ANNOUNCING – Local Democracy Network!

The Local Democracy Network was initiated after the 2006 Local Democracy Convention, organized by The Liberty Tree Foundation in Madison, Wisconsin.

The Convention information can still be found at http://www.localdemocracy.org.

During the first weekend in December 2007, leaders who have been active around Local Democracy issues gathered for a strategic planning session convened by the Liberty Tree Local Democracy Program.

From the meeting invitation:

It is our belief that a movement for democracy in the US is essential to achieving justice, sustainability, and peace in our lifetimes, and we also believe that local communities will be essential to this democracy movement. To that end, we would like to strengthen and formalize this network of organizers and local leaders committed to deepening local democracy and to uniting their communities in opposition to undemocratic laws of the national and state governments.

Some questions we are posing for discussion:

*What global, national, and state level policies can we collectively address? (some examples of this work already happening includes local resistance to the USA PATRIOT Act, and the troop withdrawal and impeachment actions happening at the municipal and county level across the US)

*How can we raise a higher national and international profile for the pro-democracy work that is happening at the local level?

*How can we raise understanding and commitment from local organizers to building a larger democracy movement? (there are many groups working on local battles across the country - such as fighting big boxes, local food and sustainability activism, local electoral reform, fights to municipalize utilities, etc - yet they do not necessarily identify their work or themselves as part of a US democracy movement. How can we encourage local organizers to identify as pro-democracy activists?

*Are there coordinated actions at the local level that we should we all be doing that we're not yet?

*And lastly, if we develop answers to these and other questions, how will the work be done? What kinds of coordinating structures do we need to develop to empower all of us to continue our local work while also strengthening ties among our communities?

Meeting Participants:

• Kaitlin Sopoci-Belknap, Eureka CA
• Nancy Price, Davis CA
• Shannon Tracey, Arcata CA
• Josh Lerner, Brooklyn NY
• Fravia Marquez, Venezuela
• Marcos Garcia , Venezuela
• Juscha Robinson, Madison WI
• Ashok Kumar, Madison WI
• Marc Borbely, Washington DC
• Ben Manski, Madison WI
• Grace Ross, Worcester MA
• Evan Paul, Washington DC
• George Friday, North Carolina
• Karen Dolan, Washington DC
• Gar Alperovitz, Maryland

The meeting opened with participants sharing information about local work and victories then moved to begin dialogue about potential areas of shared work and possible future initiatives.

Our strategic planning began in earnest with a visioning session from which several work groups emerged as well as a consensus to form a Local Democracy Network to continue our efforts in a coordination.

These working committees will meet, plan and implement work based on the strategic discussion. An Interim Coordinating Committee (ICC) will support the work groups in meeting their commitments. ICC members are – Josh Lerner, Kaitlin Sopoci-Belknap, Marc Borley and George Friday.

Contact the work group chair for additional information or to join any group and stay tuned for updates!

Work Groups:

• Mapping and methodology/engagement group. Contact Marc Borbely
  --> Compiling and interviewing other groups and organizations engaged in the US Local Democracy Movement
• Homerule Toolkit. Contact Ben Manski
  --> compiling resources for Local Democracy organizers on the issue of Home Rule
• Workshop presentation. Contact Karen Dolan
  --> developing a workshop on Local Democracy to be offered at conferences and to community organizations interested in getting involved
• Website. Contact Kaitlin Sopoci-Belknap
  --> developing a website of Local Democracy resources and information
• Participatory Budgeting. Contact Josh Lerner
  --> compiling resources for communities interested in applying participatory budgeting processes locally
  

More info:

Areas of Focus:

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