Introduction to the 2014 National NOW Conference

Faces of Feminism: Strength in Diversity

AGENDA REVIEW The Basics

Structure of a NOW Conference

Resolution Process

Important Dates and Deadlines

Resources and General Tips

THE BASICS

Where: Albuquerque, New Mexico Hyatt Regency Albuquerque

When: June 27-29, 2014 Who: all NOW members, activists, speakers, panelists, workshop presenters

Registration: www.now.org/conference

WHAT IS THE NOW CONFERENCE?IN GENERAL: As a grassroots organization: Members determine NOW’s agenda and

priorities This annual meeting of the membership

constitutes the supreme governing body of NOW

SPECIAL ITEMS: In the even-numbered years, the National

Conference includes a special issue or constituency summit

Every four years, NOW holds elections for National Officers

2014 CONFERENCE THEMEFaces of Feminism: Strength in Diversity Committed to cultivating a diverse and

inclusive women’s movement Workshops and plenaries will have an

intersectional focus Issues facing the feminist movement viewed

through a lens of diversity Have an idea that fits this theme? Submit a

workshop proposal by visiting the NOW conference page

WHO CAN ATTEND THE NOW CONFERENCE?

Members Standard Registration: $125 (sliding scale

down to $0)

Non-Members/General Public Standard Registration: $165 (sliding scale

down to $35); includes one year membership

IDEAS TO RECRUIT CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS Chapter/state book rooms to subsidize the cost for

members; offer stipends to members for travel Share rooms like summer camp Ask your chapter’s membership for hotel points

and airline miles Check online and AAA rates for travel Share this info with your members and stress the

importance of attending Alternative transportation, reach out to other

chapters

OTHER IDEAS TO RECRUIT CONFERENCE ATTENDEES?

RAISE YOUR HANDOR

CHAT THEM IN

LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE (LOC)

Because the conference changes locations every year, we usually rely upon local activists in the conference location to help us out.

The LOC helps with getting local businesses and organizations to sponsor the conference, securing elected officials to welcome conference attendees during the opening plenary, and assist with on-site needs such as travel directions and recommendations for dining and entertainment.

QUESTIONS?

Chat them in or raise your hand

PLENARIES ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

Include all conference participants No other conference activity

scheduled during plenaries Featured speakers and performers Presentation of awards to activists

and leaders

SUNDAY PLENARY: RESOLUTIONS

Sunday plenaries are the resolution plenaries

Policy and action agenda of the organization set by the members

NOW delegates vote on resolutions passed out of issue hearings or submitted by petition

WORKSHOPS & ROUNDTABLES

Interactive sessions for NOW conference participants

Panel of presenters share information on a specific issue or provide skills-building training

Then presenters and participants dialogue and discuss action plans

CONFERENCE ACTION

SPECIAL CONSTITUENCY CAUCUSES

Feminists sharing a common interest or specific concern get together and discuss this topic

Usually impromptu caucuses scheduled outside of the conference schedule

NINE REGIONAL CAUCUSES

Discussion around regional issues, actions and organizing occurs during

this time.

REGION STATES

Northeast ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, NY, RI

Mid-Atlantic NJ, PA, DE, MD, DC, VA, WV

Southeast NC, SC, GA, FL, PR, VI

Mid-South TN, AL, MS, AR, LA

South Central

TX, OK, NM, KS, CO

Great Lakes MI, WI, OH, IN, IL, KY

Prairie States

MN, MO, IA, ND, SD, NE

Northwest WA, AK, OR, MT, ID, WY

Southwest CA, NV, UT, AZ, HI, GU, AS, TT

QUESTIONS?

Chat them in or raise your hand

RESOLUTIONS

Conference participants have the opportunity to introduce and pass resolutions that become part of NOW’s policy

A resolution could call for NOW to support an issue position, an action, or launch a campaign

Reference the policy manual (available on the NOW Leaders page) for previous resolutions

ISSUE HEARINGS One of two ways resolutions are created.

Remember, the NOW Conference is the supreme governing body of NOW

Any NOW member may bring a resolution or idea to an issue hearing for consideration

Any NOW member in attendance can vote at an Issue Hearing

Members discuss, edit and create resolutions that may be presented before the full membership during the Sunday plenary

Only 2 resolutions may come out of any issue hearing

RESOLUTION PETITIONS

May submit resolutions for consideration on Sunday by following the petition & signature rules

Some activists prefer this method due to the limitations on resolutions that can come out of issue hearings and it gives them an opportunity to discuss the resolution with more activists

SAMPLE RESOLUTION REACHING AND RECRUITING MEMBERS THROUGH ONLINE STREAMING

WHEREAS, the National Organization for Women (NOW) holds an annual conference where policy for the organization is set; and

WHEREAS, attendance at the conference is difficult or impossible for many members; and

WHEREAS, NOW is committed to reducing barriers to participation in NOW events; and

WHEREAS, the June 16, 2011, PEW Research Center's Internet and American Life Project report titled Social Networking Sites and Our Lives said, "even when we control for demographic characteristics, we found that internet users and Facebook users in particular were more likely to be politically involved than similar Americans...78 percent more likely to have attempted to influence someone's vote, and 53 percent more likely to have reported voting... than non-internet users"; and

WHEREAS, the ability to watch plenary sessions from the conference would give more people an opportunity to participate in the conference;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that two or more plenary sessions at the 2012 National NOW conference be streamed live.

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE & ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER

Parliamentary procedure is the specific set of rules that allows for orderly conduct during meetings of governing bodies. This time-tested method of conducting business is a way to ensure democratic rule, protection of rights, flexibility and a fair hearing for everyone.

Basic Structure: Motion + Debate

Motion: request for an action

A guide to floor proceedings is available on the NOW Leaders page

QUESTIONS?

Chat them in or raise your hand

VOTING AT A NOW CONFERENCENOW has a delegated voting process

Delegates Chapters are allocated delegate voting slots based on

their membership numbers 120 days prior to the conference

Can vote on: Resolutions at plenary Bylaws amendments Election of officers every four years

For more in depth info on the delegate and credentialing process attend our webinar on April 1st at 8pm ET

IMPORTANT CONFERENCE DEADLINES & DATES

March 23: Deadline to elect the paperless delegate form option

March 29: Active members as of this day (who remain in good standing through June 27) may vote at the conference

April 1: Delegate and Credentialing webinar at 8pm ET April 9: Deadline to submit workshop proposals May 26: Booking rooms at the Hyatt Regency

Albuquerque May 28: Deadline for receipt of pre-credentialed delegate

packets June 20: Pre-registration closes

INFO ON NOW LEADERS PAGE

GENERAL TIPS

If you are confused, ask for help or clarification. Smile and say hi to others. Remember, you are in

a room full of likeminded people – make friends! Listen with respect. It is important to understand

that people are talking about what is true for them. Points may arise upon which we may not all agree, but we should disagree respectfully

Best practice: speak in “I” terms, e.g. “I think…,” “I feel…,” “I believe…”

QUESTIONS?Raise your hand or chat them in now!

Who to contact with questions: Issue hearings & delegate information

Chitra Panjabi: vpmember@now.org

Chapter issues Kristina Romines: fieldorg@now.org

Membership information Meghan Czaikoski: member@now.org

General conference information such as workshops, hotel issues, special dietary needs, etc. Chelsey Hathaway: chelsey@natalieshear.com