How to Attend the National Women's Rights Convention

NOW, the National Organization for Women, has held an annual convention since 1966. This grassroots lobbying organization requires its members to actively advance women's rights issues according to the specific platforms adopted at these conventions. Visitors can attend the convention but can't vote on the convention's resolutions and can be excluded from attending certain floor debates.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Access NOW's official website (see Resources below). Choose the About link on the home page. Scroll down the list and select Conference Information. Pick the link to the upcoming conference or convention.

2. Register online or call [phone] to receive a registration form by mail. Members should register with their chapter presidents. Members must receive proof of membership prior to attending the convention in order to vote. Members and visitors should apply to receive NOW's periodic updates on the convention's status.

3. Check the convention's dates, location and hotel accommodations on the website. Plan to spend three full days at the convention, normally Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Access the website's link, Conference Hotel, to book a room online. Find out about sharing a room by following the link to Housing Board on the same page.

4. Review the convention's draft agenda on NOW's website. See which activities require pre-registration, such as child care or yoga classes. Read the proposed resolutions. Members chosen as delegates must determine their chapter's position on each resolution in order to vote responsibly.

5. Study the Resolution Process by choosing this link on the web page. Print NOW's "Resolution Process: the 411 on Resolutions" available on the same page. Learn how the conference introduces, debates and votes on resolutions. If passed, resolutions become governing principles that NOW members must carry out in their individual chapters.

6. Check in at the conference's credentialing table. Obtain the final agenda. Visitors and special guests must receive name tags. Members and press members must receive identification tags, the voting ballot and list of resolutions for debate.

Resources

• Visit the NOW website.