[act-ma] Call for organizers! Will you help plan RootsCamp MA 2015? An unconference for progressive organizers

[Robbie Samuels]

Hello fellow activists and organizers!


We are very excited to announce the date of the next RootsCamp MA
unconference for progressive organizers on April 25-26, 2015 in Boston.
This is the 3rd iteration of RootsCamp MA, inspired by New Organizing
Institute (NOI), organized by Socializing for Justice with the help of a
volunteer planning committee, and supported by over two dozen progressive
organizations when it was last held in 2013.


Two years ago, and in 2010, we gathered almost 100 local activists to
discuss the successes and challenges facing social change organizations,
and to help create a diverse, powerful and inclusive gathering of
passionate activists. We heard each others organizing challenges and left
with solutions to make our individual and collective efforts stronger and
better.


We're ready to do this again, but we need your help. We're looking for a
few more people to join the RootsCamp MA Organizing Committee. Use this
Google Form to RSVP for the first planning meeting on Tuesday, February
17th in Davis Square:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/18SwZXmvsg9x_4wMOOK3IR3fSzAmpwK0NjiS4y5LbPLY/viewform?usp=send_form


We're doing this as volunteers and could very much use your help to make
this happen and strengthen Massachusetts' cross-issue progressive
community, network and movement. We also need organizations to sign up as a
RootsCamp MA partners and commit to spreading the word to their community.


What's RootsCamp MA? It's a friendly environment where you'll have time to
make real connections with people working on and interested in lots of
different issues. Over one weekend in Boston, RootsCamp MA will bring
together a broad spectrum of organizers to discuss and collaborate, share
lessons learned, and drive the conversation about best practices in social
justice organizing. We'll discuss the successes and challenges facing
activists and organizers. With your help we'll bring together diverse
voices and perspectives from across the state and create a powerful,
inclusive, and productive event. Join us, and help drive the progressive
movement forward.


How's it organized? It's an "unconference" - meaning YOU get to present a
session without having to submit a proposal ahead of time. The whole point
of RootsCamp MA unconference is for local organizers to own and drive the
conversation. It's the only conference this year where you are guaranteed
to have a chance to talk about what YOU want to talk about. It's part
reflection: a candid environment to share what's working and what isn't.
It's also a chance to get to know each other better and plan the year
ahead. Here's a quick video from the 2010 RootsCamp DC explaining the
unconference concept: http://youtu.be/wM6htb8Hifg.


Who should attend RootsCamp MA? Change agents and progressives of all
stripes, from across Massachusetts, who have lessons to share, more to
learn, or campaigns and projects to move forward.  Whether you consider
yourself a "progressive" or simply work on an issue or matter that moves
our country forward, add your voice and perspective -- help shape and take
ownership over RootsCamp MA.


Get involved now and help us create this welcoming space for passionate
activists. Use this Google Form to RSVP for the first planning meeting on
Tuesday, February 17th in Davis Square:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/18SwZXmvsg9x_4wMOOK3IR3fSzAmpwK0NjiS4y5LbPLY/viewform?usp=send_form



For Justice,


Robbie

on behalf of Roots Camp MA Lead Organizers

Robbie Samuels and David Sloane