Activists Hall of Fame Dinner

Tickets are still available for the 2007 Activists Hall of Fame Dinner.

The menu features:

Baby Spinach Salad with Sliced Egg, Red Onion Rings, Black Olives, Oven Roasted Tomatoes and Sun-dried Tomato Vinaigrette

Mixed Grille of PEtite Filet MIgnon with garlic and Port reduction
Potato and Herb crusted Breast of Chicken with Champagne Cream Sauce

Freshly Baked Dinner Rolls and Butter
Coffee, tea and water

Chocolate Lovin' Spoon Cake
Creme Brulee Cheesecake

Call today to reserve your ticket or to secure a table sponsorship, 405.427.3366.

Activists Hall of Fame Nominations Due Tomorrow

Please fax your nominations for the Activists Hall of Fame Award to 405.427.1310 by 5 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, April 20.

Forms are available here.

Convention Lodging

The deadline for the special convention rate for our block of rooms at the Renaissance Hotel was yesterday. However, I understand they still have a few rooms available, so call as soon as possible and ask if they still have rooms available for the Oklahoma Democratic Party Convention May 18-20. Call 405.228.8000.

We have identified some additional hotels and room rates in the area. Call us for more information at 405.427.3366.

Convention Tickets

The deadline for the Meal Deal for State Convention has been extended to the end of the month. All other tickets remain available through May 10th.

Please help us make appropriate plans by reserving your tickets as soon as possible.

The Meal Deal plan allows you to save $15.

A very limited number of tickets may be available at the convention. We fully expect to sell out the Activists Awards Hall of Fame Dinner by May 1st. Please make your reservations for this event today!

Table sponsorships are available and county parties are encouraged to participate in this event as a table sponsor. For more information call the ODP HQ at 405.427.3366.

DNC Chairman Howard Dean to Keynote Convention

We are pleased to announce that Democratic National Committee Chairman Governor Howard Dean will keynote the first General Session of the 2007 Oklahoma Democratic Party State Convention Saturday, May 19th at the Bricktown Coca-Cola Event Center in Oklahoma City.

As Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Gov. Howard Dean is making the Democratic Party competitive in every race, in every district, in every state and territory, while integrating national and state party operations and standing up for Democrats' core values. His election to this post on February 12, 2005 is the most recent chapter in a life dedicated to shaping the future of the Democratic Party.

Most recently, after achieving national prominence in his bid for the Democratic nomination for president, Governor Dean founded Democracy for America in 2004 to build on the groundswell of support and the wave of new energy sweeping the Party. And since that time, Democracy for America has been working with the grassroots to elect fiscally responsible and socially progressive candidates to all levels of government -- local, state, and federal -- all over the country.

The breadth of Governor Dean's political experience has given him a unique perspective. He began his political career in the early 1980's as the Chittenden County (Vermont) Democratic Party chair. In 1983, Dean was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives. He was then elected lieutenant governor in 1986 and was re-elected in 1988 and 1990. He became Vermont's governor upon the death of Governor Richard A. Snelling on August 14, 1991.

Elected to a full term in November 1992, Governor Dean was re-elected four more times and created a record based on fiscally conservative principles that promoted equality and opportunity for all the citizens of Vermont. Under his leadership, Vermont paid down its debt and by 2001 enjoyed a $100 million surplus. Through his innovative health care plan, 96 percent of Vermont's children now have health care coverage and more than a third of Vermont's Medicare recipients receive state help in paying for their prescription drugs. His 'Success by Six' program ensures that more resources like day-care and home nurses are available to parents if they need them. And with strong support from Governor Dean, Vermont officials instituted an Interactive Learning Network that wired almost all the state's high schools, even in the most rural areas.

Governor Dean's successes prompted Governing magazine to proclaim him "Public Official of the Year" in 2002.

Dean's leadership roles also include turns as chairman of the National Governors' Association, the Democratic Governors' Association, and the New England Governors' Conference.

Before entering politics, Dean received a medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City in 1978. Upon completing his residency at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont, he went on to practice internal medicine in Shelburne, Vermont.

He is married to Dr. Judy Steinberg and they have two children, Anne and Paul.

Activist Hall of Fame Nominations Due

Nominations for the Activist Hall of Fame Award are due tomorrow, April 20th.

You may nominate any Democrat who has demonstrated leadership as a grassroots organizer and activist. The ODP State Central Committee appointed a subcommittee to review the nominations and will make the final determination of this year's winners.

To nominate someone please use the form available here.

Meal Deal Deadline Extended

Due to popular demand we have extended the deadline for purchasing the Meal Deal for the State Convention to April 25th. You save $15 by purchasing the $85 Meal Deal that includes tickets for breakfast, lunch, and the Activist Awards Hall of Fame Reception and Dinner on Saturday, May 19th.

Order online through the box on this blog or call us at 405.427.3366.

We accept checks, VISA, and Mastercard.

Reservations

We've sold out the original room block at the Renaissance Hotel and have added five more rooms. The deadline is today, so if you want to stay at the Renaissance for State Convention make your reservations today. After today the room rate cannot be guaranteed. When you call please tell them you are with the Oklahoma Democratic Party State Convention. You may also want to check on AAA, military and government rates. Call 405.228.8000.

Tickets Online

You can purchase your tickets for breakfast, lunch and dinner at the ODP Convention online using the secure form to the right of this blog.

You can also RSVP for the Friday night event, no charge, using this form.

If you prefer you can call us at 405.427.3366 to order tickets. We accept VISA, Mastercard and checks.

All transactions are considered contributions to the Oklahoma Democratic Party. Please make checks payable to the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

Your payment must be freely and voluntarily givent from your personal property. Federal law requires political committees to report the name, mailing adddress, occupation and name of your employer for each individual whose contributions aggregate in excess of $200 in a calendar year. State law requires reporting of contributions in excess of $50 or multiple contributions from a single source exceeding $50 in the aggregate in a calendar year.

Convention Meals

Our convention special "meal deal" offer is good through April 18th. You save $15 on breakfast, lunch and dinner for Saturday at the State Convention. Call 405.427.3366 today and order your tickets. The deal includes a ticket for the Activist Hall of Fame Awards Reception and Dinner Saturday, May 19th at the Cox Convention Center.

After April 18th dinner tickets are $75 each for open seating.

Table sponsorships are still available. Call 405.427.3366 for more information.

Convention Rooms

Rooms at the Renaissance Hotel, the official ODP State Convention Hotel are selling out fast. The deadline for the preferred rate is April 18th. (You may be able to use other discounts and get a better rate so don't hesitate to ask.) We sold out the first block this week but have expanded the block. If you haven't made reservations yet, please do so a.s.a.p.

Call 1 800 HOTELS-1 or 405.228.8000. Tell them you are with the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

Reservations for State Convention

Make reservations now for the 2007 State Convention and Activist Awards Reception and Dinner. Call the ODP office at 405.427.3366 to make ticket arrangements as soon as possible. The special room rate and event ticket deal expires April 18th.

Breakfast tickets are $10; lunch tickets are $15. Activist Awards Reception and Dinner tickets are $75 each. We are offering a package deal for $85 -- saving you $15 if you purchase all three meal tickets together.

The official convention hotel is the Renaissance Hotel. Please find a Democratic roommate and make your reservations today! Call 1.800.HOTELS-1 or 405.228.8000. Don't forget to tell reservations that you are with the Oklahoma Democratic Party. The special room rate applies for both Friday and Saturday nights. These rooms won't last long so reserve yours today!

Our Friday night event is free for delegates and their guests at the Cox Convention Center from 7 to 10 p.m. The ODP is providing light appetizers with the cash bar. Live music by Hart and Soul will entertain us throughout the evening. Please let us know if you plan to attend this event by calling the ODP HQ at 405.427.3366.

State Convention Delegate Deadlines

State Convention Delegate? Deadlines Approaching

If you are a delegate to the ODP State Convention it's time NOW to make your reservations and order your tickets for the special events planned during the convention.

The ODP has a block of rooms reserved at The Renaissance Hotel which will be released after April 18th. Please make your reservations now for State Convention. Call The Renaissance at 405.228.8000. Please tell reservations you are attending the ODP State Convention.

For more information about lodging contact the ODP at 405.427.3366.

Tickets for the other events and the Activists Award Reception and Dinner are also available through the ODP. Please call 405.427.3366.

Convention and table sponsorships are available. Call 405.427.3366.

For more information about the convention click here.

Activists Hall of Fame Nominations Due Now

ODP Activists Hall of Fame Nominations Due

Know a Democratic activist? Nominate them for the Oklahoma Democratic Party Activist Award to be presented at the Activists Award Dinner at the State Convention May 19th. Nomination forms are available on the ODP website at www.okdemocrats.org. Nomination due date is April 20. The form is available here.

Previous winners include:

Carma Lee Brock, Doug Dodd, Liz Estes, Marjean Mitchell, Lois Ross, Sweet Pea Abernathy, Eleanor Edmondson, Jim GAllagher, Sarah Jane Rodgers, Mae Scott, Bernice MItchell, Carter Bradley, Elizabeth Whetsel, Milt Lehr, Myra Crawford, Gene and Dottie Tyner, Wyota Hannan, Carl Downing, LaRue Boudurant, RubyTaylor, and Paul Barby.

State Convention Registration

Credentialing/Registration

The credentials table will be open on Friday, May 18th from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Renaissance Hotel, Lobby 10 North Broadway. Credentials will open again at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 19th at the convention site in the Coca-Cola Bricktown Event Center, 425 E. California, Oklahoma City.

Convention Hotel

All delegates to the State Convention are encouraged to make room reservations as soon as possible. The Renaissance Hotel is the official convention hotel. We have a block of rooms reserved through April 19th. If you want to reserve a room at the Renaissance Hotel please call 405.228.8000 and reserve your room. To get the special rate please tell them you are attending the Oklahoma Democratic Party State Convention. Rooms are $149 per night plus tax. Those rates are good for both Friday and Saturday night.

Other hotels in the downtown area include the Sheraton ($229 per night plus tax) and Couryard by Marriott ($149 per night plus tax.) Rates at other Oklahoma City hotels range from $69 per night plus tax at Howard Johnson, $89 per night plus tax at LaQuinta: Airport; $119 per night plus tax at Embassy Sui9tes: Airport; $99 per night plus tax at Holiday Inn; and $54.99 per night plus tax at the Fairgrounds Super 8. In addition there are several Oklahoma County Democratic Party members who are offering to accommodate out of town guests during the convention. If you are interested please contact the ODP at 405.427.3366.

Events

All credentialed delegates and their guests are invited to a reception on Friday evening at the Cox Convention Center, Meeting Room 9. The event begins at 7 p.m. and will continue through the evening with light appetizers, a cash bar and live music provided by Heart and Soul. Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean is expected to make an appearance at this event. There is no charge but donations will be accepted.

There will also be candidate and caucus receptions with times and locations to be announced later.

The State Central Commitee approved a Package Deal for the Saturday events which includes a continental breakfast at the convention site, a box lunch at the convention site and a general admission ticket to the 2007 Activists Awards Dinner and Delegate Reception for $85. (This package price is available through April 19th. After April 19th tickets for each event must be purchased separately before the convention.) Individual prices are $10 for the Saturday breakfast; $15 for the Saturday box lunch; and $75 for the Activists Award dinner.

All tickets are available as contributions to the ODP by check or credit card. Call 405.427.3366.

2007 ODP State Convention Agenda

The following agenda was approved by the State Central Committee for recommendation to the Rules Committee for the State Convention.

Please note that registration/credentialing begins on Friday and continues throughout the convention. Please also note that we will have two General Sessions, one on Saturday and another on Sunday following an optional interdenominational worship service.

All business sessions will be conducted at the Coca-Cola Bricktown Event Center, 425 E. California, and the social events on Friday and Saturday evenings will be at the Cox Convention Center, 100 W. Sheridan.


FRIDAY May 18

5 to 7 p.m. Early Registration/Credentialing Renaissance Hotel Lobby

7 to 10 p.m. ODP Celebrates Cox Convention Center
Music by Heart and Soul Meeting Room 9
Light Appetizers Provided and Cash Bar

8 to 11 p.m. Candidate and Caucus Hospitality Suites TBD

SATURDAY, May 19

8 to 9 a.m. Registration/Credentialing Coca-Cola Bricktown Event Center

GENERAL SESSION 1 Coca-Cola Bricktown Event Center

9 – 10 a.m. Call to Order and Welcome - Chair
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation
Recognition of Democratic Elected Officials
Keynote Address – DNC Chairman Howard Dean
Comments from the Chair – Lisa Pryor
Treasurer’s Report – Walter Jenny, Jr.

10 a.m. Report of the Credentials Committee
Report of the Rules Committee

10:15 to Noon Election of Officers
Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer

Noon Box Lunch and Speaker

1 – 4:30 p.m Continue Election of Officers and 4 Affirmative Action Committee Members

Report of the Resolutions Committee (if time permits)

4:30 p.m. Adjourn General Session 1

5-6 p.m. DNC fundraiser TBD

6 – 7 p.m. Private Reception for Event Sponsors Renaissance Hotel Suite
6 – 7 p.m. Open Reception for Activists Hall of Fame Cox Convention Center
(cash bar) Meeting Room 9-12
7 -9:30 p.m. Activists Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards Ceremony Meeting Room 9-12
(tickets and table sponsorships available)

SUNDAY, May 21

8 – 9 a.m. Registration/Credentialing Coca-Cola Bricktown Event Center

8 – 8:30 a.m. Interdenominational worship service Coca-Cola Bricktown Event Center

GENERAL SESSION 2 Coca-Cola Bricktown Event Center

9 a.m. – Noon Consideration of Resolutions and other business
Announcements
Possible Presidential Candidate Appearance

Noon Adjournment