Progressive Massachusetts 2013 Policy Conference Sunday, March 24, 2013

[Ian David]

http://progressivemass.com/conference

Program for Our 2013 Policy Conference – Sunday, March 24, 2013

We actively engages our members across a range of issues that impact social, economic, environment and criminal justice. Our members tell us they are more effective when talking to neighbors, advocacy groups and legislators when they are fully versed on the issues and potential progressive solutions. To this end, we have organized a policy conference on March 24th at Lasell College in Newton, Massachusetts. Registration is $50/person, to cover meals, administrative and building costs; different payment options appear below.

Our conference will feature leading experts on progressive issues in Massachusetts, with special emphasis on our priorities — health care, economic development and justice, election and campaign reform, criminal justice, the environment and new revenue. Speakers will be encouraged to share a broad perspective on each subject as well as suggest critical progressive solutions.
PROGRAM
Welcome and Networking Breakfast (8:00 – 9:00)

Steve Grossman, State Treasurer

Morning Panels (9:00 – 12:30)
Health Care

Ari Fertig, moderator
Ben Day, Director, Organizing, Health Care Now
Brian Rosman, Research Director, Health Care for All
Don Berwick, Former Administrator, Medicare/Medicaid

Education

Suzanne Lee, moderator
Lisa Guisbond, Vice President of Citizens for Public Schools and a policy analyst at the National Center for Fair & Open Testing, FairTest
Diana Lam, Head of School, Conservatory Lab Charter School
Susan Naimark, Author, “The Education of a White Parent”
Paul Toner, President, Massachusetts Teachers’ Association (MTA)

Election and Campaign Reform

Avi Green, moderator
Brenda Wright, Vice President, Legal Strategies, Demos
Nick Nyhart, President and CEO, Public Campaign
John Bonifaz, Executive Director, Free Speech for People

Economic Development

State Sen. Dan Wolf, moderator
Barry Bluestone, Director, Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy, Northeastern University
Greg Bialecki, Secretary, Massachusetts Department of Economic Development & Housing
Harris Gruman, Executive Director, State Council, SEIU

Criminal Justice and Gun Control

Aron Goldman, moderator
John Larivee, Executive Director, Community Resources for Justice
Jake Sullivan, City of Boston Liaison to Mayors Against Illegal Guns
Chelan Brown, Director, AWAKE
Cassandra Bensahih, EPOCA

Revenue

Dan Cohen, moderator
Jeff Bernstein, Policy Analyst, Mass Budget and Policy
Andi Mullen, Campaign Manager, Campaign for Our Communities
State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz and State Representative Jim O’Day,
Act to Invest in Our Communities Lead Sponsors

Environment

Winston Vaughan, moderator
Sylvia Broude, Executive Director at Toxics Action Center
Sonia Hamel, Senior Associate for the Center for Climate Strategies
Gary Rucinski, Citizens Climate Lobby

Luncheon Wrap Up -

Aaron Tanaka, Co-founder and former Executive Director of the Boston Workers’ Alliance

Afternoon Workshops (2:00 – 5:00) – Carin Schiewe, Facilitator

Understand and acquiring power
Building a progressive movement
Organizing and advocating on Beacon Hill

Location

Lasell College - Winslow Academic Center
1844 Commonwealth Avenue - Newton, Massachusetts

Nearest T-Stop: Green Line – Riverside Station
Registration – $50 - https://secure.actblue.com/page/learnandshare

Registration fee covers food, building and administrative costs.

Or become a monthly contributor and Registration will be included! Please contact us [[e-mail]] if cost is a hardship; scholarships available with pre-arrangement.

PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

Facebook Event [http://progma.us/2013Conference_FB]
Full Conference Agenda [http://progressivemass.com/conference] [this page]
PDF Conference Flier – HALF SHEET (print double side/cut to save paper!) (updated 3/17)

Progressive Massachusetts (“Progressive Mass”) is a new, statewide grassroots organization built from the ground up by organizers and activists from across Massachusetts. We organize around progressive issues in Massachusetts, help elect and support progressive candidates for public office who are committed to making a difference on these issues, and hold elected officials accountable to progressive positions and values. Progressive Mass welcomes all progressives regardless of political affiliation.



More:
http://www.progressivemass.com/2/2013/02/24/2013conferenceagenda/

[mahina]

1. Thanks for this post.

I've just come across it, and appreciate it.

How regularly do you hold meetings?

Do you find that your group is mostly productive people, or are you (as we were) hijacked by very liberal but impossible-to-work-with nutballs who just want attention and seem (at least) to live to derail the work?

Are you connected to ADA or PDA at all?

Looking forward to learning more and modeling what works, to the degree that we can.

aloha.