Progressive Democrats of NC Annual Meeting

Saturday: December 8th – PDNC Annual Meeting
Many Issues, Many Voices, One Movement: Responding to the times as
an interconnected, multi-ethnic, progressive movement in NC
(Or what to do when representative democracy isn’t representing the people...)

8:30: Registration $20 in advance or $15 student or low income (includes lunch); $25 at the door (lunch not guaranteed)

9:30: Welcome and presentation of final agenda

9:50: Forum: Movement Leaders in Dialogue: Advancing the People’s Common Agenda in the face of an Unresponsive State Legislature
Democracy • Environment • Energy • Death Penalty • Housing • Peace • Immigration
Race • Youth • Labor • GLBT • Justice Reform • Economy • Jobs • Health Care

12:30: Lunch provided

1:00: Keynote Speakers

Marisol Jimenez-McGee, Advocacy Director, El Pueblo

Marisol Jiménez McGee, originally from Chicago, IL, began working in immigrant advocacy after traveling to the U.S.-Mexican border and witnessing the injustices that exist in U.S. immigration and economic policies. She worked in centros in Colorado and North Carolina for several years before deciding to challenge the system and focus her work at the policy-level. Marisol came to North Carolina in 2000 and earned a Masters in Social Work at UNC Chapel Hill School of Social Work where she focused her studies on immigration issues, globalization, and public policy. Marisol is currently the Advocacy Director and a registered lobbyist for El Pueblo, http://www.elpueblo.org/. She lives in Chatham County.

Dr. Rev. William J. Barber II, President, North Carolina NAACP: "We need a movement and not just a moment!"

Arguably one of NC’s most inspiring orators, Rev. William Barber has excited people with his enthusiastic leadership since his election as president of the North Carolina NAACP in 2006. He was named one of Seven Who Will Matter in 2007 by the Raleigh News and Observer: http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/527554-p2.html. “Watch out folks! When someone with Rev. Barber's leadership ability gets interested in an issue and can inspire thousands and thousands to get out of the pews and into the streets to take and to demand action, there will be some changing going on!” Mark Kleinschmidt

2:15: Democratic Lt. Governor Candidates Forum
(The PDNC membership will decide whether to endorse in this race, and, if so, who to endorse at this time.)

3:15: Membership Business Meeting: PDNC’s priorities for 2008

4:30: Pending: Representative and Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich http://www.dennis4president.com/home/

“When the Founders of our country spoke of ‘forming a more perfect union,’ it wasn’t just about politics. It was also about being able to be more than we are - about consciously evolving. It’s not too late to seek a new world!” -- Dennis Kucinich