Women's Summit and Netroots Nation 2024

5 days and counting to Network NOVA's Women's Summit (www.networknova.org). But if VA doesn't suit, what about Netroots Nation in Baltimore July 11-13? Even if you can't go in person, read on!

Have you had some version of this conversation with a friend in the past six months?

Friend: I’m so worried about the election. I wish there was something I could do that would have an impact.

Me: There are lots of campaigns that could use your help.

Friend: (Rolled eyes and big sigh.) Yeah, but what would really make a difference?.

Enter Netroots Nation, the non-profit organizer of the largest annual convention bringing together progressives from across the US to network and support activism. Past conventions, eighteen of them, have drawn up to 4000 participants, all seeking to share and promote projects that will further the progressive agenda. This year Baltimore hosts the convention from July 11-13. Attendees include the biggest names in grassroots organizing, politicians, tech innovators and plenty of committed community activists looking to “level-up” the effectiveness of their efforts.

I spoke with Mary Rickles, Netroots Nation’s communications director, who’s spent the last year getting ready for the 2024 convention. “We’re offering 90 community-sourced panels and 65 training sessions on grassroots organizing, all led by experienced activists, on such skills as how to run a phone bank or how to be a more effective spokesperson for a project or how to observe a vote count. There will be caucuses for networking organized by region, issue and identity. And a workshop on how to counter fear-mongering from the right as well as one on how to organize for ballot initiatives protecting reproductive rights.”

Mary told me that although this is an election year, Netroots Nation is also focused on the long term mission of promoting a just and equal world. “So that’s why we include sessions on pressing issues like the war in Gaza, protecting abortion access, and combating disinformation.”

A visit to the Netroots Nation website, netrootsnation.org, will fill in the list of offerings as well as the costs to attend. But Mary wanted me to know two things. First, Netroots Nation welcomes everyone who seeks a more progressive and just world, experienced or beginner. Scholarships are available and 50 hours of convention offerings can be viewed virtually, both of which help reduce costs. Second, Netroots Nation is about information and skills, but mostly it is about soft benefits like connection and inspiration and fellow feeling and networking and support.

One experienced activist put it this way: “The best part is always the camaraderie. I came into this year’s convention with my battery drained, feeling isolated and depressed. Connecting with my fellow activists, especially those working on issues I don’t encounter every day, was invigorating.”

And Elizabeth Warren said it another way: “I always leave Netroots Nation feeling inspired, determined and proud. These fighters helped lead the charge for the CFPB [Consumer Financial Protection Bureau] and had my back in the fight for a Senate seat. Now we’re fighting for a government that works for all people—not just the high and mighty.”

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In case you missed it, the Connector ran a piece on the Women’s Summit and more information on registering and the program is here. The Grassroots Connector has a table in the big Networking Hall at the Women's Summit. Come by and say hello. We want to hear your article ideas.

Carol Lindsay went to law school after teaching English for ten years and serving on her union negotiating team. She enjoys working with progressives on ways to influence elections.

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