The Disctrict of Columbia Democratic Party

SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2008
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
4200 CONNECTICUT AVE. NW

WORKSHOPS & CONSTITUENCY CAUCUSES

WORKSHOPS

A. DC VOTING RIGHTS AT THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION

This workshop will focus on promoting DC voting rights at the Democratic Convention in Denver, Colorado. Participants will brainstorm on possible events, share ideas from past conventions and develop a draft calendar of activities.

· Presenter – Eugene Kinlow, Outreach Coordinator, DC Vote

B. EXPANDING PARTICIPATION THROUGH APPRECIATING DIFFERENT BEHAVIORAL STYLES

Using the DISC Behavioral Profile, we will explore ways to understand our own behavioral styles and the behavioral styles of others so we can enhance our team performance and improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of our organizations, thereby creating organizational environments conducive to greater participation.

· Presenter – Jerome Paige, Economic, Business & Organizational Consultant, Inscape Publishing Disc Certified Trainer

C. GETTING ACTIVE ONLINE

Today the Internet is being used for political organizing and mobilization at all levels of government. Learn how to use websites, blogs, and social media networks like Facebook and MySpace to spread the word about issues and drive people to action. This workshop will go over the basics and point you in the right direction to go out and make an impact online.

· Presenter – Mike Panetta, DC “Shadow Representative” & Vice President for Public Affairs and Emerging Media, Grassroots Enterprise

D. 411 ON BLOGGING

This is a hands-on-e-activism workshop that will assist users in accessing the blogging world, starting their own blog and making comments on other blogging sites to spread their views. We will also teach some “html-coding” specific to blogging, like adding links, embedding videos and inserting links using graphics. This hands-on blogging event is geared toward the labor movement.

PLEASE NOTE: Participation in this Workshop must be capped at 20 attendees.

· Presenters – Tula Connell, AFL-CIO Managing Editor; Richard Negri, International Brotherhood of Steamers; Joseph Welsh, Joe’s Union Review

· Facilitator – Kirsten Burgard, Women, Unions and Our Stories & At-Large Member, DC Democratic State Committee

E. PARTY BUILDING WITH NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS

This workshop will introduce participants to a DNC initiative to build a grassroots program in all fifty (50) states by using neighborhood leaders to mobilize their communities in support of the eventual Democratic Party nominee.

· Presenter – Art DeCoursey, Political Director, NE Region, DNC

· Facilitator – Charles Snow, Field Director, DC Democratic State Committee

F. POLITICS AND RELIGION

Does my faith affect my politics? Or does my politics affect my faith? These are two questions this workshop will explore, including the issues and challenges that ensue from them. It will also examine the religious and social traditions of the Black Church and the Black preacher, and the historical and Biblical traditions that have formed them.

· Presenters – Rev. Dr. Lois Poag -Ray, St. Paul AME Church; Rev. Morris Shearin, Pastor – Israel Baptist Church; Rev. Carolyn Graham, Asst. Pastor, Israel Baptist Church

· Facilitator –Rev. Donald Robinson, Asst. Pastor, First Baptist Church

G. TRADE AND POLITICS

This workshop focuses on trade and politics, including the impact of politics on trade, and of trade on politics, with particular emphasis on recent free trade agreements, including the Colombia Free Trade Agreement. It will look at the compromise politicians face when supporting unpopular trade agreements, particularly in sectors where prior trade agreements are perceived as having had an adverse effect.

· Presenter – Mr. Paul G. Guiguero, Esq., Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz, Silverman & Klestadt LLP

· Facilitator – DC Latino Pac

H. VOTER PROMOTION AND ELECTION PROTECTION

Join national and local leaders and activists to discuss and develop local and regional opportunities to promote and protect Democratic voters to ensure that all eligible persons can register, vote, and have their vote accurately counted.

· Presenter – Anna Martinez, Chair DC Democratic Party Voter Education and Outreach & Co-Founder and Co- Chair, DC Democratic Lawyers Council

· Panelists – Rita Aguilar, Deputy General Counsel, Democratic Party of Virginia & Co-Chair DC Democratic Lawyers; Candice Jones and Joi Chaney, DC Democratic Lawyers Council; Bob Brandon, President, Fair Elections Legal Network

· Facilitator – Erika Moritsugu, Chair, DC Democratic Party Voter Education and Outreach & Co-Founder and Co- Chair, DC Democratic Lawyers Council

I. $$ WANNA WIN $$

This workshop will teach you how to raise money effectively and enjoy it. You will learn the right words to use when you ask for money, what to do when someone says no, how to turn a “no” into a “yes” on the spot, how to set and reach your fundraising goals, and more.

· Presenter – Cynthia Ruccci, Developer, Wanna Win Seminar

· Facilitator – TBD

CONSTITUENCY CAUCUSES

1. ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS (AAPI)

Theme: Political and Civic Engagement of the DC AAPI Community: Participate in a roundtable discussion with national and local leaders on how to engage and empower the Asian American and Pacific Islander community through political involvement and civic engagement.

· Presenters – Betsy Kim, Deputy Director, DNC American Majority Party; Wylie Chen, Acting Chair, DEC Commission on API Affairs & Co-Founder and Co-Chair, DC Democratic AAPI Caucus; John Tinpe, Past Chair, DC AAPI DC Commission on API; Julie Koo, DC Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs; AAPI Outreach Reps from the Obama and Clinton Campaigns

· Facilitator – Erika Moritsugu, Co-Founder and Co-Chair, DC Democratic AAPI Caucus

2. EX-OFFENDERS

Theme: Staying Connected: Participants will learn about services that will be provided by Mayor Adrian Fenty’s newly created Office of Ex-Offender Affairs, and how the recently enacted Second Chance Law makes funds available to states, counties and cities to develop programs and services for ex-offenders.

· Presenter – Rodney Mitchell, Esq., Director, Office of Ex-Offender Affairs

3. DC FEDERATION OF DEMOCRATIC WOMEN

Theme: Empowering Women in Today’s Political Arena: This dynamic group of experienced, proven leaders will engage participants in devising strategies and approaches on how to empower themselves to become more engaged in the democratic political arena.

· Presenters – The Honorable Sharon Pratt, Former Mayor, District of Columbia; The Honorable Linda Cropp, Former Chair, Council of the District of Columbia; The Honorable Nadine Winter, Former Ward 6 Councilmember; The Honorable Carolyn Lawlor, Secretary of the Department of Aging, State of Maryland

· Facilitator – Denise Rolark Barnes, Editor, the Washington Informer

4. LABOR

Theme: Role of Labor is Expanding Political Participation: Asses the importance and the role of organized labor in the political process and explores ways in which organized labor can expand political participation and accountability at ward, city and national levels.

· Moderator – Josh Williams, President, Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO

5. LATINOS

Theme: Sleeping Giant No More: Discuss the impact the Latino community has on the presidential election. We will look at the numbers nationally and state-by-state of the Latino vote, showing any trends among all candidates. Particular attention will be devoted to data on the Latino voter (see http://www/bendixenandassociates.com)

· Presenters – Franklin Garcia, Director of Communications, DC Latino PAC; Lillian Perdomo, Executive Director, Multicultural Community Services

6. LESBIAN, GAY, BI-SEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER (LGBT)

Theme: Achieving Greater LGBT Participation in the District’s Political Process: Participants will engage community members and LGBT Democrats in discussing ideas and strategies to increase participation in the Democratic process.

· Presenters – Mario Acosta-Vélez, President, Gertrude Stein Democratic Club & DC Democratic State Committee; Sheila Alexander Reid, DC Democratic State Committee

7. MUSLIMS

Theme: Muslim Political Involvement - Benefits and Strategies: Forum for Muslim Democratic Activists from across the District to meet, network and discuss strategies for increasing the political involvement of the Muslim community.

· Panelists – Valencia Mohammed, Former School Board Member and Afro-American Staff Writer; Rahim Jenkins, Community Activist and Former Candidate For Ward 8 Council; Talib-Din Abdul Audah, Business Owner and Former Candidate for Ward 4 City Council; Sedrick Muhammad, President of Ward 1 Dems

· Moderators – Talib I. Karim, Esq. Civil Rights Attorney & Democratic Advisor; Zarinah Shakir, Media Producer & WPFW Station Board Chair

8. PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES:

Theme: Party Building: What it will take to build a permanent Peoples with Disabilities (PWD) Caucus within the DC Democratic State Committee (DCDSC). Questions to be examined include what is the DCDCS doing to establish PWD representation? How can a caucus/club self-organize, grow a citywide membership base and obtain a DCDSC charter? We will explore how answers to these questions can broaden Peoples with Disabilities participation in all Democratic Party activities.

· Presenter – Stephen P. Gorman

9. SENIORS

Theme: Seniors Aging in Place: What Does that Mean?

10. DC YOUNG DEMOCRATS

Theme: Inspiring Young Leaders for Tomorrow: The program will encourage active participation in the political process and party building, and identify ways to prepare young people to become the leaders of tomorrow.

· Presenters – Maya Goines, Deputy Director, American Majority Partnership, DNC; Holli Hiliday, Executive Director, We Are America Alliance; Tamia Booker, Executive Director, College Democrats; Eric J. Jones, Principal, The Three D Group, LLC

11. VETERANS

Theme: Veterans and Military Families for Progress (VMFT): Participants will discuss coming home issues for veterans and their families, including advocacy and outreach, physical and mental health care, educational benefits and job opportunities, housing assistance and the helping homeless veterans.

· Presenter – Matt Carey, President, VMFT