Claiming our Rights, Envisioning our Future:
Communities Organizing for Justice
Believing that 2008 - and beyond -- holds great promise and great peril for those who organize and advocate for an immigration policy based on human rights, dignity and justice, the National Network on Immigrant and Refugee Rights is convening a national conference in Houston Texas on January 18-20, 2008. Join us in Houston to:
- Share stories, strategies and tactics for grassroots initiatives
- Learn new practices and skills in community organizing, media & communications, popular education and more
- Hear about exciting work at the intersection of immigrant and refugee rights, gender, sexual orientation, and across different racial and ethnic communities
- Expose harmful trade policies causing forced migration worldwide
Help build a shared immigrant rights platform for this critical election year and together, lift our voices for justice and human rights.
Tentative Workshops & Topics Include:
- Lifting Immigrant Voices in the 2008 Elections
- Racism and Immigration: Bridging Communities in the Post-Katrina Era
- Organizing and Communications Skills Development
- Border and Interior Immigration Law Enforcement
- Globalization and Migration: Addressing "Root Causes"
- Promoting the Human Rights of Im/Migrants
- Immigration, Labor and Workers Rights
- Immigration Policy and Legislation
- Popular Education for Transformative Community Organizing
Schedule and site
The conference will begin at 9 a.m. on Friday, January 18, 2008. It will adjourn on Sunday, January 20 at 1 p.m. It will take place at the Hyatt Regency Houston, where participants will also be able to reserve rooms at a discounted conference rate, available until December 16, 2007.
Registration
Registration for the NNIRR conference in Houston, TX is now closed. If you missed the deadline but would still like to attend, email . We cannot guarantee space.
Registration fees will include the cost for meals (continental breakfast on all three days, lunch on Friday and Saturday, and dinner on Friday evening) and conference materials. Participants are encouraged to register online using a credit card or check, or by mailing a registration form and check or money order to the National Network.
Individual registration fees are based on a sliding scale; those paying higher registration fees help to ensure the participation of those with fewer resources. Registration rates are:
| $125 |
Individual rate for low income, youth, students and seniors, and those from organizations with annual budgets less than $50,000 |
| $225 |
All other individuals and participants from organizations with budgets between $50,000 and $500,000 |
| $325 |
Individuals from organizations with annual budgets over $500,000 |
Onsite registration is not guaranteed due to space limitations.
Grassroots Fundraising Guide > (bilingual)
Key Dates
- December 17 – deadline for cancellation of conference registration with full refund
- December 18 – International Migrants Day
- December 21 – deadline for placing ads in conference program book
- January 10 – deadline for submitting tabling request
- January 17 – BRIDGE Trainers Bureau meeting
- January 18-20 – National Conference for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
Refunds
For cancellations, registration fees will be fully refunded if notification is given to NNIRR no later than Dec. 17, 2007. No refunds of registration fees will be made after that date.
Lodging
Conference participants will receive discounted room rates at the Hyatt Hotel if they reserve their rooms by December 15 and tell the Hotel they are with the NNIRR conference. Participants must reserve their own rooms by calling the Hyatt at (800) 233-1234, or by booking online
Room rates per night are as follows:
$109 single or double occupancy
$149 triple occupancy
$170 quadruple occupancy
Transportation
Participants may fly into either the William Hobby Airport (HOU) or the George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Hobby is slightly closer to the Hyatt. Various shuttles (costing about $23-$27) and cabs are available for transportation to the hotel. The site is also accessible by car, with parking at the hotel or nearby lots for a daily fee.
Resources for Safe Travels to and from Conference
The National Network has developed a document linked below intended to make you aware of some of the risks faced by non-citizens traveling to the conference, particularly those who are undocumented:
http://www.nnirr.org/resources/docs/SafeTravelNNIRR2.pdf
In addition, please review the following checklist of safety precautions before you embark on your trip: http://www.nnirr.org/resources/docs/NNIRRTravelChecklist.pdf
These documents are not comprehensive, nor are they intended to provide legal advice. Conference participants will be given an emergency phone number to call in case they encounter an immigration emergency while en route to the conference. Non-citizens should ALSO carry with them the phone numbers close friends or family members, in case of an emergency.
Childcare
Limited childcare will be available during the conference. Check back for more information.
Interpretation and translation
We are committed to making the conference available to people with different language needs. Please specify your language needs through the registration process (see above). Conference materials will be provided in English, Spanish, and other languages as needed.
If you are interested in working as an interpreter at the conference please review the Call for Interpreters, available online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=wTCs6_2f7yGHvGDl8EW8GKDg_3d_3d
Other special needs
Please specify dietary or other special needs or restrictions through the registration process. The Hyatt Hotel is wheelchair accessible and provides other services for those with disabilities.
Scholarships
The National Network can provide limited travel scholarships for those who need financial assistance in order to attend. You must be registered to be considered for a scholarship. Scholarships applications are due November 26. Notifications will be made by December 5.
Members or those belonging to member organizations will receive priority consideration.
Grassroots Fundraising Guide > (bilingual)
Please note that in case of cancellation, registration fees will be fully refunded if notification is given to NNIRR no later than Dec. 17, 2007. No refunds of registration fees will be made after that date.
For more information, please email or call (510) 465-1984 extension 303.
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National Conference for Immigrant & Refugee Rights