Amnesty International 2019 Western Regional Conference (Seattle, Washington)

Western Regional Conference

Saturday, November 9th, 2019 – Sunday, November 10th, 2019
University of Washington
Alder Facility

1310 NE 40th St. Seattle, Washington 98105
(Entrance on NE 40th St. between Brooklyn Ave NE and University Way NE)

It is our sincere pleasure to invite you to this year’s Western Regional Conference. Join us on Saturday, November 9th and Sunday, November 10th, 2019, as we stand shoulder to shoulder in Seattle to make a lasting human rights impact. The goal of all Regional Conferences is to create a transformative experience focused on human rights education, skills-building, networking, and inspire action.

As activists, we will be challenged to initiate change within our own communities. This will only happen with you – we need you there!

Don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter at @AMNESTYUSA.

If you’d like to stay connected with the Western region, like the membership account on Facebook.

Request for Proposals: The deadline to apply has now passed. For questions, please email Cynthia Gabriel Walsh at [email protected].

Agenda

Write for Rights 2019 Kickoff

Join us for the annual Write for Rights (W4R) event at StudioLife! Enjoy great company while putting pen to power for this year’s W4R docket. We will open the 2019 Western Regional Conference with this collective action. See you there!

Location: StudioLife, 5236 University Way, Seattle, Washington 98105
Time: 6pm-8pm

Please click below to view a PDF of our Western Regional Conference Agenda and Program Book.

AGENDA

PROGRAM BOOK

Please note that these are draft documents and subject to change. Please be sure to check back for updates.

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA)

Amnesty International is committed to the principles of IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility)  because we all belong in the movement for human rights. 

At every RC, we prioritize implementing IDEA practices and measures in order to create an inclusive space for everyone. For example, a gender-inclusive bathroom is available in the Alder Commons and pronoun stickers are provided at registration in alignment with our commitment to gender diversity, LGBTI rights and self-expression and determination; we only select venues that are accessible for everyone and make accommodations to further ensure everyone can fully participate and move around the space; a variety of menu options are selected including but not limited to vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. This year, there will be a prayer/meditation room available in Room Maple 218.

AIUSA offers reimbursements for those utilizing childcare services for their children in order to attend a regional conference. You will be given the opportunity on the registration form to indicate that you require childcare. If you select yes, a representative of AIUSA will follow-up via email with further details. Please note that if these requests haven’t been made prior to October 7th, we cannot guarantee these services.  

In addition to these items, below you’ll find our Ground Rules & Harassment Policies below.

We are continuously working towards our conferences being IDEA centered events and are committed to our growth in this area. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions on the topic of IDEA at RCs, we can be reached at [email protected].

GROUND RULES

We all have a role to play in creating a space at RCs where everyone is welcomed, seen, heard, and valued as their authentic selves. Our Ground Rules provide some guidelines on how we will ensure this.  

RCs are a space for:

  • Connecting with others in activism.
  • Sharing ideas in a safe environment.
  • Showcasing causes that are important to you.
  • Exercising your democratic right to vote on resolutions for Amnesty International USA.
  • Learning from and uplifting one another!

RCs are not a space for:

  • Verbal or physical conduct that may intentionally or unintentionally offend, denigrate or belittle any person, including rudeness, discrimination, and harassment.

To view a PDF of our Ground Rules please click the box below.

GROUND RULES

AIUSA’S POLICY AGAINST Harassment

AIUSA is committed to promoting an environment that is professional and in which all employees, members, interns, volunteers and other individuals are treated with dignity and respect. AIUSA will not tolerate harassment of or among employees, members, interns, volunteers or others because of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, marital status, military or veteran status or any other protected characteristic.

Harassment includes verbal or physical conduct which may offend, denigrate or belittle any person because of or due to any of the characteristics described above. Such conduct includes pictures, jokes, comments, epithets, innuendoes, name-calling or any other behavior which creates an environment that is derogatory, intimidating, hostile or offensive to anyone. Conduct prohibited by this policy is unacceptable in the workplace and in any other AIUSA related setting outside the workplace, such as during business trips, organizational meetings, and other AIUSA events.

To view the Harassment Policy please click the box below.

AIUSA’S POLICY AGAINST harassment

 

Resolutions

One of the exciting things about Amnesty International is that, as a grassroots membership organization, members have a voice in what Amnesty does. Resolutions are the means by which members of AIUSA have the power to affect policy decision-making at the regional, national and international levels. This is your chance to exercise your democratic right as a member of AIUSA.

submit a Resolution

The deadline to submit a resolution has now passed.

Please contact the National Resolutions Committee at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Vote on a Resolution

In order to participate in the membership resolution process, you must be a dues-paying member of AIUSA. The good news is, it’s not too late to become a member!

BECOME A MEMBER/RENEW MEMBERSHIP

Group Authorization Form

At the AIUSA Regional Conferences, resolutions may be voted on by Individual Voting Members and by one designated delegate from each registered AIUSA Student or Local Group.

To obtain a Group Voting Card at the RCs, the Group Coordinator/Chair must submit a completed copy of this authorization form. The recommended deadline is the Wednesday before the relevant conference. The purpose of this form is to indicate who the authorized Group delegate will be at the RC. You will be asked to also indicate 2 back-up delegates in the event that the Group delegate is unable to pick-up the card. At the conference, the Group delegate should report to the personnel at the Member Services table. As Group delegate, you will be asked to sign your name in order to receive the group voting card.

Please discuss the resolutions with your group before the conference. The Resolutions to be considered at the RCs will be found on the Member Center prior to the conferences.

SUBMIT FORM

Subsidies

The deadline to apply has passed.

Ticketing

Conference Registration

Online pre-registration has now closed. Registration will re-open onsite on Saturday morning. Look for the Onsite Registration table.

Minor Waiver Required

If you (or a member of your group) are 17 years of age or younger, AIUSA requires that this waiver agreement be completed by a legal guardian and that a chaperone accompany you for the entire duration of the conference. AIUSA does not assume responsibility for minors.

Conference Lodging

Watertown Hotel, A Pineapple Hospitality Company will be our host hotel for the weekend. Our room rate is $129 (subject to applicable state and local taxes) for single, double, triple, and quadruple occupancy.

You may book online using your online booking code or selecting the following link: AIUSA. Your online booking code is AIUSA2019. In order for you to book online with that code, they just need to follow the directions below. Please note that the online booking code and link will only work for contracted room nights. If a guest would like to come in early or stay a day later then they will need to make their reservation by calling our reservations department at 866-866-7977 or emailing them at [email protected]

Directions to Book:

  1. Visit https://www.staypineapple.com/ and click “Book Now”
  2. Select “The Watertown Hotel” and select the check in and check out date
  3. Select “Enter Code Group” which is AIUSA2019
  4. Click Check Availability

A block of rooms has been reserved for the conference. The special room rate will be available until 10/9, or until the group block is sold-out, whichever comes first.

Please note that prices and availability are subject to change without notice. It is recommended that guests book a place to stay as soon as possible to ensure their lodging for the conference.

Conference Travel

By Air

The closest airport to fly into is Seattle-Tacoma Airport (SEA) which is located 19 minutes away from the venue by car. You can also use an Uber or Taxi, which will cost approximately $25-45.

By Train/Bus

From the airport, you would need to take a train from SeaTac Airport Station to the University of Washington Station. Then, walk towards the UW Station at NE Pacific Place and NE Pacific St. There, you will take the Jackson Park Maple Leaf bus for 4 stops to University Way NE & NE 41st St. Head South on University Way and turn right onto NE Campus Parkway.

By Car

If you would prefer to drive to Seattle, please check the University of Washington Visitor Page. Information on parking coming soon!

Taxi Services

Seattle Airport Taxi
(206) 430-5051

City Cab Seattle
(206) 523-3333

Seattle Yellow Cab
(206) 622-6500

Volunteers

The deadline to apply has passed.