July 28-29: PAN Canvassers Conference
One hundred and fifty canvass leaders gathered at Augsburg College in Minneapolis on July 28th and 29th for training and motivation. The theme of this year’s conference was “ Be the Fix in’06”. A huge banner with this greeting welcomed staff to the conference.
The first skit was done by the Progressive Action Network Phone Center and the Minnesota Public Interest Research Group portrayed a Supermen style canvasser that triumphed over evil corporations. This skit was voted the best. Kicking off the conference, Associate Director of PAN, Patty Snee, and Regional Director Heather Hardin recognized the 63 staff that qualified for the Hall of Fame and gave them Hall of Fame lanyards.
USAction’s campaign Director, Alan Charney talked to the audience about the opportunities that await us this fall. He made clear that The Republican coalition between Wall Street and the fundamentalists is falling apart. He cited the attempt to combine an increase in the minimum wage with repeal of the estate tax. He urged staff to “Be the fix in”06” by recruiting members and getting them out to vote in the fall elections.
Jo Ann Bowman reflected on the challenges of setting up a canvass and thanked all the people who had cross trained in to help with Oregon’s startup.
Ellen Buchman, Field Director for the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights told the fantastic story of the 25-year reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act. Her talk was accompanied by a slide show of key figures and events in the struggle for voting rights.
State Senator Becky Louery, who is running for Governor of Minnesota, addressed the staff Friday night. She told stories illustrating “truths “ she has discovered in life. She said she was surprised to learn that she was the highest-ranking public official to lose a son in Iraq. She described early morning canoe trips with her kids, and then going to work with “sand in her pants.”
Saturday morning, the opening skit was the Pro Choice Minnesota National Abortion Rights skit. The staff portrayed The Wizard of Oz. The evil monkey’s costumes were elaborate and realistic while the rest of the characters costumes really caught the audience’s attention with their brilliant colors. Timing, message and humor all came together to what amounted to be a great performance! Participants recognized this skit for the other skit award.
Paul Schwartz, National Policy Coordinator for Clean Water Action, talked about “Pessimism of the intellect and optimism of the will”. He described how over 30% of the electorate thinks that President Bush was chosen by a higher being to govern this country. He then talked about what we can do to improve our nation’s drinking water.
Dave Engledow, Field Director of Working America, discussed his own background as a canvasser. He described how in his first two years of canvassing, he spent 63 weeks on the road on cross trains. His passion for canvassing was indeed felt throughout the audience. Dave shared that his wife is a major in the army and that the invasion was a big factor in his stepping up to leadership.
Cristina Page, author of, How the Pro-Choice Movement Saved America: Freedom, Politics, and the War on Sex, shared an honest evaluation of where reproductive rights stand today. She pointed out that our reproductive rights hinge on “ the life of one 86 year old Supreme Court Justice”. She showed how right wing zealots cause more 2nd trimester abortions by passing parental consent laws. She explained how they plan to criminalize abortion. She talked about how the right wing assault is on our way of life with two income households. Their intent, she said, “ is to outlaw contraception.”
Over breaks in the agenda caucuses on GLBT and People of Color met to discuss and develop recommendations for actions.
In the afternoon, staff attended workshops to enhance their skills from fundraising, to training and managing staff for field and phone canvassers. There were also workshops on building diversity, building a successful office culture, balancing work and home life, the importance of members, and women in leadership.
At he closing banquet, Heather Hardin was recognized for her 15 years of service to the PAN Network. Many members of the audience had the chance to work with Heather; this was evidenced by their applause and the expressions on their faces as she spoke. The closing speaker was UsAction’s President William McNary. His unique “I’m in it to win it” speech brought the audience to their feet several times. His inclusion of current events in outlining national strategy was timely, insightful and inspirational.