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Socialist  Party USA: National Organizing Conference
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Join us in Ann Arbor THIS WEEKEND!

When: July 11-13, 2008
Where: ICC Education Center at: 1522 Hill St. Ann Arbor, MI (behind the the Luther Cooperative House)
ICC Education Center Home Page

Registration Fees:
$25 and up (self-defined sliding scale).
* no one will be turned away because they cannot pay the $25 fee.

Print out the registration form here or
registration on-line here. 

Pay registration with Pay Pay here:


SATURDAY JULY 12TH               
Session 1: 10:00 - 11:15 a.m.
 
Workshop 1. The Nuts and Bolts of SP and Coalition Organizing
Facilitator:
Greg Pason
This workshop will give concrete examples of ways to organize and maintain Socialist Party locals, state parties, and regional networks; and how to help members become more active and to stay connected to the national party's organizational structure.


Workshop 2. Analyzing Capitalism Closely
Facilitator: Kevin Kane
This workshop will focus on the economic issues and arguments against capitalism, and less on the human rights, democracy, justice, etc "sociopolitical" issues that are all too often thrown into the traditional socialist arguments.  This is an attempt to explain the inner workings of our charge against capitalism, that are equitable to the Libertarians' charges against the state, which are more theoretical, rational (though not to say ours are irrational), and harder to argue with.  My goal is to explain socialism in a way that does that and better.


PLENARY: 11:30AM - 1:00PM:
Organizing for Socialism in an Election Year: Supporting Our Candidates, Building the Movement
Plenary, moderated by Susan Dorazio (SP Women's Commission)

I.
Opening remarks on electoral activity as an organizing tool-- Susan Dorazio

II. Background on socialists and the ballot box -- Eric Chester (historian, SP International Commission)
             
III. Major organizing issues of 2008, and how socialist candidates connect with them.
  • Brian Moore (SP candidate for U.S. President) on the anti-war movement as it can and should relate to socialist principles and platform.
  • Courtney Campbell: Socialist Electoral Politics as an Expression of International Solidarity. Independent Socialist Electoral Action in the United States and Brazil.
III: Closing remarks on why independent socialist electoral action is important, what socialist campaigns can
accomplish, and proposals for increasing the resources and visibility of socialist campaigns--
Matt Erard (SPMI candidate for State Representative) 
Dwain Reynolds (SPMI candidate for State Board of Education)


1:00 - 2:45 pm: Lunch
Session 2:  2:45 - 4:00 p.m.
Workshop 1. Working with the Peace and Justice Movement
Facilitator: Greg Pason
A panel of reps from SP locals who have joined/worked with existing local/state P & J organizations will talk about their experiences, followed by a group discussion on strategies for working within existing coalitions.  The focus will be on how we can put forward socialist ideas and socialist electoral strategies in mainly "liberal" dominated coalitions.


Workshop 2. The Role of Ballot Access in Our Electoral Strategy
Facilitator:
Brian Moore
This workshop will include the following among its sub-topics: purpose of  ballot access; difficulties participating in ballot access efforts; potential states to access, based on conditions; technical aspects of getting our candidates on the ballot; targeting states to qualify on ballot as "write-in" status only; seeking coordinators responsible for each state, within the state; using internet and Web to solicit volunteers; raising money to pay for paid petitioners, state fees, volunteer expenses, legal fees, etc; and producing and distributing campaign materials.


Workshop 3. Contemporary Left Politics in Latin America
Facilitator: Courtney Campbell
Description coming soon


Session 3:  4:15 - 5:30 p.m.
Workshop 1. Rescuing Lenin from the Leninists
Co-Facilitators:
Marc Luzetti and Ted McTaggart
This topic concerns how the left, both Leninist and anti-Leninist, has completely misunderstood Lenin's conception of party building, why, and what we can salvage from it.


Workshop 2. Breaking Down Walls: A Look at Immigration Policy in the United States
Facilitator:
Nicol Partida
This workshop will discuss the current US reactionary immigration policies riddled with bigotry and leading to disastrous results.


7:00PM - 9:00PM
Marx in Soho. Howard Zinn's award winning play, performed by Socialist Party Co-Chair Jerry Levy as Karl Marx. Fundraiser for the Socialist National Committee (Electoral Fund). See the Marx in Soho website at: http://levyarts.com

SUNDAY JULY 13TH
Session 1: 10:00 - 11:15 a.m.
Workshop 1. Marxism 101
Facilitator:
Matt Erard
This workshop will present an overview of the basic theoretical and economic concepts of the paradigm that has most influenced the history of socialist thought. The presentation will cover such core issues in Marxian philosophy and political economy as dialectics, materialism, class and the state, scientific socialism, alienation, ideological formation, the labor theory of value, capitalist economic crises, imperialism, socialist remuneration and stages, and the relevance of Marx's predictions today.

Workshop 2. Capitalism and the Exploitation of Animals
Facilitator:
Nicol Partida
In this workshop we will explore the ways in which capitalism violently objectifies and commodifies animals within US systems and the potential for socialism to rectify these issues.

Session 2: 11:30AM - 12:45PM

Workshop 1. LGBTQ liberation 
Facilitator: Sara McClean
Description coming soon


Workshop 3. Organizing for Healthcare
Facilitator:
Kristin Schall
This workshop will be a presentation of the strategies and experiences of the New York City local to help build the Coalition Against Privatization.  This coalition brings together a variety of trade union rank-and-file opposition and left-wing groups to take action against the proposed conversion of non-profit health care insurers GHI & HIP to for-profit status.


Session 3: 1:00 - 2:15 p.m.
Workshop 1. Our Agenda, Not Theirs: Socialist Feminist Organizing in the Electoral Arena
Facilitator: Susan Dorazio
As socialist feminists, we have a unique analysis and program to bring to women's rights/liberation issues.  This is particularly important when it comes to our electoral activity, where it is so easy to get caught up in the politics of reformism.  In this workshop we will define the scope of  "electoral activity"; talk about our socialist feminist principles; review our Women's Commission platform; and share ideas for ways to act on these principles and platform within the electoral sphere of our political work.

Workshop 2. Electoral Alliances/Regroupment
Facilitator: Eric Chester
The question of working more closely with other socialist organizations, perhaps even merging with them, has frequently been raised.  This workshop will place this issue in an international perspective and then move to a free-flowing discussion
 


How do I get there?

By airplane
Detroit Metropolitan Airport
airport website

driving directions from the airport to the NOC:  Take I-94 W toward Chicago. Take Exit 177 (State St.). Turn a right onto State St. Turn right onto Hill St. The ICC Education Center will be on your right behind the Luther Cooperative House.
Total Distance: 24.3 miles.

Shuttle/Taxi services (some options)
AAA Airport Shuttle Express www.annarborairportshuttle.net * 734–394–1665
AAA Ann Arbor/Detroit Metro Airport Shuttle www.a2airportshuttle.com * 734-507–9220
Checker Sedan www.checkersedan.com/atairport.php
Metro Airport Taxi  www.metroairporttaxi.org
Michigan Flier www.michiganflyer.com/Rates_and_Reservations.html
More options will be posted soon

Free rides
Socialist Party members in the Ann Arbor area will provide transportation to and from the airport for as many conference participants as possible on Friday July 11th. If you’d like to request a ride from the airport, please email
spmi@spmichigan.org or call Matt Erard at (248) 765-1605.

By train
Amtrak
Amtrak website

driving directions
from the AMTRAK station to the NOC: Start out going Southeast on Depot St. toward Carey St. Depot St. will become Fuller St. Turn right onto Glen Ave. Turn left onto E. Huron St. Turn right onto Hill St. The ICC Education Center will be on your left behind the Luther Cooperative House. Total Distance: 1.63 miles. A map of the route from the Amtrak Station can be found here

By Bus
Greyhound
Mega Bus

driving directions from the Greyhound station to the NOC: Head East on Huron St. toward Main St. 2. Huron St. will become Washtenaw Ave. 3. Turn right on Hill St. The ICC Education Center will be on your left behind the Luther Cooperative House. Total Distance: 1.52 miles. A map of the route from the Greyhound Station click here

Lodging
Free housing
(mostly couch and floor space, but some beds will be available).
Currently there is floor and couch space at the E. V. Debs House on campus must bring sleeping bag & pillow)
and limited space at local members homes.

Contact Matt Erard for more info. E-Mail: slnaphtali@yahoo.com Phone: (248) 765-1605

Some local hotels (sent to us form the Socialist Party of Michigan)

Vitosha Guest Haus
. (0.4 miles from the Conference location) Room accommodating 4 people at $149/night.
Address: 1917 Washtenaw Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104. Phone: (734) 741-4969.
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Library Bed and Breakfast.(0.7 miles from the Conference location) Rooms accommodating 2-3 people
starting at $75/night. Address: 808 Mary St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Phone: (734) 668-6815
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Ann Arbor Bed and Breakfast (1 mile from the Conference location) Address: 921 E Huron St Ann
Arbor, MI 48104. Phone: (734) 994-9100.
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Bell Tower Hotel (1 mile from the Conference location) Rooms starting at $154/night. Address: 300 S. Thayer Street Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Phone: (734) 769-2200.
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Claire's Guest House (1.3 miles from the Conference location). $89/night for rooms accommodating one
person. $99/night for rooms accommodating two people. Address: 2100 Hall Ave. Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Phone:
(734) 996-0515
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Lamp Post Inn (1.4 miles from the Conference location). Rooms starting at $49.95/night. Address: 2424 E. Stadium Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Phone: (734) 971-8000.
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Burnt Toast Inn (Bed and Breakfast - 1.4 miles from the Conference location) $100/night for rooms
accommodating one or two people. Address: 415 W. William Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Phone: (734) 662-6685
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Murray Hotel (1.4 miles from the Conference location). Call for rates. Address: 338 E. Ann St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Phone: (734) 222-0984

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Eighth Street Trekkers Lounge (2.1 miles from the Conference location) Call for rates. Address: 120 8th St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Phone: (734) 369-3107.
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Victory Inn (2.5 miles from the Conference location). Rooms starting at $49.95/night. Address: 3750 Washtenaw Ave. Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Phone: (734) 971-2000
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Davie's House in Georgetown (2.5 miles from the Conference location). Call for rates. Address: 1355
King George Blvd. Ann Arbor, MI 48108 Phone: (734) 973-1722.
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Days Inn (3 miles from the Conference location). Rooms starting at: $59.99/night. Address: 2380 Carpenter Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Phone: (734) 971-0700
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Baymont Inn (3 miles from the Conference location). Rooms starting at: $79/night. Address: 2376 Carpenter Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Phone: (877) 229-6668
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Holiday Inn Express (3 miles from the Conference location). Rooms starting at $98/night. Address: 600
Briarwood Circle Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Phone: (877) 863-4780
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Courtyard Marriott (3 miles from the Conference location). Rooms starting at: $129/night. Address: 3205
Boardwalk St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Phone: (734) 995-5900
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Fairfield Inn (3.1 miles from the Conference location) Rooms starting at: $99/night. Address: 3285
Boardwalk St. Ann Arbor, MI 48108 Phone: (734) 995- 5200.
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Motel 6 (3.3 miles from the Conference location). Rooms starting at $44.95/night. Address: 3764 S. State
St. Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Phone: (734) 665-2202

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Red Roof Inn – University South (3.6 miles from the Conference location). Rooms starting at $56.99/night. Address: 3505 S. State St. Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Phone: (734) 996-5707
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Best Western Executive Plaza (3.6 miles from the Conference location). Rooms starting at: $79/night.
Address: 2900 Jackson Ave. Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Phone: (734) 665-4444


Transportation Between the Conference and Where You’re Staying
For those staying at locations not within walking distance of the conference location, nearly all
lodging locations are accessible to and from the Conference location through "The Ride" buses run by the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority. The fare is $1.00. The city of Ann Arbor is known for having the most regular and reliable bus service in Michigan.


The bus stop closest to the conference location is Stop C – Washtenaw and S. University on Route #4 – Washtenaw. From that stop, go South down Washtenaw for one block and turn East on Hill St. The ICC Education Center is located behind the Luther Cooperative on Hill St. between Washtenaw Ave. and Lincoln Ave. A map for this brief walk from the bus stop can be found here

Stops on numerous other bus routes on The Ride will also put you within a very short walking-distance of the Conference location. You can check bus routes and schedules at: http://theride. org. You can also call the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority at: (734) 996-0400.

You can also take the University of Michigan bus system fare-free to the Conference location if the place you’re staying is accessible on its routes. You can check University of Michigan bus routes and schedules at: http://pts.umich. edu/

Ann Arbor also has eight local taxi services:
A Cab 734-668-2222
Amazing Blue Taxi 734-846–0007
Ann Arbor Taxi, Inc. Ltd. (734-741–9000),
Ann Arbor Taxi Service 734-0214–9999
Ann Arbor's Red Baron Taxi 734-277–3702
Blue Cab 734-547–2222,
Tree Town Transportation 734-213–1100
Veterans Cab 734-662–4477
Yellow Cab 734-663–3355.
The
meter rate is $2.50 to start, $2.10/mile, and $35/hour for waiting time. After 11PM on weekdays and 7PM on
weekends, Night Ride Taxi services is also available at a $5 flat rate for any distance in the city by calling: (734) 528.5432.


Links:
University of Michigan Campus Information Center
Ann Arbor Convention and Visitor’s Bureau
Ann Arbor Visitor Information
Ann Arbor Inter-Cooperative Council



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