Schedule for 2009 NWU Assembly (IT'S IN CHICAGO)

SUMMER MEETINGS/DELEGATES ASSEMBLY AGENDA
University Center, 525 South State Street, Chicago
(this is downtown, a few blocks from the major train stations; at corner of State and Congress)

NOTE: I don't know why spaces don't work with this chart, but they don't so I'm using ----- in place of spaces


Wednesday, August 5
Time---------------- Event----------------------Location
11:30am-1 pm -------Lunch--------------------Dining Hall
2–6pm -----------GCD GO-CA Confab-------Emerson Room
6-7:30pm ------------Dinner------------------Dining Hall
7:45-9pm ---------NEC Meeting --------- Emerson Room


Thursday, August 6
Time ------------------------Event ---------------------Location
6:30-8:30am------------- Breakfast-------------------Dining Hall
8:30am–12pm----------- NEC Meeting---------------Emerson Room
noon–1:00pm---------------Lunch--------------------Dining Hall
1:30-3:45pm------------- NEB Meeting --------------Emerson Room
3–6 pm ------Delegates and Guests Registration -----Office, Rm. 1001
4–6 pm -------------Resolutions Committee ---------None listed
4:30–5:30pm-------- New Delegate Orientation -----Emerson Room
5–7:30pm------------------Dinner-------------------Dining Hall
7:1 5pm – ? ----------Resolutions Committee --------Quad, Rm. 1026


Friday, August 7
Time ---------------------------Event ------------Location
6:30-8:30am -----------------Breakfast ----------Dining1
8–9 am ----Delegates and Guests Registration ----Office, Rm. 1001

9–11:45am ---------------Morning Plenary: ------Dining1
------1. Larry Goldbetter, President, opening remarks;
------2. E. Jeanne Harnois, Treasurer’s report;
------3. Scott Sommer, Deputy Admin. (audit report)
------4. Google Settlement

12–1 pm -------------Lunch ---------------------Dining Hall
12–1 pm --------Women’s Committee ------------Dining Hall

1:15–4 pm-------Afternoon Plenary --------------Dining1
------1. Changing news industry
------2. Legislative agenda
------3. Tasini settlement
------4. Organizing discussion

4:15-6:15pm -----Meetings of the Divisions Listed below
--------------------1. Biz-Tech -------------------Dining1
--------------------2. Book Division----------------West1
----------------- 3. Journalism Division ---------West2

6:15–7:30pm ------Dinner -----------------------Dining Hall

6:15-7:15pm --Meetings of Standing Committees (over dinner)
-----------1. Civil Rights Committee ---------------Dining1
-----------2. CAP/Political Action Committee -------Dining1

7:15pm – ? -------Resolutions Committee ---------Quad, Rm. 1026
8:00pm – ? FREE EVENING


Saturday, August 8
Time --------------Event --------------------------Location
8:30am–12----Morning Plenary
--------1. Continental breakfast during meeting ----Dining1
--------2. Bob Madore, Region 9A Director
--------3. Dennis Williams, Region 4 Director and others?
--------4. Grievance Contract Division presentation

12–1pm--------Lunch ----------------------------Dining1

1:15–5:30pm --Afternoon Plenary ---------------Dining1
-------1. Brief Report-backs on Divisional Meetings
-------2. Organizing framework
-------3. Election of Chairs of Divisions
-------4. Election of Chairs of Standing Committees
-------5. Resolutions Part 1

5:30– 7 pm -----------------------------Dinner -------------------Dining Hall
7:30– 1 pm ------------------------Chicago Chapter Reception: -----Dining1
Cultural Entertainment No specific site listed


Sunday, August 9
9:00am–12----------Closing Plenary -------------Dining1
------1. Continental breakfast provided during meeting
------2. Election of National Elections Committee
------3. Resolutions Part 2

12–1 pm ------------------------------Lunch

** Staff Office is located in Room 1001

Chicago wins battle for NWU convention

Chicago is the site of the 2009 National Writers Union convention. It will be held from Aug. 5 through Aug. 9. Credit goes to Karen Ford, the new vice president of the NWU and the outgoing co-chairperson of the Chicago branch of the NWU.

Karen worked long and hard to make sure Chicago beat out Rio De Janeiro, Madrid, and Tokyo to win the bid -- which will not cost the taxpayers of Chicago any money. Oh, wait a minute. Those are the cities Chicago is competing with to be the site of the 2016 Olympics.

The battle for the NWU convention, which is officially called a Delegates Assembly, was equally compelling. We beat out Valley Stream, N.Y., my hometown and the site of the Wal-Mart Thanksgiving 2008 trampling, and, well, I don't really know.

The Delegates Assembly will feature a speech by Larry Goldbetter, the longtime co-chair of the Chicago branch of the NWU, and the incoming president of the union. Larry will be moving to New York City soon so I will keep you posted about any celebrations of his departure.

Shalom
Martin Zabell
Incoming chairperson of Chicago branch of NWU

PS -- I know that union people are supposed to use the greeting "In Solidarity," but I am genetically incapable of doing whatever anyone does. I don't sing in public either. It doesn't mean I'm anti-American if I don't sing the "Star Spangled Banner." I just don't sing. Case closed.