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View Article  The Progressive Iowa Network Organizing Summit
The Progressive Iowa Network
Organizing Summit


Saturday, June 9, 2007

Iowa City Public Library
123 S. Linn St.
Iowa City, IA 52240

9 AM – 3PM


Agenda:

1.    Welcome

2.    Introductions


3.    Why a Progressive Network is important for Iowa


4.    Democracy for America – Support for Iowa’s Progressive Network


5.    2007 Iowa Legislative Review  (Legislators)


6.    Overview of Top Progressive Legislative Priorities (Progressive Activists)


7.    Envisioning Progressive Power in Iowa (Ed Fallon & Denise O'Brien)


8.    Break


9.    Top Progressive Legislative Issues - Workshops

VOICE (Voter Owned Iowa Clean Elections)
CAFO/Farm Bill
Health Care
Media Reform
Fair Share

10.    Lunch

11.    Workshop Reports
12.    Progressive Iowa Network – Next Steps
13.    Democracy for Iowa – Administrative overview
14.    Adjournment

Please note: If you are interested in discussing potential state-wide initiatives that will pressure our Congress to end the war in Iraq, please come to this event.  Peace groups can strategize during the workshop hour (#9) and also report back to the larger group after lunch. This will be an excellent opportunity for all of us to be united for peace.

We will start gathering at 9am - coffee and bagels / breakfast treats.
The summit will begin promptly at 9:30am. Please let us know if you intend to come:


Please RSVP: http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=20502


View Article  Establishing our Progressive Iowa Network (PIN) - Update
Establishing our Progressive Iowa Network (PIN) - Update

By Caroline Vernon

This Saturday, June 9th, progressive leaders, legislators and activists from various organizations across Iowa will come together for the first DFA-Iowa Networking Summit.

We will be gathering at the Iowa City Public Library from 9am to 3pm (the last hour will be devoted to DFA-IA administrative business).

Some of our great leaders who will be in attendance include Charlie Chamberlain from Democracy for America, Ed Fallon, Denise O’Brien, and Senator Joe Bolkcom, just to name a few…

Once again, the purpose of this gathering is to establish a Progressive Iowa Network which will serve to better unite progressives across the state in order to support each others efforts around important issues, particularly if we hope to be more effective moving into the next legislative session. Besides providing an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow progressives, one direct benefit of an Iowa Network would be the enhanced ability to articulate our progressive world view by creating a state-wide echo chamber that will carry our unified message to all Iowans.    

As previously indicated, we have identified 5 issues in Iowa that require urgent action:

1.    VOICE (Voter-Owned Iowa Clean Elections)
2.    CAFO regulations / Farm Bill
3.    Fair Share
4.    Healthcare
5.    Media

Also, due to the recent vote on the Iraq supplemental bill, it is our hope that peace activists from across Iowa will take advantage of this opportunity to come together to discuss potential state wide initiatives that will effectively pressure those in Congress who voted for the bill.

In addition to addressing the above issues, we are tracking organizations by their particular area(s) of focus. This list has also evolved since my last blog:

1.    Policy / Research
2.    Lobbying
3.    Media & Blogs
4.    Grassroots Organizing

These 4 areas have been added:

5.    Direct Action
6.    Education
7.    Funding (to identify potential sources of funding)
8.    Political Campaigns (organizations who can be involved with                                campaigns)

We are working on compiling a comprehensive list of all participating organizations, including contact information, primary areas of focus and primary issues of concern. If you or your organization will be attending the summit, we ask that you submit your information using the example below (4 stars = primary focus)

Example:

Organization: Progressive Action for the Common Good
Address: 3707 Eastern Ave, Davenport, IA 52807
Contact Information: (name/position/phone/email):
Caroline Vernon, Organizer, 563-676-7580, carolina1961@gmail.com.
James Lee, Executive Director, 563-650-3922, jlee6367@yahoo.com

Areas of Focus                Rating                Issues                  Rating

Policy/Research                                    VOICE                ****
Lobbying                        **                 CAFO/Farm Bill      ***
Media/Blogs                                         Media                  **
Grassroots Organizing      ****               Fair Share            **
Direct Action                  ***                Healthcare           ***
Education                       **
Funding                          *                   Other: _Peace _  **** 
Poltical Campaigns



Please send the above information to carolina1961@gmail.com by Thursday, June 7th so we can be sure to include your information in the hand-out.

It is important to note that we encourage ALL progressive organizations to attend this meeting and become part of the network even if we may not be focusing on your specific issues at this time. The goal of the network is to create a framework designed to support all progressive initiatives. We need everyone’s participation in order to succeed.

If you have any questions, please call Caroline Vernon at 563-676-7580.

Hope to see you Saturday!



View Article  Establishing Our Progressive Iowa Network (PIN) - Mark the Date!

Establishing our Progressive Iowa Network (PIN) – Mark the Date!


By Caroline Vernon

On Saturday, June 9th, progressive leaders, activists and legislators from across the state will converge on Iowa City for our first 2007 Democracy for Iowa Organizing Summit.  We are still working out the details on the venue (forthcoming) but we will be meeting from 9am to 3pm (the last hour will be reserved for DFA-IA members to discuss administrative business so it will not be necessary for everyone to stay for that segment).

The purpose of this gathering is to establish the Progressive Iowa Network (PIN). This network will serve to better unite progressive organizations, legislators, and leaders across the state so we can support each other’s efforts around progressive issues in Iowa.

Currently, we have an unprecedented opportunity to get progressive legislation passed in our state. However, in order to achieve legislative victories on the issues that we care about, we must establish an effective framework that allows us to better organize our efforts, clarify our message, mobilize our base, educate the public and influence our state officials.

We have identified the following 5 issues as requiring urgent action:

1. VOICE (Voter-Owned Iowa Clean Elections)
2. CAFO regulations / Farm Bill
3. Fair Share
4. Healthcare
5. Media

Please note: we want ALL progressive organizations to attend this meeting and become part of this network even if we may not be focusing on your specific issues at this time.

The Summit Agenda will cover the following:

I. Why is PIN important?

The first part of this summit will discuss why PIN is important. Groups/Individuals will be asked to introduce themselves and identify their main areas and issues of focus:

• Policy/Research
• Lobbying
• Media/Public Relations (including bloggers)
• Grassroots Organizing

This will NOT be an informational meeting about the issues, but rather a strategy session on how we can support each other moving forward.

II. Update & Evaluation of the recent Iowa Legislative Session

• What went well?
• What would we do differently?

III. Break-Out Sessions by Issue

• Strategize with other progressives around the state that are working on the same issue.
• What kind of help do you need from other organizations/leaders who may not be directly involved in your issue.

Lunch

IV. Report back to larger group identifying specific needs

• What do you need from PIN?

We will not have time to hear specific plans but rather will want to hear your list of needs on how other organizations/leaders can help you make progress around your issue.

V. Where does PIN go from here?

We will discuss logistics, network structure and set a date and time for our next meeting(s).

VI. DFA-Iowa Administrative Planning Session (for DFA-IA members)

This last segment will be for DFA-IA members to discuss by-laws, how we can better support Blog for Iowa, and other administrative details.

Outreach around this summit has been underway for awhile -- many progressive organizations/individuals in Iowa have already been notified. However, if you have not yet heard from us directly, please email Caroline Vernon ASAP: carolina1961@gmail.comWe need every progressive organization, leader and legislator in Iowa to participate in order to achieve maximum effectiveness as a network.

View Article  Progressigve Coalition of Central Iowa now Taking Member Applications

Progressigve Coalition of Central Iowa now Taking Member Applications

 


 

By Vern Naffier, Chair, Board of Directors, Progressive Coalition of Central Iowa

 

In the interest of promoting progressive values in government and legislative policies and building a network of progressive organizations and individuals, the Progressive Coalition of Central Iowa and its sister coalitions have been formed and are in process of being incorporated.  I invite your interest in this new undertaking and refer you to the attachments for more information and membership application forms. Please also log on to our new website at <www.iowaprogressives.org>;


 

Dear Friend,

    

We are pleased to announce that the newly formed Progressive Coalition of Central Iowa (P.C.C.I.) and its subsidiary, Progressive Advocates of Central Iowa (P.A.C.I.), are in process of being incorporated as non-profit 501(c)3 and 501(c)4 corporations respectively. In the very near future a Political Action Committee sector of the coalition will be established as a 527 corporation under the title Progressive Advocates of Central Iowa–PAC  (P.A.C.I.-PAC). All three coalitions legally come under the direction of a single board and operate with separate and totally isolated financial accounts.

 

      As pointed out in previous literature and publicity, these coalitions serve the purpose of building stronger networking relationships among a variety of progressive organizations and individuals in Central Iowa.  Through joint and cooperative educational activities, advocacy, and lobbying efforts, the objective of the coalitions is to help facilitate healthy and fortuitous changes in governmental policies at the county, state and federal levels. The ultimate goal is to build a stronger America and a better world by promoting progressive values in government and society.

 

      We invite you to log onto our web site for more information about the coalitions and to submit announcements of events planned by your organization to the Coalition's Community Events Calendar. We also hope that you will apply for membership in any or all of the coalition sectors by filling out the appropriate, enclosed membership application forms and returning them to the address shown on the forms.  There will be a ninety day charter membership period commencing with the current date during which organizations and individuals may acquire a dues free membership for the first full year.  Thereafter, a very nominal fee will be charged on a sliding scale basis depending on organization size and budget considerations.

 

      Please read the explanations of the different tax statuses – 501(c)3, 501(c)4 and 527 – associated with the various sectors of the Coalition at the bottom of the application forms. If your organization is incorporated with a 501 tax status, it will not be able to join the PAC sector of the coalition; it may, however, legally join either or both of the other two sectors – P.C.C.I. and P.A.C.I. – both of which are non-partisan and may engage in educational activities and advocacy.  A PAC may be involved in partisan support or opposition.

 

      On behalf of the Board of Directors I earnestly invite your participation and membership and look forward to hearing from you.  Should you have any questions, please contact me at <joycevernhn@juno.com> or (515) 964-1353.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Vernon H. Naffier

Chairman, Board of Directors

 

Board Members: Vice-Chairperson Phyllis Stevens, Secretary Bruce Stone, Treasurer Tony Hansen, at large members Leslie Irvin, Diane Krell, Ione Shadduck, George Krumrey, Barbara Boatwright, Kim Jones, Chet Guinn


Send Application Form to:

 

Phyllis Stevens, Vice-Chairperson

PCCI, PACI & PACI_PAC

4601 Pleasant Street, Suite 353

West Des Moines, IA 50266

 

  

 


                         PCCI Membership Application

 

Place an X after membership(s) you are applying for.

 

Individual     Organization     Both

I have read and agree to the terms of PCCI bylaws.  Place an X after your choice.

Yes

 

No

 

 

 

 

Organization Name

 

 

Organization Address
                                      

 

Contact 1 Name                                    Phone                         Email

 

 

Contact 2 Name                                    Phone                         Email

 

 

Contact 3 Name                                    Phone                         Email

 

 

Organization Web Site Address:

 

Your Name

 

Your Address     

 

 

Your Phone                                 Your Email Address

 

 

Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter :                      YES                        NO

(place an X after your choice)

 

 

PCCI – (Progressive Coalition of Central Iowa) holds a 501(c) 3 tax status with H election that allows it as a non-profit, non-partisan organization to undertake educational and social consciousness-raising activities and to engage in limited lobbying. A 501(c) 3 entity may solicit tax-deductible donations and grants.

 

PACI – (Progressive Advocacy of Central Iowa) holds a 501(c) 4 tax status with H Election. As such PACI is a social welfare organization that may engage in limited lobbying and in some political activities in support of or opposition to political candidates  as long as this does not constitute the primary function of the organization. A 501(c)4 may not solicit grants.

 

PACI-PAC – (Progressive Advocacy of Central Iowa Political Action Committee) has a 527 tax status. As such this sector of the Coalition is not a non-partisan, tax-exempt organization and may engage in full-time partisan politics.

 

Member organizations of the Progressive Coalition may choose, according to their own tax status and mission statements, to associate with only one, two or all three.

 

Phyllis Stevens, Vice-Chairperson

PCCI, PACI & PACI_PAC

4601 Pleasant Street, Suite 353

West Des Moines, IA 50266

 

 

 

 

 

PACI Membership Application

 

Place an X after membership(s) you are applying for.

 

Individual     Organization     Both

I have read and agree to the terms of PACI bylaws.  Place an X after your choice.

Yes

 

No

 

 

 

 

Organization Name

 

 

Organization Address
                                      

 

Contact 1 Name                                    Phone                         Email

 

 

Contact 2 Name                                    Phone                         Email

 

 

Contact 3 Name                                    Phone                         Email

 

 

Organization Web Site Address:

 

Your Name

 

Your Address     

 

 

Your Phone                                 Your Email Address

 

 

Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter :                      YES                        NO

(place an X after your choice)

 

 

PCCI – (Progressive Coalition of Central Iowa) holds a 501(c) 3 tax status with H election that allows it as a non-profit, non-partisan organization to undertake educational and social consciousness-raising activities and to engage in limited lobbying. A 501(c) 3 entity may solicit tax-deductible donations and grants.

 

PACI – (Progressive Advocacy of Central Iowa) holds a 501(c) 4 tax status with H Election. As such PACI is a social welfare organization that may engage in limited lobbying and in some political activities in support of or opposition to political candidates  as long as this does not constitute the primary function of the organization. A 501(c)4 may not solicit grants.

 

PACI-PAC – (Progressive Advocacy of Central Iowa Political Action Committee) has a 527 tax status. As such this sector of the Coalition is not a non-partisan, tax-exempt organization and may engage in full-time partisan politics.

 

Member organizations of the Progressive Coalition may choose, according to their own tax status and mission statements, to associate with only one, two or all three.

 

Send Application Form to:

Phyllis Stevens, Vice-Chairperson

PCCI, PACI & PACI_PAC

4601 Pleasant Street, Suite 353

West Des Moines, IA 50266

 

 


                         PACI PAC Membership Application

 

Place an X after membership(s) you are applying for.

 

Individual     Organization     Both

I have read and agree to the terms of PACI-PAC bylaws.  Place an X after your choice.

Yes

 

No

 

 

 

 

Organization Name

 

 

Organization Address
                                      

 

Contact 1 Name                                    Phone                         Email