We wanted to let you know right away that the date for our special 40th-anniversary Annual Conference this year has been changed. Originally, it was scheduled for August 28, in Montrose. But thanks to unforeseen circumstances (namely a worldwide coronavirus pandemic), the Annual Conference is now planned as a virtual online event! The essential part of the conference (including the business meeting) will now be held on Saturday, September 19.

Leading up to that, we will be offering some Zoom workshops to take the place of the live Conference’s popular breakout sessions. We’re discussing now what subjects would serve our members best. Some ideas we’ve discussed include:

• Digital Organizing: Staying Connected in the Time of COVID
• Economic Justice: Understanding the impacts of the state budget and the COVID economy
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: How to be an ally and accomplice for racial justice in rural America
• Get out the Vote: 2020 Elections in Western Colorado 
• Building Homegrown Prosperity: What is the WORC Resilient Rural American Platform?
• Affiliate Group regional meet up: connect and share with local Alliance leaders around the region 
• Campaign Team and Issue Committee Info sessions: catch up on the latest in oil and gas, food and ag, clean energy, just transition and public lands
• Other (We want to hear your ideas!)

So far, these are just ideas, and we’re really interested in what you think would be useful and interesting. Is there a particular area of our Alliance’s work you would like to see featured? Are there subjects regarding making our Western Colorado communities more healthy, just, and self-reliant that you would like to see discussed? We have prepared a questionnaire (estimated completion time: 1 minute or less) to ascertain your thoughts. Please send us your feedback or ideas!

And please mark it on your calendar — Saturday, September 19, 2020, for the 40th anniversary Annual Conference of Western Colorado Alliance!