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Saturday 7 Dec 2019
10:00 am – 11:00 am First Workshop Session
2020 Electoral Strategy: Key Races to Hold the House, Flip the Senate and Win the White House
Michelle Olson, Ed Loechler, Michelle Ottaviano, & Rina SchneurSullivan Auditorium
Looking at the 2020 national electoral landscape, winning at the presidential level is of course crucial. But so is flipping the Senate, holding to the House; and turning state legislatures blue. Where should we focus our energy, time and money? Which races are most important to support and why? Where are the “double-play” and “triple-play” states? We will be examining the national strategy for electoral activism. You will learn how to create your out-of-state portfolio and create a game plan for your team of candidates.
Presented by Michelle Ottaviano, Ed Loechler, Michelle Olson, & Rina Schneur
Activism and the Law – ACLU “Know Your Rights” Training
Matt AllenEager Auditorium
The First Amendment right to join with fellow citizens in protest or peaceful assembly is critical to a functioning democracy. But it is also unfortunately true that governments and police can violate this right through the use of mass arrests, illegal use of force, criminalization of protest, and other means intended to thwart free public expression.
Standing up for your right to protest can be challenging, especially when demonstrations are met with violence. But knowing your rights is the most powerful weapon you have against police abuse. Here’s what you need to know before heading out to exercise your constitutionally protected right to protest.
Presented by Matt Allen
Advancing Democracy Reform: from expanding voting rights to fighting big money
Brenda Wright, Pam Wilmot, Miles Rapoport, & Nick NyhartRoom 103
Across the country there is a major battle going on between those of us seeking to protect and expand democracy and create an even playing field, and those seeking to suppress voting and rig the system. In this workshop we will explore what is being done to increase voting access, stop gerrymandering and counter dark money’s warping of our elections.
Presented by Brenda Wright, Pam Wilmot, Miles Rapoport, & Nick Nyhart
Collaborating with Faith Communities in your Area
Cassandra Bensahih, Susan Leslie, Cindy Rowe, & Rachael DubinskyRoom 109
Did you know that both the Unitarian Universalist (UU) and Jewish faiths (501c3) and multifaith coalitions are actively looking to partner with 501c4’s to strengthen democracy and work for justice as part of electoral engagement in the 2020 elections? Come to this interactive workshop to explore the intersection of faith and political activism. We’ll explore the mutual benefits of and best approaches to partnering with your local faith community in 2020.
Presented by Cassandra Bensahih, Cindy Rowe, Susan Leslie, & Rachael Dubinsky
Making the Massachusetts House More Progressive
Erika Uyterhoeven, John Kirk, & Jonathan CohnRoom 107
Massachusetts should be leading on so many issues. But we are not and the reason for that is that despite the House being controlled by Democrats, the leadership prevents many bills from even getting to the floor. This session will explore how we can change the balance of power on Beacon Hill in 2020. If you want to see progress made on climate change, reproductive rights, taxation, transportation and reducing inequality, you will want to participate in this session.
The Impeachment Crisis, Grassroots Response and the 2020 Elections with Ezra Levin
Ezra LevinEager Auditorium
Ezra Levin, co-founder & co-director of Indivisible will explain the strategy for grassroots activism and the impeachment process; how to work on impeachment from a blue state; how this fits into a strategy for the 2020 elections and what we will have to prepare for on the day after election day.
11:15 am – 12:15 pm Second Workshop Session
Activists and the Democratic Party presented by Our Revolution MA
Anna Callahan & Michael Gilbreath109
There is a story about FDR’s response to A. Philip Randolph the leader of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the largest union of Afro-American workers in the 1940s. It sums up the essential idea of what we in ORMA call the “Inside/Outside Strategy”. After listening to their demands, and expressing his agreement, he is said to have remarked “Now go out there and make me do it.” We understand FDR to mean that success requires the combination of electoral activity with relentless, principled pressure by outside movements demanding that those inside make good on campaign commitments. This workshop will discuss the “Inside/Outside Strategy” (sometimes known as #DemEnter) to achieve change. What it is, Why it Matters, and How it works.
Presented by Anna Callahan & Michael Gilbreath
Canvassing Confidential: Real stories from canvassing in Maine
Paula Joseph & Rebecca RiccioEager Auditorium
Hear moving stories from the “field” about canvassing in Maine’s lesser known and more rural 2nd congressional district in 2018. Learn some of the nuts and bolts of canvassing, why it has a major impact on elections and what the plans are for 2020.
Presented by Rebecca Riccio and Paula Joseph
Cross-Group Support: A Workshop to Share and Scale Together
Joel Silberman & Jesse Woellhof105
In this highly interactive and collaborative session, we will work together to identify problems that are keeping us from sharing and scaling across groups and address them. We will share issues and solutions of all kinds – whether it’s how we’re using technology and tools, or how we’re enhancing our processes, communications, and relationship-building to better achieve our goals together. The session will be structured to include and engage everyone present, using Liberating Structures (https://www.liberatingstructures.com/), to discuss bright spots, challenges and taking action.
Presented by Joel Silberman & Jesse Woellhof
Defending Democratic values and norms at a time of major challenge
Ezra Levin, Archon Fung, & Miles Rapoport102
The Trump administration has been flouting democratic norms, attacking the press, breaking laws, and stacking the courts. At the same time, structures of representation in the US and internationally are under stress, and trust in information and institutions is at an all-time low. This session will focus on how to understand the assault on democratic institutions and what we can do to defend and rebuild our democracy.
Presented by Ezra Levin, Archon Fung, & Miles Rapoport
Election (In)security: How to fix broken voting systems
April Smith & Pam WilmotRoom 106
Electronic voting machines, scanners, and tabulators have known vulnerabilities; and you don’t have to live in Russia to exploit them. Domestic white hat hackers penetrated every machine tested at a recent hacking conference. In this talk, election security citizen advocate, April Smith, will explain what’s wrong with our voting systems, what needs to change, and what you can do to help.
Presented by April Smith & Pam Wilmot
Fundraising for Candidates and Causes
Kathleen Gasperine, Dale Smith, & Chris Kane107
The power of democratic, small donor fundraising is transforming American politics. Money is a critical factor for candidates to succeed. This workshop will teach you all you need to know about raising money for candidates and causes.
Presented by Kathy Gasperine, Dale Smith, & Chris Kane
Healthcare in MA: What we can do to improve healthcare in our state
Sen. Jamie Eldrige & Rebecca Wood110
Join Senator Jamie Eldridge & Rebecca Wood from MassCare to explore the prospects for Medicare for All in Massachusetts and what we can be doing to improve the healthcare system in our state
How to Lobby the Massachusetts State Legislature
Erika Uyterhoven, Jonathan Cohn, & John Kirk104
Massachusetts has a reputation as a progressive state. But Massachusetts is NOT the incubator of democracy that its reputation suggests. The State House has consistently failed to pass simple straightforward progressive legislation from the Safe Communities Act, to election day registration, transportation funding, housing, climate change and more. Legislators have also failed at effectively eliminating or even limiting solitary confinement, This session will provide background on our state legislature’s performance, methods of organizing inside and outside the State House, and the tools available to drive change at the state level. Join us to learn and share how to take the steps necessary to make Massachusetts fulfill its progressive reputation.
Presented by Erika Uyterhoeven, Jonathan Cohn, & John Kirk
Making the Most of Postcarding and Other Mailings
Susan Labandibar101
Across the country, tens of thousands of volunteers are writing postcards to encourage people in swing states to register to vote. Postcard and letter-writing parties are an incredibly effective way to build an army of concerned volunteers taking action. In this session we’ll dive into the research on postcards and mailings, discover which postcard actions are likely to be effective, and finish by sharing best practices for hosting parties and building community.
Presented by Susan Labandibar
Reproductive Rights at Risk: Defending reproductive rights in Massachusetts
Kim Kargman, Whitney Taylor, & Gena Frank108
With reproductive rights curtailed in many states across the country, and nationally Roe v. Wade in jeopardy, how do the laws of MA stack up? Current MA abortion law needs updating in order to abolish medically unnecessary restrictions, inaccurate language, and unwarranted intrusions between patient and doctor. The ROE Act would remove entrenched, unjust barriers to safe, legal abortion in MA for everyone regardless of age, financial, legal or insurance status.
The panel comprises key representatives from the ROE Coalition, made up of NARAL, Planned Parenthood, and the ACLU, and is working to support the ROE Act (S.1209/H.3320).
Presented by Kim Kargman, Whitney Taylor, & Gena Frank
What Works? Analysis of the most effective tactics to win close elections
Meg Ansara & Rina SchneurSullivan Auditorium
To win in 2020 we need to know what works to win elections and what are the most effective tools and activity that we can do. Our resources are limited. Time is limited. In this session we will explore what tactics work best and when in the election cycle. How do we evaluate how to best use our time and our energies to win close elections? Come to learn and discuss how to maximize our impact in 2020.
Presented by Meg Ansara & Rina Schneur
Working to Defend the Rights of Immigrants and Refugees in MA
Vatsady Sivongxay & Joel Rivera103
Immigrant Families aren’t just being separated at the border — they are being separated here in Massachusetts, too. Join MIRA Coalition’s Organizing Team for an interactive workshop discussing recent federal and state policy updates and engaging in ongoing campaigns for Immigrant and Refugee rights in Massachusetts including the Safe Communities Act, the Driving Families Forward campaign, and the fight for a complete count in the 2020 Census. Our goal is to leave this workshop with tangible action steps to advocate for immigrant justice at the local, state, and federal level.
Presented by Vatsady Sivongxay & Joel Rivera
12:45 pm – 1:15 pm Lunch
Be the Change: Running for Office 101
Martha Durkee-NeumanCafeteria
Have you (or a close friend) ever considered becoming an elected legislator? Imagine the impact you could have and the legacy you could leave to your community, state, and the country by actively participating in its governance. It’s not a pipe dream, you can be an elected legislator. What does it take to run for office? How do you pick your race, organize your campaign and win? Attend this session and learn the answers to these questions and more.
Presented by Martha Durkee-Neuman
Reorganizing & Strengthening Indivisible MA for 2020 & Beyond
Laurie Veninger, Debbie Paul, & Wayne DavisSullivan Auditorium
BEGINS 12:45 pm
Logistics Note: No food allowed in the Auditorium (session venue) so please plan a timely lunch between 12:15 – 12:40 pm to be at session by 12:45 pm. Leaving the session prior to lunch 5 minutes before it ends to get to cafeteria by 12:15 pm will minimize lunch line wait time. Thank you.
Presented by Laurie Veninger, Debbie Paul, & Wayne Davis
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Third Workshop Session
Building Your Action Plan for Election Day Registration
Kristina MensikRoom 107
Over the past year, Common Cause and the Election Modernization Coalition have led a campaign to enact Election Day Registration (EDR). This is a critical reform: in this month’s election, as in others, eligible voters were unable to participate because of issues with their registration. Overwhelmingly, those would-be voters are low-income, the elderly, and people of color. EDR is a simple reform that would prevent this from happening, has been used for over 40 years in 21 other states.
Join us to get an in-depth explanation of the impact of Massachusetts’ 20-day registration deadline, how Election Day Registration will ameliorate those harms and move the Bay State towards a more fully participatory democracy, and how you can help in the months ahead.
Presented by Kristina Mensik
Going the Distance: Volunteering for Campaigns in Key Battleground States
Janet Singer103
Trips to Swing Districts aren’t just for hardcore activists. Hear from first-time volunteers and battle-hardened veterans about why in-person voter contact in purple states is the most fun and effective way to help Democrats win in 2020.
Presented by Janet Singer
Gun Safety: What we can do to prevent gun violence
Monica Cannon, Angela Christiana, Ruth Zakarin, Tristan Grieve & Rina SchneurRoom 119
Gun violence is an epidemic impacting our daily lives wherever we live. 100 people die by firearm every day! From mass shootings to city violence to domestic violence to suicide – the violence comes in various forms. We all have the responsibility to do something about it. A panelist of representatives from grass root organizations in MA will discuss what they do to fight gun violence: build community programs, educate the public, change the narrative, lobby for sensible gun laws, and elect public officials who will take action. Come learn what YOU can do to help fighting for gun safety.
Presented by Monica Cannon, Angela Christiana, Ruth Zakarin, Tristan Grieve & Rina Schneur
Money Management for Non-profits Like Us
Judy Maslen & Whitney Taylor118
You most likely know that Indivisible groups are covered under the National Indivisible 501(c)4 non-profit umbrella and as such must comply with specific regulations set out by the IRS and the FEC, but do you know the specific ways in which those rules govern the time and money we spend on actions and events? Did you know that we also must abide by the rules of MA State OCPF which are entirely separate from federal rules? And that those rules change during an election cycle? We are about to enter the most important election cycle of our lifetime, don’t be caught out! Find out how to navigate these complex regulations to protect you and your group!
Presented by Judy Maslen & Whitney Taylor
Racial Justice, White Supremacy and White Nationalism in a Time of Trump
Lior GrossRoom 105
How do we work for racial justice when the White House promotes white nationalism? How do we confront racism everywhere, from within our movements and communities, to the treatment of immigrants and refugees, to voter suppression, to the systemic inequalities in wealth, housing, education, and income? How do we become effective allies to the movements led by people of color? Join us for a workshop confronting the rooted white supremacy in our systems & society for tools to unpack unspoken beliefs & structures as well as take action on collective liberation.
Indivisible Resources on Fighting White Supremacy:
Presented by Lior Gross
Raising Up Massachusetts
Lew Finfer104
Come learn how you and your group can join with the broad Raise Up Massachusetts coalition of community, labor and religious groups to oppose corporate tax loopholes, pass the Millionaire’s Tax , improve transportation and public education.
Presented by Lew Finfer
Red, Blue & YOU: Fight Gerrymandering with Sister District’s State Strategy
Michelle Ottaviano, Caroline Kerrigan, & Juliet EastlandRoom 106
We’ll take a look at the state of gerrymandering, how we got here, why it matters, how it figures into Sister District’s state strategy, and what you can do to fight it now with Sister District and other activist organizations. We are the Massachusetts & Rhode Island team of the national grassroots organization Sister District Project (SDP). Along with other SDP teams, we hone in on red-state races that are strategically critical and winnable — then put our energy to work flipping those state legislatures from red to blue. Everything we do is powered by one belief – STATES MATTER.
Presented by Michelle Ottaviano, Caroline Kerrigan, & Juliet Eastland
Responding to the Imperative of Climate Change
Craig Altemose & Vick Mohanka108
The seas are rising; the storms intensifying. We all know about the threat of climate change. Massachusetts should be leading and it is not. This session will explore how to move forward at a city & town level, at the state level and nationally. Come connect with others who want to do more to respond to climate change in 2020.
Presented by Craig Altemose & Mark Dyen
Strengthening your Local Group for 2020 and Beyond
Michael Ansara101
Want to bring in new people? Feeling as if too few people are doing all the work ? Not sure how to grow your group? Want to start a group? This very interactive and sharing workshop will explore how local groups can bring in new people, grow and get stronger.
Presented by Michael Ansara
Text Your Way to Victory: Texting for Candidates and Causes
Amy Hollman & April Nichols109
Learn how to reach thousands of voters in minutes! Texting is one of the most effective ways to mobilize activists and voters around the issues and races that matter. This session will teach you how to use texting platforms to engage your group’s members and have a measurable impact on 2020.
Presented by Amy Hollman & April Nichols
Using Social Media in 2020: Best Practices and What’s Changed
Brooke Nadell & Nate LernerEager Auditorium
This session, we will explore how to most effectively use social media in elections and organizing. Social media has become a required tool to reach potential volunteers and voters. What are the current best practices? What has changed? How can we best make use of this powerful set of tools? We will show you how to up your social media game.
Presented by Brooke Nadell & Nate Lerner
Voter Registration: Register Democrats, Save the World!
Berl Hartman, Dr. Dan McCool, & Jason BerlinSullivan Auditorium
We CAN save our democracy. Registering Democrats in targeted battlegrounds is how we do this. Field Team 6 along with its many partners, is a machine that mints Democrats. Your dollars and hours are the fuel.
In this workshop, you will hear form Jason Berlin, founder of Field Team 6 and mastermind of a brilliant and effective method of registering Democrats. You will also hear 2 case studies of how this plan is working (Maine) and how to get a new voter registration program in a distant state off the ground. And for those who can not travel to a nearby battleground state, we will discuss other options to make a difference and help to register Democrats.
Check out this amazing guide by Field Team 6 for more tools & information: How to Register Democrats: A Training Manual – 5/15/2019
Presented by Berl Harman, Dan McCool, & Jason Berlin
3:15 pm – 4:15 pm Making It Happen: Networking & Strategizing
Build your 2020 Electoral Action Plan
Michelle Olson & Rina SchneurSullivan Auditorium
Now that we have learned so much today, let’s create an action plan and take it home to execute. We will split into teams based on the state you most interested supporting, including the most critical states to win in 2020: Maine, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. This is a fully interactive session; bring your take aways, ideas and actions to share.
Presented by Michelle Olson & Rina Schneur
Designing our Action Plan to Combat Climate Change
Carol Oldham, Vick Mohanka, Craig Altemose, & Mark DyenEager Auditorium
Come together with other activists to plan in detail what we an do together in Massachusetts to respond to climate change. This will be a chance to make very concrete plans on how we can work together in the coming year.
Presented by Carol Oldham, Vick Mohanka, Craig Altemose, & Mark Dyen
Multi-issue Planning CD 1
Room 119
Join with other activists from your Congressional District to share goals and plan for 2020.
Multi-issue Planning CD 2
Room 121
Join with other activists from your Congressional District to share goals and plan for 2020.
Multi-issue Planning CD 3
Room 123
Join with other activists from your Congressional District to share goals and plan for 2020.
Multi-issue Planning CD 4
Room 102
Join with other activists from your Congressional District to share goals and plan for 2020.
Multi-issue Planning CD 5
Room 104
Join with other activists from your Congressional District to share goals and plan for 2020.
Multi-issue Planning CD 6
Room 106
Join with other activists from your Congressional District to share goals and plan for 2020.
Multi-issue Planning CD 7
Room 108
Join with other activists from your Congressional District to share goals and plan for 2020.
Multi-issue Planning CD 8
Room 110
Join with other activists from your Congressional District to share goals and plan for 2020.
Multi-issue Planning CD 9
Room 109
Join with other activists from your Congressional District to share goals and plan for 2020.
Taking It Home: Making a Difference in North Carolina
Please find the Powerpoint as an attached file below.