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When: August 8-10th, 2008
Where: The Valley Brook Inn and Cottages (Wurtsboro, NY)
Registration: http://dsausa.org/yds/Aug2008/confreg.html
POLITICAL CONTEXT
In 2004, the members of Young Democratic Socialists worked tirelessly to defeat George W. Bush. Undoubtedly, our actions were on the right side of history. Four years later, despite growing anti-Republican sentiment in the country, the nomination of Sen. John McCain provides the real possibility that the GOP can maintain control of the White House. Democratic Illinois Sen. Barack Obama has engaged and mobilized a great many young people and his candidacy provides the opportunity for a long overdue national conversation on racism. His campaign has attracted key youth constituencies - progressive students, young people of color, anti-war activists, and more - of a broad and strong movement for social change. We know, however, that critical support for Obama even if he wins does not automatically translate into progressive victories. How YDS and its members choose to relate to this group is a critical choice not only for the coming months, but the following years.
The winner of this election will shape the climate under which social movements will operate during the next four years, and beyond. YDS calls on its members for this special summer conference to strategize how we as an organization and individuals will approach the coming months which include the Democratic National Convention, fall semester mobilizing, and Election Day.
This is one the defining political moments of your youth. Don’t sit on the sidelines.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The 2008 Socialist Summer Retreat is a unique opportunity for YDS members and activists to get away from it all, to remember why we do what we do and to learn how better acheive our goals. There will be workshops and discussions on building YDS, organizing on campuses, creating a progressive majority, socialist analysis, anti-oppression, organizing strategies around the November elections and beyond, as well as, other political and social priorities for youth and student activists. Come to the retreat to meet young and veteran organizers from around the country in a wonderful outdoor setting. We’ll partake in partying, video screenings, and plenty of out-door fun (like swimming and volleyball) in between workshops and trainings. Most importantly, this is a great way to wrap up the summer, make new (and sometimes life-long) friends and get ready for a fall of campus and community activism.
CURRENT PROGRAM
Take a look at our weekend program and schedule. It’s still tentative, so we welcome your questions and comments. We do intend to cover a range of issues related to student and youth activism, including labor rights, the educational system, aspects of exploitation, oppression, and privilege, the environment, the November elections, and more. On Sunday, we’ll vote on adopting our annual Activist Agenda, which outlines YDS’s national priorities. We’ll also consider constitutional amendments and elect the coming year’s volunteer leadership body. Check out the recent discussion about the pros and cons of renaming YDS to “Campus DSA” on The Activist here. You can read previous commentary on the amendment here.
SCHEDULE
There will be YDSers at the Valley Brook Inn starting early on Friday, August 8th. Conference-goers are welcome to join us for preparation, games, barbecuing and other fun activities. The official opening session will begin Friday evening, followed by a organized activity. Saturday morning sessions will begin at 10am after breakfast. The conference ends Sunday afternoon. If you wish to hang out with other YDSers before or after the retreat, please let us know and we see what is possible. Please let us know, if you can, when you are scheduled to arrive at the conference and when you will be leaving.
GETTING TO THE CONFERENCE
The conference is conveniently located at the Valley Brook Inn in Wurtsboro, NY (approx. 90 to 120 minutes drive north of New York City). The exact address is 201 Kingston Ave, Rt. 209. Wurtsboro, NY 12790-7705.
If you are taking a plane to get to the conference, the closest airport to the Valley Brook Inn is the Stewart International Airport. It is about 40 miles from Wurtsboro and you can get transportation information to Wurtsboro the airport website here. You can also fly into the John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark, New Jersey airports. There is a bus (Short Line) that leaves regularly from Port Authority in Times Square in NYC stopping right by the conference location. The Metro-North train, which leaves from New York Pennsylvania Station (commonly referred to as Penn Station), goes to Middletown, NY. Middletown is about 15 miles from Wurtsboro. For taxis service in Middletown, click here. It’s approximately a 20 minutes ride and should cost around $25. You can get directions to Port Authority and Penn Station here.
With advanced notice, with the exception of airports, we can help coordinate rides. If you are coming from out of town 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 are driving, you will be able to park your car at the retreat center. Please let us know if you can offer a ride to others. On the registration form you can indicate if you want or can give a ride. With the rising costs of gas, carpooling remains an excellent way to save money.
For directions from airports to Port Authority and Penn Station click here.
FUNDRAISING AND OTHER TRAVEL TIPS
There are great last minute tips at the website below 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 to book your travel early! Plane tickets tend to be more expensive the longer you wait. Keep this list of fundraising tips handy. It can come in use in the future: http://www.ydsusa.org/news/tips-on-conference-economizing.html
We’re committed to ensuring that everyone who wants to come is able to attend. We are thus offering limited scholarships. YDS has a limited budget to help subsidize travel costs. Please consider fundraising to help cover costs (see above and ask us for tips on how to do this). 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 email your answers to yds@dsausa.org. Applications are due July 21st. We will let you know by August 1st if and what you have been allotted. We will contact you promptly to let you know if your scholarship request has been granted and how much financial assistance YDS can provide.
COST
Conference registration costs include housing accommodations, all meals, parties and extensive resource materials. Pre-registration rate payments must be made online or postmarked by Thursday July 21st. A nonrefundable deposit of $75 must be made by July 21sts. If necessary, the rest can be paid on site.
Student/Unemployed Rates
$135 Friday to Sunday student/unemployed pre-registration rate ($175 regular)
$135 Thursday to Saturday student/unemployed pre-registration rate ($175 regular)
$200 Thursday to Sunday student/unemployed pre-registration rate ($250 regular)
$80 Thursday to Friday student/unemployed pre-registration rate ($100 regular)
$89 Friday to Saturday student/unemployed pre-registration rate ($109 regular)
$89 Saturday to Sunday student/unemployed pre-registration rate ($109 regular)
Youth Employed Rates
$175 Friday to Sunday employed pre-registration rate ($200 regular)
$175 Thursday to Saturday employed pre-registration rate ($200 regular)
$240 Thursday to Sunday employed pre-registration rate ($280 regular)
$109 Thursday to Friday employed pre-registration rate ($119 regular)
$115 Friday to Saturday employed pre-registration rate ($135 regular)
$115 Saturday to Sunday employed pre-registration rate ($135 regular)
If you have special financial circumstances and need help with costs, you can let us know on the registration form. There is a scholarship application form with three questions. Applications are due by July 21st.
HOUSING ACCOMMODATIONS
Housing accommodations will be provided at the Valley Brook Inn.
Conference goers are encouraged to bring their own:
- Towels
- Toiletries
- Camera
- Flashlight
- Sunscreen
- Bathing Suit
Click here for more information and to register on-line.
(Contact us if you have any trouble registering).
COORDINATING COMMITTEE
Every year YDS democratically elects a new Coordinating Committee (CC) which helps provide political leadership and organizing support for the organization. All YDS members can run for these positions (including those who renew their membership or officially join YDS for the first time). Please let us know if you intend to run for the CC at the conference or in absentia. This is a great opportunity to help organize left-wing students and youth on a national scale. You can find out more about what Coordinating Committee members do and about the YDS’s constitution here: www.ydsusa.org/constitution.html
ACTIVIST AGENDA
We shall be adopting a new 2008-2009 Activist Agenda the YDS conference and retreat. We would like input from you about what should be YDS’s campaign strategy and organizing priorities for the coming academic calendar year. Activist Agenda items must be submitted a month before the conference; alternative language to proposals must be submitted before the conference. You can take a look at the Activist Agenda we passed last year to get a sense of ideas for the coming conference. We shall make new proposals available for public commenting. A good deal of our nationally coordinated actions stemmed from last year’s Activist Agenda.
Please plan ahead, help us spread the word to activists in your area, and see about bringing other committed organizers to our conference at the castle! Feel free to contact us with any questions you might have at 212-727-8610 or at yds@dsausa.org.
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