Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference
November 16, 2019
Virginia Commonwealth University
907 Floyd Ave, Richmond, VA 23284
It is our sincere pleasure to invite you to this year’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference. Join us on Saturday, November 16th, 2019, as we stand shoulder to shoulder in Richmond 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.
TRAVEL UPDATE:Â There will be several road closures throughout Richmond on the day of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference due to the Richmond Marathon. We are recommending attendees to plan for additional travel time when traveling to and from the conference. For helpful information to plan your trip, please see below.
Agenda
Take Action with Tacos! Write for Rights 2019 Kickoff
Join us for the annual Write for Rights (W4R) event at the best taco spot in the region! Enjoy good food and great company while putting pen to power for this year’s W4R docket. We will open the 2019 Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference at Don’t Look Back. See you there!
Location: Don’t Look Back – Triple, 3306 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23230
Time: 7pm-9pm
Keynote Speaker: Ronnate Asirwatham has over 10 years of experience lobbying and advocating on Capitol Hill, the Administration, and the UN on such issues as human rights, foreign policy, appropriations, immigration and civilian security. Ronnate is originally from Sri Lanka and lived and worked there until 2009 when her husband, journalist Jayaprakash Sittampalam Tissainaygam, was arrested and sentenced to 20 years in prison on terrorism charges. Ronnate lead the international campaign to free her husband and he was finally released on bail in 2010. She is currently the Policy and Advocacy Director for Bridges Faith Initiative, which is a U.S faith based organization that works on ending mass atrocities, ensuring civilian security and supporting immigration. Prior to that Ronnate worked as a Senior Policy Advisor at the American Jewish World Service; as the Government Relations Liaison at the International Campaign for Tibet; as Project Manager at Management Systems International; Humanitarian Policy Advisor and Policy Director on South Sudan at Oxfam International; and has also worked as a journalist with Reuters. Ronnate has a Masters of Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School at the Tufts University and a Masters in International Human Rights Law (LLM) from the University of Essex, UK.
Conference AgendaÂ
Please click below to view a PDF of our Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference Agenda and 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)Â because we all belong in the movement for human rights.Â
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 will be available on the 2nd floor 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 on the 1st floor of the commons near the SGA Senate Chambers.
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 14th, 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. Â
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.
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.
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
Hilton Richmond Downtown is our host hotel. Our room rate is $179 (subject to applicable state and local taxes) for single, double, triple, and quadruple occupancy. You can reserve your room by calling their number 1-804-344-4300 and mentioning Amnesty International Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference in your reservation or by clicking this link here.
A block of rooms has been reserved for the conference. The special room rate will be available until 10/25, 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 Richmond International Airport (RIC), which is located 15 minutes away from the venue by car. You can also use an Uber or Taxi, which will cost approximately $20-24.
By Train/Bus
From the airport, you can take the 7A Laburnum/Nine Mile bus or 7B Nine Mile bus towards 7th and Marshall where you can transfer to 5 Main/Cary bus towards Main and Harrison. From here, you will walk for 1 minute to the Student Commons.
By Car
If you would prefer to drive to Richmond, please visit https://maps.vcu.edu/ for driving directions to the venue.
Taxi Services
Airport Taxi
804-233-4444
Mimi Taxicab
804-873-2477
Volunteers
The deadline to apply has passed.Â