Cindy writes:

Renewing the Anarchist Tradition Conference
Plainfield, Vermont, Sept. 23-25, 2005

Space is Limited!
(We're also still accepting presentation proposals!)

The Renewing the Anarchist Tradition (RAT) conference, sponsored by the Institute for Anarchist Studies, aims to provide a scholarly space in which to both reexamine and reinvigorate the social and political tradition of anarchism.

RAT is meant as one contribution to the project of developing a more rigorous as well as contemporary theoretical framework for anarchism, and to assist in nurturing new generations of anti-authoritarian public intellectuals. Thus, as opposed to conferences that attempt to create anarchist organizations, statements of purpose, or focus on "lifestyle anarchism" or how-to workshops, RAT brings together anarchist and libertarian left organizers, scholars, writers, educators, activists, students, and others to explore how we make sense of our own tradition; how we understand anarchism in the context of our lives, movements, and present-day social conditions; and how the conceptual tools that the anarchist tradition provides can and need to be rethought.For more details on RAT, including past presentations and a sampler of 2005 talks, see http://www.homemadejam.org/renew.

WE’RE STILL SEEKING PRESENTATIONS & PANELS

In particular, we are encouraging people of color, queer, transgender, and intersex people, women, people raising children, indigenous people, people with diverse abilities, working-class people, and others who are frequently underrepresented as speakers (for a variety of reasons) to send us a presentation or panel proposal for this year's RAT conference. Also, if you feel alienated when you look at the list of presentations to date on our Web site or think that important issues that should be considered through an anarchist lens are being left out, you probably have a presentation proposal to offer. Please get in touch.

Contact one or both of the co-organizers with your ideas ASAP. For more information on presentations, or examples of past RAT presentations/panels, see www.homemadejam.org/renew.

REGISTRATION AND COST

You must register and pay in advance, as the conference space is limited to 200 people—and RAT must prepay all food, housing, and room rental fees in advance (the conference has no outside or independent funding source other than registration fees).

We’re offering a sliding-scale registration for the following three options:

1. Registration and six meals (for locals and

      others not requiring housing): $40-50

2. Registration fee, six meals, and shared dorm

      room: $55-75

3. Registration fee, six meals, and single dorm

      room: $80-100

Registration includes six meals (Friday dinner; Saturday breakfast, lunch, and dinner; Sunday breakfast and lunch); please specify vegan, vegetarian, or meat when you register. Rooms are single or shared dorm space, and include linens and towels. Singles are on a first-come, first-serve basis; if you request a shared dorm room, please indicate any roommate preferences such as a specific person or gender. If needed, child care is available; ask for details when registering.

Note: we cannot custom-tailor registration fees to include, say, only four meals, and we cannot refund registration fees.

To register, contact Cindy at cbmilstein@yahoo.com for more information on how to register and where to send your check.

SCHOLARSHIPS

A limited number of partial scholarships are available to subsidize RAT conference fees for those with limited resources. We will do our best to offer assistance to those who need it.

These scholarships are made possible because of the generosity of other RAT participants. If you can afford to pay the higher end of our sliding-scale registration fee or want to donate more beyond that, we will pass along the extra funds to those needing financial aid to attend RAT.

GETTING TO RAT

RAT takes place on the Goddard College campus in Plainfield, Vermont, about nine miles east of the state capital, Montpelier, and easily accessible by car off I-89 North or South.

Both Amtrak (www.amtrak.com) and Greyhound (www.Greyhound.com) or Vermont Transit (www.vermonttransit.com) offer train and bus service, respectively, to Montpelier. Limited pick-ups and drop-offs will be available, or you can call a taxi (K C Taxi at 802-476-0882 or Payless Taxi at 802-476-4097) during the daytime hours. Please check with us about your travel arrangements before assuming that a pick-up or drop-off in Montpelier is possible.

There is an airport in Burlington, Vermont, about an hour's drive from Plainfield. We will be unable to do any airport pick-ups or drop-offs, however. If you fly to Burlington, please arrange your own ground transportation. There are several car rental agencies at the airport (www.vermontairports.com/btv.html). In addition, there is limited bus service between Burlington and Montpelier on either Vermont Transit (www.vermonttransit.com) or Chittenden County Transit Authority and the LINK Express (http://www.cctaride.org/main.php).

MINI-BOOKFAIR

A number of bookstores and publishers will table at RAT as part of our annual mini-bookfair. Tables are available for bookstores, publishers, and infoshops for $35; you must reserve and pay for a table in advance. Tables will also be available at no charge for free literature or other materials (zines, patches, art, and so forth).

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
WANT TO BE ADDED TO OUR E-MAIL LIST?

Feel free to contact either of the co-organizers: Cindy Milstein at cbmilstein@yahoo.com, or John Petrovato at jpetrovato@hotmail.com.