We’re pleased to announce our Netroots Nation 2012 agenda! Below you’ll find panels, training sessions and more. You can view the program electronically here.
Morning News Dump with Lizz Winstead, Shannyn Moore and Cliff Schecter
Special Event; Thu, 06/07/2012 - 08:15am, Rotunda
Grab your coffee before the action begins each morning while getting an freewheeling and hilarious update of the day’s news with Daily Show co-creator and comedian Lizz Winstead, Radio host, journalist Shannyn Moore and Pundit, author and teller of truths, Cliff Shecter.
The Morning News Dump is sorta like “Morning Joe,” minus the guests who have gotten everything wrong for the past 10 years. Each morning these three will also welcome some of your favorite bloggers and politicians as well to give you a download of the days news before you hit the Netroots ground running.
Roll out of bed and join them!
Generously sponsored by The Guardian US.
Led by: Lizz Winstead
Panelists: Shannyn Moore, Cliff Schecter
Online Activism, Social Media and the Law
Training; Thu, 06/07/2012 - 09:00am, 556
Especially in the post-Citizens United universe, organizers involved in political campaigns and party organizations, 501(c)(3)s, (c)(4)s and the labor movement are often unsure what kinds of activity they can engage in online. Can a 501(c)(3) “friend” a candidate? What happens when a campaign retweets a SuperPAC ad? Experts in the law and in new media will provide the most up-to-date advice possible for keeping your activities beyond reproach during the 2012 election season.
Trainers: Adam Bonin, Abby Levine
The Power of Our Stories: Making Complex Issues Accessible (T4T)
Training; Thu, 06/07/2012 - 09:00am, 555
This training is designed to prepare participants to train others in identifying the most impactful aspects of their personal stories for the purpose of moving others to action. Participants will learn the fundamentals of the workshop, along with helpful facilitation tips.
Trainers: Rosa Gonzalez, Julian Mocine-McQueen
Data-Driven Design for Progressive Organizations: 10 Engagement Metrics You Probably aren't Tracking
Training; Thu, 06/07/2012 - 09:00am, 554
We’ll share 10 often overlooked web, social media and email metrics you can use to improve your social bottom line (in terms of actions taken, money raised, etc.). More than the online statistics that we all usually track—unique visitors, email open rates, advertising clickthroughs, etc.—these data sets can help you spark more user engagement, cultivate long-term brand loyalty and incentivize sustained peer-to-peer sharing. How do you use “website activation time” to attract email list subscribers? How do you use Facebook EdgeRank to measure the health of your fan base? These are just a few of the questions this training will answer.
Trainers: Nikki Serapio
From Defeat to Triumph: Erasing the Death Penalty in America
Panel; Thu, 06/07/2012 - 09:00am, Ballroom A
Led by: Marc Lamont Hill
Panelists: Abraham J. Bonowitz, DeJaun Correia, Laura Moye, Robert Rooks
The Heart of the Beast: How the Grassroots is Taking on Big Banking
Panel; Thu, 06/07/2012 - 09:00am, Ballroom D
Wall Street crashed our economy, perpetrated widespread fraud on millions of homeowners, bankrupted our communities and continues to inject unfettered corporate money into our democracy. That’s the bad news. The good news: In an extraordinary example of progressive power, a group of organizations and individuals built a dynamic movement to challenge big bank power and rebuild our economy. People have occupied their homes, moved millions of dollars out of big banks, taken over big bank offices and annual shareholders meetings, won a federal investigation into big bank fraud and made big bank power the pariah in media coverage. In this session, participants will dive into specific strategies—from grassroots organizing to online mobilization to popular education—that led to this groundswell. We’ll also have a lively discussion on taking lessons back into your own community to and how to make this a central issue this election cycle.
Led by: Tracy Van Slyke
Panelists: Max Berger, Matt Browner-Hamlin, Peggy Mears, Lenore Palladino
Inside the Activists' Studio: What to Do When the Right Comes After You
Panel; Thu, 06/07/2012 - 09:00am, Ballroom C
When the right-wing noise machine gets started, any progressive group or individual can find themselves the target of a coordinated wave of attacks (remember ACORN?). Fighting back isn’t easy—it takes courageous leadership, a strong voice, savvy staff and the ability to rally committed supporters online. Join leaders and organizers from three of the right’s favorite targets—Planned Parenthood, AFSCME and Jewish Voice for Peace—as they talk about their experiences fighting back in the face of relentless, vicious opposition. They’ll share tactics and strategies for organizing and mobilizing activists to stand strong when the right wing comes after you.
Led by: Will Valverde
Panelists: Tracey Conaty, Heather Holdridge, Cecilie Surasky
Agitation and Inspiration: The Power of Art and Cultural Organizing
Panel; Thu, 06/07/2012 - 09:00am, 552
Culture is the realm of ideas, images and stories; it is where people make sense of the world and where they find meaning and forge community. History shows that when the culture changes, politics follows. Culture can reach audiences beyond the bounds of what community organizing and policy-based organizing can do. While the media is laced with myths, stereotypes and misrepresentation of grassroots movements, cultural interventions can play a key role in pushing forward stories that help shift the public debate. A growing movement of artists around the country are using cultural tools to fight economic inequality, corporations, banks and anti-migrant hate. In this session, artist-activists, writers, cultural leaders and creative institutions will discuss models for connecting artists to movements for social change.
Led by: Favianna Rodriguez
Panelists: Cloee Cooper, Gan Golan, Betsy Richards, Julio Salgado
Women Rule: Keys for Social Media and Electoral Success
Panel; Thu, 06/07/2012 - 09:00am, 551
Studies show women voters are the key to election success and that women rule social media platforms. But few candidates or causes use those tools to effectively engage those crucial women voters. What’s working—and what isn’t—when it comes to social media outreach to women? This panel will focus on successful case studies and tips for effective engagement, as well as what backfires when trying to persuade these influencers to support your efforts.
Panelists: Veronica Arreola, Joanne Bamberger, Anita Jackson, Carol Jenkins
Taking the Offense in State Elections
Panel; Thu, 06/07/2012 - 09:00am, Ballroom B
In state after state, working people and the progressive community have met unprecedented attacks on their salaries, pensions and social services with blow-out success. But it’s not enough to play defense. Labor-progressive coalitions must work in 2012 to elect state lawmakers who support working people to prevent further assaults on our jobs, our families and progressive democracy. This panel will examine how we can take back control at the state level by sharing hands-on strategies and equip activists with tools to successfully energize the public and get out the vote.
Led by: Jordan Kupersmith
Panelists: Bailey Childers, Carolyn Fiddler, Zandra Rice-Hawkins, Michael Sargeant
Victory in Ohio: How Senate Bill 5 was Defeated
Panel; Thu, 06/07/2012 - 09:00am, Ballroom E
Understand the success of the “We are Ohio” campaign’s road to victory in beating back the right’s attacks on working families. Get insight on how the tactics used in Ohio can translate to other campaigns around the country.
Led by: Jane Blume
Panelists: Kate Kennedy, Doug Stern
Youth Caucus
Caucus; Thu, 06/07/2012 - 09:00am, 553 A
Connect with like-minded folks and talk with others from your community in our identity caucuses.

