Seminar Description:

"The Quest for Governing Power:  2024 Elections and Beyond" -- SLU’s Civic Engagement and Leadership Development virtual seminar for Spring 2024 -- will examine a range of on-the-ground organizing in light of their potential and the challenges they face.  With every election cycle, the choices and consequences seem more dire and require voters to “pull out all the stops” and “dig deep” to do all we can to save democracy…again.  In this series, we will examine local races with national consequences and national organizing strategies with local implications. Speakers will discuss strategic choices taken to build power for workers and the role of elections in advancing that work. They will address past and upcoming local, state, and national elections and share lessons from their wins and losses.  Join us to learn how worker-driven electoral and governing agendas are developed and pursued.   

 

The seminar will be led by Dr. Alethia Jones, Distinguished Lecturer in Labor Studies at the CUNY School of Labor & Urban Studies.  All sessions will be held via Zoom.

 

Framing Questions: 

What will it take to consolidate governing power that serves the interests of workers?  

What are the biggest internal and external obstacles we have to overcome?  

What are unique advantages and strengths that we possess that we can leverage further?  

What are key strategic lessons learned over the last 10 years?  

What do we need to learn to grow our successes? 

What innovations excite you? Which ones concern you?  

 

Participating in the Seminar:

• The CELD seminar is free and open to all.  Registration is mandatory to participate. 
• Please register to participate in the seminar and receive all relevant information. 
• All seminar sessions will be held via Zoom meeting. 
• All sessions will take place Wednesdays in March 2024 at 6:30pm - 8:30pm (U.S. Eastern Time).  
• Participants must attend at least 3 of the 4 sessions and complete an evaluation form after each session to qualify for the leadership certificate from CUNY SLU.  
• Sessions will not be recorded in order to promote free, open, and respectful dialogue among seminar participants.
• Spread the word - please encourage your networks to register!

 

 

Seminar Schedule:

Please note that sessions begin promptly at 6:30pm ET.  Participants are strongly encouraged to join the Zoom meeting by 6:20pm.

 

Wed. March 6, 2024 - 6:30pm - 8:30pm (ET) - Session #1:

"What's the Matter with Florida?"

Guest speaker: 

Roxey Nelson - Executive Vice President, 1199SEIU - Florida Region

 

 

Wed. March 13, 2024 - 6:30pm - 8:30pm (ET) - Session #2:

"Lessons from the Campaign Trail:  Running for Office"

Guest speakers: 

Amber Cano-Martin - Learning Coordinator, Service Employees International Union (SEIU)

Eunic Epstein-Ortiz - Executive Vice President, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

Julia Mejia - City Councilor At-Large, City of Boston

 

 

Wed. March 20, 2024 - 6:30pm - 8:30pm (ET) - Session #3:

"Building for the Short Term and Long Term"

Guest speaker: 

Patrick Gaspard - President, Center for American Progress

 

 

Wed. March 27, 2024 - 6:30pm - 8:30pm (ET) - Session #4:

"Re-Making Elections: New Rules for Winning"

Guest speakers: 

Maria Poblet - co-editor, Power Concedes Nothing; Executive Director, Grassroots Power Project

Max Elbaum - co-editor, Power Concedes Nothing; Member, Convergence Magazine editorial board

 

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Please register to receive the Zoom link. 

The Zoom link will be shared with registrants in late February, before the seminar begins.

All seminar sessions will be held as a Zoom meeting.

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Click here to register for "The Quest for Governing Power: 2024 Elections and Beyond".