Remembering New Mexico First – RIP

By Diane Denish

In Mid-January, New Mexico First, the non-profit public policy organization, closed its doors after 38 years. 

As a participant and observer of New Mexico First from the beginning I have a historical view. I served as board chair early on, was at the first board meeting and recently at the last board meeting as a guest (and dozens of board meetings in-between). Initially in 1986, I was co-chair of the task force brought together by U. S. Sens. Pete Domenici and Jeff Bingaman. 

As a task force, we visited Texas and Arizona, who had examples of bi-partisan collaboration efforts — the Texas Lyceum and Arizona Town Halls. It was a time when businesspeople and advocates were eager to come together to address problems facing their states and in some cases the region. 

Once the organization was up and running and planning their first town hall in New Mexico, the two Senators were actively engaged. They would open doors for us to raise money, encourage attendance at the town hall, help recruit people from around NM to be board members and provide legislative research. 

The board was bipartisan, and statewide with 33 board members. With every county represented, it became an incredible way to learn about New Mexico and make new friends from around the state. 

Each year, New Mexico First brought people together from every corner of the state, including both experts and lay people, for two-day town hall meetings on a topic of statewide importance. Early town halls were in various communities. 

Prior to the town hall, a state university with expertise in the subject matter was charged with doing the independent background research. This was an invaluable tool for an informed discussion. Journalists and paralegals functioned as scribes recording the discussion of every small group. The final session of debate often led to broad agreement on policy and proposed legislation.

There was excitement when a town hall was announced and an eagerness to attend. 

The model was successful for about 25 years. 

So, what happened? The world changed around New Mexico First and the organization struggled to keep its niche as the premier town hall organization and a catalyst for positive change. 

As New Mexico and the Country began to reject bipartisanship and collaboration, New Mexico First lost its appeal. 

After the two senators who helped found New Mexico First left office, those who followed were from the same party. And, in their new roles, they were less engaged in New Mexico First. 

The focus for New Mexico First became contracting with other organizations to facilitate the town hall model in hopes of generating more revenue. This idea competed with private sector consultants who organized and facilitated discussions. 

The effort to keep a large board and have wide representation at a town hall also dissipated. The board shrunk in size with many initial board members being recycled. (including yours truly). It became Albuquerque centered. 

The announcement of closure reminds me of an obituary in which you learn more about a person’s life. It listed many of New Mexico First’s accomplishments. They range from the executive director raising a hand to support a bill in a committee hearing, to the various efforts of organized implementation teams of volunteers who spearheaded efforts to be the catalyst for positive change. 

Like many non-profits, New Mexico First lived its life, and the time came to hang it up. I’m proud to have been part of the founding effort and the early years. As a believer in bipartisanship and collaboration, I am grateful for the lessons I learned about why that is important. I don’t miss New Mexico First, but I do miss the foundation on which it was built — bipartisan, respectful, fact-based collaboration — and the positive change it can bring about.