tennessee human rights activists gather for first time in more than six years...

i got involved with amnesty international back in 99' about a year out of graduate school (political science at vanderbilt - which is a little bit like eating flank steak at a vegan restaurant)when suddenly i had discretionary time on my hands...i have been doing human rights education and activism since 1980 when i was i athens, ga...

in the fall of 2000 about a dozen amnesty activists from nashville and knoxville gathered on the utk campus for some educational workshops and exercises...we haven't done this in tennessee since this time...the issue being that if we choose to remain isolated withion our individual chapters (which is the safe thing to do) we'll never know what we might be able to achieve though coordinated, collective action - that is, what would happen if we intentionally build a human rights network and movement here in tennessee...

so here's the announcement:

1ST STATEWIDE MEETING IN 6 YEARS

Saturday March 31st
10 a.m to 5 p.m.
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

PLEASE RSVP SO WE HAVE FOOD FOR YOU

the meeting will take place on the vanderbilt university campus (nashville) in the wilson freshman class building room 121 (a map will follow later this week)...remember, we have $$$ to reimburse you for gas expenses and will find places for you to sleep on either (or both) friday night and saturday night as you might need. And, lunch will be provided for you (which is why we are asking for rsvps).

our agenda for the meeting is as follows:

10:00 – 10:10 Introductions…review agenda

10:10 – 10:30 Opening Exercise … blanket activity

10:30 – 11:30 Human Rights 101

11:30 – 11:45 Stretch Break

11:45 – 12:15 Roundtable discussion: review activities for 2006-07

12:15 – 1:00 Working Lunch – reviewing films for organizing events

1:00 – 2:00 Recruitment and Retention Strategies

• Share best practices
• Using the internet:
• MySpace and blogs
• Managing e-mail lists
• Why the phone is still your best friend
• Effective Tabling

2:00 – 2:15 Stretch Break

2:15 – 3:15 Stop Violence Against Women workshop

3:15 – 3:45 Teambuilding exercise >>> coordinating priorities for 2007-08

3:45 – 4:15 Getting to Miami for Regional Conference: Fundraising Strategies

4:15 - 4:30 Closing and depart

don't forget that we have some $$$ to reimburse you for gas if you're traveling and to have food for lunch AND we can find you a place to crash if you want to come in on friday night or stay over Saturday night (sorry - partying is on your own).

so contact us today at 615-473-2950 to rsvp!

peace out <3