2024 DPVA Rural Retreat

Friday, May 3 – Washington Hall

Registration begins at 5:00 PM

6:00 – 7:00 PM Cocktail Hour

Welcome,introductions and some “Backwoods Besties” Sponsor Speeches 7:00 -7:30 PM

Keynote Speaker: United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) President Cecil Roberts 7:30 PM

8:00 -9:00 PM Mingle and Network

Cash Bar

Saturday, May 4 Jefferson Ballroom

8:00 AM Continental Breakfast

8;45 AM Welcome

9:00 – 9:50AM Messaging in Rural Spaces – Teresa Purcell, Founder, Rural Strong Network LLC,and Former Senior Advisor DNC Rural Engagement

9:50 – 10:00AM Break

10:00 – 10:50“I’m a Chair! Now what? – A panel discussion led by 4th CD Chair, Alexsis Rodgers

10:50 – 11:00AM TBA

11:00 – 11:50AM Supporting Rural Candidates – Former Delegate Jay Jones, Founder of Meet Our Moment and Lynlee Thorne, Political Director Rural Groundgame along with panelists Former Glasgow Vice-Mayor and recent State Senate candidate, Jade Harris,Recent Delegate candidate, Lily Franklin and Blacksburg Town Councilman, Liam Watson

11:50 -1:30Lunch along with a special Network NOVA Rural Power Lunch with Finale Norton and Katherine White

1:35- 2:30 PM School Board -What is happening and What to Do -a panel discussion led by Sarah Goodman, former Roanoke County Teacher and current GOTV Organizer with Red, Wine,and Blue

2:30- 3:20 Young Democrats! – Everything you want and need to know about YDS With Young Democrats President Matt Royer

3:20 – 4:10PM The Secret Sauce! – How to talk to the registered non-voter with Rural Caucus Chair Roberta Thacker-Oliver, and Rural Groundgame Political director Lynlee Thorne

Saturday Night, May 4, Jefferson Ballroom

5:30 -6:30 Cocktail Hour

6:30 -9:00 Dinner Buffet and Program with Young Democrats Chapter of the Year, Roanoke Yd Co-Chair Dominic Hardin, Gubernatorial Candidate, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney,and Keynote Speaker Delegate Sam Rasoul

Cash Bar

Sunday, May 5, Jefferson Ballroom

9:00 AM – Light Breakfast

9:30 – Awards

10:00 – NOON Donuts with DPVA – Q&A with DPVA Executive Director Shyam Raman and Political Director Emily Hamm

SPECIAL VOTEBUILDER (VAN) SESSIONS

We are VERY excited to be offering VAN Sessions throughout the day with Founder and Executive Director of Rural Groundgame, Ian McNally. These sessions are to answer your questions and help you with any hiccups you might be having navigating VAN.

****If you are interested in signing up for this special session, please email Roberta at [email protected] by 5:00 PM, May 1 to be added to this list. There will be six sessions throughout the day on Saturday, May 4 only! You will need to bring your laptop, if possible,for a hands-on session! ****

OTHER INFORMATION

·Tickets for the Rural Retreat are $125 via Actblue at

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ruralretreat2024

or $150 at the door.

·                                               Rural Retreat tickets include:

2 drink tickets

Entrance to all Retreat events Friday,Saturday, and Sunday

Appetizers Friday night, Continental Breakfast Saturday morning, Box Lunch, and  Dinner Buffet Saturday night, light Breakfast Sunday morning

*****TICKET PRICE TO THE RURAL RETREAT DOES NOT INCLUDE YOUR HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS****

Please contact the Natural Bridge Historic Hotel and Conference Center directly at

540-291-2121 for reservations

Rural Caucus Awards

The Rural Caucus is excited to announce the return of the Rural Caucus Awards!These awards are given out based on your nominations. They are then tallied by the Executive Committee and the highest vote getting nominee will be awarded these awards at the Awards Breakfast on Sunday, May 5 at the Rural Retreat! In case of a tie, the Executive Committee will flip a coin to break the tie. We have added a new award to the mix, in addition to the three original awards, the James S. Turpin award, The Ann Bright Holton Award, and the Henry Tieleman Award, we have added a  a Lifetime Rural Achievement Award.

Please click the link below to submit your nominations. The deadline to submit is May1, 2024, by 5:00 PM. Award recipients will be announced at the Rural Retreat.

https://forms.gle/5xKUbD4x4Lz5cydF9