The Socialist Party of Michigan 2007 State Convention will be held on Saturday June 16th through Sunday June 17th at the Inter-Cooperative Council (ICC) Education Center in Ann Arbor. SPMI State Conventions are the most important event the Socialist Party holds at the state level and all SPMI members are strongly expected to attend. At State Conventions, SPMI members amend the SPMI By-Laws and Platform, propose SPMI resolutions, propose SPMI sponsored resolutions for the Socialist Party National Convention, elect the SPMI State Executive Committee, and elect SPMI delegates to the Socialist Party National Convention. And if thatβs not enough, State Conventions are also a lot of fun! Even if you never come to any other SPMI meetings or events, please do not miss the State Convention!
The State Convention will begin at 10:00AM on Saturday and last until 8:00PM. The Convention will reconvene on Sunday at 10:00AM and last until 4:30PM. Convention attendees are welcome to stay overnight for free in the common areas of the Eugene Debs Cooperative House in Ann Arbor on both Friday the 15th and Saturday the 16th. Convention attendees who plan on staying overnight should bring a pillow and blanket or sleeping bag. The Eugene Debs Cooperative House is a short walking distance from the ICC Education Center where the Convention is being held. The ICC Education Center and the Eugene Debs Cooperative House are also both within a short walking distance from numerous local restaurants and bars. The Convention is open to the public and anyone interested is encouraged to attend.
The ICC Education Center is located at 1522 Hill St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Although difficult to spot from the road, it is the building located behind the Luther Cooperative House at 1510 Hill St. The Eugene Debs Cooperative House is located at 909 E. University Ave. Ann Arbor, MI 48104.
From I-96/M-14/U.S. 23, take Exit 37B (Washtenaw Ave.- Toward Ann Arbor). Turn right onto Washtenaw Ave. and turn left onto Hill St. The ICC Education Center will come up soon on your left. From I-94, take Exit 177 (State St.). Turn a right onto State St. and turn right onto Hill St. The ICC Education Center will be on your right. From the ICC Education Center to the Eugene Debs Cooperative House, turn left onto Hill St and turn left onto E. University Ave. The Eugene Debs Cooperative House is a large red house that will be on your left. For a map and additional driving directions, visit [link] or [link] or call SPMI Chairperson Matt Erard at 248-765-1605. Ann Arbor, MI is also accessible from both Greyhound and Amtrak.
The deadline for submissions to be included on the Convention agenda is Saturday June 2nd 2007. Submissions can include resolutions, amendments to the SPMI By-Laws, and proposed submissions from the SPMI to the 2007 National Convention. All submissions should be sent by email to SPMI Chairperson Matt Erard at LAN_EMAIL_SUBS. If you are unable to send your submissions through email, please contact the State Office to make other arrangements.
All SPMI members who wish to be delegates to the 2005 Socialist Party National Convention, which will take place October 19th β 21st in St. Louis, Missouri, must be elected at the State Convention. Delegates must be gender-balanced and female SPMI members are strongly encouraged to consider being National Convention delegates. National Convention travel and lodging subsides for delegates will be available from the Socialist Party USA and Socialist Party of Michigan for those who need them. Preference for National Convention subsidies will be given to women, people of color, and young people. If you are interested in being a delegate to the National Convention, but will be unable to attend the State Convention, please contact the State Office and let us know.
If you have any questions please contact the SPMI State Office by phone or email.
Proposed Convention Schedule
Saturday:
10:00AM-11:00AM: Introductions, Convention Schedule, Convention rules
11:00AM-1:00PM: SPMI By-Laws
1:00PM-2:00PM: Lunch
2:00PM-4:00PM: Resolutions
4:00PM-6:00PM: National Convention Proposals
6:00PM-6:30PM: National Convention Delegate Elections
6:30PM-7:00PM: SEC Elections
7:00PM β 8:00PM: Kalamazoo Local
Sunday:
10:00PM-1:00PM: SPMI Platform
1:00PM β 2:00PM: Lunch
2:00PM – 4:00PM: Hold Over Resolutions/General Discussion*
4:00PM β 4:30PM: Singing of the Internationale, Clean-up
*Times for discussions on specific topics may be proposed and voted on.
There will be periodic bathroom and cigarette breaks. There will also likely be a party on Saturday night at the Eugene Debs Cooperative House where convention attendees are staying.