has to be some players on the field. Everyone can help make that happen. Yes, everyone! Are you willing to be on the team? Can you help someone get on the team?

5. Focus On Achievement, Not Just Activity

Some issues or public concerns are relatively easy to address and some can be seemingly formidable, much more complicated and much more challenging.

Fund raising for cold weather coats for kids in need, or financing new benches for the neighborhood park, would very likely be much easier than finding practical solutions for the homeless, feeding the hungry in your area or developing generally agreed upon recommendations to legislators. The good news is that you don’t have to start from scratch. Many community service organizations already exist. Check it out.

Who is already working on these issues, and what kind of help do they need? Where are the “neutral” meeting places where gatherings can be held to peacefully and respectfully address the perceived needs of your area? What does the current inventory of your local resources look like? What issues are being addressed and what issues need attention? Again, where is help needed? How can we pick up the pace? If we noticeably move our communities forward by shifting into high gear and publicly explain our achievements, then we collectively build momentum in the effort to Move America Forward Again.

6. Visual Identity and Symbolism of MAFA

The MAFA logo visually suggests an aspirational tone that mixes several visual implications. The four-letter acronym MAFA, an abbreviation for Move America Forward Again, is in bold letters because this effort is truly a noble and bold one, but their design is rather fluid, symbolizing a non-rigid more flexible character that could represent a varied but generally similar consensus regarding the spirit of the concept of Moving America Forward Again by working at a grassroots level employing debate, compromise when necessary, and productive action. These are qualities important to all relationships. The letters are preceded by the butterfly which has universally been understood as a symbol of beautiful change or transformation which is the dominant general desire embodied in the MAFA spirit. Through the process of growth and development the lowly caterpillar is transformed through metamorphosis into the high-flying beauty we know as the butterfly. Moving forward to the last image of the dove carrying the olive branch, this is the universal symbol of peace signaling that growth, positive change and progress will be made through only lawful and peaceful means in an atmosphere of courtesy and mutual respect.

7. New Club? Some Helpful “How To” Hints

Selecting Forum Facilitators & Developing the Agenda

Most clubs have a pretty standard agenda format for their weekly or monthly meetings. There is a welcome, perhaps an opening ceremony such as the Pledge of Allegiance, or an invocation, then a listing of the items or issues to be discussed. The introduction of a guest speaker, or a short program might follow. Then a wrap-up, perhaps, with final announcements.

The format has probably been followed for years. If you are starting a new organization, you may want to use a similar format. If your gathering is for the purpose of developing a strategic plan of action, you will likely want to find someone who has a little experience in directing such a working session, where you might have easels or whiteboards to work with, and someone recording the results.

Developing the Agenda

A good meeting starts with a great roadmap. Think of the agenda as the skeleton that gives your gathering structure and focus. Start with the basics: who’s opening, what updates need attention, and where the key discussion points belong.

Leave room for flexibility. A rigid meeting can stifle the creativity and camaraderie your group needs to grow. Consider rotating who introduces topics, or allowing a short “open mic” for members to raise emerging ideas. And always close with clear next steps or assignments: momentum depends on follow-through.

Promotion: Getting the Word Out

Even the most meaningful meetings won’t matter if no one knows they’re happening. Use simple, consistent messaging across channels your members already use: email, Facebook groups, community boards, or personal invitations.

Make the invite clear: What’s the purpose of this meeting? Why should someone attend? When and where is it?

If your group is new, invite folks personally. A text or phone call often works better than a mass post. Keep the tone welcoming, mission-driven, and inclusive. You're building more than attendance, you're building belonging.

Recording and Advertising the Results

What happens in the meeting shouldn’t stay in the meeting. Assign someone to take down key decisions, action items, and any community wins or upcoming deadlines. This can be as simple as a handwritten summary or a shared Google Doc.

Then... tell the story. A short recap emailed to members, posted to a group page, or mentioned at the next gathering helps reinforce shared purpose and progress. Consider highlighting member contributions or quoting a powerful comment. These touchpoints remind everyone that their time, and their voice, mattered.

Generous Listening Steps:

1 Connect and pay attention: “Tell me.”

2 Acknowledge the speaker frequently.

3 Paraphrase and repeat back.

4 Allow speaker to correct or clarify.

5 Identify the feeling speaker may feel, repeat 4.

6 Thank speaker for sharing.

8. Can Any of This Really Make a Difference?

An elderly gentleman was strolling along the beach one morning when he encountered a child skipping along, but stopping occasionally to pick up starfish from the sand and throw them into the surf.

The old man inquired of the youngster, “Why are you throwing starfish?” The child explained that for the next several days there would be a slack tide, meaning that high tides would not come in as far as they normally do, thus leaving the starfish stranded to die in the hot sun. “So,” said the youngster, “I am saving their lives!”

The old gentleman said, “Well, my child, I am moved by your concern for the plight of these poor creatures, but if you look up and down this shoreline you will notice that there are starfish for nearly as far as you can see! So surely you must realize that a little person like yourself can’t really make a difference here.”

The child stood motionless for a brief moment, then stooped down and grabbed a starfish there within reach and hurled it back into the sea; then looked up, smiled and said, “Well, I sure made a difference for that one!”

A lengthy shoreline is simply a collection of individual grains of sand. All of those little things do add up, as do even the smallest of efforts when combined together.

9. Promotional Items to Boost Your Club’s Membership & Fund Raising

Promotional products like ball caps and T-shirts embroidered with the MAFA logo and website are available to be purchased from professional companies at cost by local organizations to be sold at retail price as a fund raising and promotional effort. This helps raise money and lets the public know what your club is doing—hopefully inspiring others to join your mission and move America forward again.

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