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
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:
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 theIowa 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
Please send the above information to carolina1961@gmail.comby Thursday, June 7thso 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.
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:
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.com. We need every progressive organization, leader and legislator in Iowa to participate in order to achieve maximum effectiveness as a network.
DFA-Link: An Underutilized Tool (Setting up an Account)
By Alta Price
Disclaimer – I don’t consider myself an expert in DFA-Link use. I am, however, starting to understand how useful it could be for online organizing since using it for the DFA Training Academy.
To make full use of DFA-Link, you need to create an account. There is a box on this page waaaayyyy down the right side with a link to Blog for America, or blogforamerica.com. I have Blog for America as one of my set of home pages, but you can just click or type in blogforamerica.com. Once you get there, click on DFA-Link.
The next part, I’m not sure what will happen because I created my account a long time ago. But you will have to give at least a valid email address and password, and quite possibly your name and address. You will be sharing this information with Democracy for America, and most likely get on their email list. However, they are very careful not to “burn” their list (translation – cause people to unsubscribe by sending too much mail) and I don’t think you will regret it. In fact, I use my “real” email address for DFA rather than the alternative “junk mail” address I use for most progressive groups. Also, I think DFA is a great organization and you should sign up anyway! (Just my $.02 worth.) When you log in you’ll need your email address and password. Keep your password handy, because you’ll have to sign in once each week for security purposes.
It took me the longest time to figure out what to do with DFA-Link once I was there. The basic idea: Use the search tool by entering your zip code and looking for groups, events, campaigns, or people. Once you find a group, event, or campaign that interests you, sign yourself up. Once you find a person, you can send them a message through DFA-Link without ever knowing their email address or sharing yours. We’ll go through the details of how to use each of these functions in subsequent tutorials!
I wanted to get this up ASAP to use for the Iowa Democratic Party State Convention this weekend in Des Moines. I have not been able to come up with a plan to get DFAers attending the convention and/or those who live in Des Moines together this weekend. Friday night we don’t want to conflict with the Hall of Fame Dinner. Some of us aren’t even coming down until Saturday morning (e.g., me). Saturday we don’t know how long the convention will run. What’s an organizer to do?
If these links do not take you to the appropriate event pages, you can find them yourself now that you have a DFA-Link account (see previous blog post). Use the search tool and your zip code. If your zip code doesn’t do it, use this one – 50309 (zip code of Convention Center). Once you find the event, read the details (ignore the times and places – I had to put something in but these will change), and RSVP. Once you RSVP, the host can contact you through DFA-Link messaging (look for DFA-Link messages in your email inbox).
If you don’t want to go the DFA-Link route, but want to get together, just email me with your contact information and whether you are interested in Friday or Saturday or both. I will share your information with the Friday host (since I won’t be there on Friday).
We want to have a “formal” statewide Democracy for Iowa meeting sometime in September. But we’d also like to meet more informally at events like this. Maybe we can use DFA-Link more effectively to link up!
Democracy For Iowa Conference 2005 Notes by Aaron Wings, with additions and Workshop notes by Robin Roseman Report on DFIA Conference
September 10, 2005
Iowa City OVERVIEW:
The
morning sessions were very informational. What was most impressive was
the variety of issues that were discussed and the political cooperative
efforts.
The
afternoon sessions were work sessions. Several important actions
were planned. We began to give structure to a statewide DFA
organization - DFIA. We also decided to have a coordinated focus
for the next several months on state health care issues, in particular,
a State Health Care Lobby Day. We urge all interested people to
join DFIA by signing up here.
MORNING SESSION:
We began
with a welcome by Dennis Roseman, Iowa City DFA Organizer who in turn
introduced members of the meeting that represented some progressive
non-DFA groups and activities:
Pat
Vunderink talked about DAWN, a Democratic Activists Women’s
Network. This might be termed an Iowa Emily’s List with a major
goal to support progressive women candidates.
Trish Nelson talked about IBLTV, Iowans for Better Local TV, a media reform group: http://www.ibltv.org.
They have an on-line petition which all are invited to sign asking the
FCC to hear Iowa complaints about the quality of local television.
There will also be an important FCC-Free Press Public Hearing,
on October 5th, in Iowa City at the University of Iowa (exact
location to be determined).
Ellen
Ballas spoke of Rapid Response Network. This organization is well known
to all readers of Blog for Iowa. Please join them in their
efforts to fight disinformation: http://www.rapidresponsenetwork.org
Mike
Carberry informed us of an Iowa City group, Citizens for Public Power.
This group has put the issue of creating a municipal Iowa City electric
power company on the November ballot. They are currently building
support for passage. http://www.icpublicpower.org
Dick
Stater, Chair Linn County Democrats, talked about a Fundraiser on
October 22nd, in Mount Vernon, with the possibility of a nationally
prominent Democratic office holder as a speaker. For more information
go to http://www.linndems.org
Alta
Price discussed Quad Cities Progressive Action for the Common Good, a
new progressive coalition consisting of various issue forums. Due to
the high level of activity, PACG is currently engaged in a fundraising
campaign in an effort to hire an organizer to maintain the necessary
support of the various issue forums. http://www.digiforce.net/PACG%20Site/index.php
Mike
Carberry also spoke of FAIR, a local group working for social and
economic justice. FAIR will co-sponsor an Iowa City Council Candidate
Forum with Johnson County DFA and The 49 - to be held on September 15th.
The
above list exemplifies the variety of activities that Iowa DFA members
are engaged in as well as establishing connections and
cooperation with other progressive groups.
Jim Dean, DFA Chair, then gave a lively keynote talk about the future plans and goals for DFA.
He spoke
of other DFA State meetings (23 of these to date). They focused on some
small races as well as larger ones. Currently DFA is supporting 40
candidates nationwide and plans to endorse an additional 10 more
candidates for a total of 50. DFA is also engaged in providing some
Candidate and Activist training with 21st Century Democrats. In
addition, they plan to provide a 2-day training workshop in the Quad
Cities next Spring.
Jim
listed and spoke briefly on several current and future political issues
and mentioned two particular goals for the near future: a DFA Meet-up
in every congressional district and expansion of Generation DFA for
college students.
In the
next segment there were four reports by Iowa DFA Meetup
groups: Alta Price for Democracy for the Quad Cities, Tony Hansen
for Des Moines DFA, Sue Astley for Cedar Rapids DFA, and Robin Roseman
for Johnson County DFA.
Chris Warshaw, DFA Field/Political Director, described four areas of focus for DFA:
1. Meet-up programs in all states, 100 college groups, a total of 5000 at meet-ups
2. Development of communication tools such as DFA-Link. DFA Link will replace and improve upon the functionality that we had with Meetup.com.
3.
Having special training sessions to build political skills such
as communication with elected officials and writing letters to editors,
etc. For example, there is a plan for a two-day training next
Spring in the Quad Cities.
4.
Candidate development: One goal is to build from within by
encouraging members to run for office. Also, DFA sponsored 103
candidates last year - approximately 1/3 won. DFA is currently
sponsoring 40 candidates, but won’t endorse any more until after the
November elections with the exception of one congressional seat.
This early sponsorship will be decided by voting online here. (Note: The vote started on Tuesday, 9/13)
Next on
the program was a Candidate Forum. It was a real showcase of what we in
DFA are doing. Candidates (and one pre-candidate) from many levels of
government participated; David Loebsack (2nd District), Bill Gluba and
Bruce Braley (1st District), Tammy Place (pre-candidate, Iowa House 79)
and Garry Klein (Iowa City Council). Scroll down for contact information.
Next we had two presentations dealing with Iowa issues and Iowa groups:
Mike
Owen, assistant Director of the Iowa Policy Project, gave a fact filled
presentation on Iowa economic issues. To review this wellspring of
useful information, stats and facts (highly recommended), visit thier
website at: http://www.iowapolicyproject.org
Sarah
Swisher, gave a spirited talk about three organizations of which she is
an officer: The Iowa Democratic Party, SEIU, and Johnson
County Democrats. Sarah discussed various ways that DFA could interface
with each of these organizations for a mutual benefit.
AFTERNOON SESSION: Identifying Goals
What to
focus on in the next 6 months? At first a large list of goals and
issues were suggested by participants but were ultimately reduced down
to reflect two levels: Meetup level and State level.
On the Local Level:
Endorse and support local candidates. (Run for office)
Participate in 2006 Democratic caucuses.
Build coalitions with other progressive groups.
Outreach-expand membership.
On the State Level:
Increase the number of contributors for Blog for Iowa.
Support Democratic Candidates; Opportunity to take back the Iowa House, Senate, and Governorship in 2006.
Health Care for Iowa.
Most importantly it was decided to form a state-wide group known as Democracy for Iowa (DFIA). This
would be done with the help of a steering committee and implemented (in
part) as a new statewide DFA-link group called DFIA.
Introducing
the DFIA Steering Committee: Dennis Roseman, Robin Roseman, Alta Price,
Gary Gramon, Sue Astley, Tony Hansen, Cliff Day, Sally Troxell,
Trish Nelson and Ellen Ballas
One goal of DFIA is to expand the number of Meet-up groups and to facilitate communication between members across Iowa.
In particular we would like to have at least one Meetup group per congressional district. (see map)
It was
suggested that folks from established groups should help new
groups get going. Tony volunteered for central Iowa, Alta and Dennis
for eastern Iowa, and we need someone for western Iowa.
As a particular focus for statewide action it was decided to have a Health Care Lobby Day.
Tony
volunteered to coordinate with SEIU/Iowans for Health Care to
participate in a joint Health Care Lobby Day in Des Moines on Februrary
7th, 2006. DFA will help with a phone list and support. We
also plan to make home visits to legislators in the districts to
discuss Health Care for all Iowans.
At the
end of the day, a few of us went out for ice cream with Ed Fallon,
candidate for governor, who wasn't able to make the meeting because of
a previous engagement, but showed up at the Iowa Room just as we were leaving. A great time was had by all!
Where DFA Meets the Anti-war Movement: Leave My Child Alone! by Rebecca Romani, LeftTurn.org
What
happens when a warmongering government starts preying on its
children? The grassroots organize to stop it, that's what.
It
looked like any average parent meeting with a sprinkling of
twenty-somethings and senior citizens, complete with pizza, fries and
speakers. But for these people coming out to a pizza parlor on a
weeknight, the main attraction was not the food but an earnest
discussion of the presence of military recruiters on high school
campuses and a little known document called the “opt-out” form.
The
almost 100 people who turned out in the San Diego region, a heavily
militarized area home to a Marine base and Navy Seals, were part of a
nation-wide call to meet on the first day of June, put out by MMOB, The
Main Street Moms Operation Blue. MMOB,
a relatively new grassroots group, is taking a page out of the Howard
Dean playbook and rallying people though a well-orchestrated internet
campaign.
According
to Charlie Imes, chair of the local chapter of Democracy for America
(DFA), the MMOB contacted him and asked him to put the Military
Recruiter discussion at the top of the night’s agenda. “They asked and
I said great,” said Imes, who was enthusiastic about the night’s
turnout.
Twenty
miles north in Carlsbad, dozens of people turned out to hear speakers
and to fill out opt out forms, according to Jeeni Criscenzo, a member
of the North County Peace and Justice Coalition who coordinated the
event with MMOB.
The opt out form is provided for in section 9528, A, 1. of the No Child Left Behind Act, in part, because schools receiving federal funding are required to provide the following:
"1) ACCESS TO STUDENT RECRUITING INFORMATION-
Notwithstanding section 444(a)(5)(B) of the General Education
Provisions Act and except as provided in paragraph (2), each local
educational agency receiving assistance under this Act shall provide,
on a request made by military recruiters or an institution of higher
education, access to secondary school students names, addresses, and
telephone listings…” in addition to granting recruiters physical access
to the campus or lose much needed federal funds. (Source)
The opt out form makes the child’s information unavailable to military recruiters and puts the child on a do not call list.
Federal law requires school districts to inform parents about the opt
out form. While some school districts list the form on either the
school district website or the high school website, the San Diego
school district does not.
A brief glance at MMOB’s site (www.themmob.org),
showed at least 20 such meetings planned for June 1, from Bakersfield
to Boston.
*IBLTV is a group of citizens from the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area who are concerned about the decline in the quality of local television. Fight local media consolidation, as it leads to an unaccountable medium that enriches itself while disregarding the need to serve the public good.
*The rational counter to 'The Point,' 'The Counterpoint' critiques and corrects the daily editorial by Sinclair Broadcasting's corporate vice president, Mark Hyman, that is broadcast on all Sinclair-owned television stations across the country
DFA-Link: An Underutilized Tool (Setting up an Account)
Finding an Event
Democracy For Iowa Conference 2005
Where DFA Meets the Anti-war Movement: Leave My Child Alone!