Call to Conference: Is Minnesota Nice?
Minnesota NOW invites you to
Examine the Myth and the Reality in 2000:
How does it impact feminists: Our goals, strategies, and lives?
Saturday, May 6, 2000
2000 MN NOW State Conference
Minnesota Women’s Building
550 Rice Street
St. Paul, Minnesota
Is Minnesota Nice? Senator Grams has sponsored legislation to limit the amount of compensation for asbestos victims. Total strangers assume the right to decide whether a woman should have a child or not. Congress wants to forget about reimbursing the Social Security Fund so they can eliminate inheritance taxes for the rich. Sexual preference is deemed an influence on a person’s ability to serve in the military. Is this nice? Is it indicative of Minnesota? Or is it a sign of rampant hatefulness in government policy and private attitudes? Let’s talk - about this and anything else that rings your chimes. We’re trying to keep this Conference as economical and enjoyable as possible so everyone can participate. As we discuss niceness and its appropriateness for feminists while dishing the dirt on the 2000 elections and devouring the PAC’s delicacies, we’ll be making new friendships and renewing old ties. Please be a part of the fun!
Tentative Agenda
9:00 - Registration
9:30-10:00 - Welcome
10:00-11:00 - Workshops 1 & 2: To be announced
11:15-12:15 - Panel
12:15-1:30 Lunch - The MN NOW PAC will be raising money selling food for a nominal fee throughout the day so they can support feminist candidates. At lunch time they will have box lunches available. Feel free to bring your own goodies if your own budget is strained.
1:00-1:15 - At-large elections
1:30-2:30 - Keynote Speaker
2:45-3:45 - Workshops 3 & 4: To be announced
4:00-4:30 - Feminist of the Year and Charlotte Streibel Long Distance Runner Award Ceremony
4:30-5:15 - Plenary (Business meeting: Officer and committee reports, elections, bylaws change consideration, resolutions)
5:30-6:00 - Dubious Achievement Awards
6:00-7:00 - Exhibits - Silent Auction - Networking - Cleanup
Conference Registration
NOW member registration: $15 postmarked by April 21, $20 after
Nonmember registration: $25
Preregistered students and senior citizens: $10
MN NOW elections
Elections for the officers of MN NOW will be held during the conference. All positions are up for election, including president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and legislative coordinator.
All officers are elected to one-year terms. Only members in good standing in National NOW for not less than one year and in MN NOW for not less than three months prior to the conference are eligible to hold these offices.
Those interested in running for any of the positions may contact President Sheri McPherson-Higdon at the MN NOW office at 550 Rice St. #106A, St. Paul, MN 55103, or by calling (651) 222-1605.
Nominating committee
Three members are elected for one-year terms. The committee shall not endorse candidates, but instead accepts nominations.
Officers and the members of the nominating committee are to be elected by the entire State Conference. Nominations shall be made from the floor.
At-large state board members
In addition to the election of officers voted on by all Minnesota NOW members, the State Conference is also the time when at-large members (those members of MN NOW not belonging to a chapter) elect their representatives. The following at-large elections will be held:
1. At large state board members.
2. At-large delegates and alternates to the National Conference. Members may be nominated and/or elected as a delegate representing the at-large members of MN NOW. The number of delegates is determined by the number of at-large members attending this election.
Voting/credentials
Any NOW member who lives in Minnesota and who has been a member for at least 30 days before the conference is allowed to vote at the State Conference. To vote, a NOW member must be credentialed, which requires either a NOW membership card, listing of your name and membership expiration date on a National NOW membership record, a canceled check payable to NOW or written verification by a chapter or state treasurer.
Resolutions
Resolutions are requested to be submitted in advance to the MN NOW office by April 21. They should be typed and include the name and telephone number of the author. Resolutions may also be submitted from the floor during the Plenary session. (Please bring copies for everyone present to read.)
The following is among the resolutions that will be proposed at the conference:
"Whereas, it is hereby resolved that Minnesota NOW change its fiscal year from October 1 - September 30 to the calendar year. This change is contingent on approval by the Internal Revenue Service. This resolution was approved by the State Board in 1999."
Silent auction
MN NOW needs your products, services and any other items for our annual silent auction. Anything goes, feminists. Winners will be announced at the end of the conference. For more information, contact Claire Peirce at the MN NOW office at (651) 222-1605 by May 3.
Exhibitors
We are also looking for a few exhibitors. A shared informational table for groups or individuals will run $10. A table for groups or individuals selling products will run $25. For more information, contact Claire at the number above by April 21.
Conference book
TC NOW will be putting together a book to go with the conference. We are interested in selling advertisements in this conference book. This is also an opportunity to acknowledge an achievement or appreciation in a semipublic forum.
• 1/8th page ad costs $ 20
• 1/4th page ad costs $ 35
• 1/2 page ad costs $ 65
• Full page ad costs $125
All submissions must be camera-ready. There’s a 10 percent discount for NOW members. Call (651) 222-1605 before April 21 if you are interested in advertising.
Awards Nominations
Minnesota NOW is seeking nominations for our annual awards, The Feminist of the Year Award and the Charlotte Streibel Long Distance Runner Award. The Feminist of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding NOW member, and the Charlotte Streibel Long Distance Runner Award honors a lifetime of work for women’s equality. Nominations for both awards should be sent to MN NOW President Sheri McPherson-Higdon at the MN NOW office at 550 Rice St. #106A, St. Paul, MN 55103. |
