UPDATED WITH SPEAKERS
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!
CONVENTION AT A GLANCE
08:00 AM Registration and exhibits open
10:00 AM Convention called to order NOTE: Schedule subject to change.
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM:
Chairman Walsh: Call to Order, Welcome; Invocation;Secretary Galvin: Remarks and Introduction of Color Guard; Presentation of Colors; Pledge of Allegiance; National Anthem;Treasurer Grossman: Remarks and Introduction of Senator-elect Ed Markey; Senator-elect Markey; Auditor Bump: Remarks and Introduction of Host Committee
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM:
Mayor Patrick Murphy: Welcome to Lowell; Senator Donoghue: Welcome to Lowell; Speaker DeLeo: Remarks and Introduction of Attorney General Coakley; AG Coakley: Remarks and Introduction of Rep Jeffrey Sanchez and MassDems Treasurer Eric Turner; Rep Sanchez, Treasurer Turner: Presentation on Communities of Color Efforts in 2013;Senator Warren Videol Chairman Walsh: Governor Introduction
Governor Patrick: Remarks
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM:
President Steve Tolman: Remarks; John Walsh: Introduction of Platform Chair Newton Mayor Setti Warren;Mayor Warren: Remarks on Platform; Platform Debate and Adoption;
Keynote: Announced Candidates for Governor:
Don Berwick of Newton
State Senator Dan Wolf of Harwich
Joe Avellone of Wellesley
1:00 to 3:15 Breakout sessions will begin 30 minutes following adjournment or as announced from the podium
DELEGATE EVENTS
Fri. 6 pm Treasurer Steve Grossman Party, Athenian Corner, 207 Market St.
Fri. 6:30 to 10 pm Joe Avellone for Governor Party, Majors Pub, 197 Market St.
Fri. 7 pm Steve Kerrigan for LG Party, UMass Inn & Conference Center, 50 Warren St.
Fri. 7 to 11:30 pm Host Committee Party, UMass Inn & Conference Center, 50 Warren St.
Fri. 7 to 11 pm Latino Pre-Convention Fiesta, UMass Inn & Conference Center, 50 Warren St. $10
Fri. 8 pm Young Dems Pre-Convention Party, The Old Court, 29-31 Central St. $10
Fri. 8 to 11 pm Mayors’ Bash, Blue Shamrock, 105 Market St.
Sat. 8:00 am Hank Naughton Welcome Breakfast, Club Suites, Tsongas Center
Sat 8:00 am Senator Dan Wolf Breakfast, Talon Club, Tsongas Center
Sat. 8:30 am SEIU Pre-Convention Breakfast, Lowell Bank Pavilion, Tsongas Center
Sat. 8:30 am Berwick Campaign Breakfast, Club Suites, Tsongas Center
Sat. 8:30 am Asian American Delegate Pre-Convention Breakfast,New Asia Restaurant, 345 Market Street
Sat. 3:30 pm Host Committee Party, UMass Inn & Conference Center, 50 Warren St.
Sat. 3:30 pm PDM Party, Cobblestones Restaurant, 91 Dutton St., Lowell
(post convention event times are approximate)
BREAKOUT SESSIONS 1pm to 2pm
Raise Up Massachusetts: Rm 7 Campus Center 1st floor
Debra Fastino and Harris Gruman
Campaign to raise the minimum wage and mandate paid sick time.
Putting Youth Front & Center: Rm 8 Campus Center 2nd floor
State Rep. Jim Cantwell and John Bowes
Best practices to maximize youth involvement and keep young people involved in campaigns and elections.
Local Campaigns & Down Ballot Races: Rm 4 Campus Center 1st floor
Tom Dionesotes, Lisa Mosczynski, Phil DeColegero, and Ryanne Olsen
Learn about strategies, challenges, and best practices in managing local campaigns.
Women in Politics: Rm 9 Campus Center 2nd floor
Leaders from Emerge Massachusetts lead a panel to understand the importance of electing women.
The Power of Ethnic Media: Rm 10 Fox Hall
Digna Gerena, Marcela Garcia, Alberto Vasallo, Jose Masso,
How to best utilize ethnic media outlets to engage our increasingly diverse population of voters.
Public Policy Overview: Rm 5 Campus Center 1st floor
Senator Jamie Eldridge and Mara Dolan
The difference between the platform and policy, evidence-based policy and how policy becomes a law.
Sustainable Capitalism and the New Economy: Rm 3 Campus Center 1st floor
Bob Massie & Ronald L. Walker II
The presenter will explain the new economy, sustainable capitalism, and the new meaning of “success in business”.
#Mapoli: Connecting Through Social Media: Rm 1 Campus Center 1st floor
Josh Gee, Lindsay Crudele, Lauren Miller, Keri Rodrigues Lorenzo
The do’s and don’ts of social media and how to put together an effective social media strategy for a campaign.
The ‘Citizens United’ Decision and Why It Matters: Rm 2 Campus Center 1st floor
Congressman Jim McGovern, Alicia Pradas Monne and Lee Ketelson
Discussion of the decision, why this is bad for policy and bad for politics.
Immigration Reform: Rm 9 Campus Center 2nd floor
The MDP Latino Caucus will discuss the ways to organize and mobilize to promote immigration reform.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS 2:15 PM to 3:15 PM
Progressive Taxation: Rm 4 Campus Center 1st floor
Senator Jamie Eldridge and Peter Enrich
Speakers will discuss proposals to raise sufficient revenue to promote long-term prosperity.
Criminal Justice Reform: Rm 5 Campus Center 1st floor
Susan Maze-Rothstein and Mara Dolan
Discussion of Restorative Justice and the real effects of the current criminal justice system.
Climate Change: Rm 3 Campus Center 1st floor
Senator Ben Downing, Senator Marc Pacheco, and Dr. James Rudd
Learn what you can do in Massachusetts to promote sustainability and stop climate change.
Senior Advisors to Top Campaigns: Rm 1 Campus Center 1st floor
Sydney Asbury, Kathryn Burton and Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins
Presenters will discuss their experience with their candidates and campaigns.
Persuasion & Public Opinion 101: Rm 8 Campus Center 1st floor
Larry Carpman\ and Alex Goldstein
How to win elections with a better message in a campaign.
Civil Liberties and the War on Drugs: Rm 9 Campus Center 1st floor
Gavi Wolfe and Lt. Jack Cole
Learn how current drug policy is being reformed, and reforms needed to better address illegal drug abuse.
Communications for Committees: Rm 6 Campus Center 1st floor
Kate Donaghue and Arthur Powell
Presenters will discuss how to utilize old and new media outlets to reach new people for your committee.
Why Field Matters: Rm 2 Campus Center 1st floor
Carl Nilsson, Mike Firestone and Amanda Coulombe
Building campaigns that engage communities and get out the vote. Discussion of best practices in field strategy.
Budget for All: Rm 7 Campus Center 1st floor
Carol Coakley and Cole Harrison
Discussion of the resolution that pushes the federal government towards a sustainable economy.
The Power of Ethnic Media: Rm 10 Fox Hall
Colette Phillips, Alex Von Litchenberg, Norma Rodrigues-Reyes,and Eduardo A. de Oliveira
How to best utilize ethnic media outlets to engage our increasingly diverse population of voters.
Complete information at http://www.massdems.org/2013-platform-convention/
TIPS AND INFORMATION FOR DELEGATES
OVERVIEW: The Convention is called to order at 10 AM on Saturday morning. On Friday evening there will be parties and opportunities to network. On Saturday there will be opening ceremonies, the debate and adoption of the Party Platform. Registration for those who have NOT paid for their credentials are available at the Tsongas Center at beginning at 8:00 am on Saturday morning. You must check in with the Democratic Party representative in your seating area between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Delegates who have not checked in or do not respond to the 11:00 AM Roll Call will be permanently replaced by alternates.
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 2013, 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. Parties are scheduled after the workshops.
EXHIBITS: Organizations from across the state, Committees of the Democratic Party and so many others will have information displayed at the Exhibition Hall. Throughout the convention, we encourage you to visit as many exhibiters 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 inMassachusetts, get involved with an issue by signing up to volunteer and to purchase political memorabilia.
CHECK IN PROCEDURE AND 11 AM ROLL CALL: When you enter the Tsongas Center you will need to show your credentials and a photo ID. Once you are in the hall, you will need to go to the seating area for your senate district and check in with the Democratic Party representative, called a teller. Delegates who have not checked in or do not respond to the 11:00 AM Roll Call will be permanently replaced by alternates. Delegate replacement occurs only when elected alternates are available and have checked in by the 11 AM deadline.
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.
PLATFORM AMENDMENTS: Platform amendments may be submitted with signatures of 100 delegates to the Sergeant-At-Arms by noon on the day of the convention. Debate on each provision or any amendment thereto shall be limited to 10 minutes total, equally divided between proponents and opponents. Anyone who is proposing a platform amendment 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.
CHARTER AMENDMENTS: There is one Charter Amendment on the agenda. The proposed modification changes the date by which one must be a registered Democrat from the last day in December to the last day in January. Only amendments submitted to and rejected by the Charter Amendments Committee may be submitted by signature. This year no amendments are in that class.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS: A number of workshops will be offered. If the convention stays on schedule sessions will run from 1:00 to 2:00 pm and 2:15 pm to 3:15 pm. This may shift depending on how long the convention runs. Workshops will be held at the Recreation Center, and Fox Hall on UMass Lowell’s Campus.
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.
FOOD: Concessions will be open at the Center.
YOUTH CONVENTION: High School and College students are invited!
8 to 10 AM Registration and attend breakfasts for delegates
10 AM Observe convention
1:00 PM Youth Convention Programming
DISABLED DELEGATES: The Tsongas Center is fully accessible for people with disabilities. The number of handicapped parking areas around the Center is not unlimited. Vehicles with either an RMV handicapped tag or placard can park in Lot B, adjacent to the Tsongas Center. The Handicapped Entrance is located to the right of the front entrance doors. A limited number of hearing enhancement devices and wheel chairs will be available free of charge for those delegates needing to use them. A credit card will be needed to sign out a hearing device or wheel chair. The credit card will only be charged if the hearing device or wheel chair is not returned. Delegates and alternates with disabilities are asked to call the State Committee at 617-939-0800 with concerns or for information on accommodations.
I am looking forward to my first convention as a Dem. It’s so exciting!
Informal blogger dinner, meeting at 5pm at Mambo Grill, 129 Merrimack St or if you are at the UMass Inn and Conf Center for the Host Committee party, around 4:30 in the lobby and we’ll walk over together.
Nothing special, just a way for the bloggers to meet up afterwards, and get a good dinner/margaritas!
Facebook event here (if you want to RSVP)
bloggers, blog commenters, lurkers, and really, anyone else who wants to come.
This is a really great guide to the convention. There’s so much more to do in Lowell than sit around in the convention hall. There’s really great restaurants, and downtown Lowell is a great urban experience! Ride the trolley, visit the national park sites.
That said, there’s a list of parties and breakfasts, but the really helpful thing would be to get some reconnaissance regarding the parties and breakfasts.
Grossman or Avellone? Which UMass Inn & Conference Center party looks like fun? Can Wolf or Berwick do a fun breakfast? Is it worth getting on the road early to hit one of the breakfasts, or should we sleep in and pick up coffee on the road?
Anyone with some inside knowledge of any of the parties, please let us know where the elite will meet to eat.
We can use the #lowell13 hashtag to share information. But we might want to limit it to BMGers, like “Food almost gone at xx party. Come quickly.” Is that such a thing as a secret hashtag? Bob, Pablo, thanks for your kind words!
Of course as a member of the YDM board and officer of the Merrimack Valley chapter I’d be remiss if I didn’t put in a shameless plug for our party at the Old Court tonight at 8:00.
Too many compelling Breakout Sessions at the same time.
Thanks for putting this out, Kate.
It’s hard to believe all that has happened in Massachusetts since my first convention last year. And, more than ever, I believe the best way to promote greatest good is to be involved in electoral politics. See Elizabeth Warren discuss her first bill: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONEcoq9pjac&feature=youtu.be
Three cheers for her and all of us who worked to get her elected.
Happy convention everyone!
The education session mentioned in the call to convention was scrubbed. No surprise…getting the Massachusetts Democratic Party to have an honest conversation about education is getting to be as difficult as getting honest talk about corporate governance out of the Republicans. Note how every gubernatorial candidate ignored it as a policy issue.
Sabutai, Someone else mentioned that to me via e-mail. As I said to people, it was more a question of time and limited space than anything else. The MDP had a choice. They could focus on electing a Democrat to the U. S. Senate or they could focus on workshops at the Convention. At the time that the “Call” went out the workshops were a work in progress. After the election they moved forward with the first speakers they were able to confirm, often people who reached out to them and offered. I’m not anticipating breakout sessions in 2014, but if you know folks who would like to present, and you offer to organize a panel of speakers, the MDP is generally receptive.
That would make sense to me had all the breakout sessions been canceled in order to focus on Markey’s 10-point win. Frankly, the MDP could have staffed a session just from people in the arena, between CPS, MTA, and PDA-Mass. It’s a clear statement that education is not an issue of interest for the Democratic Party, and one they’re willing to cede if a functioning opposition ever arises here.
I had this guide on my smart phone, and shared it with several friends. Thanks to Kate for providing us with the best guide to the convention, breakout sessions, and events!