Summer Conference at the Wilhelm Reich Museum

July 8-12 2019, Orgonon, Rangeley, Maine

WILHELM REICH’S WORK DEMOCRACY

Between the years 1938 and 1945, Wilhelm Reich wrote six important texts on work democracy:

1939: The Natural Organization of Work

in Work Democracy

1941: Further Problems of Work Democracy

1942: "The Biological Miscalculation in the Human

Struggle for Freedom"

1943: "Give Responsibility to Vitally Necessary Work!" and "Work Democracy versus Politics: The Natural

Forces for the Mastery of the Emotional Pest."

1944: "Work Democracy in Action"

Attendees are encouraged to read these ahead of time. When you register prior to the conference, three will be sent to you. The others are included as the final three chapters of The Mass Psychology of Fascism. We will explore the development of Reich’s ideas but also how we can put them to use in our own lives, to get practical benefit and to help others.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE (subject to change):

Monday 8 July

9:00 am -10:30 am – Welcome, introduction to the topic: James

Strick, PhD

10:45 am – 1:00 pm – Reich’s articles on work democracy, part 1:

Philip Bennett, PhD

2:30 pm – 4:00 pm – Sit in closed Orgone Room for visual

observations (weather permitting–we will do it on the first

sunny, low humidity day)

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Lakeside Theatre, Rangeley, screening of

Love, Work and Knowledge: the Life and Trials of Wilhelm Reich

Tuesday 9 July

9:00 am – 1:00 pm – Reich’s writings on work democracy, part 2:

Philip Bennett, PhD

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Lakeside Theatre, Rangeley, screening of Love, Work and Knowledge…

Wednesday 10 July

9:00 am – 1:00 pm – Reich writings on work democracy, part 3:

David Brahinsky, PhD

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – International panel discussion from a variety

of different perspectives about Reich’s ideas on work democracy

(various participants from the US, Mexico, Germany, Norway)

Thursday 11 July

9:00 am – 10:30 am – Patricia Estrada, MA, Using Reich’s Principles

in a Current Organization

10:45 am – 12 noon – Thomas Riepenhausen, MA, Work Democracy

in Practice Today

12 noon – 1:00 pm – Open discussion

2:30 pm – 4:30 pm – Hike to Cascade Gorge (bring a bathing suit if

you want to swim)

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – 2009 video interview with Mary Boyd Higgins,

Trustee of WRITF 1959-2019

Friday 12 July

9:00 am – 10:30 am – Audio tape from the Reich archives on

Reich’s use of work democratic ideas in his own organizations

10:45 am – 12 noon – Discussion of tape

12 noon – 1:00 pm – Panel discussion with all speakers

Spanish translation will be provided.

Saturday 13 July (optional)

For those who can stay through Saturday night, a concert of standards from the great American songbook will be performed by renowned jazz pianist Andy Kahn on Saturday evening July 13th.

GENERAL INFORMATION

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION FEE (good though 20 May 2019) – $275.00

After 20 May, fee will be $325.00

Includes tuition, information packet, daily homemade breakfast and refreshments. A 25% discount is available for full-time college students who can document their status and for those traveling from outside the US and Canada. Registration may be made using check Mastercard, Visa, or American Express. Call 207-864-3443, send check to Orgonon, PO Box 687, Rangeley, Maine 04970 USA, or e-mail info@wilhelmreichtrust.org

MEETING PLACE

Conference Building at Orgonon (Wilhelm Reich Museum) located on Dodge Pond Road in Rangeley, Maine

TAX DEDUCTION

IRS regulations permit an income tax deduction for educational expenses to maintain or improve professional skills.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, lakefront cottages and other rentals, and campgrounds are available in and around Rangeley. We encourage you to make reservations early as this is the busy season. Try vrbo.com or AirBNB, or for information on the region, contact the Rangeley Chamber of Commerce: 800-685-2537 or email: mtlakes@rangeley.org

TWO SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

To apply for the Mary Boyd Higgins and Chester M. Raphael Scholarships, please contact us at: info@wilhelmreichtrust.org. All applications must be received by May 15, 2019.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Call us at 207-864-3443, or e-mail: info@wilhelmreichtrust.org

Passages from selected articles by Wilhelm Reich: