LIVE from Pittsburgh: Netroots Nation 2009 kicks off with morning panels
Good morning from Pittsburgh!
It's a busy scene here at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in the Steel City's cultural district, where thousands of activists are gathering for the beginning of the fourth annual Netroots Nation Convention.
As in past years, the convention's first events are an array of panels tackling diverse topics, from the climate crisis to marriage equality to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. I'm currently listening to a presentation by the United Steelworkers about their blending of offline and online organizing techniques. It's turned out to be more like an informational briefing than a traditional panel (especially concerning the use of prerecorded video), but that's okay.
The USW has historically relied heavily on phone calls, leaflets, and faxes to communicate with its members and with elected leaders. Recently the Steelworkers have begun to utilize Flickr, Twitter, blogs, and downloadable toolkits that their members can access from their website.
Today, the union is doing its best to use the Internet to put more boots on the ground more quickly and more efficiently than before.
One intriguing fact I've learned so far: The Steelworkers are one of the few unions whose members directly elect the International President. The parent union also does not make endorsements (although its locals do).
There's also some convention news from overnight to share. The organizers of Netroots Nation have announced that the closing keynote will be delivered by none other than our very own Darcy Burner, who now works in the District of Columbia as the American Progressive Caucus Policy Foundation:
It's a busy scene here at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in the Steel City's cultural district, where thousands of activists are gathering for the beginning of the fourth annual Netroots Nation Convention.
As in past years, the convention's first events are an array of panels tackling diverse topics, from the climate crisis to marriage equality to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. I'm currently listening to a presentation by the United Steelworkers about their blending of offline and online organizing techniques. It's turned out to be more like an informational briefing than a traditional panel (especially concerning the use of prerecorded video), but that's okay.
The USW has historically relied heavily on phone calls, leaflets, and faxes to communicate with its members and with elected leaders. Recently the Steelworkers have begun to utilize Flickr, Twitter, blogs, and downloadable toolkits that their members can access from their website.
Today, the union is doing its best to use the Internet to put more boots on the ground more quickly and more efficiently than before.
One intriguing fact I've learned so far: The Steelworkers are one of the few unions whose members directly elect the International President. The parent union also does not make endorsements (although its locals do).
There's also some convention news from overnight to share. The organizers of Netroots Nation have announced that the closing keynote will be delivered by none other than our very own Darcy Burner, who now works in the District of Columbia as the American Progressive Caucus Policy Foundation:
After three days of strategizing around progressive change, Burner will close out the convention with a message on how we make that a reality after everyone has left Pittsburgh. She believes activists must strike a balance between applying sophisticated pressure on their elected leaders and amplifying their efforts to create space for progressive policy.Darcy's closing keynote will be delivered during the 2 PM hour on Saturday for those of you back in the Pacific Northwest. As with the other keynotes, we'll cover it live, so be sure to check in here at that time if you'll be around.
Two of Pittsburgh's own will also speak, Pennsylvania State Senator Jim Ferlo and Richard Trumka of the AFL-CIO. Ferlo is a respected progressive leader in Pittsburgh and a strong advocate for a single-payer healtch care system. Trumka, Secretary-Treasurer of AFL-CIO and candidate to become its next President, gained notoriety in the 2008 election by confronting head-on the challenges faced by the nation's first African-American Presidential Candidate, Barack Obama.
Netroots Nation staff will also reveal the host city for 2010, and CREDO Mobile will announce the winners of the first annual CREDO/Netroots Nation Blogger Awards.
# Posted by Andrew : 6:36 AM
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