What would you say if you were given the opportunity to enjoy a fun-filled weekend hanging-out and talking with some of the coolest people you'll ever meet? Where, you might ask, would you ever get an opportunity like that? The answer is simple, at the Young Communist League 7th National Convention in Chicago next November on the weekend of 22-24 to be exact.
Now maybe you don't believe me, but what can be cooler than a large group of Young Communist League members and friends? There will be lots of different people from all over the US, as far away as Hawaii. We'll even have international guests. You'll get to meet people from all over. There will be people who work on peace, labor solidarity, immigrant rights, anti-globalization and lots of other issue that affect youth around the world.
For all the musicians, poets and artists, there will an Open Mic at the coffeehouse. For all the history buffs, there will be a visit to Waldheim cemetery, the burial place of the Haymarket martyrs.
The Haymarket martyrs were eight working class heroes who were falsely convicted of being responsible for the Haymarket massacre in 1886, when police and workers were killed in a demonstration for the eight-hour day. This incident marked the birth of May Day, an international workers holiday celebrated in many countries. (Make sure you read about the Haymarket martyrs in the next issue of Dynamic.)
But the YCL convention won't be all fun and games. It's also time to make important decisions. The convention is the highest decision making body of the YCL, and all the important decisions about where the YCL is headed are decided at the convention. This includes YCL policy and the direction of our national campaigns. The convention is also the time when we elect the members of the National Council, the governing body between conventions.
The convention is made up of plenary sessions, workshops, and special events. All the delegates to the convention attend plenary sessions. This is the time when all the important decisions are discussed. Workshops are the time for political discussion. Workshops range from current events to organizing skills.
Workshops are much smaller than the plenary session and give people more of a chance to exchange ideas about the things that they are particularly interested in. Special events include anything from an open mic to a labor solidarity rally.
The convention is not only for Young Communist League members. It is a time for friends and allies of the YCL to find out more of what the YCL is about and to help the YCL stay on track with the rest of the youth movement.
If you're interested in learning more about the 7th YCL National Convention, call the national office at 212-741-2016 or email at yclconvention@yclusa.org. Remember, everyone is welcome and I would love to see you there!
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