<div><font face="Arial"><span style="font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap">Hey fellow activists and organizers,</span></font></div><div><font face="Arial"><span style="font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span></font></div><b style="font-family:Times;font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span></b><b style="font-family:Times;font-weight:normal"><p dir="ltr" style="font-size:medium;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">
<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><b style="font-size:small;font-family:Times;font-weight:normal"></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size:medium;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;display:inline!important">
<b style="font-size:small;font-family:Times;font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline">We are two weeks away from <a href="http://www.bit.ly/rootscampma" target="_blank">RootsCamp MA</a> </span></b></p>
<b style="font-size:small;font-weight:normal"><p dir="ltr" style="font-size:medium;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;display:inline!important"><b style="font-size:small;font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline">and could really use your help spreading the word. </span></b></p>
</b><b style="font-size:small;font-weight:normal"><p dir="ltr" style="font-size:medium;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;display:inline!important"><b style="font-size:small;font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Would you share the press release below with your networks? </span></b></p>
</b><p></p></b><b style="font-family:Times;font-weight:normal"><p dir="ltr" style="font-size:medium;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><b style="font-size:small;font-weight:normal"></b></p><p></p></b><b style="font-family:Times;font-weight:normal"><p dir="ltr" style="font-size:medium;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">
<b style="font-size:small;font-weight:normal"></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size:medium;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;display:inline!important"><b style="font-size:small;font-weight:normal"><b style="font-size:small;font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline">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.</span></b></b></p>
<p></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size:medium;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><b style="font-size:small;font-weight:normal"></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size:medium;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;display:inline!important">
<b style="font-size:small;font-weight:normal"><b style="font-size:small;font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline"><br></span></b></b></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size:medium;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">
<b style="font-size:small;font-weight:normal"></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size:medium;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;display:inline!important"><b style="font-size:small;font-weight:normal"><b style="font-size:small;font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline">RootsCamp MA i</span></b></b></p>
<b style="font-size:small;font-weight:normal"><p dir="ltr" style="font-size:medium;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;display:inline!important"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">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. </span></p>
</b><p></p></b><b style="font-family:Times;font-weight:normal"><br><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-size:medium;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">
<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">There are three ways for organizations to get involved:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size:medium;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">
</p><ul style="font-size:medium"><li><b style="font-weight:normal"><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;display:inline!important"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Sponsor</span></p>
</b></li><li><b style="font-weight:normal"><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;display:inline!important"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Partner</span></p>
</b></li><li><b style="font-weight:normal"><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;display:inline!important"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Present</span></p>
</b></li></ul><p style="font-size:medium"></p><b style="font-size:medium;font-weight:normal"><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">Will your organization join the growing list of sponsors and partner organizations? Sponsorships opportunities are available at $500, $250 and $100, check out these </span></p>
</b></b><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial;font-size:small;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;display:inline!important"><b style="font-family:Times;font-weight:normal"><b style="font-size:medium;font-weight:normal"><b style="font-family:Times;font-weight:normal"><b style="font-size:medium;font-weight:normal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><a href="https://sites.google.com/a/neworganizing.com/rootscamp-ma/sponsors" target="_blank">sponsorship benefits</a>. </span></b></b></b></b></b></b></b></b></b></b></p>
<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:small"> </span><b style="font-family:arial;font-size:small;font-weight:normal"><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;display:inline!important"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Partner organizations commit to encouraging 5 people to attend and sharing the information via their website and/or social media networks. </span></p>
 </b><b style="font-family:arial;font-size:small;font-weight:normal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;display:inline!important"><b style="font-weight:normal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">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.</span></b></b></p>
</b></b><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><b style="font-family:arial;font-size:small;font-weight:normal"><b style="font-weight:normal"></b></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;display:inline!important">
<b style="font-family:arial;font-size:small;font-weight:normal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><b style="font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br>
</span></b></b></b></b></p><p></p><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 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. </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap">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!</span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><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">Thanks,</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</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><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@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@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" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></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;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">###</span></p>
<div><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span></div>