We cordially invite you to join us for our annual Social Ecology Summer Intensive, June 8-13 at the Ground Zero Center in Poulsbo, Washington (1 hour from Seattle). For over 40 years the ISE has been hosting crucial movement-building conversations and providing space to reflect collectively on our political analysis, strategy, and vision. Our Summer Intensives continue that work, bringing together activists, students, academics and community leaders for a dynamic week of exploring the struggle for a free society in theory and praxis.

Combining classes, guest lectures, workshops, and walking tours, we will address the social and political issues that impact our activist work, academic studies, and everyday lives. Each year is a bit different, this year’s offerings will include: Foundations of Social Ecology; Understanding Capitalism; Confronting Racism, Fascism & White Nationalism; Nature Philosophy; Municipal Movements and Direct Democracy; History of the Left; Food and Climate Justice; Indigenous Resistance; Art and Social Change; a Radical History Walking Tour of Seattle; The Rojava Revolution. We’ll also kick things off Friday night with a concert and party!

Each year is a bit different, this year’s offerings will include: Foundations of Social Ecology; Understanding Capitalism; Confronting Racism, Fascism & White Nationalism; Nature Philosophy; Municipal Movements and Direct Democracy; History of the Left; Food and Climate Justice; Indigenous Resistance; Art and Social Change; a Radical History Walking Tour of Seattle; The Rojava Revolution. We’ll also kick things off Friday night with a concert and party!

Registration and Logistics

For the full 6-day program we ask a $70–300 sliding scale fee, or $40–100 weekend only; we won’t turn anyone away for lack of funds. We will provide light breakfast and lunch, for dinner there is an on-site kitchen available for use as well as restaurants close by. Participants can camp on-site for free, and there is limited local housing. We can arrange pickups from the ferry.

To enroll or get more info, please email us at social-ecology@mail.mayfirst.org. We’re less than two months away, so if you’d like to come please register soon so we know how many to expect!

ISE 2018 Intensive Schedule

Friday June 8

4-6 Introductions and opening circle

6-7 Dinner

7-8:30 What is Social Ecology? Lecture by Dan Chodorkoff

9-11 Concert & Party

The Window Smashing Job Creators, Bookchin (the band), and

Alessandra Rose

Saturday June 9

10-12 Understanding Capitalism: Dan Chodorkoff, Brian Tokar, Blair Taylor

12-1:30 Lunch

1:30-3:30 The Politics of Social Ecology

4-6 Confronting Racism, Fascism, White Nationalism: Guest Lecture by Chuck Tanner & Devin Burghart

6-7:30 Dinner

7:30-9 History of the Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action

Sunday June 10

10-12 Panel Discussion: Municipalist Movements – Fighting for Direct Democracy in

the Pacific Northwest

With Olympia Assembly, Demand Utopia, Seattle Neighborhood Action Coalition, ISE

2-5 Radical Walking Tour of Seattle (1:20 ferry): Andrew Hedden

5-6:30 Dinner

7-9 The Rojava Revolution: Building Radical Democracy in Syria – Guest Lecture by Saladdin Ahmed (at Seattle University, Wycoff Audiorium)

Monday June 11

10-12 Foundations of Social Ecology – Nature, Ethics & Politics: Chaia Heller

12-1:30 Lunch

1:30-4:30 Art and Social Change: Workshop with Beverly Naidus, Ashnie Butler, Bob Spivey

4-6 No. NOT EVER.: Cultural Organizing Against White Nationalism: Workshop by Kate Boyd and Cristien Storm

6-7:30 Dinner

7:30-9 Indigenous Self-Determination: Chuck Tanner and Devin Burghart

Tuesday June 12

10-11:30 Food and Climate Justice: Grace Gershuny & Brian Tokar

11:30-1 Historical and Theoretical Perspectives on the U.S. Left: Blair Taylor

1-2:30 Lunch

2:30-4 Food Justice – Grace Gershuny

4-5:30 Climate Justice: Brian Tokar

5:30 – 7 Dinner

Wednesday June 13

10-11:30 Media and Strategy: Guest Lecture by Amoshaun Toft & Shawn Vulliez

11:30-1 Reclaiming Utopia – Dan Chodorkoff

1-2 Lunch

2-4 Strategy Roundtable: Getting from here to there

4-6 Closing circle