Session Topics

RootsCamp 2009 Session Topics

Submit an idea for a session topic or commentary on existing proposals.  

Sessions will happen organically the day of the event - be sure to come early to reserve a session time & space! Above is a photo of the sessions board for the RootsCamp that recently took place in Denver, CO. We will have a similar chart at our RootsCampPhilly.

 Here are some ideas for sessions from other RootsCamps.  If you would like to present or co-present any of these topics, let us know.  If there are no names next to the session description, that means no one has volunteered to lead or present.

• During Lunch we'll be showing the Free The River Park Movie  Click here to see trailer
• PA's Budget Crisis. What's happening now and what can we expect in the coming years. (Sharon Ward, PA Budget and Policy Center)
• Challenges of Community Organizing in Suburbs and Exurbs which lack a sense community (suggested by Ryan Szuch)
• What the PA Democratic Party is doing to win in 2010 and build lasting Democratic and Progressive strength at the county and local level. 

·         501(c)(3)s, 501(c)(4)s, and PACs...what they can and can't do, and how they can and can't work together

·         Motivating volunteers and voters in local races. We will discuss some of the obstacles that down ballot races face, as well as brainstorm ideas for getting issues and/or candidates the attention we need to win. 

·         PA Health Care Reform: building grassroots support for affordable health care for all Pennsylvanians.  (Kay Lasker How we are doing it in NE Philly) 

·         Reproductive Rights organizing. 

·         How do progressives respond to Barack Obama if he doesn’t take a progressive course?

·         Using the Internet to enhance your organizing.

·         Sustainable Leadership for Grassroots Organizations - What kind of leaders and political leadership skills are needed to sustain long-term progressive change?

·         Fund raising 101

·         Women in politics in PA - Women bloggers, women running for office, women working on campaigns and for nonprofits, etc.... topic focus evolving. 

·         Slactivism: Activism without leaving your living room. For those of us who prefer to "bowl alone," this session could be about writing effective emails (and to whom) and staging solo protests...

·         How to organize a RootsCamp. Are you interested in organizing a RootsCamp in your city or region? We'll discuss what kind of planning went into this RootsCamp. (Led by Michael Morrill of Keystone Progress)

·         Citizens over corporations: Can we have democracy when corporations wield so much power and wealth under law? Strategies to challenge corporate rule. 

·         Effect of Blogs on the 2008 Election Cycle in PA

·         Multi-media Online and Rise of You Tube

·         The use of multi-media/youtube for election protection

·         Absentee Ballot Tracking and Verification

• *  Education Voters PA: There is a connection between poor voting decisions and education level ! Democracy cannot thrive with out a world class public education system.  What is wrong with PA public education? Where is the political will to change it ? How can you help? Learn the problems , solutions and how to build the bridge to better public schools, better civic engagement, and a better future for our kids and us all. www.educationvoterspa.org      Who's-Coming

·         Running a coordinated GOTV program in PA in 2008. What worked, what didn't and where can we go from here?

·         Building Long-Term Volunteer Strength: How Organizations Can Integrate Their Political and Non-Political Agendas.

•   The needs, care and support of returning veterans and military families of the Iraq/Afghanistan Wars. (Led by   Debbie Ingraham, Army mom, 3 deployments.)
• Translating national organizing success to the local level:  Are the trends of progressive success being felt in municipal government in Pennsylvania?  What techniques can be used to advocate for progressive policy reform at the local level?
• Economic Recovery / Infrastructure Stimulus: ensuring that smart policy is the cornerstone of any further federal spending.
• Reviving Local Economies - The current tax system for local government was designed decades ago, and skewed to privileged large corporate entities, like banks and insurance companies.   With the contraints of state law, what programs can work to be prgoressive and maintain or even increase servcices?

• Identifying and recruiting electable progressive candidates for Philadelphia City Council
• Socialism or social responsibility;          diversity/inclusion where is option where is required

• Child Abuse Condoned By Family Court – Doreen Ludwig asks for help Getting the Word Out.  Twenty years of theocratic social agenda resulted in a Judicial system that helps abusers obtain custody even when there is overwhelming evidence of sexual, physical and psychological abuse.  Ludwig will share a story of political corruption, psychological networks that believe pedophilia is a Father’s Right and work with Judges and lawyers to obtain orders forcing Threat Therapy on child victims.  Help brainstorm resolution, publicity, and education!

   

This is not a schedule! There are sessions that will happen that are not here and there are sessions here that won't happen. You have to show up to find out! If you have an idea, please add it by clicking on the edit tab above.

Notes for session leaders: Sessions are designed to be primarily interactive, so structure your content with that in mind. We suggest anything that is being presented be limited to 15 minutes so there is 45 minutes for the group to discuss and interact. Make sure you clearly state what your session is about and include your name and email address on the session cards when you post it on the board - we'll explain the day of the event!  If you have material for people in electronic format we suggest you email those requesting it in your session. You may also bring printed copies for session attendees. We won't have handy access to a copier.