KFTC's 2015 Annual Membership Meeting

Friday, August 21

Registration Opens

Welcome! Please register and receive your room or cottage key at the KFTC registration table in the foyer of Butler Lodge. 

Registration Continued

If you arrive after 7 p.m., please go directly to the conference center to register.  You will receive your room or cottage key at the KFTC registration table in the foyer of the conference center.  

Welcome, Opening, and Featured Activity

Among KFTC’s nine goals of organizing is “Have fun!” Come join us on Friday evening to laugh and choose joy while we challenge each other and work together. We’re offering interactive, team-building games that are designed to spark different ways of problem-solving and building trust with each other – all helpful to the “All In” work of building new power. All ages are welcome!

Social Time: PAARRTTAY at the Lake 

Join DJ Yared and KFTC members for music, mingling and dancing by the Lake at the large picnic shelter. Soda, juice, water and light snacks provided. To get to the picnic shelter, you will need to drive (shuttles available). There is a large parking lot near the shelter with ample space to park.

Saturday, August 22

Breakfast

Opening and Welcome

All-In: Uniting Around a Progressive Vision for Kentucky

KFTC has a powerful and large vision for change in Kentucky. And we believe we are in a political and economic moment where we have huge opportunities to bring Kentuckians together across lines of difference and find where our interests meet, intersect, and build a movement from that place of where we all come together. Join us for the opening of KFTC’s annual meeting where we will:

• Have a video conversation with widely respected national labor organizer and KFTC ally Ai-Jen Poo to learn about why she believes All-In is so important to the moment we are in.

• Explore how the Obama administration’s historic work to cut carbon emissions from coal-burning power plants can be a moment for KFTC to build the call for a new economy rooted in good jobs, cleaner energy, and more people participating in decisions affecting our lives.

• Get into the details by hearing from powerful grassroots leaders working in their own Kentucky communities talking about the ways that they are doing ‘All-In’ organizing that is making a difference. They will also share their thoughts on what is needed to broaden and build the progressive movement in Kentucky. 

Talk with others at our own tables about what we think ‘All-In’ community-building and organizing looks like and what opportunities we see to build a broader, more progressive base of people working for change in our communities.                  

Break

All-In: Uniting Around a Progressive Vision for Kentucky

Continued

Group Photo

Please join us for a few minutes on the front steps of the conference center for the famous KFTC group photo. All children in childcare will be brought to the front steps to join their parents for the picture. 

Lunch

LUNCH DISCUSSIONS:  If you are inclined, please join one of the optional and information lunch topic discussions. The different topics will be in the different corners of the room. Look for the table markings to help find the right spot.  Depending on the size of the groups that form, you may need to move chairs or tables to accommodate the size group. 

KFTC 101:

Are you new to KFTC and looking for a space to just learn a little bit more about this big ‘ole organization?  Have a question you would like to ask but feel intimidated to do it in a large setting? Then join this table to learn a little about KFTC and have any questions answered.  Look for Carissa Lenfert.

Membership Stewardship:

Join other KFTC members for a lunchtime discussion about membership. Everyone has a story about how they got involved with KFTC. What’s your membership story? What have you gained from being a member of KFTC? We’ll talk about why membership is so important to building KFTC’s power, and how asking others to join, renew or become Sustaining Givers is an essential way that we build power. We’ll discuss what makes asking hard and ways we can make folks feel welcome and invested in KFTC’s work. Look for Amy Hogg and E’beth Adami.

#BlackLivesMatter:

“This is Not a Moment. It is a Movement.” Want to meet up and talk to others working against anti-Black racism and against systematic violence targeted at Black lives? Join us at this table to connect with others involved in the movement and learn more about what is going on with the #BlackLivesMatter movement in Kentucky. Look for Pam Newman, Ashley Belcher, and Carla Wallace.

Fairness for all Kentuckians:

Now that all Kentuckians have the right to marry who we love, isn’t it time all Kentuckians have the right to not be discriminated against. Join others who are working to pass local Fairness Ordinances in their communities to learn more about the local work and also how to connect to work for LGBTQ rights in the State Legislature in 2016. Look for Michael Aldridge.

TPP: the potential impacts on Kentucky

This is a conversation to learn more about the Trans-Pacific Partnership Deal that, so far, is not passing Congress. The ramifications of the TPP could impact jobs and KY’s work for clean energy. Come learn more, get familiar with it, and share your ideas for how folks can become more engaged.

Saturday Afternoon Workshops

Choose one of six exciting workshops meant to build our individual and collective skills.

(c)All(ing) In: Organizing White People for Racial Justice I (Kentucky Room)

When discrimination is wiped out of our laws, habits, and hearts.” As a social justice organization predominately of white people and working for racial justice and immigrants’ rights, KFTC is perfectly positioned to move Kentucky toward this shared vision. White people have to show up, speak out, and do this work. In this workshop, we will focus on how white people can engage other white people in racial justice efforts by calling them in to a deeper understanding of how privilege works, and how we can call other white folks in to wiping out discrimination. There is a second workshop on Sunday to continue the work by focusing on having challenging conversation. Feel free to attend either workshop or both workshops. Facilitators: Tanya Torp, Meta Mendel-Reyes, Nancy Reinhart and Jessica Hays Lucas

Making Change Beyond Frankfort: Building New Power Locally (Bluegrass Room)

This workshop will focus on how KFTC builds power on the local level, influences local decision makers, and how local work can energize statewide campaigns. Participants will learn more about organizing tools for effective, inclusive, and inspiring local issue campaigns. Facilitators: Ryan Fenwick, Lillian Prosperino and Alicia Hurle

Grassroots Organizing 101 (Commonwealth Room)

Want to learn more about how grassroots organizing helps ordinary people organize for change from the bottom up?  Come to this workshop to learn more about KFTC’s 33-year history, vision, and approach to change using grassroots community organizing. Facilitators: K.A. Owens, Jessie Skaggs and Molly Kaviar

Growing New Power through Nonviolent Direct Action (Woodland Room)

This workshop will provide an introduction to Nonviolent Direct Action as a powerful mean for working for social change. Participants will consider the symbolic and strategic role of nonviolent direct action, look at the history of NVDA in social change, talk about fears and consequences, and consider the place of nonviolent action in larger campaigns. Facilitators: Carla Wallace, Greg Capillo and Beth Howard

Roots & Wings: Intergenerational Movement Building (Burley Room)

When we’re all-in for a better Kentucky, our movement reflects the vision of our youngest, eldest, and all in between. Join this workshop for stories from and strategies for rural and urban communities about the sharing of leadership across generations. Facilitators: Herby Smith, Adrian Wallace and Enchanta Jackson

Break

Take a break and relax at General Butler among friends. Swimming, hiking, tennis, and much more are available to have some fun. 

Dinner & Awards Ceremony

Join us for a buffet-style banquet.  Once everyone has been through the buffet line and is seated, we will begin the evening program. The annual KFTC Awards Banquet is an opportunity to recognize members who have made exceptional contributions to our work during the past year. Over the years, many KFTC members have been arrested, lost jobs and overcome great personal adversity in the pursuit of change. These annual awards recognize courage, sacrifice, hard work, passion and commitment. Facilitators: Tanya and Christian Torp

Silent Auction Closes

Cultural Sharing Showcase & Dance Party

All are welcome to join us for an evening of cultural sharing followed by a good ‘ole fashioned dance party. To get to the picnic shelter, you will need to drive.  There is a large parking lot near the shelter with ample space to park. This is a great opportunity to share our diverse talents and customs with one another. Showcase participants will have the stage for three minutes and can share their talent (i.e.-singing, dancing, poetry, acrobatics, etc.) or part of their culture (i.e. cultural customs, a prayer, family heirloom, etc.). There will be a sign up sheet posted outside in the Conference Center all day Saturday. After the showcase we will keep the party going with some funky music and yummy snacks!

Sunday, August 23

Breakfast

Sunday Morning Workshops

Join us for the final set of breakout workshops (choose one)

What the Oil and Gas Boom Means for Kentucky: Fracking, Pipelines and the Ohio River (Commonwealth Room)

Come to this workshop to help build a collective knowledge about plans the oil and gas industry has for our future as Kentuckians, and what we can do about it. We’ll celebrate some local victories and develop an understanding of how we’re “All In” this effort together whether our concern is fracking, pipelines, the Ohio River, healthy communities or a clean energy future. Presenters: Angela Briggs, Elaine Tanner, Mary Love, Jessie Skaggs, Jerry Hardt

#BlackVotesMatter: How Voting Rights and Criminalization of Black People Stifles our Democracy in Kentucky (Bluegrass Room)

Across the nation people are unapologetically speaking out against the unjust treatment of Black and Brown communities. From police brutality to deportation, the criminalization of people of color has become a mainstream conversation. Mass incarceration is not only crippling our communities, it is also damaging our democracy. KFTC believes that our democracy works best when all people have the rights and resources to cast an informed vote. However, right now thousands of former felons in Kentucky aren’t able to vote although they have their time. This session will focus on the connection between voting rights and mass incarceration. Facilitators: Enchanta Jackson, Ashley Belcher, Attica Scott

(c)All(ing) In: Organizing White People for Racial Justice II (Kentucky Room)

If not us, who? This is the second of two workshops focusing on tools to support white people in reaching out to other white people to “wipe discrimination out of our laws, habits, and hearts.” In this workshop, we will focus on how to have challenging conversations that call white people in, instead of calling them out or giving them a pass, to racial justice work and creating anti-racist communities. Everyone is welcome! Facilitators: Tanya Torp, Meta Mendel-Reyes, and Jessica Hays Lucas

Organizing for the Common Wealth: KFTC’s Tax Justice Campaign (Burley Room)

We’ve known for years that to make our beautiful vision for Kentucky a reality that we need tax reform that is fair, adequate, and sustainable. We continue to work toward that vision, and with our new collaborative Kentucky Together campaign, we are making our voices louder and stronger. Come and participate in this workshop to learn more about our tax justice campaign and to fill your toolbox with ways to action. There is a role for everyone in this important work; come and discover yours.  Presenters: Alan Smith, Sasha Zaring, and Beth Bissmeyer. 

To Change Everything, It Takes Everybody: Climate Justice and Just Transition in Kentucky and Beyond (Woodland Room)

Come to this workshop to learn and become a part of KFTC’s approach to working on climate change. Participants will learn about and help develop KFTC’s plans to draft Kentucky’s own Clean Power Plan through a participatory public process in order to decrease carbon emissions, build a just transition, and create political will for New Power in the state. Facilitators: Ivy Brashear, Sean Hardy, and Sara Pennington

All Kentuckians Deserve a Home: Housing as a Human Right (River Room)

KFTC members and allies across the state are working to ensure that all Kentuckians have access to quality, affordable, accessible housing and demand just state and local housing policies. Learn more about this work and how you can get involved. Facilitators: Curtis Stauffer, Cathy Hinko, Jay Todd Richey, James Line and Leslie McBride

Break

Business Meeting

This is the time when we review and vote on KFTC’s issue platform, elect statewide officers, and approve new and returning KFTC chapters. Then we’ll fill out evaluation forms and say good-bye. 

Adjourn!