George Penn, WIUTA: Get Big Money out of Politics

Our democracy's guardrails are all but demolished. We must build a movement to get big money out of politics before we can rebuild the many guardrails that used to protect our democracy.

Biography: George grew up in Yonkers, NY and joined the Navy in 1971. He was a Reactor Operator on a submarine. Leaving the Navy in 1977, George came straight to UW Madison to get a degree in Nuclear Engineering. Inspired by the energy crisis in the 1980s, he received a Masters in Energy and Environmental Management at the School of Environmental Studies, UW Madison. In the last 20 years of his working career, he ran his consulting company, Global Energy Options. In 2012, he shut down his business to join the movement to get big money out of politics. He works with many Wisconsin patriots to this day. He hopes to continue this increasingly important work until he can no longer.

Contact:
georgepenn51@gmail.com
608-244-6436
WIUTA.org
 

Russ Kaping & Roger Thompson: Recruiting and Retaining New Members to the Local Team

While maintaining a respected presence in the community, the Stoughton Area Democrats and Progressives (SADP) has struggled with locating, recruiting and retaining new members for our team. As our current leadership team ages we seek the new ideas and fresh perspective of younger people in our community. During this presentation we will discuss possible reasons behind the recruitment problem and some possible solutions. We will also share two unique projects that attract attention and promote awareness of SADP during election cycles -- The Light Brigade and Barn Signs.
 

Biographies:

Russ and Roger are retired from long careers in public education and civil service. They have been highly involved in the Stoughton Area Democrats and Progressives (SADP) since the terrible Walker era. Both have served on the SADP leadership team and work diligently on the Democratic party's efforts to restore sanity to the local, state, and national political scene.

Contact:  stotondems@gmail.com

John Peck and Dena Eakles: Bridging the Rural Urban Divide

Divisive politics are often used by those in power to undermine our grassroots organizing.  In this session on "Bridging the Rural Urban Divide," we will explore some successful strategies for bringing unlikely allies and communities together around critical issues that we all share.   If we are to safeguard our democracy and bring about real social change, we need to find our common ground.

Biography:  

John E. Peck grew up on a family farm in MN and now operates Yellow Dog Flowers and Produce with his partner near Brooklyn, WI.  For the last two decades, he has been the executive director of Family Farm Defenders and has been a longtime board member of the WI Network for Peace and Justice (WNPJ).  He has a PhD in Land Resources from UW-Madison's Nelson Institute and is a part-time Economics instructor at Madison College.

Contact: familyfarmdefenders@yahoo.com                   
                   www.familyfarmers.org                                                        
                   608-260-0900

Dena Eakles

Biography:  

Dena Eakles is a writer, farmer, and activist who loves life and puts peace and humanity above all else. Board Member of the Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice and member of the Wisconsin Coalition for Justice in Palestine, Dena also writes a weekly blog https://letkindnesswin.com Author of The Peace Warrior, you can find radio and podcast interviews and conversations with a variety of activists at https://echovalleyhope.org

Contact:  dena.eakles@gmail.com; https://echovalleyhope.org

608-606-4450

Dawn & Art Shegonee, Call for Peace

Dawn & Art present "Celebrate Diversity". They invite you to enjoy an historic multi-media exhibit as they present a journey of hope and discovery.

Biographies:

Dawn & Art Shegonee Menominee are both national and global art activists and co-founders of the Call For Peace Drum & Dance Company. For over two decades, they have led 26 cultural artists who represent seven cultures, in performances around the world.
Their performance, entitled " Call For Peace' Dancing the Dream, A New Hope for Humanity", incudes an indigenous "Ancient Wisdom Dance" that calls for a future where we create sustainable solutions for our Mother Earth.

Contact: callforpeace@callforpeace.org

Heather DuBois Bournane, Wisconsin Network

Wisconsin students are counting on us to make sure they have the resources and supports they need to learn & thrive in safe, welcoming and joyful school environments. Learn more about the threats to public education at the state and national levels, and what YOU can do to take action to ensure Wisconsin kids have what they need to succeed.
 

Biography:  Heather DuBois Bourenane is a public school parent, former educator, and advocate for thriving public schools. As Executive Director of Wisconsin Public Education Network, she connects grassroots organizers, individuals, and organizations around the state to information, actions & each other so that we can all be a stronger, united voice for the change Wisconsin students deserve and demand & deliver better for Wisconsin's children.

Contact: hdb@WisconsinNetwork.org / WisconsinNetwork.org