The 63rd ADA National Convention
University of Illinois at Chicago
750 South Halsted
Chicago, IL 60607
Invest in America -- New Deal 2.0
Making Policy, Taking Action
Throughout the nation men and women, forgotten in the political philosophy of the Government, look to us here for guidance and for more equitable opportunity to share in the distribution of national wealth... I pledge myself to a new deal for the American people. This is more than a political campaign. It is a call to arms.
-- Franklin Roosevelt 1932 Democratic Presidential Candidate
Americans for Democratic Action has a long history of fighting to preserve and expand the New Deal, the landmark investment in America. Now is the time for a New Deal 2.0. Since 2005, Workings Families Win, a project of ADA, has had organizers in key areas to help drive policy and elect representatives. In this important election year of 2012, ADA and Working Families Win are meeting not only to change the political and policy landscapes but to shift the public debate and ideology back to one that reflects shared prosperity and public action toward the common good.
Mass inequality is leading to widespread economic rage that is embodied in the Occupy protests and felt in the everyday lives of the 99%. There is a sense that the nation’s policies and politicians, without regard to party, are simply not serving the common good.
Tea Party activists, Wisconsin protesters, Congressional budget negotiators, and Wall Street Occupiers have all been addressing the same fundamental questions of what the government should do and who should pay for it. Heated debate flows from the very different answers offered by different ideological perspectives. The 2012 elections will be seen as an important judgment on this ongoing philosophical argument.
There is a rare opportunity in this charged and fluid atmosphere to advance some very basic progressive ideas about community action and responsibility. ADA and Working Families Win propose a yearlong campaign centered on an “Invest in America” agenda that will make the case in a variety of creative ways for the need for wise public investment as the basis for broad-based prosperity and a more harmonious society.
The ADA Convention in Chicago on June 15-17 is a “Call to Arms”. June 14 will be a preregistration and networking reception at the Exchequer Pub in the Chicago Loop from 7 to 9.
University of Illinois at Chicago
750 South Halsted
Chicago, IL 60607
Thursday, June 14, 2012
While the ADA Convention does not officially kick off until Friday morning, a pre-registration networking reception will take place at the Exchequer Pub in the Chicago Loop from 7-9 PM.
Exchequer Restaurant & Pub
226 S. Wabash Avenue
Chicago, IL 60604
Friday, June 15, 2012
9:00-9:30am: Welcome
9:45am - 12:15pm: Progressive Roundtable Discussion
Over the past few decades, there has been a growth of groups with a liberal/progressive agenda. Some are centered on single issue areas, others on electoral politics, and some cover a broader spectrum issues and electoral politics. What is increasingly clear is that WE need each other to the move the country FORWARD. This Roundtable is designed to brainstorm on how individuals and groups can best work together and effectively communicate and act as a group.
The conversation will be led by Don Kusler, Executive Director of Americans for Democratic Action (ADA), Tim Carpenter, Executive Director of Progressive Democrats of America (PDA), Matt Blizek, former Field Director of Democracy for America
12:30 - 1:30pm: Lunch
1:30 - 5:30pm: Commission Meetings
One of the unique attributes of ADA are the Commission Resolutions. There are four commissions that meet on various policy positions. Convention delegates will determine the policy priorities for action both in the short term and long term. The resolution process takes place with a small group of people discussing and deliberating on specific policy positions and actions. The actual topics will be determined to a large extent by the participants of the individual commissions. We are looking for policy statements that have both short and long term goals.
Environmental, Energy, and Economics
The commission concentrates on policies that affect environment, energy policy and economics. One possible discussion will be a comprehensive energy policy and the effects on the environment and economy.
Foreign Policy and Military Affairs
The commission’s focus in on all matters relating to United States foreign policy and military involvement. The likely areas which will be discussed during the 2012 convention will be the cost of perpetual war, possible military intervention in the Persian gulf and it’s relationship to our standing in the world community, our national budget and economic recovery.
Politics and Government
This commission relates directly how we are governed and how progressives and liberals should use the political process to accomplish our goals. The most obvious topic under discussion is how to face the right wing’s manipulation of election laws in state legislatures and in the administration of elections to prevent, discourage and suppress participation in elections by the poor, the elderly, youth and minority groups.
Social and Domestic Policy
This commission relates directly to all matters of national policy. While many times the Social and Domestic Policy Commission overlaps some of the Economic Commissions work (it is not uncommon for the two commissions to do joint policy) this commission does articulate ADA policy in areas which are not economic such as: LGBT issues, civil rights, immigration, etc. This year possible areas of concern will be the advancement of gay marriage, civil liberties and education policy.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
9:00 - 10:00am: Welcome Session: Working Families Win and Jim Jontz
The session will highlight ADA's community organizing project, Working Families Win, and the core principles of Working Families Win's founding director, Jim Jontz.
Panelists:
Ray Boomhower - author of The People's Choice: Congressman Jim Jontz of Indiana
Don Kusler - Executive Director of Americans for Democratic Action (ADA) and Project Director of Working Families Win (WFW)
10:15am - 12:15pm: Jim Jontz Memorial Program
We Are Wisconisin, The Film: A screening and discussion
Brian Austin, Wisconsin Activist
When a Republican Governor’s bill threatens to wipe away worker rights and lock out public debate, six (extra)ordinary citizens join the growing protest at the Wisconsin State Capitol, and spend the next twenty-six days building a movement that not only challenges the bill, but the soul of a nation.
12:30 - 2:00pm: Lunch with Speaker
Larry Cohen, President, Communications Workers of America
2:00 - 5:30pm: Issue Panels
2:00 - 3:30pm The High Cost of Imprisonment
Panelists:
Rev Gregory Livingston - Moderator
Gladyse Taylor - Assistant Director of Illinois Department of Corrections
Paula Carballido - Prison Reform Activist
2:00 - 3:30pm The Suppression of the Vote in 2012
Panelists:
David Orr - Cook County Clerk
Dan Johnson - President, Progressive Public Affairs
Richard Means - NEIL ADA Chair
4:00 - 5:30pm Healthcare Reform Implementation
Panelists:
Julie Hamos - Director of Illinois Healthcare and Family Services
Philip A. Verhoef, MD, PhD - Physicians for a National Health Program
John Gaudette - Organizing Director, Citizen Action-Illinois
4:00 - 5:30pm Passing the Torch: Feminism in the 21st Century
Panelists:
Maya Schenwar - Executive Director of Truthout
Michelle Fadeley - President, Illinois NOW
Rebecca Gomer - National Field Director, Working Families Win
7:00pm: Awards Reception
Honoring Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) with Eleanor Roosevelt award
Sunday, June 17, 2012
9:00am - Noon: Making Policy, Taking Action
The Convention will wrap up on Sunday by breaking into the Commissions once again. Commission members will work together to plan action items moving forward. Each policy statement that comes out of commission must provide a way to work toward obtaining the changes in policy requested. On Sunday, Convention attendees we will work together to create a plan of action to move forward both for the membership of ADA and the Working Families Win organizers.
Take advantage of discounted hotel rates! ADA has reserved rooms at the two hotels closest to the University:
Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites -- Chicago Downtown (Expired but call and try)
506 West Harrison St
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 957-9100
ADA Convention Discount - $139 per night
The Marriott Chicago at Medical District UIC (Expired but call and try)
1007 W Harrison
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 491-1234
ADA Convention Discount -- $189
Be sure to ask for the ADA or Americans for Democratic Action rate when making your reservation.
What are you waiting for? RSVP for the 2012 ADA Convention today!
Don't miss our fundraiser reception honoring Rep. Jan Schakowsky! Get tickets here!
NOTE: While policy statements are crafted to find broad consensus among our members, we will vote on the more divided and difficult choices in setting our policy and action agenda. Thus, full participation in the convention will best be facilitated by membership and early registration.
Convention Rules
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