Job Announcement: Youth Organizer

Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), the largest socialist organization in the US, and an affiliate of the global Socialist International, seeks an organizer for its youth division, the Young Democratic Socialists (YDS).

YDS is an organization of campus-based chapters and regionally-based groupings of younger (under 30) socialists who wish to develop a political and cultural space of their own, yet one that is an integral part of DSA. The organizer works out of DSA’s national office in New York City and travels throughout the United States to speak to both new and experienced YDS campus chapters, as well as to independent progressive students interested in learning about democratic socialism.

Responsibilities

• Organize an annual winter outreach conference and an annual summer conference for current members and chapters, in collaboration with the elected and volunteer leadership of Young Democratic socialists (YDS):
• Recruit new members and assist in the formation of new chapters of YDS
• Facilitate the ongoing political work of the members and chapters of YDS
• Provide staff support, especially leadership development, for YDS
• Represent YDS at conferences and meetings of other radical activists
• Participate in meetings of the DSA National Political Committee and serve as a liaison between YDS and DSA’s locals and commissions
• Report to and assist DSA’s National Director as needed.

Requirements

• Identify as a socialist and be grounded in democratic socialist politics and history; general agreement with the positions and perspectives of YDS and DSA
• Experience organizing campus, labor, political, or community-based groups and events
• Excellent public speaking, communication, writing, and computer skills
• Strong time management skills and ability to use limited resources effectively
• Thorough understanding of academic settings, politics, and calendars at secondary and post-secondary levels
• Ability to work effectively with young people from diverse backgrounds
• Commitment to feminist, anti-racist, and anti-heterosexist principles and action
• Willing and able to travel extensively around the United States on a moderate budget
• Available to start work in New York City by August of 2008 and willing to make at least a one-year commitment

Desirable Qualifications

• Creativity
• Sense of humor
• Fund-raising experience
• Web design, HTML, database, and graphic design experience and skills
• Bilingual

Starting Salary: High $20’s; full benefit package including regular salary increases.
Application deadline: April 21, 2008. Self-identified women, LGBTQ and people of color are especially encouraged to apply.

Email resume and statement of how your qualifications make you a good candidate for this position to: Frank Llewellyn, National Director, DSA, fllewellyn@dsausa.org. Please send attachments in Microsoft Word. Applicants without email access may send their materials to DSA, 75 Maiden Lane, Suite 505, New York, NY 10038.

By David Duhalde, YDS organizer

On the heels of an excellent Young Democratic Socialists (YDS) turn out at the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) 2007 convention in Atlanta, YDS’s winter outreach conference’s success seems to be another stepping stone for a fantastic new YDS. In Georgia, YDS sent a diverse delegation of fifteen young activists from across the country (Texas and Kansas to Miami and southwestern Virginia) to the gathering. At the meeting, a point was made for young cadre to caucus in order to prepare for the coming annual national outreach conference. Collectively, it was decided to name the event “Be Realistic, Demand the Impossible: Reviving Democratic, Socialist, and Youth Activism.” The title was chosen to pay homage to the spirit of young radicals in 1968 - as a reflection of the hopes and dreams of the past 40 years and the tasks that still remain for left-wing youth and student activists. We all left Atlanta set on bringing not only ourselves to New York City on President’s Weekend but many more comrades and friends as well.

On Friday February 15th, we opened the event with a panel discussion called “2013 Isn’t Soon Enough: The Anti-War Movement Post-Bush.” The plenary served both as a conference opener and an Iraq Moratorium event. YDS has participated in Iraq Moratorium events (monthly actions to raise awareness against the war in Iraq) since September. The panel served as an excellent way to showcase our grassroots work on a national stage. DSA members Bill Fletcher Jr., Stephen Eric Bronner, and Frances Fox Piven answered individual and group questions. Each had a chance to personally reflect on other panelist’s thoughts and opinions. The excellent discourse covered a range of pertinent topics such as U.S. policy towards Iran, changing political conditions for the anti-war movement due to the presidential race, the role of young socialists in ending the war, and much more. The plenary set a positive and proactive tone that held throughout the conference.

The following Saturday morning YDS members, chapter activists, progressive young people, and friends from across the country began to trickle in. Even before the program began, it was clear that a new YDS had arrived both physically and organizationally. One visible element to the new YDS was diversity. This was one of the widest ranges of people, places, and ideas ever to appear at a YDS conference. The representation came not only from those who came to learn about YDS but also from the chapter activists. The conference saw delegations of eight people (respectively) from campuses ranging from the elite Brown University, small liberal arts Wooster College of Ohio, to the working-class and commuter campuses of University of Central Arkansas and Wichita State University. In all, over 125 students and youth came to the event. The variety of activists symbolized what a strong social justice movement could look like; the positive mixture of different people showed the growing potential for YDS as a force on the student left.

Weekend plenaries featured an excellent range of speakers, ideas, and topics on issues ranging from racial justice, immigrant rights, the relevance of democratic socialism, and the future of the youth and student movement. Saturday’s opening plenary, “The Struggle for Racial Justice Under Capitalism,” was moderated by YDS Anti-Racism coordinator Emahunn Campbell and featured Manning Marable, Monami Maulik, and DSA National Political Committee member Corey D.B. Walker. The speakers touched upon the need to connect the struggle for socialism to the fight against racism. The closing plenary on Saturday saw DSA veterans Joseph Schwartz, Nancy Fraser, and Jose LaLuz discuss the continued importance and relevance of democratic socialist values. LaLuz concluded the panel with a standing chant of “Si, Se Puede.” The energy revived the crowd which we carried with us afterwards into a fun and bonding get together in Brooklyn.

The conference workshops touched upon a range of subjects of great importance to the democratic left. The discussion on Latin America featured a well-received presentation by the Bolivian United Nations ambassador Hugo Siles Alvarado. DSA Honorary Chairs Maxine Philips and Steve Max each held discussions, the prior on faith and the left and the later on healthcare. All workshops presented a democratic socialist viewpoint on the issue and explained how students can incorporate socialist politics into their activism.

A late night did not stop these new young Jimmy and Jannie Higgins from starting the conference on time Sunday. The Sunday crowd took full advantage of the day, asking great questions and bonding over lunch sponsored by AFSCME. The afternoon plenary featured voices from the immigrant rights movement, including DSA member Rabbi Michael Feinberg. Rabbi Feinberg made the critical connection for students that they should understand how capitalist globalization has created such conditions that desperate people are forced to make risky migrations without documentation. The role of socialists is therefore to fight for the rights of all to insure economic security for both domestic and immigrant labor.

Sunday concluded with a group dialogue called “Have We Reached a Revival in Democratic and Anti-Capitalist Youth Activism?” The resounding conclusion was “yes, but we have a great deal of work ahead of us.” Professor Christine Kelly of William Paterson University, who led the discussion with myself, expressed the importance of learning from past youth movements and making your own identity. I emphasized the importance of YDS relating to other left-wing young people, especially those dedicated to working on the upcoming presidential election. Our relevance depends greatly on how well we connect to such movements on the ground.

I have high hopes and aspirations for the new YDS. This conference was the best in terms of quality of the participants, organizers, panels, and speakers in many years - certainly since I first joined in 2003. Paul Collins, who has served with me on the YDS elected leadership and is currently an 1199 SEIU organizer, reflected on how impressed he was with the ownership young cadre had in YDS. No longer, he contended, was YDS merely the youth organizer’s show. On Monday, Beth Garton of Wichita State YDS expressed to my family the feeling that encapsulated some of the most important successes of the conference. She told me and my parents how nice YDSers were, how the workshops had helped her understand anti-capitalism better against the conservative arguments she heard growing up, and that she looked forward to the summer conference. The first comment was especially touching for me as it was the reason I stayed with YDS and DSA. I felt that this was an organization that focused on fighting for social justice, not upon holding moral “superiority” over others; a home where comrades wanted to share in the struggle with you, not judge the quality of your participation in it.

I remain as optimistic as ever about the future of the progressive movement, here and abroad, and YDS’s contributions to making the world a more democratic and humane place. New YDS leaders will continue to reshape and build this socialist youth group as a positive force. I feel comfortable knowing that while I would trade almost anything to be a young chapter activist again, I and other graduating YDS veterans can happily look forward to dedicating our energy to DSA. We have a solid group of younger YDS cadre who will carry on the tradition of building the left-wing of the possible through out the United States.

2013 Isn’t Soon Enough: The Anti-War Movement Post-Bush
—with—
Bill Fletcher Jr. - Former President of TransAfrica Forum, founder of the Black Radical Congress, former AFL-CIO Education Director, and a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (YDS’s parent organization).

Frances Fox Piven - Distinguished Sociologist at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, author The War At Home: Domestic Costs of Bush’s Militarism, Poor People’s Movements, Why Americans Don’t Vote, The New Class War, and Honorary Co-Chair of Democratic Socialists of America.

Stephen Eric Bronner - Professor of Political Science and Comparative Literature at Rutgers University and author of the new book: Peace Out of Reach: Middle Eastern Travels and the Search for Reconciliation, Socialism Unbound, and a member of Democratic Socialists of America.

Facilitator: Noel Camara, YDS Coordinating Committee member and Iraq War veteran

Plenary Saturday Afternoon/Feb 16 12:00 - 1:30

The Struggle for Racial Justice Under Capitalism
—with—
Manning Marable - Professor of Public Affairs, Political Science and History at Columbia University, where he founded and directed the Institute for Research in African-American Studies. His current book project is entitled Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention. He sits on the board of directors for the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, a non-profit coalition of prominent public figures dedicated to utilizing hip-hop as an agent for social change.

Corey D.B. Walker - Assistant Professor of Africana Studies at Brown University, author of the forthcoming book, Between Transcendence and History: Theology, Critical Theory, and the Politics of Liberation. He is a member of the National Political Committee of the Democratic Socialists of America.

Monami Maulik - Co-founder of DRUM, Desis Rising Up & Moving, one of the first working class South Asian base-building organizations for social justice in the U.S. Monami has worked with the NY Taxi Workers Alliance, the Women Workers Project at CAAAV (Organizing Asian Communities), Training Institute for Careers in Organizing, and served on various city-wide coalitions and campaigns around prison abolition, youth, and People of Color organizing. She is now a board member of National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, an Advisory Board member of the North Star Fund, and a Steering Committee member of Immigrant Communities in Action.

Facilitator: Emahunn Campbell, YDS Anti-Racist Coordinator and President of UVA-Wise YDS and Black Student Union.

Plenary Saturday/Feb 16 4:00 - 5:30

Towards Freedom: How Democratic Socialist Theory and Practice is Relevant Today
—with—
Nancy Fraser - Professor of Political Science at the New School University in New York. A noted feminist thinker concerned with concepts of justice. Her previous books include Unruly Practices, Justice Interruptus and Feminist Contentions(co-authored with Judith Bulter, Drucilla Cornell and Seyla Benhabib). In addition to her many publications and lectures, Fraser is also the editor Constellations, an international journal of critical and democratic theory.

Jose LaLuz - Vice Chair of the Democratic Socialists of America. While at AFSCME, a union for public sector employees, LaLuz led one of the largest organizing drives in the trade union movement and is regarded as the principal strategist in the fight for passage of public sector collective bargaining legislation in Puerto Rico, which paved the way for the unionization of more than 120,000 public employees.

Joseph Schwartz - Chair, department of Political Science, Temple University, author of The Future of Democratic Equality and DSA National Political Committee member.

Facilitator: Paul Collins, 1199 SEIU Organizer and former YDS Anti-Racist Coordinator.

Plenary Sunday/Feb 17 11:45 - 1:15
The Struggle Has No Borders: Organizing Locally for Immigrant Rights in the Age of Global Capitalism
—with—
David Jimenez - Organizer with the Restaurant Opportunity Center of New York and COLORS, a cooperative immigrant worker-owned restaurant. He has coordinated with major labor unions to organize the Immigrant Worker Freedom Ride.

Aarti Shahani - founding Board Member of Families for Freedom (FFF). FFF is New York’s first multi-ethnic defense network by and for immigrants facing deportation.

Michael Feinberg - Executive Director, Greater New York Labor-Religion Coalition and active in New Sanctuary Movement, member of the Democratic Socialists of America

Facilitator: Maria Svart, YDS National Co-Chair and SEIU/CIR Healthcare Organizer

WORKING CONFERENCE SCHEDULE (subject to change)

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15 - Bayard Rustin HS (see “locations & directions”)
Registration opens 6:00 PM
Opening Plenary 7:00 - 9:00
2013 Isn’t Soon Enough: Anti-War Movement Post-Bush
(see plenary details above)

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 16 - Bayard Rustin HS (see “locations & directions”)
Breakfast/Registration 8:30 - 9:30

Opening Welcome 9:30 - 10:15

Workshop Block A 10:15 - 11:45
1) Coffee Tawk - I’ll Give you Two Words: Democratic. Socialism. Democratic Socialism? Discuss! (Beginners Introduction)
William Emmons - YDS Coalitions Coordinator
Emahunn Campbell - YDS Anti-Racist Coordinator
Moderator: Christina Huizar - YDS Coordinating Committee, Industrial Workers of the World

2) El Pueblo Unido: Left Politics in Latin America
Corey D.B. Walker -Assistant Professor of Africana Studies at Brown University and member of DSA’s National Political Committee
Shelia Collins - Professor of Political Science at William Paterson University
Moderator: Mark Major - PHD Student in Political Science at Rutgers University and YDS member

3) Faith and Freedom: Religious Movements and the Left
Maxine Philips - Editor of Dissent Magazine and Religious Socialism, former DSA National Director
Elliot Ratzman - PhD candidate at Princeton’s Department of Religion, DSA member.
Juanita Webster - Co-Chair DSA’s Religion & Socialism Commission
Moderator: Paul Collins - 1199 SEIU Organizer and former YDS Anti-Racist Coordinator

Plenary 2 12:00 - 1:30
The Struggle For Racial Justice Under Capitalism
(see plenary details above)

Lunch 1:30 - 2:30

Workshop Block B 2:30 - 4:00

1) Global Capitalism and its Impact on Immigration
Robyn Rodriguez - Rutgers Professor, author of the upcoming book Global Workers, Migrant Citizens: Philippine Labor and the Brokerage State
Maria Svart - YDS National Co-Chair and SEIU/CIR Healthcare Organizer
Moderator: Christina Huizar - YDS Coordinating Committee, Industrial Workers of the World

2) Beyond Same-Sex Marriage: An Agenda for the Queer Left
Joseph DeFilippis - Executive Director, Queers for Economic Justice
Trystan Angel Reese - Field Organizer, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Richard Kim - The Nation magazine writer
Moderator: Lucas Shapiro - former National Organizer for the Young Democratic Socialists

3) A Sick System: The Growing Healthcare Crisis
Steve Max - DSA Vice-Chair, longtime activist in civil rights, labor and community movements and Midwest Academy trainer and designer of its economic education program

4) The Working Class Kicking Ass: The Labor Movement Today
Carlos Jimenez - National Coordinator, Student Labor Action Project (a joint effort of the United States Students Association and Jobs with Justice)
Sherry Wright - AFSCME
Moderator: Will Emmons - YDS Coalitions Coordinator and Brown Student-Labor Alliance

Plenary 3 4:00 - 5:30
Towards Freedom: How Democratic Socialist Theory and Practice is Relevant Today
(see plenary details above)

Wrap Up and Directions to Party 5:30 - 6:00

Dinner & Party! 6:00 to 12:00
(directions and details available at the conference)

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 17

Breakfast 9:30 - 10:15

Workshop Block C 10:15-11:30

1) Allies in Struggle: Building the Movement for Racial Justice
Emahunn Campbell - YDS Anti-Racism Coordinator
Brandon King - UNITE-HERE
Moderator: Nicole Iaquinto - YDS Co-Chair, MSU YDS Coordinating Committee, and MSU W.E.B DuBois Society Education Committee member

2) Building YDS: How to Effectively Use Democratic Socialist Politics in Your Campus Activism (1 YDS member per chapter/organizing committee must attend)
Kat Braush - President, College of Wooster Democratic Socialists
Flavio Hickel Jr. - William Paterson University YDS and The Activist Editor
Moderator: Kenny Grand - YDS National Organizing Committee Facilitator

3) Socialist-Feminist Perspectives
Michele Rossi - member of the DSA National Political Committee, teaching assistant at University of California-Berkeley
Eliyanna Kaiser - former YDS National Organizer who now works in public policy at a state level. She is also an Executive Editor for $pread Magazine which is produced by and for sex workers and their allies

4) Education is a Right, Not a Privilege! The Fight for College Affordability
David Duhalde - YDS National Organizer
Rebecca Thompson - Legislative Director, United States Students Association
Pedro de la Torre - Issues of Organizing Associate Manager, Campus Progress
Moderator: Andrew Bowe, UC-Boulder YDS

Break 11:30-11:45

Plenary 4 11:45 - 1:15
Injury to One is An Injury to All: Organizing Locally for Immigrant Rights in the Age of Global Capitalism
(see plenary details above)

Lunch 1:15 - 2:15

Workshop Block D 2:15 - 3:45

1) The Color of Wealth - Race and Class in America
Amaad Rivera - Director of United for a Fair Economy’s Racial Wealth Divide Program
Moderator: Nicole Iaquinto - YDS Co-Chair, MSU YDS Coordinating Committee, and MSU W.E.B DuBois Society Education Committee member

2) The Madness of the Market: Understanding What’s Wrong With Capitalism
William K. Tabb - Author of Economic Governance in the Age of Globalization, Unequal Partners: A Primer on Globalizations
Moderator: Kat Brausch, President of Wooster Democratic Socialists

3) Progressive Change and Electoral Politics: Building Movements to Win Beyond Election Day
Frank Llewellyn - DSA National Director
Rachel Haut - Students for a Democratic Society, Queens College

Break 3:45 - 4:00

Group Dialogue 4:00 - 5:00

Have We Reached a Revival in Democratic and Anti-Capitalist Youth Activism?
Facilitators: David Duhalde, YDS National Organizer and Christine Kelly, Professor of Political Science at William Paterson University, author of forthcoming Chimes of Freedom: Student Protest and the Changing American University

Closing 5:00 - 5:30

Dates: Friday, February 15 - Sunday, February 17
Location: Bayard Rustin HS; 351 W. 18th Street [directions]

For Conference Registration, Housing, and Travel Scholarships click here. Registering before February 13th saves you ten dollars. The deadline for housing and travel scholarship applications is January 28th.

On this page you will find information about the conference program, speakers, housing, limited travel scholarships, and more. We encourage campus groups to plan ahead and apply for financial support from their schools as early as possible. Contact us if you have any questions, want to volunteer at the conference, or need help with fundraising or transportation needs. You can reach us at yds@dsausa.org or 212-727-8610.

POLITICAL CONTEXT

The slogan “be realistic, demand the impossible” inspired many during the 1968 student and worker uprising in France. At home, as they do today, young American progressives marched for civil rights and against the war. Four decades later, young radicals are still involved in the struggle for a peaceful and just society. Progressive social movements are encountering newfound opportunities, creating optimism not seen since the 1960’s. The deterioration of our domestic Right and the rise of the democratic socialist project in Latin America are tied to a growing blowback against authoritarian corporate globalization.

While we have cause for optimism, we cannot afford to be idle - for nothing is written in stone. The likes of CNN’s Lou Dobbs present a potential new form of reactionary and authoritarian capitalism, but we must remember the political and social change from the 1950’s to 1960’s was hard to predict and impossible to ignore. The role of young people and students will be just as important in the coming period. This conference will give people the tools and knowledge to be effective freedom fighters and movement builders in the years to come.

For us to create long lasting radical change we must revive a youth movement that is both democratic in foundation and socialist in orientation. Such a visionary youth movement connected with the broader progressive movement shall make the impossible a reality. Let’s begin the conversation today that will bring about the victories of tomorrow.

FEATURED SPEAKERS
Click here for the working conference program which features veterans of the democratic left, including:

MANNING MARABLE

Manning Marable, is an American political scholar. He holds the position of Professor of Public Affairs, Political Science, and History at Columbia University, where he founded and directed the Institute for Research in African-American Studies. He has published widely, and is politically active in a variety of progressive causes. His current project is a biography of the black rights activist Malcolm X., entitled Malcolm X: A Life or Reinvention. He was recently elected Chair of Movement for a Democratic Society (MDS), the incorporated non-profit arm of Students for a Democratic Society. Marable sits on the Board of Directors for the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN), a non-profit coalition of prominent public figures dedicated to utilizing hip hop as an agent for social change.

BILL FLETCHER, JR.

Bill Fletcher Jr., former President of TransAfrica Forum, former co-chair of United for Peace and Justice, founder of the Black Radical Congress, as well as longtime trade union activist, and former Education Director of the AFL-CIO. He is also co-author (with Fernando Gapasin) of the forthcoming book on the crisis of organized labor, Solidarity Divided, to be published by the University of California Press in late spring 2008. Member of Democratic Socialists of America, YDS’s parent organization.

STEPHEN ERIC BRONNER

Stephen Eric Bronner, Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Comparative Literature at Rutgers University and author of the new book: Peace Out of Reach: Middle Eastern Travels and the Search for Reconciliation. His other works include Blood in the Sand: Imperial Fantasies, Right-Wing Ambitions, and the Erosion of American Democracy and Socialism Unbound. He is the Senior Editor of Logos: A Journal of Modern Society and Culture. Member of Democratic Socialists of America, YDS’s parent organization.

Frances Fox Piven

Frances Fox Piven, is widely recognized as one of America’s most thoughtful and provocative commentators on America’s social welfare system, political scientists, activists, and educators. In the 1960s, Piven worked with welfare-rights groups to expand benefits; in the eighties and nineties she campaigned relentlessly against welfare cutbacks. A veteran of the war on poverty and subsequent welfare-rights protests both in New York City and on the national stage, she has been instrumental in formulating the theoretical underpinnings of those movements. She currently teaches at the Graduate School of the City University of New York, author of The War at Home: The Domestic Costs of Bush’s Militarism, Poor People’s Movements, Why Americans Don’t Vote, and The New Class War, and Honorary Chair of the Democratic Socialists of America.

NANCY FRASER

Nancy Fraser, is a professor of Political Science at the New School University in New York. A noted feminist thinker concerned with conceptions of justice, she argues that justice is a complex concept which must be understood from the standpoint of three separate yet interrelated dimensions: distribution (of resources), recognition (of the varying contributions of different groups), and representation (linguistic). Her previous books include Unruly Practices, Justice Interruptus and, with Judith Butler, Drucilla Cornell and Seyla Benhabib, Feminist Contentions. In addition to her many publications and lectures, Fraser is also the editor of Constellations, an international journal of critical and democratic theory.

JOSE LALUZ

Jose LaLuz, Vice Chair of the Democratic Socialists of America. While at AFSCME, union of public secotr employees, Jose LaLuz led one of the largest organizing drives in the trade union movement and is regarded as the principal strategist in the fight for passage of public sector collective bargaining legislation in Puerto Rico, which paved the way for the unionization of more than 120,000 public employees.

PLANNING YOUR TRIP / FUNDRAISING / GETTING TO NEW YORK CITY:
People come to YDS conferences from all over the country. If you are coming from out of town, it is important to plan your trip as early as possible. We’re committed to ensuring that everyone who wants to come to “Be Realistic, Demand the Impossible” is able to attend. We’re offering travel scholarships and housing accommodations for those coming to NYC by plane, bus, car, or train (more info below), on a limited, first-come, first-served basis with preference given to YDS activists. However, we highly recommend that you fundraise to help cover costs. Click here for great tips on travel planning, economizing and fundraising, from getting cheap plane tickets, hosting events to raise money, to hitting up your student government for funds. Please remember that plane tickets are typically cheaper the further in advance you purchase them and that Student Government Associations often require plenty of advance notice if you are requesting special funds from them. Do plan ahead!

YDS Fundraising Tips

CARPOOLING - NEED / OFFER RIDES TO NYC?
If you are within driving distance of New York City and are in need of a ride, let us know and we can check to see if others planning to attend in your area can offer you one. If you have extra space in your vehicle, please let us know. We encourage you to carpool to the conference with other friends and activists. There will be space on the on-line registration form to offer or request rides.

HOUSING ACCOMMODATIONS IN NEW YORK CITY:
We are working to provide out-of-town conference goers with free housing. If you live in New York City, or have friends/family that can house additional conference attendees, please notify us. Here is a link to affordable hostels in NYC.

REQUESTING HOUSING OR TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIPS:
You can request or offer housing assistance and/or travel scholarships once the on-line registration forms are available (by Jan. 1st). YDS has a limited budget to help subsidize travel costs. Preference is given to YDS members and those wanting to start YDS chapters. If you request a travel scholarship, please fill out the appropriate information on the registration form or contact us at the email address below with your details. We will respond to you shortly to let you know if your scholarships request has been granted and how much financial assistance YDS can provide.

REGISTRATION & COSTS:
Registration costs for the entire conference will be based on a sliding scale of $20 - $60. Special consideration for low-income individuals will be made with priority given to YDS members and those starting chapters. On-line registration forms are available here. Registration fees include conference materials, admission to all conference sessions, light breakfast, the plenary talks, and Saturday night party.

FEB. 15-17 IS A THREE-DAY WEEKEND!
“Be Realistic, Demand the Impossible” takes place during President’s Day Weekend. The conference opens Friday evening, February 15th and goes until Sunday, February 17th. The Monday afterwards is a national holiday. Please keep this in mind when planning your trip to New York, as you will probably not need to rush back to campus once the YDS conference is over.

QUESTIONS OR CONFERENCE IDEAS:
If you have any questions about the conference, please get in touch with the contact information provided below. If you have ideas or suggestions you would like to propose to conference planners, if you would like to volunteer to help with preparations or to assist during the conference itself, don’t hesitate to email or call us: 212-727-8610.

Workers and Students of the World…Relax - Saturday Night Party

Saturday night Party is free for all conference-goers and friends of YDS. Directions to party available at registration tables.

“We need to move the heart and soul of the anti-war movement closer to the ground; closer to the average person. Each individual needs to feel that they are contributing to building this mighty movement. The work of Young Democratic Socialists has been key to this. We need you to keep the pressure on because it is not just about opposing war in Iraq; it is equally about opposing steps towards aggression against Iran. It has been great to see and feel the spirit of YDSers!!”–Bill Fletcher, Jr. (a longtime labor and international activist and the former President and chief executive officer of TransAfrica Forum, a national non-profit organization organizing, educating and advocating for policies in favor of the peoples of Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America)

BGSU-Firelands

Bowling Green State University-Firelands Young Democratic Socialists made posters and flyers about the Iraq Moratorium and plastered the campus with them. The chapter also put the information on the university calendar under multiple listings and sent an email blast out to the faculty about it, encouraging them to say something about the war. They also handed out many of National Youth and Student Peace Coalition “Books not Bombs” buttons to students and who are still wearing them on campus

Wichita State University

Wichita State University Young Democratic Socialists participated in the Iraq Moratorium by wearing black arms bands with “Books not Bombs” on them. Over 30 students and 5 community members joined in the event. An Iraq war veteran from the YDS chapter also wrote a letter to the school newspaper about the event. The article generated talk on campus about what the Iraq war really means to people and what effects it has actually had on people around the world.

CU Boulder

For the Iraq Moratorium Colorado University at Boulder Young Democratic Socialists group decided that the most democratic way to express their disinterest in the war would be for the school community to voice and express their opposition to the Iraq War by placing their name on a graffiti wall. The wall was labeled “CU Students against the Iraq War”. This wall was great for several reasons: 1) It was cheap, 2) It was quick to make and 3) all of the students that have bottled their frustrations with the war had a chance to show the school that they do not support the war in a simple way.

The chapter also had a table with YDS material and Iraq Moratorium information. Members wore black arm-bands to symbolize support against the Iraq war and passed out material on YDS’s stance against the War. Next time they would like to go a little bigger, but this was a good start to the year.

Butler University

During the Iraq Moratorium a campus organization had a special discussion entitled “Buddhist Perspectives in Peace.” YDS Butler University President Dakota Denzel Manuel handed out the National Youth and Student Peace Coalition “Books not Bombs” buttons. The YDS chapter is looking to co-sponsor future events with other like-mined groups around the Iraq Moratorium.

Stuyvesant

The Stuyvesant High School Young Democratic Socialists wore their “Books not Bombs” buttons. They sent out emails telling their friends and classmates about the Iraq Moratorium. They are looking forward to future events and working with the New York City peace movement.

Michigan State University

Michigan State University Young Democratic Socialists members stayed after a meeting to make the arm-bands with the peace slogan “Books Not Bombs.” They wore them around to our classes, work, and out in public on Friday September 21st. Members promised to talk to people about the Iraq war if they were asked about why they were wearing the armband. The chapter kept it pretty simple at this time; however this was just the kick-off and events will get more serious. The group had a pretty good discussion after that and came up with some other things they could do in the future. Because they are located in Lansing, the capital of Michigan, they’re able to do something at the capitol building or at the Congressional representative’s downtown offices.

University of Central Arkansas

The Iraq Moratorium started out really well for the University of Central Arkansas Young Democratic Socialists. There were hand bracelets given out all over campus. The bracelets were handmade yellow and black: the black representing the need to bring the troops home while yellow retains the meaning of supporting the troops. There was a great response from people. Those who were reached and got bracelets were very supportive and wanted to know what more they could do. The chapter is going to make sure there is more publicity about the Iraq Moratorium on campus. This event will be the start of many more to come!

Las Vegas

The Iraq Moratorium was a huge success at Meadows High School. The Young Democratic Socialists chapter was able to distribute 122 armbands on Friday September 21^st in addition to a huge amount of literature during the week prior to the event.

Wooster College

On the day of the Iraq Moratorium the Wooster YDS wore the black armbands with “Books not Bombs” written on them or the National Youth and Student Peace Coalition’s “Books not Bombs” buttons. They used a white out pen to write the message on the rest of the armbands. Some armbands were made at the meeting before the event so members would already have them. Then on that day the group tabled and passed out the armbands, the Democratic Socialists of America’s stance on the Iraq War, and a self-produced piece about the true meaning of peace and violence. Then at 1 PM a speech was given to further explain why we wear the armbands and what peace means to a Democratic Socialist. The tabling continued that night and by the end of it we were out of fabric, which was impressive since we started out with 3 yards. The event went very well and many people were interested not only in the project, but also the group as well.

Videos thanks to Activist Nation!  Learn more about Activist Nation at www.activistnation.net.

"Building a Progressive Majority" Plenary video

"Whose Labor Movement?" Workshop video

"Building an Organized Socialist Voice" Workshop video   

        "Building Progressive Majority Plenary"  "Building an Organized Socialist Voice" Workshop

SUBWAY TRAVEL

Take the A / C / E / 1 / 2 / 3 / 7 / N / R / Q / W / S / B / D / F / V to Times Square / 42^nd Street

Exit at the corner of 42^nd St and 8^th Ave.

Walk north one block to 43^rd St.

Take a left on 43^rd St. Arrive at 310 W43rd St

From Penn Station: Take the A / C / E / 1 / 2 / 3 Uptown/Queens to Times Square / 42^nd Street. You can also walk north on 8^th Ave toward 35^th St to 43^rd Street and take a left to 310 W43rd.

From Port Authority: Walk North on 9^th Ave towards W 43^rd St.

Turn Right on W 43^rd St.

From Grand Central: Take the S / 7 Downtown to Times Square / 42^nd St.

TRANSPORTATION FROM ALL NEW YORK AIRPORTS

New York Airport Service Express Bus ($15)

(718) 875-8200

From All Airports

To Port Authority, Grand Central Terminal, Penn Station (45-65 min)

Every 15-30 minutes
6:15 AM - 10:10 PM

TRANSPORTATION FROM JFK AIRPORT

AirTrain JFK                Every 4-8 minutes, 6AM-11PM

                                    Every 12 minutes, 11PM-6AM

By Subway

AirTrain JFK ($5)

Connect to the A Train at Howard Beach Station ($2)

Uptown A to Times Square / 42^nd Street

By Long Island Rail Road

AirTrain JFK ($5)

Connect to the Long Island Rail Road at Jamaica Station ($7)

Direct to Penn Station (35 min)

Trans-Bridge Bus Line ($12)

1-800-962-9135

To Port Authority

Three trips daily:
3:30 PM
5:30 PM
7:00 PM

Super Shuttle Manhattan ($17 - $19)

1-800-258-3826
Shared door to door service
On Demand
24 hours

Airlink ($17)

1-877-599-8200 or 718-560-3900
Shared door to door service

On Demand
24 hours

TRANSPORTATION FROM LAGUARDIA AIRPORT

Take the M60 bus to Astoria Blvd

Take the N/W Train towards Manhattan to Times Square

Take the Q19B or Q33  bus to 74 Street-Broadway / Roosevelt Av

Transfer to the E, F, R, or V Train

Take the R Train towards Manhattan to Times Square

Take the E Train towards Manhattan to Times Square

Take the F/V Train towards Manhattan to Times Square

TRANSPORTATION FROM NEWARK AIRPORT

Newark AirTran (Free)                6 AM to 11 PM - Every 4-8 minutes

                                                11 PM to 6 AM - Every 12 minutes

By New Jersey Transit

AirTrain to New Jersey Transit ($5.50)

New Jersey Transit to Penn Station (30 min.)

By Amtrak

AirTrain to Amtrak ($40)

Amtrak to Penn Station (40 min)

Newark Airport Express Bus ($12)

(212) 964-6233 or (908) 354-3330

To Port Authority Bus Terminal (30-45 min)

Every 30 - 60 minutes

4:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Olympia Airport Express ($12)

(212) 964-6233 or (908) 354-3330

To 120 East 41st Street

Go east on E 41^st St towards Lexington Ave
Turn left onto Lexington Ave

Entrance near intersection of E 42^nd St and Lexington Ave.

Take the S / 7 to 42^nd St / Times Square

Exit near intersection of W 42^nd St and 8^th Ave

TRAIN AND BUS TRAVEL

BUSES/TRAINS FROM MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

www.amtrak.com

Arrives at Penn Station

www.greyhound.com/home.asp

Arrives at Port Authority

Limited arrivals at Church and Chambers

www.peterpanbus.com

Arrives at Port Authority

www.todaybus.com

BUSES FROM BOSTON

www.bostondeluxe.com

$30 Round-trip

Arrives at 32^nd St and Broadway

Subway entrance near intersection of 32^nd St and Broadway

Take the Uptown / Queens N / R / W / Q to Times Square / 42^nd St

Exit near intersection of W 42^nd St and 8^th Ave

www.fungwahbus.com

$15 One-way

Arrives at 139 Canal St

Go west on Canal St towards Manhattan Bridge

Subway entrance near intersection of Canal St and Centre St

Take the Uptown / Queens N / R / W / Q to Times Square / 42^nd St

Exit near intersection of W 42^nd St and 8^th Ave

BUSES FROM WASHINGTON DC

www.washny.com

$35 Round-trip

Arrives at 378 W. 34^th St.

(Leaves from 303 W. 34^th St.)

Walk east 1 block to Penn Station

Subway entrance near intersection of W 34^th St and 8^th Ave

Take the Uptown / Queens A / C / E / 1 / 2 / 3 to Times Square / 42^nd St

Exit near intersection of W 42^nd St and 8^th Ave

TRAVEL BY CAR

Directions to W 43^rd and 8^th Ave

From the New Jersey Turnpike

Head southwest on I-95 / New Jersey Turnpike S (toll road)

Take exit 12 toward Carteret / Rahway (partial toll road)

Keep left at the fork to continue toward Industrial Hwy / IndustrialRd and merge onto Industrail Hwy / Industrial Rd

Turn left at Salt Meadow Rd

Make a U-turn

Turn right at Industrial Hwy / Industrial Rd

Turn right onto Turnpike N ramp (partial roll)

Follow signs for Cars Only and merge onto I-95 N (partial toll)

Take exit 16E toward Lincoln Tunnel (partial toll)

Merge onto RT-495E [signs for Lincoln Tunnel / RT-495E] (partial toll)

Continue on I-495E / Lincoln Tunnel

Take exit on left toward I-495E / 42^nd St / RT-9A / All Points

Merge onto Dyer Ave

Turn right at W 42^nd St

Turn left at 8^th Ave

From the Governor John Davis Lodge Turnpike

Head west on I-95S (partial toll)

Take the Cross Bronx Expy / I-95S / I-678 S exit toward Geo Washington Bridge / Whitestone Bridge

Keep left at the fork to continue toward Cross Bronx Expy / I-95S and merge onto Cross Bronx Expy / I-95S

Take exit 1 to merge onto RT-9A S

Turn left at W 42^nd St [signs for W 42^nd St / I-495W / Lincoln Tun]

Turn left at 8^th Ave

From the George W. Bridge

Head east on George Washington Bridge / I-95N

Take exit 1 on left for H Hudson Pkwy S / RT-9A S

Merge onto RT-9A S

Turn left at W 42^nd St [signs for W 42^nd St / I-495W / Lincoln Tun]

Turn left at 8^th Ave

From Saw Mill Parkway

Head southwest on Saw Mill Pkwy S / Saw Mill River Pkwy S

Continue on Henry Hudson Pkwy (partial toll)
Continue on 12^th Ave / RT-9A S / West Side Hwy

Turn left at W 42^nd St [signs for W 42^nd St / I-495W / Lincoln Tun]

Turn left at 8^th Ave

Workshop Title

Topics

Building an Organized Socialist Voice: How to Start or Strengthen Your YDS Chapter

How to start a YDS chapter with a solid and diverse foundation.  Exercises and small groups

Allies in Struggle: Doing Coalition Work Right (Special Focus on Race)

What is an "ally"?  How can YDS chapters build with students of color?

Allies in Struggle: Doing Coalition Work Right (Special Focus on Gender)

What is an "ally" How can YDS be a good coalition partner is terms of gender.

Public Socialist Education: A Cornerstone of YDS Activism

How to conduct socialist education along with your coalition work

Capitalism 101

How does capitalism work and what's wrong with it?  How to refute common myths. 

What Kind of Reforms Should We Fight For

Which reforms are better than others and shift power relationships? Emphasis on labor, racial justice, and voting rights.

Immigration and Capitalism

The Democratic Socialist perspective on immigration.  Discussing how capitalism fostering poor immigration conditions and what socialists can do to challenge the status quo.

Affirmative Action: What it is and Why Your Group Should Use it

How to diversify your chapter the right way, understand affirmative action, institutional racism and sexism, and confront "colorblind racism” and the new rhetoric of the right-wing.

YDS and the Anti-war Movement

Group discussions and brainstorms on our national and local peace work.  Focus on National  Youth Student Peace Coalition, Iraq, and Israel/Palestine.

YDS Fundamentals: Talking Democratic Socialism and YDS

What are our core beliefs?  How do we articulate them in short?  What is YDS' activism?  How do you talk up YDS in terms of ideology and activities.  Small groups and exercises.

YDS Fundamentals: Chums and Bums

Where does YDS stand on the spectrum of the left?  With other leftists: where we have common ground, where we break, and why YDS is the best choice for youth activism

Student Debt

The crisis of student debt is an issue face by increasing number of students and graduates.  How can we fight student debt as socialist activist?  What is our add-value compared to other youth activists on this issue.

Who's Labor Movement?

What organized role do socialists and progressives play in the labor movement?  What role do we play as socialist youth in building the labor movement of tomorrow?  

Plenary

Building the Progressive Majority: Our Role in the 2008 Elections

A forum to review DSA's view on electoral politics & strategies for DSA, YDS, and the democratic Left for the upcoming 2008 elections.

Dates: Saturday and Sunday (8/11-12)
Location: Local 1199 310 W 43^rd St between 8^th and 9^th Ave [directions]

Click here for CONFERENCE SCHEDULE 

The political stakes are high as we approach 2008. This past spring showcased numerous heated battles within the American polity. The American Left, especially the youth, need a coherent and collective response to national divisions on issues such as the war in Iraq, education, and immigration. When the Left does unite in mass rallies and gatherings, however, it is often difficult for us share our respective ideas and beliefs - let alone get to know one another. For those reasons, and more, YDS is hosting a Socialist Summer School to join our student activism with our socialist values. Having a solid socialist foundation makes any progressive activist smarter and stronger. The Socialist Summer School is an excellent opportunity for young movement builders to get together and learn from one another while at the same time discovering new and different ways to organize and bring about positive change. With a smaller, more intimate setting, individual voices will carry greater weight and we can have a stronger flow of ideas. Don't pass up this invitation to a weekend of building not only the progressive movement, but friendships with the people who share your life-long commitment to social change.

PLANNING YOUR TRIP / FUNDRAISING / GETTING TO NEW YORK CITY:
People come to YDS conferences from all over the country. If you are coming from out of town, it is important to plan your trip as early as possible. We're committed to ensuring that everyone who wants to come to the Socialist Summer School is able to attend. We're offering travel scholarships and housing accommodations for those coming to NYC by plane, bus, car, or train (more info below), on a limited, first-come, first-served basis with preference given to YDS activists.  However, we highly recommend that you fundraise to help cover costs. Click here for great tips on travel planning, economizing and fundraising, from getting cheap plane tickets, hosting events to raise money, to hitting up your student government for funds. Please remember that plane tickets are typically cheaper the further in advance you purchase them and that Student Government Associations often require plenty of advance notice if you are requesting special funds from them. Do plan ahead!

YDS Fundraising Tips

CARPOOLING - NEED / OFFER RIDES TO NYC?
If you are within driving distance of New York City and are in need of a ride, let us know and we can check to see if others planning to attend in your area can offer you one. If you have extra space in your vehicle, please let us know. We encourage you to carpool to the conference with other friends and activists. There will be space on the on-line registration form to offer or request rides.

HOUSING ACCOMMODATIONS IN NEW YORK CITY:
We are working to provide out-of-town conference goers with free housing.  If you live in New York City, or have friends/family that can house additional conference attendees, please notify us.  Here is a link to affordable hostels in NYC . YDS has obtained a discount rate for conference goers at the Chelsea Star Hotel, but conference goers must register on their own.   

REQUESTING HOUSING OR TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIPS:
You can request or offer housing assistance and/or travel scholarships once the on-line registration forms are available (by July 27^th). YDS has a limited budget to help subsidize travel costs. Preference is given to YDS members and those wanting to start YDS chapters. If you request a travel scholarship, please fill out the appropriate information on the registration form or contact us at the email address below with your details. We will respond to you shortly to let you know if your scholarships request has been granted and how much financial assistance YDS can provide.
 
REGISTRATION & COSTS:
Registration costs for the entire conference will be based on a sliding scale of $25-$50 (subject to change).  Special consideration for low-income individuals will be made with priority given to YDS members and those starting chapters.  On-line registration forms will be available by July 27^th.  Registration fees include conference materials, admission to all conference sessions, light breakfast and lunch Saturday and Sunday, and admission to Saturday night's party.

GREAT WAY TO END THE SUMMER!

The Socialist Summer School takes place on Saturday and Sunday, August 11^th and 12^th. Since it's the end of the summer, YDS members will have an opportunity to meet just before they return to their respective campuses.
 
QUESTIONS OR CONFERENCE IDEAS:
If you have any questions about the conference, please get in touch with the contact information provided below.  If you have ideas or suggestions you would like to propose to conference planners, if you would like to volunteer to help with preparations or to assist during the conference itself, don't hesitate to email or call us.