Pennsylvania Campfire Gathering: Firing Up The Climate Campaign, Featuring Long-time Activist George Lakey

Start: Thursday, March 30, 2023•12:00 PM

End: Friday, March 31, 2023• 8:00 PM


OPEN INVITATION TO ALL WHO ARE WORKING TO

PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA

On March 30th and 31st of 2023, join us and fellow environmental groups who are working on many different aspects of protecting our environment.

Come be apart of a two-day gathering hosted by a coalition of local groups who want to develop a regional campaign that will unify and strengthen the work we all are doing, and help us to collectively build power and form alliances. The event will feature a presentation by long-time climate activist George Lakey, who will present information about experiences and successes of work in other parts of the country. He will help us begin to develop a long-term strategic campaign in our area so we can more effectively fight our common enemy. George will be joined by Veronica Coptis. Veronica is the outgoing Executive Director of the Center for Coalfield Justice and is currently Senior Advisor for Taproot Earth. Veronica brings expertise in strategic long term planning, community organizing, and an intimate knowledge of the struggles of communities in western Pennsylvania.

THURSDAY MARCH 30 (Lunch 12-1pm and Gathering 1-3 pm)

This will be a gathering of folks from organizations whose work has been focused on hearings, lobbying, petitioning, rallying to protect our waters, ground and air. This gathering will give groups a chance to get to know each other and have a discussion   about their successes and where to go when these approaches have run their course or seem to be losing.

FRIDAY MARCH 31 (9:30 am to 8 pm)

This is a gathering of those organizations from Thursday plus many more that are involved locally and even representing national groups that are fighting for change. Organizations and groups working on civil rights, environmental justice, workers issues, peace, voting issues and government reform (and others) are invited, since the work of all our issues is interconnected.

The morning will kick off with a discussion about the common monster we are all fighting. This will be followed by a “Meet and Greet”  with each organization having three minutes to talk about their work and there will be an opportunity for informational tabling. Following lunch together, our speaker, George Lakey, will present information about experiences and successes of work in other parts of the country.

With George Lakey and Veronica Coptis we have an opportunity to learn from their years of experience of how to map out and plan for a long-term campaign that brings together many organizations and groups to effectively enhance our power to make change. We invite everyone who is interested in learning how social movements build momentum and strength through working together and long-term strategizing. Don't miss this opportunity!


SPEAKER GEORGE LAKEY

George Lakey has been involved in helping organizations develop long-term strategic nonviolent campaigns since the Civil Rights Movement of the 60's. He was instrumental in the beginning of the Sunrise Movement and presently focuses on environmental and climate campaigns across the country. He is the author of several books including How We Win! He will be facilitating the gathering on Thursday and will be presenting information and guiding the strategy session on Friday afternoon. We encourage you to read his book How We Win! which will be available in the weeks before this event.

NOTE:

If you require lodging, you can get a reduced rate at the Fairfield Inn in Slippery Rock and telling them you are with the Campfire Gathering.

If you require parking accomodations, visit this link to register for parking: https://www.sru.edu/offices/parking

MEALS WILL BE PROVIDED, EITHER FOR FREE OR AT A DISCOUNT RATED.

-IF HOUSING IS NEEDED, PLEASE INDICATE THIS ON YOUR RSVP. ACCOMMODATION DETAILS WILL BE SENT SOON.