The CGO 2004 Conference
The 24th North American Conference of the
Council of Georgist
Organizations
July 21-25, 2004
Albuquerque, New Mexico
The 24th North American Conference of the
Council of Georgist
Organizations
July 21-25, 2004
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Health, Wealth and Land:
Reclaiming our Common Heritage
To be in the circus you need to ride two horses at the same time -- so, this 24th Annual Council of Georgist Organizations Conference is a two-horse balancing act between the movement-building work of our member organizations and an exciting lineup of sessions focusing on meeting Albuquerque's economic and social challenges.Leaders of innovative community development programs and progressive social organizations will join us on panels about balanced growth, housing and poverty, the "health and wealth gap" and militarization in New Mexico.
Movement-building sessions include workshops on outreach strategies in journalism, education and activism. We will strengthen our movement community via member reports, open mike sessions, and plenty of time to just talk. Sessions on land trusts, Christian social theology, and the "global green agenda" will bring multiple dimensions to our confab.
So come one, come all, to the greatest conference on Earth!
Schedule of Events
9:00 — A Georgist Approach to Strategy. Dan Sullivan, Sue Walton 10:45-12 — Georgist Education: Goals and Criteria. Lindy Davies, Dan Sullivan, Bob Drake, David Giesen; Chuck Metalitz, Moderator 12-1:15 — Lunch: Table Topics led by Nicholas Rosen 1:30-2:30 — The Self-Supporting Community. Spencer MacCallum 2:30-3:30 — Fundraising Workshop. Scott Walton 4:00-5:00 — Geo-Journalism Panel. Walt Rybeck, Everett Gross, Jeff Smith, Nicholas Rosen; Lindy Davies, Moderator 7:00-9:00 — Member Reports, with your host, Jake Himmelstein 9:00 - Open Mike, hosted by Don Hurford
10:45-Noon — Economic Democracy / Global Green Agenda. J. W. Smith, Anne Goeke; Bill Batt, Moderator; Lindy Davies, Respondent
1:45-2:45 — Open Mike with Don Hurford 1:45-2:45 — Tax Shift in New Mexico: Strategy Session 3:15-5:00 — CGO Business Meeting 6:15 — Annual Gala Banquet. Starring Mason Gaffney, on "The Taxable Capacity of Land in All its Forms and Tenures" Then, the Henry George Awards! Lindy Davies is MC.
10:00-11:30 Brunch: Bonny Andelson and friends Remember Bob Andelson. |
Speakers
The Georgist movement is unlike other "advocacy groups" in many interesting ways. Adherents come from across the political spectrum. The Georgist philosophy can be viewed as a fundamental synthesis of the best of "left" and "right": a reconciliation of justice and efficiency in economic relations. Due to the far-reaching implications of this philosophy, activity is pursued on many fronts, including activism in support of local property tax reform, popular education, research, publishing, and networking.
Various organizations work to promote Georgist philosophy and/or public revenue based on land values. The Council of Georgist Organizations hosts an annual conference at a selected location in North America. Smaller conferences and events are also held, and the CGO serves as a clearinghouse for information about such events.
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There is a body of socio-economic truth which incorporates the best insights of both Capitalism and Socialism. Yet they are not insights that are artificially woven together to form a deliberate compromise. Instead, they arise naturally, with a kind of inner logic, from the profound ethical distinction which is the system's core. They arise remorselessly from an understanding of the meaning of the commandment, "Thou shalt not steal."
This Middle Way is the philosophy associated with the name of Henry George.
— Dr. Robert V. Andelson 1931-2003 |
The Facts
Administrators: Scott W. Walton & Associates, Ltd. (Sue & Scott Walton) 847/475-0391 or (888) 262-9015 (sorry only in USA) or efax: (775) 248-8630 or email: sns@swwalton.com. Please call us with any questions or comments. Mailing address: P.O. Box 57, Evanston, IL 60204, USA.
CGO Officers and Volunteers: Mark Sullivan, President; Alanna Hartzok, Vice President; Dan Sullivan, Secretary; Jake Himmelstein, Treasurer. Ted Gwartney, Advisor. Volunteers: Anne Goeke, Earthrights Institute; Hanno Beck, Banneker Center; Lindy Davies, Henry George Institute; John Fisher, Henry George Foundation of Canada; Toni Gwartney, Robert Schalkenbach Foundation.
Hotel: The Sheraton Uptown is located at 2600 Louisiana Boulevard NE. Staying at the Sheraton helps keep CGO costs down. Amenities include free parking, indoor pool and health club, refrigerators, voice mail, coffee makers, irons & ironing boards, and our hospitality suite. Restaurants and shopping malls are within walking distance.
Rooms: Sleeping rooms are $85 plus tax single/quad occupancy. To get this rate you must reserve your room by June 21, 2004 by calling: (800) 252-7772. Please be sure to mention that you are attending the CGO/Georgist Conference. "Any reservations received after this date will be honored on a space available basis at the most available rate. Rates can NOT be changed at check-in or checkout for guests who fail to identify their affiliation at the time the reservation is requested."
Room Sharing: If you would like to share a room, but need to find a roommate, please contact the administrators as soon as possible.
Meals: Program meals include: Wednesday evening reception, Thursday, Friday & Saturday catered lunches, coffee breaks, Saturday evening gala banquet and Sunday morning friendship brunch. Meals will include vegetarian selections.
To register: Use the enclosed form, or register online by clicking here. Conference rates are: Full package (all sessions and meal shown on program) $375 for you and $250 for your mate. Special First-timer package: (New Mexico program — Friday lunch through Saturday lunch) $60. Other partial package options are available!
Transportation Issues
Getting there: Our hotel is located 15 minutes from both the Alvarado Transportation Center/Amtrak Rail Station and Albuquerque International Airport. Sunport Shuttle is the best way to get to the hotel; it costs about $15. Riding a city bus from Alvarado Center costs 75¢. The hotel is located close to Interstate 40. Driving Directions will be provided with confirmations.
Airline: Southwest will offer Georgists 10% off the lowest published fares. To get this you or your travel agent need to call (800) 433-5368 (7 am to 8 pm Monday-Friday; 8:30 am-4:30 pm on weekends, Central time). Our ID # is V0275. The Train: Amtrak offers 10% off for Georgists. Our fare code is: X99B-911. Contact Amtrack at (800)872-7245 to get these fares. Trains from the east arrive at about 4 pm and depart eastward at 12:45 pm; trains from the west arrive at approximately 12:30 pm and depart westward at 4:45 pm.
Renting a car: Enterprise will favor participants with its corporate rates. Call (800)836-82227), or book online at www. enterprise.com. You must mention our corporate id (3402242).
Other Information
Exhibits: Space limitations prohibit them this year — but there will be Conference Packet Inserts. The cost is $25 per insert. Please contact the administrators by June 25, 2004.Refund Policy: A 20% administrative fee will be charged for concellations before June 27, 2004 After that date, the cancellation fee will be 50% on all full and partial packages. (Excepting documented medical emergencies.) Program is subject to change without notice.
Questions... Special Needs... If you have any special needs, please notify the Administrators as soon as possible.