Call to Conference

Dec 2, 2023 – online

Massachusetts has the reputation of being one of the most progressive states in the country. Yet we lack legislative transparency, and we have a progressive Democratic Party platform that the leadeership ignores and a state government that has ttremendous difficulty passing progressive legislation.

In response, the Massachusetts Progressive Action Organizing Committee (MPAOC) invites you to an online Strategy Conference.  We will focus on how progressive activists can gain the power to pass vigorous meaningful legislation and initiate changes to improve the lives of all of our citizens.

In panels and breakout groups, conference attendees will examine paths to increase progressive power, identify the obstacles to our success. and learn strategies to overcome them.

Schedule

9:30 Welcome and call to order

9:50 Nina Turner – Plenary Speaker – founder, We Are Somebody; former Ohio state senator and Bernie Sanders campaigner

10:30 Panel 1 – Social/ Economic Consequences in Massachusetts of excess military spending
Education and Science – Jonathan King, prof. emeritus of molecular biology, MIT and board co-chair, Mass. Peace Action
Housing – Rep. Mike Connolly (D-Camb/Somv)
Healthcare – Katie Murphy RN, President, Mass. Nurses Association

11:30 Breakouts 1

12:30 Lunch break

1:15 Special presentation – Rep. Max Frost (D-FL)

1:30 Panel 2 – Overcoming Obstacles: Learning From Successful Campaigns

Fair Share  – Harris Gruman, executive director, SEIU State Council
Non-resident drivers licenses – Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier (D-Pittsfield)
Student Opportunity Act – Sonia Chang-Diaz, former State Senator and 2022 candidate for Governor

2:30 Breakouts 2

3:30 Panel 3 – What Are We Going to Do?

Organizing to defeat MAGA forces in local elections – Nicky Osborne, organizer, Mattapoisett
Challenges in the 2024 election and trends among Black voters – Andrea Miller, founding board member of the Center for Common Ground

4:30 Wrapup

5:00 Adjourn

Register to attend.  Registration:  $25 regular admission, $5 student/low income, $75 supporter.

Sponsored by Massachusetts Progressive Action Organizing Committee (Our Revolution Massachusetts, Progressive Massachusetts, Progressive Democrats of America, Massachusetts Peace Action, North American Indian Center of Boston, and Act On Mass).  Organizations are encouraged to cosponsor the conference; they will be acknowledged in publicity and at the conference, may organize a breakout and attend planning meetings, and are asked to give a $50 donation and to publicize the event.