Our Mission: To develop a multi-state network of power organizations in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan made up of faith communities, labor, environmentalists and community groups building deep self interested relationships that allow its members to act together to move collectively, by agreement, on numerous local, state and federal issues and campaigns.

Our Vision: IIRON will expand in Indiana beyond its current presence in Chicago and the NW Indiana region to gain a significant presence in Indiana politics. It will also expand in western Michigan, which, like Northwest Indiana, is politically significant in state politics, voted for Obama and has progressive elements that can be built upon, creating a tri-state consortium named IRON, Interstate Regional Organizing Network.

Our Methodology: We survey current members and relationships, judicatories, etc., to get introductions and begin doing one-on-one meetings, which then result in more introductions and meetings. This process leads to a table of committed leaders and organizations that meet monthly around the idea of forming the organization. The process then leads to conducting leadership trainings to establish a common methodology and to developing more relationships with individuals and organizations.

We believe in taking the time necessary to build strong relationships of trust, train a core of leaders and to raise resources necessary to be effective. The benefit is an organization without much process or infighting because the relationships have been established and the methodology and roles worked out, which can then move forward to identify concrete methods and plans to realize a collective vision of IIRON.

Current IIRON Partners:

Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Local 1 www.seiu1.org

Northwest Indiana Federation of Interfaith Organizations http://www.nwinfederation.org/

A Just Harvest/Northside P.O.W.E.R. www.ajustharvest.org

S.O.U.L. (Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation) www.soulchicago.org

The next two week long IIRON intensive trainings will take place from February 12, 2012 - February 18, 2012; and July 15, 2012 - July 20, 2012, at Cedar Lake Ministries Conference Center, Cedar Lake, Indiana. Contact the Federation for details.