[act-ma] RootsCamp MA press release - we're two weeks away (please share)

Sat Mar 23 05:05:09 PDT 2013

<div>Hey fellow activists and 
organizers,</div><div> </div>

We are two 
weeks away from <a href="http://www.bit.ly/rootscampma" 
target="_blank">RootsCamp MA</a> 
and could 
really use your help spreading the word. 
Would 
you share the press release below with your networks? 

Already 
planning to attend? <a href="http://www.rootscampma13.eventbrite.com" 
target="_blank">Register</a> today so we can figure out how many people to 
plan for.

 
RootsCamp 
MA i
s 
a 2-day cross-issue progressive movement building “unconference” for 
organizers, by organizers on April 6-7 at 1199 SEIU in Dorchester. 
RootsCamp MA is a great opportunity to connect with social change 
organizations and organizers from across the state. 
 
There 
are three ways for organizations to get involved:
<ul style="font-size:medium"><li>Sponsor
</li><li>Partner
</li><li>Present
</li></ul>Will 
your organization join the growing list of sponsors and partner 
organizations? Sponsorships opportunities are available at $500, $250 and 
$100, check out these 
<a 
href="https://sites.google.com/a/neworganizing.com/rootscamp-ma/sponsors" 
target="_blank">sponsorship benefits</a>. 

 Partner 
organizations commit to encouraging 5 people to attend and sharing the 
information via their website and/or social media networks. 
 Let 
us know your intention as soon as possible so we can add your logo to our 
website. We appreciate your support as this is a completely grassroots 
endeavor that will benefit all involved.

 
This 
is a participant-driven event so we are strongly encouraging you to come 
prepared to present a session or facilitate a dialogue. You know what you 
know, and you know what you are curious about. Bring that and we'll all 
benefit from the shared learning and relationship building. It’s an 
“unconference”, so all sessions are chosen the morning of the event. Let us 
know what session you might lead so we can create some buzz about 
it!
 Thanks,
Robbie

</span></p><br><span  
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><p  
dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span  
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">FOR  
IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span  
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">March  
22, 2013 - Boston, MA</span></p><p dir="ltr"  
style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">
<span  
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span></p><p  
dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span  
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span  
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Contact:</span></p><p  
dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span  
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Robbie  
Samuels</span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span  
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">RootsCamp  
MA Lead Organizer</span></p><p dir="ltr"  
style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">
<a href="mailto:Robbie at RobbieSamuels.com" target="_blank"><span  
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(17,85,204);vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Robbie at RobbieSamuels.com</span></a><span  
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">  
</span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><a  
href="http://www.bit.ly/rootscampma" target="_blank"><span  
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(17,85,204);vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">www.bit.ly/rootscampma</span></a></p>
<p></p><br><span  
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><p  
dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:center"><span  
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">RootsCamp  
MA - For Organizers, By Organizers</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"  
style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:center"><span  
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Attendees  
Call the Shots at Progressive “Un-Conference” </span></p>
<br><span  
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><p  
dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span  
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Calling  
all progressive organizers! RootsCamp MA (April 6-7, 2013 at 1199 SEIU in  
Dorchester) shakes up the traditional conference model. No need to submit  
workshop proposals in advance. Instead attendees decide an agenda together  
each morning of the conference. This allows participants to have meaningful  
and in-the-moment conversations about their work.</span></p>
<br><span  
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><p  
dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span  
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">This  
is cross-issue progressive movement building, where all attendees bring  
what they know and what they are curious about. They establish lasting new  
partnerships with other organizers from all over the state. This model  
builds on the success of 2012 RootsCamp National,  2010 RootsCamp MA and  
“unconferences” dating back to 2006.</span></p>
<br><span  
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><p  
dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span  
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Unconferences  
take advantage of the fact that we all have ideas and talents to  
contribute, as well as things to learn,” said Jessica Critcher,  
co-organizer of Socializing for Justice, one of several lead sponsors of  
the conference. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span  
style="font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span></p><p  
dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span  
style="font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap">A brief  
keynote by Gladys Vega, executive director of Chelsea Collaborative, will  
kick-off the event with an inspiring story about standing with allies. She  
returned a $40,000 grant </span><span  
style="font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap"> from  
Catholic Campaign for Human Development out of concern that the money came  
with too many restrictions against working with the LGBT community.  
According to The Boston Globe, "Two weeks earlier, Vega had received  
an award from MassEquality, the gay rights organization, for speaking out  
on behalf of a transgender woman badly beaten outside a Chelsea bar. She  
feared that sort of advocacy could be considered unacceptable by the  
church." The grant represented </span><span  
style="font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap">82% of the  
funding for their Chelsea Latino Immigrant Committee, which advocates for  
immigrant workers. </span></p>
<br><span  
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><p  
dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span  
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Organized  
in just a couple of months, this event has gained the support of many  
including Gold Sponsors: ACLU of Massachusetts, Socializing for Justice,  
Third Sector New England, Tufts Peace and Justice Studies; Silver Sponsors:  
Echo Ditto, Future Boston Alliance, Mass Vote; and Bronze Sponsors: Boston  
NAACP, Boston Ward 5 Democratic Committee, New Leaders Council Boston  
Chapter, Political Research Associates and The Definition Of Nyce. Partner  
organizations include: Common Cause Massachusetts, Drinking Liberally  
Boston Chapter, encuentro 5, MIRA Coalition, New Organizing Institute, and  
Open Media Boston.</span></p>
<br><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span  
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">With  
the help of these sponsors, RootsCamp organizers are committed to making  
this an accessible event for a diverse group of attendees. Tickets are  
priced on a sliding scale of $10-$20, which includes breakfast, lunch and  
snacks for two days. Children are welcome to attend. Bilingual  
presentations are encouraged. Transportation and housing assistance  
available for attendees outside of metro Boston area.</span></p>
<br><span  
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><p  
dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span  
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">More  
information about the event, as well as the most up to date list of  
sponsors and partner organizations, may be found at </span><a  
href="http://bit.ly/rootscampma" target="_blank"><span  
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(17,85,204);vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">www.bit.ly/rootscampma</span></a><span  
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">.  
Tickets and sponsorships may be purchased at <a  
href="http://www.rootscampma13.eventbrite.com/"  
target="_blank">www.rootscampma13.eventbrite.<WBR>com</a>. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span  
style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">  
</span></p><p dir="ltr"  
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