Netroots Nation and Democracy for America: A match made in progressive heaven

This is a guest post from my good friend Alex Showerman who serves as the New Media Manager for Democracy for America (DFA). Every year, DFA sponsors scholarships for a selection of activists who would not be able to attend the Netroots Nation convention otherwise. From their webpage:

Every year, the Netroots Nation Convention has provided progressive activists and candidates a forum to strengthen the online community and grow the progressive movement while inspiring action and growing new ideas to affect change. Applicants for the DFA Netroots Nation scholarship must have a demonstrated commitment to growing the progressive movement whether through blogging, organizing, issue advocacy or electoral worth. Any DFA Member or participant in the larger netroots or progressive movement may apply for the scholarship. Applicants are encouraged to solicit support for the application from their personal networks. Individuals may only vote for each applicant once. A select group of scholarships will be awarded solely on the basis of support gathered. The remaining scholarships will be awarded on merit at the discretion of the selection committee. The selection committee is comprised of DFA, Netroots Nation, and partner staff. Scholars will be notified by May 14th and will be asked to commit to attending. The scholarship provides four nights of hotel and the conference fee. Scholars are responsible for their travel and food expenses.

Thank you to Alex for providing contributing this post.

This will be my first Netroots Nation and I could not be more excited to go! Before I made the progressive movement my career and was a passionate activist in my free time, I had always wanted to go to Netroots Nation. I was drawn by the chance to attend the panels, see the big name speakers, attend the trainings, and most importantly meet fellow activists to take my involvement to the next level. Unfortunately, as a broke college student and young professional, I simply didn’t have the extra cash to go.

Here at DFA, we believe that progressive activists should not be discouraged from attending Netroots Nation because of cost, just as I was. That’s why as a major sponsor of Netroots Nation DFA will foot the bill for rising stars in the progressive movement to join us in San Jose. Developing the next generation of the progressive activists has always been a core value of DFA, and we view attending Netroots Nation as your launch pad!

Past scholars include folks who have successfully run for state office, prominent gun violence prevention activists, radio personalities, and well-known bloggers. This could be your chance to attend Netroots Nation and make the connections you need to take your activism to the next level. Here’s what you do right now:

Apply! If you have always wanted to go to Netroots, but don’t have the spare cash, this could be your opportunity!

Nominate somebody who you think deserves to go, they’ll be flattered.

Most of all, vote for the activists you think are most deserving.

Good luck and we look forward to seeing you in San Jose!

— Alex Showerman, DFA New Media Manager

Alex joined Democracy for America in the summer of 2012, after serving as the Deputy Director of Digital Media for the Tim Kaine Campaign in Virginia. Previously, he worked in Chicago as an organizer for Congresswoman Schakowsky’s campaign and found inspiration in the influence of grassroots organizing on elections. After the congresswoman’s win, he moved to Washington, DC where he spent a year and a half on Capitol Hill running the constituent correspondence program and conducting legislative research.