We’re just getting started
This weekend the New Organizing Institute is hosting its 7th annual RootsCamp, a conference — or rather “un-conference” as they call it — that brings together progressive organizers from around the country to network and share best practices as we move forward in achieving our collective goals.
The event takes place Friday, November 30th through Saturday, December 1st and I’m thrilled to have been invited to participate this year.
What makes RootsCamp unique is its unusual format. Rather than having a set schedule with fixed presentations and panels, RootsCamp attendees create their own sessions and submit them for a vote in advance on the RootsCamp Google Moderator site. The sessions are voted on in advance and the most popular of these ideas form the first session of the event. After that — well, let’s hear from the RootsCamp folks themselves:
There is no pre-set agenda. On the start of each day, we’ll put up a big blank wall. On the left side will be time slots available and across the top there will be rooms. Attendees fill out cards and post the sessions they’re interested in presenting. Before coming to RootsCamp, talk to friends about what you’d like to present and see if you can work together on something. {…}When you arrive at RootsCamp, you’ll see what we call “The Wall.” It’s our schedule and map for the next two days. The only thing you’ll see on the Wall when you get there will be our seeded and partner sessions which will comprise 1/5 of all the sessions. All the others will be filled in following the first session.
Session 1 will be all set and ready to go with presentations from caucus attendees and the sessions with the most votes from our RootsCamp Google Moderator. The cards handed in will be reviewed and posted during Session 1 and will also be available on the RootsCamp App with the full schedule for the day.
On Day 2, we’ll do it all over again!
I have submitted a session idea titled “OFA trained a nationwide corps of community organizers. Who will capitalize on that new talent and how? State and local Democratic Party organizations should be first in line (but not the only ones.)” As someone who has bridged the gap between our local county Democratic Party and the Obama campaign/OFA, I have seen how working together has benefited our local Dem party. This core of trained organizers is now available across the country and it’s important that progressive groups harness that energy and expertise as we move forward into the future.
The list of attendees for RootsCamp 2012 is impressive and YOU can be part of it. Click HERE to find out more information. It’s very affordable and promises to be one of the organizing highlights of the year.
