Friday and Saturday
Caucuses provide networking opportunities for co-opers with similar identities to share ideas and experiences, strategize, and draft proposals to bring to the Annual General Meeting. During these caucus sessions participants elect two caucus chair to official representatives to NASCO's Diversity Congress. Many caucus participants stay in contact throughout the year, keeping their caucuses active and planning for their yearly meeting at Institute.
Working groups are similar to caucuses but are designed to set the strategic direction for a particular topic of interest within NASCO. These groups often represent allies commited to building analysis of particular issue affecting NASCO members and they may support caucuses in building the power of historically marginalized groups.
According to NASCO policies, 3 seats on the NASCO Board are reserved for caucus chairs. This year, the chair of the People of Color Caucus will receive a 2 year term and the co-chair will receive a one-year term. The chair of the Diversity Congress will receive a one-year term. Being a caucus chair is an excellent opportunity to take your co-op leadership to the next level.
Caucuses and Working Groups Offered in 2010:
Friday, November 5 | 8:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Inter Cooperative Council on Privilege and Oppression (ICCoPO)
Saturday, November 6 | 1:15 - 2:30
Interfaith Caucus lunch (meet in The Commons)
Saturday, November 6 | 8:00 pm - 9:15 pm
People of Color Caucus
White Allies Working Group
People with Disabilities Caucus
Open Space for Working Groups & Caucuses
Saturday, November 6 | 9:20 pm - 10:20 pm
Trans Caucus
Working Class, Low-Income, and Poor People's Caucus
Open Space for Working Groups & Caucuses
Sunday, November 7 | 12:15 pm - 1:45 pm (lunch provided)
Diversity Congress
The Diversity Congress serves as a working group employed by identity caucuses that have established themselves at NASCO Institute. The Congress is designed to be a safe space where two elected representatives of each identity caucus can share concerns, discuss solutions, and plan action steps for bringing issues to the NASCO Board and/or the Annual General Meeting.