The Ayes have it: Regional conventions on tap for 2009

Alliance members have overwhelmingly approved a bylaw change to allow regional biennial meetings as an alternative to a single national convention. Thanks to everyone who voted! Please keep an eye on our webpage and blog for updates on regional meeting plans, dates, locations and program.

The New England region is already planning a meeting, most likely in late October/early November. If you'd like to be added to the email list for planning and announcements, please contact the national office at afd@thealliancefordemocracy.org.

Other chapters should be announcing plans soon. If you're not close to a chapter but would like to get together with other members in your area, please email the office at afd@thealliancefordemocracy.org or call Barbara at 781-894-1179. We will help you locate fellow members and can assist with program planning, speakers, and other logistics. Events can be large or small, a chance to network with other groups across issues or focus more closely on corporate rule. Conventions are also an opportunity to review progress on national campaigns, propose resolutions and new campaign areas, and introduce candidates for national council.

So far, members have put forth the following suggestions for themes and organization:
Michael Moore’s new film, “Capitalism: A Love Story” is due out October 2, one year and a day after the U.S. Senate approved the first Wall Street bailout. 2009 is also the 10th anniversary of the Battle in Seattle – AfD was there (remember the ponchos?) and Obama promised on the campaign trail to re-think NAFTA and the trade agreements. These anniversaries could spark discussion of trade, regional or local economies, globalization and alternatives to current financial structures. Our most recent issues of Justice Rising has plenty of information and suggestions for actions: check out “Money for People not Corporate Plunder” and "Deglobalization/Relocalization"

October is also "Blue October," and a time to focus on water resource protection, the water commons, rights of nature, and local/regional decision-making. Many of these issues are key to recent work of our Defending Water for Life Campaign.