Nearly a month ago I asked for some help getting to Netroots Nation. And you responded! I got the forth highest number of public supports and a DFA scholarship to help cover the costs.
And so in a few hours, thanks to you, I will be getting on a plane and heading to Pittsburgh!
I also couldn't have done this without Democracy for America. They listened to your votes, reviewed a lot of amazing applications and decided to help send me to Pittsburgh. Their scholarship program helps make Netroots Nation great. And DFA can't keep doing it without your help.
You've already given me votes. Now, if you can afford it, I'm asking something more.Chip in a little bit of money to Democracy for America so they can keep this program running and expand it. It doesn't have to be a giant donation, anything will help. Programs like this help build the progressive movement, you get a great bang for the buck when you donate by giving progressives from around the country a opportunity to network, exchange ideas and learn how to be effective. The Courage Campaign, a great grassroots group that is now leading the fight to repeal Prop 8 in California was born out of conversations at Netroots Nation. That's the kind of innovative progressive organizing you'll be helping out if you donate.
And since I will be going thanks to your votes and donations I figure I should talk a bit about what I will be doing in Pittsburgh and how to follow along.
One of the big reasons I'm going is to be on a great panel with some awesome organizers. It includes Jeremy Bird, now deputy national director of Organizing for America who pioneered the Obama model of field driven campaigning as field director during the South Carolina primary and who won Ohio back as state director for Ohio in the general election. It's going to be a great panel and it should be livestreamed for all to see. If your in Pittsburgh come stop by and if not you can still see it live and add your thoughts via twitter.
I'll also be attending a lot of other amazing panels and events and will try my best to livetweet them on my twitter account and liveblog them at MN Progressive Project. I don't know the exact details but I expect many of the panels and speakers will be livestreamed as well. So far some of the speakers include Bill Clinton, Howard Dean and Valerie Jarrett!
So follow along at home if you can't make it this year and come say hi if you do. And if you can send a few bucks DFA's way.