Washblog

This morning, my inbox was graced with the latest announcement from Wellstone Action!, the progressive training/leadership development center.  The organization was founded to sustain the legacy of the late, deeply lamented Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone and his wife Sheila.

The message contained information about upcoming training opportunities with Wellstone Action!, at least two of which will be in the Pacific Northwest:

• Camp Wellstone in Boise, Idaho is coming up in just a week and a half ... March 24-26.  Click the link within this bulletpoint for information and registration.
  
• Though there's no further detail on the Wellstone Action! website, the email message tells us that there will be another Camp Wellstone training event here in Seattle in a few months ... June 16-18, to be exact.

What is Camp Wellstone?  As described on their website, it's:

a weekend-long training program that provides hands-on, practical training in grassroots politics to citizen activists, campaign workers, and people interested in running for office.

I participated in last summer's Camp Wellstone in Seattle, as did Noemie, Brian, and (I'm sure) several other WashBlog regulars.  I was in the citizen activists track, which included presentations by expert organizers as well as some opportunities for role-playing and small-group development.  

We also enjoyed participating in several lively joint sessions with the other two tracks -- campaign workers and candidates.  Participants in the latter group, by the way, included some people you've begun hearing about this election season:  Darcy Burner, Eric Oemig, Mukilteo Councilmember Marko Liias (WashBlog UID:25), and 48th LD Senate candidate Debi Golden.

I recommend Camp Wellstone with enthusiasm.  It's exciting, challenging, and valuable.  And it doesn't cost all that much -- $75 (cut to $35 for students and low-income participants) for two and a half days on the weekend.  If you can get to Boise ten days from now, register NOW.  If you want to wait until June in Seattle, get on their mailing list, so you'll be able to register as soon as that becomes available.  

A word to the wise, however.  Last year, we Washingtonians surprised and pleased the Wellstone people when everyone who had registered actually showed up ... they usually count on at least 25%-35% attrition when planning for room sizes.  So, if they want reserve the same spaces this year, they may decide to accept fewer applications in Seattle.  Getting on the list early may be the only way to get on the list at all.