CAMP WELLSTONE COMES TO CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY (Sept 5)

[Kolesar]

Great coverage in the Cleveland Free Times!

CAMP WELLSTONE COMES TO CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY

Instead of taking leisurely enjoyment in the gorgeous weather this past weekend, around 120 Greater Cleveland activists spent time indoors at Case Western Reserve University going through training sessions to learn how to be more effective in advancing a progressive political and social agenda. The two-and-a-half day program is called Camp Wellstone and was founded shortly after the death of Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone last October -- and is designed to carry on the tradition of aggressive, progressive activism that defined his career.

"Camp Wellstone is an offshoot of Paul's lifelong work," says Jeff Blodgett, director of Wellstone Action, the national non-profit group responsible for the camp. "He believed in grassroots organizing and our goal is to carry on his legacy by training others how to integrate electoral work with community action."

Camp Wellstone offers three distinct training tracks: how to participate in electoral campaigns, how to become involved in citizen activism on grassroots level, and how to run for office.

According to Blodgett, Camp Wellstone is national in scope but is focusing on states where base-building and organizing can make a real difference -- with Ohio being targeted for two (Columbus in October and Cincinnati in November) of the four remaining camps this year.

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"Over time, we expect to have a huge impact throughout America," says Blodgett, who urges interested individuals to visit wellstone.org. "Ultimately, we're trying to change the country for the better by teaching the skills needed to accomplish that."

http://freetimes.com/issues/1120/chat-campwell.html

AWD and I went there, and the training was excellent. I would especially recommend it to those with scant training or experience.