Amnesty International 2019 Southern Regional Conference (Tallahassee, Florida)

Southern Regional Conference

Saturday, October 19, 2019
Florida State University Conference Center,
555 W. Pensacola Street, Tallahassee, FL, 32306

It is our sincere pleasure to invite you to this year’s Southern Regional Conference. Join us on Saturday, October 19th, 2019, as we stand shoulder to shoulder in Tallahassee 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.

REGISTER

WEATHER UPDATE: Because of the storm, the University will be closed in the morning. As such, we’re going to be pushing back the programming; registration will now open at 12:30pm.

Please continue to monitor your email; we’ll be in touch should there be further updates.

Agenda

Pizza & Pens! Write for Rights 2019 Kickoff

Join us for the annual Write for Rights (W4R) event at the best pizza in town! Enjoy good food and great company while putting pen to power for this year’s W4R docket. We will open the 2019 Southern Regional Conference at Gaines Street Pies. See you there!

Location: Gained Street Pies, 603 W Gaines St. #3, Tallahassee, Florida 32304
Time: 6-8pm

Conference Agenda 

WEATHER UPDATE: Because of the storm, the University will be closed in the morning. As such, we’re going to be pushing back the programming; registration will now open at 12:30pm. Please continue to monitor your email; we’ll be in touch should there be further updates.

Please click below to view a PDF of our Southern 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, gender-inclusive bathrooms are available on the premise 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 in the Rosemary Suite on the first floor. 

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 September 16th, 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 now 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

This year’s conference will be taking place at Florida State University Conference Center. Below is a list of recommended economical hotels that are also conveniently located nearby our regional conference venue.

University Inn and Suites Tallahassee
691 W Tennessee St, Tallahassee, FL 32304
(850) 224-8161
universityinntallahassee.com
1.0 miles from the venue

Four Points by Sheraton Tallahassee Downtown
316 W Tennessee St, Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 422-0071
Marriott.com
0.7 miles from the venue

Governors Inn
209 S Adams St, Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 681-6855
Govinntallahassee.com
0.7 miles from the venue

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

Tallahassee International Airport (TLH) is the nearest airport to the venue. The Taxi and uber ride would cost around $16-20 total.

By Train/Bus

There are no established directions to the venue using public transportation.

By Car/Parking

If you would prefer to drive to Tallahassee, please visit https://visit.fsu.edu/directions/ for driving directions to the venue.

Taxi Services

City Taxi
850-575-7575
850-228-9669

Yellow Cab of Tallahassee
850-999-9999

Volunteers

The deadline to apply has now passed.