Plans and details are coming together for our Progressive Summit on December 5-6 in Columbia. If you haven't signed up yet -- or if you've got colleagues, coworkers and friends who need to join us -- the link for registration is www.progressmissouri.org/summit-signup.
If you're already signed up, here are more details on the whos, whats, wheres and whys:
- WHO SHOULD BE THERE? Well, you. And your colleagues, neighbors and friends who are worried about where our state is headed – and ready to do something about it.
- Cost: $20. This covers cover building costs and afternoon snacks. Lunches, dinners and lodging are not included.
- Registration form is here.
- WHAT WILL BE HAPPENING. A lot. We are finalizing the schedule this week and next, but here’s a breakdown of topics by day.
- Friday panel/workshop topics:
- What happened in the 2014 elections?
- The 2015-2016 state budget outlook
- Navigating rules for 501c3 and 501c4 organizations during the 2015 session
- Effective communications and advocacy on gun safety. Lobby day best practices
- Voting rights (hint: they’re in danger)
- The Rex Sinquefield network
- Predatory lending (still an abomination and embarrassment for Missouri)
- Presentations that connect with audiences on an emotional level
- Clean Power
- Faith-based organizing
- And probably more stuff
- Saturday panel/workshop topics:
- Medicaid Expansion
- The Missouri Nondiscrimination Act
- How to not be a terrible advocate, from the legislators' perspective
- How voters are thinking about reproductive rights
- Marijuana policy
- Facebook page management for your org, campaign and cause
- How to be better at the twitters
- Low wage worker organizing
- Organizing on campuses
- The ALEC and State Policy Network
- And probably more stuff.
- WHERE IS THIS ALL GOING DOWN? Downtown Columbia. More specifically:
- All Summit panels and workshops will be in the Missouri United Church annex at 204 S 9th Street in Columbia. Map here. The space has lots of flexible rooms, an auditorium for plenary sessions, a coffee shop for you to get your fix, and close access to all of the great food and drink options that Columbia has to offer.
- Looking for a hotel within walking distance? Try The Tiger Hotel (boutique hotel three blocks away) or The Broadway hotel (a Doubletree four blocks away). There are also dozens of hotels just a short drive away.
- WHEN SHOULD YOU BE THERE? The action goes from 9am-5pm on Friday, December 5, and 9am-4pm on Saturday, December 6. Stay tuned for nighttime fun options.
- WHY ARE WE DOING THIS AGAIN? Because:
- we’ve got some things to learn from the past few years in Missouri, good and bad
- the 2015 session is almost upon us
- 2016 isn’t all that far off either
It’s going to be awesome. Sign up here: www.progressmissouri.org/summit-signup
Onward,
Sean, Pamela and Cameron