Here's a chance to get together with fellow progressives to talk politics and help grow a grassroots movement for social equality and political power. The SC Progressive Network is holding its annual Fall retreat at the historic Penn Center, October 3&4.
Guest speakers include acclaimed labor and civil rights activist Bill Fletcher and S.C. Rep. Joe Neal, who will offer critical analysis and perspective on our state and nation. Political strategists Wil Brown and Carey Crantford will present results on a 2008 election study and which candidates are vulnerable.
Along with our speakers, you will have a chance to mingle with elected officials and have one on one's with those who are seeking office. This will be an important time to have your issues and concerns heard by those who are representing us on the state and local level.
On Saturday afternoon, participants will break into caucuses to map strategy on the following issues:
* Workers’ Rights
* Waging Peace
* Racial Justice
* Environmental Protection
* LGBTQ Organizing Roundtable
* SC Death Penalty
The weekend begins at 10am on Oct. 3 and runs through 2pm on Oct. 4. Full package is $100, and includes conference materials, all meals and overnight accommodations. Day-only registration is $10. Car pools available from Columbia, Greenville and Charleston. Call 803-808-3384 if you can offer or need a ride.
Fall Retreat at Penn Center
AGENDA
Saturday, Oct. 3
10am: SC Progressive Voter Coalition (SC ProVote) ProVote is the PAC for individual members of the Network.
Open to all progressive voters. We will design an endorsement procedure, target races and map timelines. Candidates from both parties have been invited to speak. Political strategists Wil Brown and Carey Crantford will present results on a 2008 election study and which candidates are vulnerable. We will also hear brief reports from parties and caucuses.
* Party reports
* Candidates
* Target races
* 2010 strategy and timeline
* Endorsement process
noon: Lunch in cafeteria
1pm: Progressive Network Education Fund
Welcome: Walter Mack, Penn Center Director
Introductions: Representatives of member groups will introduce themselves.
1:30: Keynote Speaker: Bill Fletcher Jr. — "Organizing in the worst of times" Q&A will follow.
2:30: Rep. Joe Neal — "State of the SC State House" Neal will review the important fights to expect in the upcoming legislative session. Q&A will follow.
- Moving Network initiatives forward. Facilitators will present short overviews of each of the following issues:
• Workers’ Rights: Kerry Taylor, History Professor at the Citadel; Mary Moultrie, SEIU 1199
• Waging Peace: Dave Matos, Aiken Peace; Arnold Karr, Carolina Peace
• Racial Justice: SC Rep. Joe Neal
• Environmental Protection: Douglas Wilson, Alliance for Climate Protection
• LGBTQ Organizing: Beth Sherouse, SC gay rights activist
• Abolishing the Death Penalty in SC: Anna Shockley
• Missing Voter Project*: John Dawkins, SC Progressive Network staff
• Public Broadband*: Brett Bursey, SC Progressive Network Director
(*will not meet in breakout sessions)
3:45: Breakout caucuses. Groups will organize action plans to move issues forward in the coming year. Each caucus will report back to the meeting on Sunday. There will be time on Sunday for caucuses to meet again for further organizing or to include additional participants.
6:30: Fish fry with all the trimmings. Free time to socialize, network and have fun.
Sunday
8-9am: Breakfast in cafeteria
9:30: Worship, Song and Testimony. Tales from the Trenches: brief statements from organizers about challenges and opportunities in the movement for social justice.
- Network Business: Elections, finances, and sustainability.
10:30: Report from caucuses: Review strategies and time frames on action items.
noon: Lunch in Frissell Hall
1pm: Conclude workshops and caucuses
- Adjourn
Contact Details:
John P Dawkins
Midlands Coordinator
S.C. Progressive Network
803.467.1981
www.scpronet.com
www.myspace.com/scpronet