The Massachusetts State Convention is in Springfield on Friday and Saturday. On Friday there are no formal sessions but an opportunity to gather.
I hope that you find this helpful. I try to get the schedule information listed upfront so that you can have a quick summary handy. The Convention is always a fun opportunity to connect with people and to conduct the business of the Democratic Party. As with any large event, be prepared to be patient. A few years ago I heard some complaints from some new delegates who thought that breakfast would be a little more substantial than they got. So the next year I mentioned that the breakfasts were a great place to meet folks and hear candidates and grab a bagel or a glass of juice, but if you want bacon and eggs, eat at home or go to a restaurant. So I get to the convention and of course that year we have bacon and eggs! Years ago on Friday evening people would wave pieces of paper at me saying, “I’ve got the Dispatch right here.” Then they started waving smart phones at me. Last year a friend said to me, “I printed out the schedule from the Dispatch in Braille!”
DELEGATE EVENTS
9/18 6:00pm Congressman Neal, The Fort, 8 Fort Street
9/18 8:00pm Young Dems of Mass, Smith’s Billiards, Worthington Street, $10 suggested
9/18 8:30pm Host Committee, Mass Mutual Center
9/18 9:00pm Latino Party, Biergarten, 1600 Main Street
9/19 8:00am AFL-CIO with Senator Markey. Grand Ballroom
9/19 8:00am Democrats for Education Reform. Room #3; Featured speaker Sheriff Steven Tompkins
CONVENTION AT A GLANCE
9/19 07:30am Registration and exhibits open
9/19 09:15am Convention called to order – opening ceremonies
9/19 01:00pm Breakout sessions A
9/19 02:00pm Breakout sessions B
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Sen. Elizabeth Warren
Sen. Ed Markey
Secretary of the Commonwealth Bill Galvin
Attorney General Maura Healey
Treasurer Deb Goldberg
Auditor Suzanne Bump
House Speaker Bob DeLeo
AFL-CIO President Steve Tolman
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno
Boston Mayor Martin Walsh
Newton Mayor Setti Warren
Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean for Hillary Clinton
Boston City Councilor Matt O’Malley for Martin O’Malley
Mass. nurse/co-president of National Nurses United Karen Higgins for Bernie Sanders
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
1pm to 2pm
Racial Injustice & the Voting Rights Act, Ballroom A
Running for Office: How and Why, Meeting Room 1
Labor and the Democratic Party, Meeting Room 2
Organizing Opportunities Now, Meeting Room 3
ADA Turns 25, Meeting Room 4
Income Inequality, Meeting Room 5
Social Security & Medicare, Meeting Room 1
Growing & Diversifying Our Party, Meeting Room 2
Education, Meeting Room 3
Organizing a Strong DTC, Meeting Room 4
Dem Tech: Social Media and More, Meeting Room 5
TIPS AND INFORMATION FOR DELEGATES
OVERVIEW: The Convention is called to order at 9:15 AM on Saturday morning. On Friday evening there will be parties and opportunities to network. On Saturday there will be opening ceremonies and speakers on a var, the debate and adoption of the Party Platform. Registration for those who have NOT paid for their credentials are available at the MassMutual Center beginning at 7:30am on Saturday morning.
BEFORE THE CONVENTION: Ensure that you are properly registered as delegate or alternate with the Massachusetts Democratic Party. The cost of late registration for a delegate or alternate is $100. If you get problems worked out in advance, things will go more smoothly at the convention. The late registration fee for caucus elected delegates who are full-time students, senior citizens (65 years and older), and disabled delegates is $75. Add-on delegates who pay promptly are not charged a late fee.
In the mail you will receive:
– Credentials (paid delegates/alternates only)
– The Delegate Guide 2015, also known as the “Call to Convention.” It is a newspaper publication that you should READ and BRING WITH YOU.
WHAT TO BRING
[ ] Credentials
[ ] Delegate Guide/Call to Convention
[ ] Photo ID
[ ] Charged cell phone
[ ] Mini-flashlight
[ ] Pen or pencil
WHAT TO EXPECT: The Democratic State Convention is a lot of fun. It is a great way to meet other Democrats from your community, your senate district and across the state. The state has 40 senate districts. Delegates sit within their senate districts. It is helpful to know the name of your senate district. It is printed on your credentials. When you arrive at the convention, try to get a FLOOR MAP. You can also find it online in advance. This will show you where each senate district will be sitting. Towns and wards split between two senate districts will be assigned to one of the districts so that communities are seated together. The speeches and ceremonies are all important, but do expect that there may be some chit-chat during portions of the program. You’ll get used to it.
EVENTS: Friday is a great opportunity for networking and getting to know Democrats from across the state. On Saturday morning before the call to order there are breakfasts and a chance to check out the exhibits.
EXHIBITS: Organizations from across the state, Committees of the Democratic Party and others will have information displayed at the Exhibition Hall. Throughout the convention, we encourage you to visit as many exhibits as your schedule will permit. A walk through the Exhibit Hall will provide you with an opportunity to learn more about the work of a variety of organizations which affect the lives of people in Massachusetts, get involved with an issue by signing up to volunteer and to purchase political memorabilia.
CHECK IN PROCEDURE: When you enter the MassMutual Center you will need to show your credentials and possibly a photo ID. Once you are in the hall, you will need to go to the seating area for your senate district. Your credential will have the senate district name. Traditionally, split towns and wards are seated together assigned to one senate district. Usually maps are distributed. In recent years the seating chart has been posted online.
RESOLUTIONS: The Chairperson may entertain a motion to suspend the Rules, in order to allow a matter submitted in writing by at least 50 Delegates by Noon of the day of the Convention to the Sergeant-at-Arms, to refer an item to the Democratic State Committee or to adopt a resolution relative to a sense of the Convention, which shall be decided without debate and which shall require a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of all Delegates voting, a quorum being present. Anyone who is proposing a resolution is urged, but not required, to contact the MDP office to review the process in detail.
COPIES FOR DELEGATES: Matters allowed to be submitted as provided, by signature of delegates, will not be printed by the Democratic State Committee. However, the proposer of same shall be responsible for printing at his/her expense sufficient copies for each delegate. The printed petitions shall be presented to the Sergeant-at-Arms by 10 AM for the day of the Convention.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS: A number of workshops will be offered. If the convention stays on schedule sessions will run at 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm.
WHAT TO WEAR: Dress is generally casual Because of the number of people present it can get quite warm. It can also be quite cool, depending on the AC. Dressing in layers is helpful. There will be a lot of walking so comfortable shoes are a big plus.
DISABLED DELEGATES: The MassMutual Center is fully accessible for people with disabilities. The number of handicapped parking areas around the Center is not unlimited. Delegates and alternates with disabilities are asked to call the State Committee at 617-939-0800 with concerns or for information on accommodations. All delegates and alternates will enter the MassMutual Center through the main entrance at the corner of Main Street and Falcons Way. There will be clearly marked handicapped parking area around the perimeter of the MassMutual Center.
быстрый займ без процентов на карту сбербанка
Please share widely!
Quick question: What are the rules about bringing food in?
Hope you remembered your mini flashlight!
According to the Call to Convention, the convention center doesn’t allow backpacks. And since I don’t plan on paying for a hotel room for an extra night just to have a place to stash my stuff during the day, that means I can’t go. 🙁
I hope the party picks a better venue next time.
I for one travel very light and have never wished I had more than the provided tote bag.
Never a problem before.
And that makes sense if you work 9-5, but I don’t. If I go anywhere for more than an hour or two, I need my laptop and whatever notes/documents I will need for the work I plan on doing.