Plenary Sessions

Plenary Sessions are meetings of all participants for Conference programs and to attend to the business of the organization. In Plenary Sessions we present awards and tributes, and hear the Conference's featured speakers and performers.

We devote the final plenaries on Sunday to setting policy for the organization. Delegates will vote on resolutions passed in Issue Hearings or submitted by petition. The work of the Conference ends with Sunday's afternoon session.

Workshops

Workshops are interactive sessions focusing on organizing for women's rights. Presenters and participants will share information, exchange ideas and discuss action plans. The presenter's role, unlike that in a traditional workshop, is to make opening comments and then to inspire dialogue and creative problem-solving. The goal of these sessions is to send participants home with new inspiration and tactics to organize in their own communities and mobilize local chapter activists.

Special Constituency Caucuses

Special Constituency Caucuses provide a time for feminists who share a common interest to get together. This offers an excellent opportunity to meet others from around the country who share specific concerns. These Caucuses also provide a forum for discussion of resolutions.

We also encourage small groups to caucus at breakfast and during dinner breaks.

Issue Hearings

NOW's annual Conference is the supreme governing body of NOW, and the resolutions passed by the Conference form the basis of organizational policy.

The sole purpose of an Issue Hearing is to develop and produce resolutions. NOW members can bring ideas to the Issue Hearings, even if the ideas are not in resolution form. However, due to time constraints, it is preferable to have proposed language prepared in advance. The ideas will be incorporated into the resolution(s) coming out of that session, if accepted by the majority of the participants. The hearing format allows for combining similar ideas/resolutions, and editing and general refining before the resolutions come before the Conference body in plenary session. Only two resolutions may be voted out of each Issue Hearing.

Regional Caucuses

Regional Caucuses provide an opportunity for regional activists to get together. Regional issues, actions and organizing plans may also be discussed, as well as resolutions and other conference business.

NOW has nine regions: Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Mid-South, South Central, Great Lakes, Prairie States, Northwest and Southwest.

Political Institute

NOW PACs' Political Institute is designed to enhance our ability to elect more feminists to office at every level. The Institute will build skills to prepare activists to run for office and to provide trained organizers to work in elections. Participants who complete at least four sessions, including workshops and/or the political overview Friday at the brown-bag lunch, will receive certificates of completion, and NOW/PAC will, where possible, place graduates in key feminist races.

• National Conference 2002 Information