Friday, June 3, 2016

Saturday, June 4, 2016, Lowell, MA - Two Bernie Events and the Massachusetts Democratic State Convention




Saturday, June 4, 2016, Lowell, MA - Two Bernie Events and the Massachusetts Democratic State Convention
Please click on the link immediately below for information on the two Bernie events. (If you would like to attend the actual convention, see the information provided further below.)


Here's information on attending the actual convention. (There will be a pro-Bernie and a pro-Hillary surrogate speaking at the convention, so the presence of lots of Bernie supporters would send a nice signal to the super delegates in attendance.)

Join Sen. Warren and Democratic Leaders at Next Week's Annual Convention


Our Democratic convention is scheduled for Saturday, June 4 at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. Not a delegate? That’s ok, you can still join us! Click here to purchase your guest pass and join 2500 Democratic activists from across the state.
We’ve got an action-packed morning with speeches from Senator Markey, Mayor Walsh, Congresswoman Tsongas, Secretary Galvin, Attorney General Healey, Treasurer Goldberg, Auditor Bump, Speaker DeLeo, Senate President Rosenberg and more. We’re also proud to showcase the deep talent pool and diversity of our Party with speeches by Democratic legislative and municipal leaders.
And, of course, you won't want to miss Senator Elizabeth Warren’s speech! So click hereto join us at the convention.
After the speeches, we are having a series of breakout sessions with a mix of training sessions and on issues, including holding Gov. Baker accountable, the Fairshare Amendment and a special presentation by Senator Warren. But remember, you can only join us by being a delegate or purchasing your guest pass here!
Here is the convention agenda:
7:15 AM: Registration/Exhibit Hall Opens
9:00 AM: Convention Called to Order
12:30 PM: Breakout Sessions

Here's a list of breakout sessions:
Convention Breakout Session 1
A Presentation On Income Inequality with Senator Elizabeth Warren
Convention Breakout Session 2
"Legislative Races in 2016" with Josh Cutler, State Representative and Natasha Perez, Senate President’s Chief of Staff
"Holding Charlie Baker Accountable" with Tom McGee, Party Chair and State Senator and Steve Tolman, AFL-CIO President
"Fair Share Amendment" with Harris Gruman, Executive Director of the SEIU State Council
Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and Public Transportation" with George Bachrach, Environmental League of Massachusetts, Kalila Barnett, Alternative for Community Environment, and Joshua Ostroff, Transportation for America
"What Every Democrat Needs to Know to Mobilize and Win Latino Votes" with Ileana Cintron and Adrian Velazquez, DSC Members
"What is the State Committee? "with Sue Thomson, Donna Smith, Ana Morales, Martina Jackson, and David O’Brien, DSC Members

Looking forward to seeing you in Lowell,
Kevin Costa



I hope that you find this helpful. I try to get the schedule information listed upfront so that you can have a quick summary handy. The Convention is always a fun opportunity to connect with people and to conduct the business of the Democratic Party.  As with any large event, be prepared to be patient. If we haven't met and you receive the newsletter, look for Matt and me. I'll be wearing a Kate button. Maybe I can persuade Matt to wear his "I've been dispatched" T-Shirt.

Kate Donaghue

Special Events:
Friday
7pm-11pm Host Committee Party, ICC, Grand Ballroom
8pm-11pm Latino Party for Democratic Victory, ICC, Junior Ballroom
9pm-2am Young Dems Party, Garcia Brogan's, 131 Middlesex Street, 
ALL AGES WELCOME, $10 donation

Saturday
8am  DFER Breakfast, Sage Bank Pavilion, Tsongas Center
2pm-5pm  Host Committee Reception, ICC

ICC: UMass Lowell Inn and Conference Center, 50 Warren Street, Lowell

Convention at a Glance
7:15am Registration/Exhibit Hall Opens
9:00am  Convention Called to Order
12:30pm  Convention adjourns

1:00pm Presentation On Income Inequality, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Gymnasium

2:00pm Breakout Sessions at Recreation Center

Legislative Races in 2016
Natasha Perez (Meeting Room)

Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and Public Transportation
George Bachrach, Kalila Barnett, Josh Ostroff (Squash Court)

Holding Charlie Baker Accountable
Senator Tom McGee and Steve Tolman (Studio 2)

Fair Share Amendment
Harris Gruman (Studio 1)

What Every Democrat Needs to Know to Mobilize and Win Latino Votes
Ileana Cintron and Adrian Velazquez, (Racquetball Court 1)

What is the State Committee?
Sue Thomson, Donna Smith, Ana Morales, Martina Jackson, and Dave O’Brien (Racquetball Court 2)

FROM MASS DEMS
We’ve got an action-packed morning with speeches from Senator Markey, Mayor Walsh, Congresswoman Tsongas, Secretary Galvin, Attorney General Healey, Treasurer Goldberg, Auditor Bump, Speaker DeLeo, Senate President Rosenberg and more. We’re also proud to showcase the deep talent pool and diversity of our Party with speeches by Democratic legislative and municipal leaders

GETTING AROUND
On Saturday buses will be transporting delegates and guests from the ICC to the Tsongas Center. After adjournment of the convention, buses will transport those who need transportation from the Tsongas Center to the Recreation Center where the workshops are being held. The Recreation Center is a 5/10 minute walk from the Tsongas Center.

PARKING
Delegates are encouraged to park at the George Ayotte Garage directly across from the Tsongas Center, as well as Wannalancit Lot. Disabled Delegates are encourage to use Surface Lot B.

CHARTER AMENDMENTS
There are three Charter Amendments proposed. Read them over. The proposed changes and brief explanations are listed in an appendix to this e-mail. The Charter Amendments Committee discussed them extensively prior to approving them to come before the full Convention. See the end of the e-mail for details.

TIPS AND INFORMATION FOR DELEGATES
OVERVIEW: The Convention is called to order at 9 AM on Saturday morning.  On Friday evening there will be parties and opportunities to network.  On Saturday there will be opening ceremonies, speakers, and Charter Amendments.  Registration for those who have NOT paid for their credentials are available at the Tsongas Center at beginning at 7:15 am on Saturday morning, as well as at the Lowell Inn and Conference Center on Friday from 7 pm to 9 pm. Guest passes can be purchased through this link.
 
BEFORE THE CONVENTION: Ensure that you are properly registered as delegate or alternate with the Massachusetts Democratic Party. The cost of late registration for a delegate or alternate is $100.
 
In the mail you will receive:
- Credentials (paid delegates/alternates only)
-  The Delegate Guide 2016, also known as the “Call to Convention.”  It is a newspaper publication that you should READ and BRING WITH YOU.
 

WHAT TO BRING

[ ] Credentials                                    
[ ] Delegate Guide/Call to Convention
[ ] Photo ID                                         
[ ] Charged cell phone
[ ] Mini-flashlight                                 
[ ] Pen or pencil

WHAT TO EXPECT: The Democratic State Convention is a lot of fun. It is a great way to meet other Democrats from your community, your senate district and across the state. The state has 40 senate districts. Delegates sit within their senate districts. It is helpful to know the name of your senate district.  It is printed on your credentials. When you arrive at the convention, try to get a FLOOR MAP. This will show you where each senate district will be sitting. Towns and wards split between two senate districts will be assigned to one of the districts so that communities are seated together. The speeches and ceremonies are all important, but do expect that there may be some chit-chat during portions of the program. You’ll get used to it.
 

EVENTS: Friday is a great opportunity for networking and getting to know Democrats from across the state.  On Saturday morning before the call to order there is an opportunity to check out the exhibits. A reception is scheduled after the workshops.

 

EXHIBITS: Organizations from across the state, Committees of the Democratic Party and so many others will have information displayed at the Exhibition Hall. Throughout the convention, we encourage you to visit as many exhibitors as your schedule will permit. A walk through the Exhibit Hall will provide you with an opportunity to learn more about the work of a variety of organizations which affect the lives of people in Massachusetts, get involved with an issue by signing up to volunteer and to purchase political memorabilia.

 
RESOLUTIONS: The Chairperson may entertain a motion to suspend the Rules, in order to allow a matter submitted in writing by at least 50 Delegates by Noon of the day of the Convention to the Sergeant-at-Arms, to refer an item to the Democratic State Committee or to adopt a resolution relative to a sense of the Convention, which shall be decided without debate and which shall require a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of all Delegates voting, a quorum being present. Anyone who is proposing a resolution is urged, but not required, to contact the MDP office to review the process in detail.
 
COPIES FOR DELEGATES: Matters allowed to be submitted as provided, by signature of delegates, will not be printed by the Democratic State Committee. However, the proposer of same shall be responsible for printing at his/her expense sufficient copies for each delegate. The printed petitions shall be presented to the Sergeant-at-Arms by 10 AM for the day of the Convention.

WHAT TO WEAR: Dress is generally casual.  Because of the number of people present it can get quite warm. It can also be quite cool, depending on the AC.  Dressing in layers is helpful. There will be a lot of walking so comfortable shoes are a big plus. 

FOOD: Concessions will be open at the Center.  
 
DISABLED DELEGATES: The Tsongas Center is fully accessible for people with disabilities.  The number of handicapped parking areas around the Center is not unlimited.  Vehicles with either an RMV handicapped tag or placard can park in Lot B, adjacent to the Tsongas Center. The Handicapped Entrance is located to the right of the front entrance doors. Delegates and alternates with disabilities are asked to call the State Committee at 617-939-0800 or by e-mail atmmurray@massdems.org with concerns or for information on accommodations.   
 

APPENDIX

Charter Amendment: One
Article Three, Section I

Current language:
d. raising and disbursing monies needed for the successful operation of the State Committee.
The State Committee shall publicly support the Party's nominees, except no party resources shall be used to support a Democratic nominee, who publicly endorsed or supported a Republican or other major party candidate in any one of the last two most recent biennial elections.

Proposed language:
The State Committee shall publicly support the Party's nominees, except no party resources shall be used to support a Democratic nominee, who as a Democrat publicly endorsed or supported a Republican or other party candidate in any one of the last two most recent biennial elections.

Summary: This change allows a nominee who was not a Democrat prior to becoming the Party’s nominee to receive party support.

Charter Amendment: Two
Article Six, Section IV, Item 2. 

Current language: 
2. Assure all enrolled Democrats, full, timely, and equal opportunity to participate through caucuses in towns and cities and include publicity and affirmative action guidelines toward that end

Proposed language: 
3. Assure all eligible enrolled and pre-enrolled Democrats, full, timely, and equal opportunity to participate through caucuses in towns and cities and include publicity and affirmative action guidelines toward that end

Charter Amendment: Three
Article Six, Section IV, Item 3. 

Current language: 
3. Restrict participation to enrolled Democrats as of the last day in January preceding the local caucuses

Proposed language: 
3. Restrict participation to enrolled and pre-enrolled Democrats in accordance with the Rules of that Convention

Summary: These change provides flexibility to set the date when an individual needs to be a registered Democrat. If a convention is in the fall we would not be restricted to a January cutoff date.
Additionally, it would allow pre-registered Democrats, who are not eligible to register to vote to take part, under whatever process is set by the rules for that convention. 
__._,_.___

Posted by: KateDonaghue@aol.com


No comments:

Post a Comment