Spring Forum 2005: Thomas Frank
What's the Matter with Kansas?
How Conservatives Won the Heart of America
Tuesday, March 1, 2005, 7 p.m. 9 p.m.
Friends Meeting House, 15th and Cherry Streets
In What's The Matter With Kansas? witty and insightful author Thomas Frank argues that over the last thirty-five years the Republican Party has transformed its image from an aristocratic minority into the nation's dominant political party and a true friend of the worker. The strategy by which it has won this triumph is both instantly familiar and so bizarre that it is sometimes hard to believe it's been successful. How has a right-wing class war grown so powerful? How is it that in places like once-liberal Kansas, the Right draws headlines with high profile campaigns against evolution and abortion? What can we in Pennsylvania learn from the experience of Kansas?
Thomas Frank is a best-selling author and the editor of The Baffler magazine. He is a contributor to The Nation, Harper's, In These Times, and The Chicago Reader.
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Build Your Activist Board
Session 1: Thursday, April 7, 6 p.m. 9 p.m.
Session 2: Thursday, April 14, 6 p.m. 9 p.m.
Friends Center, 1501 Cherry Street
Groups are strongly encouraged to send board and staff members and to attend both sessions.
Does your group's Board of Directors (Steering Committee or other governing body) understand its role and duties? In two interactive sessions, participants will explore recruitment and orientation of great board members, the role of a board in fundraising, and the development and use of Board manuals. Participants will also discuss ways to develop useful and efficient action-oriented meetings and to involve and mentor non-contributing board members.
Fernando Chang-Muy, Non-Profit Management Consultant
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Making Meetings Work
Session 1: Thursday, March 3, 6 p.m. 9 p.m.
Session 2: Thursday, March 10, 6 p.m. 9 p.m.
Friends Center, 1501 Cherry Street
Participants are strongly encouraged to attend both sessions.
Have you experienced the power and punch of a well-run meeting? Do you know how to facilitate meetings effectively? In session one, participants will hone skills for moving through the turbulence of group dynamics while reviewing the basics of meeting facilitation. Session two will offer methods for effectively handling conflicts, ranging from factions and rivalries to simple disagreements. Participants will develop skills for facilitating small groups through conflict situations and practice specific techniques to apply immediately.
Rebecca Subar, Non-Profit Management Consultant
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Entering Philadelphia Politics:
How and Why to Become A Committeeperson
Wednesday, May 18, 6 p.m. 8 p.m.
1199C Union of Hospital and Healthcare Workers
Want to ensure that party leaders know the opinions of their constituents? Dreaming of a new position from which to get out the vote in support of candidates? Ever considered being elected to office? Becoming a Committeeperson is a great way to take a first step into local party politics. This workshop will talk about the process, responsibilities and opportunities of this position.
Shoshana Bricklin, Ninth Ward Committeeperson
