Welcome, but we have registered domain names now and so have started a new website – taking what was one this one, and adding to it for the 2009 conference (scheduled for Oct 14-18).

Please visit our new website:

• www.OrganizingForJustice.ca
• or www.organisonsnouspourlajustice.ca (goes to same site)

Note that this site will cease to be updated, so to get the latest you’ve got to go to our new one. Thanks!

We are looking for groups and individuals participation in providing us with input on what you’d like to see at this year’s conference. Please consider filling out this survey (deadline = Tues July 21 but we’ll accept late input)  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Te4kV_2fFEveEjHnx9XsoVCA_3d_3d

Planning is underway for the 2009 version of the Organizing For Justice conference. We are looking at the weekend of Oct 15-18 for the event, with keynote speaker(s), arts performances, workshops, a bookfair (!), breakout caucuses, and a closing plenary. More details coming soon!

Planning meetings are being held every second or third Thurs evening, 7pm at the University of Ottawa University Centre, rm 207. Next meetings: June 18, July 9, … email us to get involved.

An article on Environmental Justice, based on content from the Organizing For Justice 2008 conference, was published in the Dec 08/Jan 09 edition of the Linchpin paper.

Cliick here to download the 4-pg pdf file for easy printing (article is on pages 1-2). The paper can also be picked up at Exile Infoshop, 256 Bank St., 2nd floor (hours: 12-8pm Wed-Sat, 12-5pm Sun).

Note: we also have notes from a few of the sessions at the conference, and may get them typed in and posted online at some point … stay tuned!

We’ve got the recorded speeches from the four panelists, plus the questions/discussion period afterwards, up online at www.radio4all.net

(note: right now they’re fairly large files, we may be able to get smaller files up later on)

• Anjali Helferty, Sierra Youth Coalition
• Ed Bianchi, KAIROS Canada Indigenous Rights Program
• Rob Rainer, National Anti-Poverty Organization
• Clayton Thomas-Muller, Indigenous Environmental Network
• Questions and discussion (featuring all panelists)

For bios and contact info for each panelist, see our Thursday night panel page

Thursday morning one of the organizers of the conference appeared on CKCU 93.1 FM, one of four shows in the past week promoting the conference on one or the other of the two campus/community radio stations CKCU 93.1 FM and CHUO 89.1FM.

Here is an audio file of the interview (12 min) or visit the show’s post on their website.

Also note that we also recorded the four speakers, and the Q&A session, from Thursday night’s panel discussion, and it will be posted online sometime soon.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Organizing For Justice conference, Nov 20-22

Activism for progressive change happening in Ottawa

People are fed up with traditional politics. They know something needs to be done, and they aren’t willing to leave it to politicians. They’re taking responsibility into their own hands. Even Barack Obama used to be a community organizer.

The current generation of organizers and activists are coming together this Nov 20-22 in Ottawa. The occasion: the Organizing For Justice conference.

This is meant as a time for people to connect around the themes of social, economic, and environmental justice, and healthy communities: to develop strategy, to share vision, and to work on skills and tools that will help them in their efforts to effect change. All people who share these interests and values are welcome to attend and be a part.

There’ll be plenty of opportunity for expanding horizons and getting into the nitty-gritty of organizing effective communities for change.

Thursday evening will be a panel discussion on “Organizing: Possibilites, Problems and Priorities”. Friday night will be the launch of the Dominion Newspaper, the special issue dedicated to mining. And then Saturday is an all-day schedule of workshops, panels, and an info-fair. And to top it off, Saturday night is the launch of Upping the Anti, journal #7. Both launches will features speakers and musical performers.

The workshops reflect a wide cross-section of activist struggles, including Indigneous solidarity, anti-poverty work, anti-oppression, the environment, and how to use the internet for social change. Most workshops will be in English, but there will be a French component as well. Participants in the conference will emerge engaged, inspired and informed, ready to make a difference.

Common Cause Ottawa, OPIRG-Ottawa, OPIRG-Carleton, and the Students’ Federation of the University of Ottawa, and a team of committed volunteers have joined together to make this gathering a reality.

CONTACT:
613-656-5498
a_ottawa@mutualaid.org

WEBSITE:
www.org4justice.wordpress.com

TIMES / DATES / LOCATIONS:

7-9pm, Thurs Nov 20
Panel Discussion
Ottawa Public Library, Main Branch Auditorium, 120 Metclafe (at Laurier)

7-10pm, Fri Nov 21
Launch of the Dominion Newspaper special issue on Mining
with Speakers and Live Music. All Ages.
Umi Cafe, 610 Somerset St W. (at Percy)

9am-5pm, Sat Nov 22
Workshops, Panels, Info-fair, and Break-Out Groups
University of Ottawa, 2nd Floor Morisset Library

8pm-2am, Sat Nov 22
Launch of Upping The Anti journal #7
With Speakers, DJ Music. All Ages.
University of Ottawa, Bar 1848, 2nd floor University Centre

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We are glad that you have found our conference web site. Please check out what we have to offer.

All conference events are free, or by donation, and all events are open to all ages. We do ask that if you are planning on partaking of some of the lunch or warm beverages offered on Saturday, that you consider bringing tupperware, cutlery and/or a mug of your own.

We are not requiring formal registration, but if you have special needs / accomodations or would like childcare or billeting, please contact us in advance: a_ottawa@mutualaid.org or 613 656-5498. Or just come anyways, and we’ll try our best to take care of you.

We would appreciate help in the form of volunteering for part of the day on  Saturday Nov 22.

You can also help us by passing on this callout to your email contacts, by RSVPing on our Facebook event page and then inviting your friends, or by printing off and share some of our promotional materials.

See our full conference schedule. And don’t forget to check out the awesome lineup for Thursday’s panel and Saturday’s workshop sessions.

See you at the conference!

[this is meant for distribution by email, through listservs, etc]

THURS-SAT, NOV 20-22
ORGANIZING FOR JUSTICE CONFERENCE

You are invited to participate in the upcoming “Organizing for Justice” conference that is being held in Ottawa from November 20th to 22nd 2008. There is no cost to participate. Donations are welcome and useful but not necessary.

This conference is open to people involved and/or interested in community organizing. The four main themes of the conference are: social justice; economic justice; environmental justice and healthy communities.

Organizing for Justice presents a space for community organizers, activists and interested individuals to come together, develop strategy, share vision, and work on skills and tools that will help them in their efforts to effect change.

This conference is brought to you by Common Cause Ottawa, OPIRG-Ottawa, OPIRG-Carleton, the Students’ Federation of the University of Ottawa. Special thanks to CKCU-FM 93.1 and CHUO-FM 89.1.

For more information visit or to register visit: http://org4justice.wordpress.com
or phone: 613-656-5498

=======================================
ORGANIZING FOR JUSTICE SCHEDULE
=======================================
Thurs Nov 20
Panel Discussion on “Organizing: Possibilities, Problems, and Priorities”
7-9pm at the Ottawa Public Library Main Branch, 120 Metcalfe St.

Fri Nov 21
Launch of the Dominion Newspaper special issue on Mining
7-10pm Umi Cafe, 610 Somerset St. W (at Percy)

Sat Nov 22

9am-5:00pm
Morisset Library, 2nd floor, University of Ottawa
->9:00am Breakfast
->9:30am Opening Ceremony
->10:30am Workshop session time slot #1
->12:00pm Workshop session time slot #2
-> 1:30pm Lunch
-> 2:30pm Workshop session time slot #3
-> 4:00pm Open Space / Break-out groups
–>> 12:30-4:30pm Info-fair

Tentative list of workshops available at:
http://org4justice.wordpress.com/sat-nov22-workshops/

7pm-midnight
Upping the Anti journal Issue #7 Launch Party
at Bar 1848, University Centre, University of Ottawa

Please contact us if you have any special needs and/or would like childcare:
a_ottawa@mutualaid.org or 613-656-5498

=======================================
WANT TO HELP???
=======================================

-> Please forward this email on to others

-> Please print a poster or flyers and share
http://org4justice.wordpress.com/2008/10/11/promo-materials-pdfs/

-> Volunteer to help out for a shift on Nov 22
Contact a_ottawa@mutualaid.org or 613-656-5498

-> Let us know if you’d like to host an information table as part of the info-fair

-> RSVP on Facebook and invite your friends
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=39365964640

Newest posters (*note: on French side, should say ‘19h’ not ‘17h’ for Nov22):

Full-page poster (English/Francais) Quarter-page flyer (English/Francais)

Please help us get the word out about this conference – print off either/or, and post or distribute however you can. Thanks