2008 Club Conference Guidelines

GUIDELINES FOR 2008 CLUB CONFERENCES

Political Context:

Americans of all hues and persuasions are sick and tired of the policies of the Bush administration and the right. Tens of millions of new and recurrent voters are being driven to the polls by an irresistible desire for basic change, for a progressive agenda that favors the people, not the corporations and the rich. But everything depends on being able to win a landslide defeat of the Republicans in November.

So everything we and others do should be seen in the framework of the November elections -- will it help or hurt the goal of a landslide victory?

Organizing the meeting:

1. The meeting should be well planned, with plenty of time for discussion.

2. Pay attention to the atmosphere, making it warm and inviting, with food and a cultural/social element.

3. The club should discuss which friends of the Party to invite. Mass work activists will bring new dimensions of the political/labor/economic scene into the meeting, but be wary of inviting people we don’t know at all, who may be "wingnuts" and could disrupt the conference.

4. The political framework set by the National Committee and the District Committee & Board should guide deliberations. Club members, especially chairs and other leaders, should be acquainted with Sam Webb's report, "On the Road Again," and his most recent analysis, “A people's surge that could reshape our country” (PWW 2.16.08). As well, the March NC reports should be utilized once they’re available.

5. Everyone should be encouraged to express her/his views! The unique experience of each conference participant is key to drawing collective conclusions that fit the particular needs of the club and result in a common club plan for the year that everyone will enthusiastically help carry out. Just as importantly, club experiences and conclusions help shape and fine-tune Party policy and decisions at the national and district level.

Purpose of conference:

A. Review last year’s work, drawing the lessons, including positive accomplishments we can build on. The club leadership should collectively prepare that review and make sure club members get to see it in advance, so that it can be adequately discussed.

B. Make plans for this year, to better connect with the labor-community coalition with emphasis on the grassroots in the workplace, neighborhood or campus. We should dig into the “how” of our coalition work, so that we encourage comrades to look at deepening the content of those relationships, bringing the PWW, working closely with people to move that work forward, as well as looking for people we can bring around the Party.

C. Identify the focus of club work in the elections! This is key; no club plan should be missing this.

D. Single out the key one or two things to move the club forward – make it realistic. What will increase mass influence and lead to new members and PWW readers? At the same time, what will guarantee retention and political development of new and old members?

E. Find ways to involve everyone in the work.

F. Elect a chair and, preferably, a second exec. member – clubs need at least two to have a collective leadership.

G. Get all members paid up in dues and sustainers.

Things to discuss:

In considering the following list of items to take up in your club conference, keep in mind the particular circumstances of your club – not everything will fit.

With millions in motion for progressive change, we’ll want to be bold but realistic at the same time, and involve as many club members and friends as possible in the plans.

a. First and foremost, how will the club, its members and friends play a role in the elections?

b. How will the club become better connected with activists, organizations and movements in your area as well as co-workers, neighbors, friends and family of club members?

c. How will the club develop its work with the PWW? What goals can the club set for new subs? Are we casting a wide enough net? Do we see the paper as a very broad tool, that is useful to people in the mass movements, that will help build the movement necessary to win in November? Are members using small bundles to develop person-to-person contact? Are there regular distributions?

d. Recruitment/retention of new members: Is the club developing its mailing list? Who’s targeted for recruitment? When you talk about the elections work, try to get as concrete as possible about who you’d like to bring closer to the Party over the next 8 months.

What success are we having integrating new members into the work of the club? What special efforts are we making to develop relations with African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, Native Americans, trade unionists, youth? Key to recruiting, retention and political development of new and old members is what the club does to make meetings interesting, action oriented, educational and fun, so everyone will look forward to the next meeting?

e. A well functioning exec is key to guaranteeing a well functioning club! But, everyone in the club has to do her/his part as well! How can the functioning of the club be stabilized? Is there a regular meeting date?

g. Public presence: What public events can the club organize? Forums? Social and cultural activities? Brunches or dinners? How can club meetings be more open to non-members?

h. When the economic crisis, the war, etc. hits "close to home," is the club there to help its members?

i. What steps can the club take toward designating a workplace, neighborhood or campus as its area of concentration?