The Bowdoin College Democrats are working to bring together the second Maine College Democrats Convention to be held at Bowdoin College this Friday and Saturday. One hundred and fifty delegates will be attending the convention, coming from 19 different colleges. Even more are expected to attend the main attraction, Al Franken.
"I mean, it's Al Franken," said Bowdoin Democrats Co-President Frank Chi '07.
Though perhaps the most widely known, Al Franken is not the only notable speaker scheduled this weekend. On Friday, Pat Colwell, Chair of the Maine Democratic Party, as well as Glen Cummings and other local legislators, are scheduled to speak about the "Maine Won't Discriminate" campaign.
"I think it's really important for people to realize what is at stake," said Chi.
Maine College Democrats President Alex Cornell du Houx '06 agreed. "We have 74,000 possible voters throughout the Maine College Democrats' influence. If we had some of those people get out and vote on this discrimination issue, we could make a real difference," he said.
Mike Michaud, congressman for the second congressional district in Maine, is talking on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. about youth labor rights activism. Following Michaud's speech, Congressman Tom Allen '67 will talk about youth participation in politics. At 8:00 p.m., Governor Baldacci and Al Franken are giving their keynote addresses. They plan to talk about youth involvement in politics, as well as the discrimination issue in Maine.
The democratic convention is also having workshops for delegates, both in media training and technological training. All delegates receive credentials, an official packet, the democratic campus plan, and the opportunity to attend every event and the training sessions.
"Conventions can't always be about speakers?people have to also get something out of it," Chi said. "Some schools don't even have any technical programs. We are giving them a chance to learn some of these skills," he said.
After holding the inaugural Maine College Democrats Convention last fall, the Bowdoin Democrats are determined to make the second convention even better.
"Last year, we were a scrappy bunch," said Chi. "We were not a force, now we are starting to organize ourselves, delegate responsibilities."
Although the delegate sign-up is over, all are welcome to attend Governor Baldacci and Al Franken's speeches on Saturday.
Cornell du Houx hopes for a large turnout despite there not being an election this fall. "This is an off year, with no elections. It's important that we go out there and engage," he said.
On the convention, the Bowdoin Republicans President Alex Linhart '06 said, "We have never protested the convention in the past, and don't plan on doing so."