SSDP Voice - Issue 2 - September 2006

Conference Update: Just Say Know

Mark your calendars: "Just Say Know: The 2006 SSDP International Conference" will be held at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., November 17-19 2006. This year promises to be the biggest and best SSDP conference ever! We have a packed schedule full of information, networking, and opportunities for creating change on campus and beyond.

The SSDP International Conference is the one event at which campus drug policy activists from across the country and the world come together to network, strategize, socialize, and recharge. It’s the most important SSDP gathering of the year, and for the 2006 conference we expect a record number of attendees from campuses across the United State and Canada.

Here’s the rundown of events:

Thursday: Early reception & monument walking tour

An evening reception will greet attendees who are able to arrive on Thursday. After drinks and mingling, the SSDP D.C. team will lead a scenic walking tour of the city's monuments.

Friday: DARE Generation Lobby Day

On Friday morning, we’ll train activists in the fine art of lobbying Congress. Then everyone will head to Capitol Hill to meet with our congressional representatives, taking our concerns to our legislators’ doorsteps. We’ll demand reform, focusing on legislation that’s pending at the time of the conference. Later, SSDPers will caucus with colleagues from their regions, to discuss regional strategies and events.

Saturday: Drug Policy Education Day

Saturday will focus on drug policy education, with a full slate of experts and plenty of time for discussion and debate. Topics will include the HEA Aid Elimination Penalty, race and the drug war, harm reduction, marijuana policy, dorm policy, and much more. 

Sunday: Activist Training Day

Sunday will be a full day of action-oriented workshops, including sessions on media relations, fundraising, campus change campaign training, fundraising, coalition building, organizing rallies, and more.

Throughout the weekend, the SSDP Congress will meet to vote on agenda-setting resolutions and to elect the newest members of the Board of Directors. Each chapter is entitled to one vote, though all chapters’ representatives can deliberate together to reach a consensus.

To house conference participants, SSDP has reserved a block of rooms at the historic Phoenix Park Hotel, one block from Union Station and two blocks from the conference. Rooms with one bed are $109 and rooms with two beds are $129. These are only available until October 24, so make your reservations soon!

Don’t miss your chance to meet with fellow activists, build your chapter’s knowledge base, contribute to SSDP’s national agenda, and speak out to your elected officials!

To register online, get hotel info, or apply for scholarships, go to www.ssdp.org/conference/.

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