About Face 2017 National Convention: Veterans Organizing at the Intersections of Militarism
Join us for our 2017 National Convention in Stony Point, NY September 1st-4th with an opening event in Brooklyn, NY Thursday, August 31st. Continuing the legacy of our organization, founded in 2004, this is our first convention since deciding to change the name of our organization from Iraq Veterans Against the War to About Face: Veterans Against the War. This year is especially exciting as we roll out our new brand we also begin a new era of outreach and organizing at the intersections of US Militarism. Our ranks are growing and we are ready for what this moment calls us to do. Our national convention is an important time for strategizing, making plans, and strengthening our relationships and we hope you will make it a point to be there. Join us for workshops and plenaries on work with our allies, our place as veterans in movements for social change. We will develope our campaign to Drop the MIC (military industrial complex), and our work to stand against the rise of right-wing bigotry in our Vets Vs Hate work. In addition to digging into these and other important issues we will also spend time strengthening our community through building healing spaces, taking time in nature, and sharing delicious and healthy meals together.
Registration is a sliding scale from $100-$300 and includes lodging and food at Stony Point Center. The Thursday evening event in Brooklyn is $20 at the door and will have light food and snacks.
Thursday, August 31st 6:00-9:00pm Opening Event Brooklyn, NY Early arrivals at Stony Point Center ______________________________________________________________________ Friday, September 1st 8:30-9:30 Breakfast 10:00-12:00 Free Time, Healing and Wellness, and Group Hike 12:00-1:00 Lunch 1:00-4:30 Registration, Tabling, Healing Work 1:30-3:30 Lake Field Trip 4:00-5:50 Opening Circle Outside or Conference Room A Welcome, Icebreaker and Intros Community agreements Introductions and framing of convention Take care of questions and pending needs 6:00-7:00 Dinner 7:15-8:30 Drop the MIC Tour Stop: Partnership at the Intersections of Militarism: About Face, the Poor People’s Campaign, and Grassroots Global Justice Alliance Conference Room A 9:00-10:00 Open Mic at Bonfire (weather permitting) 11:00pm-8:00am Quiet Time ______________________________________________________________________ Saturday, September 2nd 8:00-9:00 Breakfast 9:15-10:30 Session 1. Member Orientation and Development Workshops New members, 1st year or never got orientation, or been inactive Conference Room A First 3 years involved, have been active Conference Room B Old-heads and BOD Maple Room Ally focused: TBD 10:45-12:00 Session 2. Big Picture What's Up with About Face and Up for Convention this Year? Drop the MIC, Vets Vs Hate, and other About Face Programming Presentations, Intro to Board Candidates and Resolutions up for Vote Conference Room A 12:00-1:00 Lunch Staff Reports and Q and A 12:45-1:45 Affinity Meetups: Queer Caucus Meetup Conference Room B Space for Additional Meetup Conference Room A 2:00-3:15 Session 3. Veterans, About Face, People's Movements and Party Politics A facilitated conversations about our role as veterans involved in People's Movements and how we want to relate (or not relate) to party politics in future elections. 3:30-4:45 Session 4. Member and Chapter Report-Backs and Presentations Conference Room A 6:00-7:00 Dinner 6:45-7:45 Affinity Meetups: People of Color Caucus Meetup Conference Room B Space for Additional Meetup Conference Room A 8:00-10:00 Evening Social Event: Bowling or Bonfire 11:00pm-8:00am Quiet Time ______________________________________________________________________ Sunday, September 3rd 8:00-9:00 Breakfast 9:15-10:30 Session 5. Drop the MIC Workshopping Session Conference Room A 10:45-12:00 Session 6. Public Speaking Training (About Face Speaker's Bureau) Deescalation Training 12:00-1:00 Lunch Board Reports and Q and A 2:00-3:15 Session 7. Vets Vs Hate Workshopping Session (including Community Defense) Conference Room A 3:30-4:45 Session 8. Reparations Projects for Victims/Survivors of GWOT Conference Room A 5:00-6:00 Board Elections and Resolutions Conference Room A 6:00-7:00 Dinner 7:15-8:30 Evening Plenary: New Member Panel Conference Room A 9:00-11:00 Campfire chat or sing along 11:00pm-8:00am Quiet Time ______________________________________________________________________ Monday, September 4th 8:00-9:00 Breakfast 9:30-11:30 Closing Circle Outside or Conference Room A 12:00-2:00 Board Meeting Cafeteria Airport Shuttles, Travel Day
See Schedule, workshop descriptions will be posted at a future date.
Housing is included in registration and in most cases is shared rooms with two people and two twin or full beds.
Travel stipends are available to members in good stranding who register first. If you register and don't get a travel stipend you can get a full refund.
Click here to apply for travel stipend, you must register first.
Childcare is available contact Maggie at 912-596-8484 for details
