THIS WEEKEND: ILGP State Convention, Macomb, March 2-4

UPDATE: Thank you WIU Campus Greens for hosting a successful convention! See news coverage

The Illinois Green Party 2012 State Convention will convene at Western Illinois University in Macomb, March 2-4, hosted by the WIU Campus Greens. This year’s convention will involve selection of delegates to the Green National Convention (Baltimore, July 12-15), panels, and planning for our presidential petition drive which begins on March 27. On Saturday night a fundraising dinner will be held at the West-Central Illinois Art Center in downtown Macomb.

Collection for Harrisburg tornado victims

At this weekend’s convention, the ILGP will be collecting items to be taken to Southern Illinois to help victims of the tornado which tore through Harrisburg early Wednesday. Harrisburg is the county seat of Saline County in southeastern Illinois.  At least six people were killed and over 100 are injured.  Around 300 homes were impacted.  This part of the state has long been economically depressed so outside assistance is especially helpful.

We will be collecting toiletries (soap, shampoo, toilet paper, etc.), clothing, and food which the Shawnee Greens will take back with them and deliver on Monday.  There is also a call from a local animal hospital there for supplies like food, bowls, and leashes.  If you are not coming to Macomb but know someone who is and can send some goods along with them, it would be very appreciated.

Watch the convention on Livestream

The convention will be webcast at http://www.livestream.com/illinoisgreenparty

Stein and Barr to appear via Skype

Presidential candidates Jill Stein and Roseanne Barr will appear via Skype at 1:45 p.m. and 2 p.m. respectively on Saturday, March 3.

Delegate/Officer Elections

If you are interested in being a delegate to the national convention, please send a note to phil.huckelberry@ilgp.org with the following information:

* Whether or not you are planning to go to the national convention in July.
* Whether or not you will be in Macomb this weekend.
* Which candidate you wish to be a delegate for.

In addition to national convention delegates, there are also elections this weekend for state party Vice-Chair and Treasurer, and for 6 Green National Committee delegates and 6 Green National Committee alternates.  Ballots will be pre-printed this year, so if you are interested in running for one of these positions, please send a note to phil.huckelberry@ilgp.org expressing interest, and please do so by the end of the day Thursday, as ballots will be printed to be taken with on Friday.

REGISTRATION, FOOD & FUNDRAISER

There is no cost for convention registration, but members do need to be current to participate. Members can join or renew in advance of the meeting by visiting the party site at www.ilgp.org/join or can join or renew at the convention site.

Convention attendees will be on their own for all meals except the Saturday fundraiser. More complete information about campus and near-campus dining fare will be available soon.

Saturday night’s fundraiser is $40 per person, or $20 for students and low-income members. People wishing to attend the fundraiser can pay in advance at www.ilgp.org/donate – be sure to specify in the notes that the donation is for the Macomb fundraiser – or can simply pay on site.

We will also hold a silent auction at our fundraising dinner on Saturday night, so in addition to donations for tornado relief, donations to the party of items which could be put into the silent auction would be very much appreciated.  Rita Maniotis is coordinating the silent auction so if you have any questions about that please email her at rita.maniotis@ilgp.org.

TRAVEL & LODGING

The University Union Hotel is located in the WIU Union and is competitively priced. Call 309-298-1941 for reservations or more information. There are several other hotels near campus in Macomb. If you’re interested in some other hotel recommendation, please contact us.

There are two daily Amtrak routes which run from Chicago Union Station to Macomb:
From Chicago Union Station: From Macomb to Chicago:
Depart 7:35 am Arrive 11:04 am Depart 7:00 am Arrive 10:40 am
Depart 5:55 pm Arrive 9:24 pm Depart 6:18 pm Arrive 9:58 pm

The Amtrak station is a short walk from campus; if you will need ground transportation in Macomb please contact us to arrange something.

Parking on campus is free on weekends. Carpools from other parts of the state may be available – if you are interested in carpooling let us know.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For all questions about the meeting, email Rita Maniotis.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE & AGENDA

More information about the schedule will be available on ilgp.org in coming weeks. All times are subject to change.

Friday, March 2
6:30 – 10:00 PM ILGP Social – Taylor Hall, 125 S. Randolph, Macomb
Hosted by the Peoria Area Green Party

Saturday, March 3
All events besides meals are in WIU’s Sandburg Theatre and Sandburg Lounge.

9:00–10:00 AM - Registration
10:00–10:30 AM - Welcome, Introductions, Agenda Approval, Elections Presentation
10:30–11:15 AM - Panel #1: Wind and Renewable Energy
11:15–Noon - Bylaws – Women’s Caucus Bylaws Proposal
- Internal Elections (ILGP Vice-Chair, Treasurer, 6 National Delegates)

Noon – 12:30 PM - Lunch

12:30–1:45 PM - Panel #2: Sustainable Foods
1:45–2:45 PM - Presidential Delegate Overview and Selection (Stein & Barr to appear via Skype)
2:45–3:15 PM - Presentation: ILGP Past, Present, and Future
3:15-4:00 PM - 2012, 2013, 2014 Elections – including Presidential Petitioning
4:00–5:30 PM - How to Run for Office – and WIN! – with ILGP Officeholders and More

6:00 PM Fundraising Dinner – West-Central Illinois Art Center,
25 East Side Square, Courthouse Square, Macomb
Hosted by the WIU Campus Greens
Dinner catered by Shiloh’s Restaurant
Features a Silent Auction – email Rita to donate

Sunday, March 4
All events besides lunch are in Multicultural Arts Center next door to the Union

9:00–9:30 AM - Announcements, Open Time
9:30–10:00 AM - Move to Amend
10:00–11:00 AM - Social Media, Branding, and More
11:00 – Noon - Campus Greens organizing

Noon – 1:00 PM - Lunch at an area pizza parlor