The 2008 South Florida Democratic Party Summit (July 12, 2008)‏

To Candidates, Elected Officials, Community Leaders, and South Florida Organizations:
On behalf of the Host Committee and the Florida College Democrats, I would like to extend an invitation to the inaugural South Florida Democratic Party Summit at Florida Atlantic University's Boca Raton Campus on July 12, 2008 from 3:00pm to 7:30pm featuring the former US Attorney General Janet Reno, and various members of the State Legislature, and other local officials. In addition, local musical personality and icon, Ellen Bukstel will be performing.

Once you arrive, please sign in at the Elected Officials or Party Officials sign-in desk and be sure to include your name, position ( or elected office), city/county of origin, and e-mail address. Also, If you have access to an e-mail list, please take a couple minutes and forward this information to your constituents at your earliest convenience.



- The event will also feature various town-halls that are designed to provide a venue for discussion to our families and our communities.

- The event is free to all attendees and food will be provided. More information is located at http://www.SFLSummit2008.com

- The event is being sponsored by the Florida College Democrats, The FAU College Democrats, and The 2008 Summit Committee

Here is some more detailed information on the event:

Location
The Boca Raton Campus Student Union (Florida Atlantic University)
777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, FL 33431

Time - 3:00pm to 7:30pm

Sponsors/Organizers:
Florida College Democrats
Florida Atlantic University College Democrats
The 2008 Summit Committee

Campaigning Policy: No candidates will be allowed to discuss, mention, or announce their candidacy in any point of the event except for during the intermission or outside of the town-hall sessions. No campaigning will be allowed during and inside a room where a session is in progress.

------------------
Event Schedule/Agenda

Opening Ceremony
Location: The Barry Kaye Auditorium | Time: 3:00 to 4:00pm
Order of Ceremony: Speakers


Kevin Cho Tipton
Welcome to the Event

From the Office of FAU President Brogan
Welcome to Florida Atlantic University

John Martino, Florida College Democrats President
On our college students and our future

State Rep. Maria Lorts Sachs
Welcome to District 86

State Sen. Ted Deutch
The challenges we face ahead and why to get involved.


Performance by Ellen Bukstel

Address from:
Former Attorney General Janet Reno

First Town Hall Series
Please Choose One
Time: 4:00 to 5:00pm

Energy, Environment, & Infrastructure
Panelists: State Rep. Susan Bucher, State Rep. Mary Brandenburg, State Rep. Richard Machek, State Rep. Mark Pafford (elect)
Location: The Barry Kaye Auditorium
This panel will focus on educating the community on the realities of the continued use of fossil fuels, their effects on the environment, the poor state of the levees, roads, bridges, electrical generation, telecommunications, water supply, and national security and what we can do to ensure the future security of our communities.

Crossroads in our Healthcare System
Panelists: State Rep. Kelly Skidmore, State Rep. Ari Porth, Dr. Howard Greene, Rick Ford, Terry A. Williams Edden
Location: The Grand Palm Room
This section will discuss the realities of our healthcare, Medicare, Medicaid, and social security system, how they affect the communities we live in and what can be done to rectify the problems that already exist.

The Housing Crisis
Panelists: Diane Heinz, Chuck Mohlke, Chris Chiari
Location: The Sago Palm Room
This section will address the housing crisis affecting every community in our state and what we can all do to help lessen the burden of this impending situation on our families, neighborhoods, and communities from Miami to Pensacola.

The Situation in the Middle East
Panelists: State Rep. Maria Lorts Sachs, Dr. Robert Rabil, Dr. Robert Watson, Rivka Felsher

Location: The Majestic Palm Room
This section will center discussion on the effects of our involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the affects that our actions in the region are affecting Israel, the stability in Pakistan, and what the future may hold for the United States in regards to our policies geared toward the Middle East.

Saving Florida's Education System
Panelists: State Rep. Shelley Vana, State Rep. Jim Waldman, Broward County School Board Member Phyllis Hope, Freda Stevens, Christian Matthew Holes
Location: The Senate Chambers
This section will be devoted to the topic of Education in our state and the nation. With Florida now 50th in teacher pay, there are many issues that our educators face in the classroom. Discussion will focus on what can be done to improve the system and how vastly important it is to invest in education.



Featured Town Hall
Modern Day Slavery in Florida: A 21st Century Issue

Location: The Barry Kaye Auditorium (Alternate: Grand Palm Room)
Time: 5:30 to 6:30pm
Panelists: The Coalition of Immokalee Workers
The Student/Farmworker Alliance
Description: This year's featured town hall will center around the realities of modern day slavery right here in the backyard of Florida and across the nation. For more information on this very important issue visit http://www.CIW-Online.org.



Closing Ceremony
Location: Barry Kaye (Alternate: Grand Palm Room)
Time: 6:30pm to 7:00pm
Order of Ceremony: Speakers

Sapna Talati, FAU College Democrats President
Thanks to attendees

DNC Member Chuck Mohlke
On the need for Democratic Party unity

Special Closing Keynote Speaker

------------------

We hope to see you at the event, if you have any questions, feel free to contact me at your earliest convinience,
Kevin Cho Tipton
South Florida Vice Prsesident, Florida College Democrats
Communications Director, FAU College Democrats
kevinchotipton@gmail.com | ktipton@fau.edu | (239) 293 3614