Calling All Delegates!
AFSCME's 36th International Convention will be a time to re-energize, re-unite and get ready for the battles ahead.
Two years ago, at our 35th International Convention, President McEntee posed a question to the delegates that remains relevant today: "What will you do personally to build our union and advance our vision of a safe country and a just America? What will you do to help us take back America, Congress and fill those governor seats?" When AFSCME delegates convene again, June 21-25, the stakes will be even higher: winning tough budget battles in state governments across the country and taking back the White House for working families.
California's Anaheim Convention Center will be the site for our 36th International Convention, where delegates from across the country will elect the International's executive officers — president, secretary-treasurer and all vice presidents. They will pass important resolutions helping to define the union's goals for the next two years, while gearing up for the all-important November elections. The delegates, expected to exceed 3,700 in number, are elected by a vote of the membership of their respective affiliates. Details were sent out in the Convention Call, and are posted on AFSCME's Web site.
Convention Week will begin with a one-day pre-convention organizing conference on Sunday, June 20, at the Hilton Anaheim. Gathering there to celebrate organizing and first-contract campaigns and victories will be volunteer member organizers, Convention delegates, organizing staff, Member Action Team participants, student activists and recently organized workers.
The opening General Session of the Convention begins at 10 a.m. on Monday, kicking off five days of serious business. The week will bring a series of workshops on union topics, including how to recapture contracted work and organizing through workplace actions. Booths will include the always-popular PEOPLE Booth, which offers AFSCME jackets and other union-made items to help fund our political and legislative activities.
Away from the hall, there will be many things to do, including a rally and a "rockin' party" to raise money for this year's political efforts. And don't forget to register for the three-mile PEOPLE Fun Run on Thursday, June 24.
In the hall, there will be an awards ceremony honoring AFSCME's stars — those who've worked tirelessly on behalf of others, who have organized for power or who have volunteered for political action.
For the first time at an International Convention, AFSCME will conduct two in-depth Leadership Institutes where 100 rank-and-file leaders will spend an entire day getting an education on how to become effective speakers and political activists. At the Public Speaking Institute, participants will learn how to develop a strong action message and practice making presentations; at the Political Campaign Institute, "students" will be taught the key components of a member-driven political campaign: including voter registration, door-to-door communications, PEOPLE and get-out-the-vote activities.
More details are available on AFSCME's Web site.
Watch Kerry Address AFSCME!
John F. Kerry's address to our biennial Convention, scheduled for Thursday, June 24, will be "Webcast" and available to members only live at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time. Check your paper copy of Public Employee for the pass code to view the candidate's speech.
