HOW TO advance the principles of freedom...

Freedom21 Conference
program announced

 

February 1, 2006

Conference Program

The Youth for America Players are scheduled to perform at the final banquet on Saturday night. These young people hail from Arizona, and will provide an inspirational conclusion to this year's confrence.

They just keep getting better. This year is no exception. The 7th annual Freedom21 National Conference will be held July 20 - 22, at the Drawbridge Inn and Convention Center, in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky (just outside of Cincinnati). Special room rates this year are $62 and $72. The theme this year is: "HOW TO advance the principles of freedom..." The program is shaping up to be a real winner.

HOW TO build an effective organization - will be conducted by Norman Davis, leader of the host state's Take Back Kentucy organization. This group is one of the most effective statewide organizations in the country. They have repeatedly, and successfully promoted property rights legislation, and prevented comprehensive planning laws. Norman has conducted seminars in several states, and has developed a "can't fail" strategy that every grassroots activist should know about. Leaders of grassroots organizations will learn how to make their work more effective at home.

HOW TO control education in your state - Allen Quist will lead this session, with help from Michael Chapman, and Dr. Karen Effrem. These people are at the forefront of EdWatch, the Minnesota organization that has been most successful in stopping the imposition of a federal curriculum and regaining control at the state level. Their analyses of federally-funded textbooks will show you why federal control must be stopped, and the strategies they have employed will help you organize and develop a program to take control of education in your state.

What to do with 47 U.N. Biosphere Reserves - A very real legislative conflict is brewing as Sovereignty International, once again, is working to delist the 47 U.N. Biosphere Reserves in the United States. Past efforts to enact the American Land Sovereignty Protection Act cleared the House twice, but failed both times in the Senate. The current initiative follows the delisting of four U.N. Biosphere Reserves in Scotland, and is employing some of the same strategies used there. The current initiative is also employing a new strategy in an effort to preempt some of the conflict. At the request of Congressional leaders, Sovereignty International has been meeting with the U.S. Biosphere Reserve Association to define points of conflict, and points of agreement, if any, before legislation is introduced. This session will feature both the procedure, and the results of this strategy.

Tom McDonnell, author of the recent study of Biosphere Reserves in the U.S., will present the legislative objectives of Sovereignty International. Tom Gilbert, who proposed and helped to implement UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Reserve Program from the very beginning, will present his association's legislative objectives. This session will provide the knowledge needed to finally get legislation through Congress that will define in law the role, if any, of Biosphere Reserves in the United States.

HOW TO deal with government agencies - Ken Freeman, Chairman, and Don Casey, Vice Chair of Alabama's Alliance for Citizens' Rights have been up to their ears in battle after battle with local and state governments. This group led the fight to put teeth into the state's eminent domain law, and warded off efforts to amend the Alabama Constitution. Their experiences will be helpful for all grassroots organizations.

John Riley led the campaign to end EPA's Vehicle Emissions Testing program in Louisville and Jefferson County, Kentucky. He will describe how he went about convincing the powers that be to stop this expensive, intrusive program, in a part of the state known for its liberal bent.

Jim Beers, widely-read columnist, and former employee of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will share his experiences both as a bureaucrat, and as an activist, which will be helpful to everyone who has to deal with a government agency. His expertise about procedures and his knowledge about issues will provide important resources for campaigns at home.

HOW TO stop the Henry, with a brief description of what you want to report.

A special treat is in store at the final banquet. Sylvia Allen is planning to bring the Youth for America Players from Arizona to perform. This group of about 25 young people inspires hope for the future with their music and their performance. They have performed for audiences in Washington DC, as well as in communities in the West. It should be a fitting celebration of what will be a wonderful conference.

Many more speakers have already agreed to participate. Watch each issue as the program continues to unfold.

Conference Program