Pledge2Protect Agenda
Given the exciting news about the upcoming release of the genocide prevention bill later in the year, we’re updating our playbook and switching up the game plan. We need strategy, training, coordination (and a lot of fun) to make this happen and to prepare ourselves for the challenge ahead: Passing an historical piece of genocide prevention legislation later this year that would mandate a stronger more effective response plan to genocide and mass atrocities from the US government. In order to do that, we are replacing this year’s national conference with an anti-genocide boot camp – a 2 day intensive, high quality training session that also offers team building exercises, small group activities…and we even hear rumors of a flash-mob in the works. Register now before spots fill up!
In addition to the bill, the recent crisis in Libya and immediate response from the international community has provided our movement with a tangible victory. While conflicts continue to threaten unarmed civilians from Sudan to Congo, it is without doubt that the response we saw from the US government to potential mass slaughter in Libya is an improved one…and very much due to the progress we have made as a movement over the past 7 years. In an unprecedented moment, the international community not only called on, but put into action the Responsibility to Protect, a doctrine only just emerging as the Darfur genocide unfolded, with the stated purpose of protecting civilians in Libya from the targeted attacks and threats of their own government.
This historic response helps set the stage for our movement to learn, grow and progress more than we ever have before. Together, we will train with experts in organizing, movement building and strategic response to better our individual efforts, and more importantly coordinate across networks. We will focus on group trainings that teach us how to develop concrete and measurable campaign strategies, learn how to tell our own story and weave together a national narrative and talk about how to use new and old media to communicate our movement’s message, and hear from experts and movement leaders on how to build and manage a leadership team that is mission driven and focused on results. We will also explore power-mapping and strategic planning exercises that offer participants the opportunity to collaborate, plan and learn from each other.
We’re envisioning round table talks with experts in the fields of policy and genocide prevention, team breakouts and competition to choreograph the best flash-mob routine, and late night talks about what this movement really needs to be successful…and what that means for each of you. Are you in for making this moment the powerful shift our movement needs? Then we’ll see you in D.C., April 16th.
What will it look like?
Saturday, April 16th:
- Panel: The need for rapid response from Darfur to Libya
- This panel will explore the role of activists in the reversal of U.S. government’s position on intervening to protect civilians in Libya and the progress the international community has made in enforcing its Responsibility to Protect. Discussion will also explore the lessons learned by the movement and how we can better prepare our own response to emerging crises and urgent developments in ongoing conflicts we continue to monitor.
- The Choice: How do we as movement leaders and organizers encourages others to be upstanders dedicated to building a world without genocide? This training teaches you how to invite new members into the fold by asking others to make ‘The Choice’ to no longer be a bystander. This session will introduce participants to the 5 principles of organizing we will explore throughout the weekend: Story, Structure, Strategy and Action.
- The Power of Personal Narrative: How do you tell your own story of who you are and why you are a member of this movement? How do you interweave your own story with that of others into a movement wide narrative? This training explores the Story of Self, Us and Now.
- Lunch and roundtable with our special guest speaker
- Saturday night: we hears rumors of a FLASH MOB!!
- Strategy and Campaign Planning: We will explore the strategic planning process, timeline and tactics and start to create our own individual and group plans for moving the movement toward a world without genocide.
Monday, April 18th:
- Optional Lobby Day: We will still be holding a lobby day for those who can stay over until Monday to meet with their Senators’ offices
- If you plan on participating in the lobby day, please scheduled departing travel for Monday, April 18th in the late afternoon. Meeting times will vary but we will aim to schedule your appointment for the morning.
- The training location is still being determined but will take place in a metro-accessible venue in Washington, D.C.
- If you have already purchased a hotel room for either Saturday or Sunday night, you can keep those reservations as Pledge2Protect Bootcamp will still take place in a metro-accessible location in Washington, D.C.
- For those not participating in the lobby day, you should book a hotel room for Saturday night and plan on departing later Sunday evening.
- DC STAND Chapters have agreed to host participants with student members – spots are limited and will be given out on a first come, first serve basis. If you are interested in this option, please email info@standnow.org with the subject line P2P Housing Needed. Include your name, where you are traveling from, your gender, and phone number. Some of these spots may only be available for Saturday night.
- The registration fee for P2P Bootcamp is $50 for all participants and will cover at least one lunch and snacks (more details will be available as soon as we lock down a final venue).
- For those who already registered for the Pledge2Protect 2011 Conference – please email akroetsch@standnow.org and indicate your reimbursement preference (if you are not interested in attending P2P Bootcamp, we will offer you a full refund; if you are in for Bootcamp, indicate your interest and we will reimburse you for the additional $25 you paid when registering for the conference).
- Some financial aid will be available in the form of partial fee waivers. Financial aid recipients will only be responsible for a $25 registration fee.
