Desk of the Chairman and President
To: Kevin DeAnna, National Executive Director; Erik Johnson, National Chairman; George Primbs, Virginia Executive Director and Vice President; All members of the board of directors; all members of the Virginia Advisory Board; all Chapter Chairmen; all members; and to all who may be interested
Cc: Jordan Marks, representative for the National Organization
From: William Zimmerman, Chairman and President
Subject: Transitional Update & and Closure
Date: Sunday, November 9, 2009
Intended Recipients:
During the past 19 months, I've worked hard to create and institutionalize an organization that fights for the advancement of conservative principles in government and on college campuses. Our fight has been opposed by those who seek to protect the diminishing influence of liberal/quasi-socialist principles of control, limited personal freedom, and propagandic indoctrination. This has been no easy fight and I have lost many hours of sleep working to expand our operation and thereby our influence. In such a short period of time, we have had the opportunity to accomplish things that many other commonwealthwide organizations have never been able to accomplish. We've hosted various members of congress (honorable), conservative leaders, etc. at chapters across the Commonwealth of Virginia. We've taken multiple trips, hosted multiple demonstrations, protested multiple events. Our events have had some of the largest audiences to attend conservative/libertarian/republican events. I have had the opportunity to meet many great friends due to my involvement in this organization.
It comes with much sadness to inform you all that we will not transition into our own autonomous organization, as was originally planned. As many of you all know, this transition was to begin taking place directly after the elections here in Virginia due to a dissension with the national organization over inactivity and general, ruthless ineffectiveness. The decision to transition came to past upon the ending of our negotiations with the National Organization. I believe that our announcement of this transition to the conservative community was pressure enough for the national organization, whereby they've now hired a person to start organizing nationally. I've decided that our efforts to organize an independent conservative organization here in Virginia will now be futile due to the fact that YAF will be reorganized in Virginia by the national organization.
It has been a quite difficult endeavor for us to distinguish ourselves as the conservative organization in Virginia; to distinguish our organization from organizations like the college republicans, et al. Just as we have made headway, and were intending to advance with an autonomous organization, YAF (national) will once again challenge us and cause much confusion as to the nature of our two organizations. The Young Americans for Freedom has been dormant for years, with a National Chairman and a Board of Directors - that is it. They've missed elections, state organizations have perished, and they now mainly exist on paper (as well as with a bank account, of course). I see the new efforts of the Young Americans for Freedom as being futile, as they've made "attempts" like this before and were ineffective and unsuccessful at each step.
Despite the fact that we will soon no longer exist, I do not want that fact to discourage you. Remember the things and ideas for which we fought - individual freedom, limited government, national security, etc. Never forget the blessings which we often take for granted. Socialism, Authoritarianism, and other forms of Non-democratic rule leave millions of people around the world oppressed, unable to provide for their families, with the ability to prosper merely an abstract, unachievable goal (much like a child's wishes to one day become president of the United States). I firmly believe that when people are given the choice between chains and freedom, people overwhelmingly choose freedom. Keep this in mind when you fight and are opposed by liberals in all their fervor. Don't be afraid to start your own organizations; there are many organizations that will proudly help fund your operations.
Keep your head high, never give up the fight, and realize that I'm still here to help those interested in continuing to fight for the cause of freedom.
In freedom, always,
William A. Zimmerman
