Friday, October 18
3:00 – Hotel Check-In Opens
3:00–5:00 – Registration
Saturday, October 19
8:00am – Registration Opens
9:00-10:45 – Hot Breakfast Buffet
11:00 – Welcome & Legislator Remarks
With distinguished guests Senator Adam Gomez and Representative Carlos González
11:40 – Workshops Round I
Local Tenant Organization Compliance and Officer Roles
Stonehaven Room
Spanish translation available | Traducción al español disponible
Join this workshop to learn about LTO compliance and the specific roles and responsibilities of officers such as President, Treasurer and Secretary. Sample documents such as “financial forms” and “minutes” will be shared. At the conclusion of the presentation, we will test your knowledge with a fun game of “Whose role is it anyway?
Presenters: Maria Fernandes-Dominique, Director of Leadership Development, Mass Union; Bret Perkins, Director, Mass Union.
Understanding Mass Union’s Proposed Bylaws Changes
Charles Room
During our luncheon plenary, Mass Union affiliates will vote on eleven proposed amendments to our bylaws. Join this workshop to review the proposals and ask any questions you may have. If we have time, we will also discuss our Goals and Program Plans for the next year. Join us to provide your input!
Presenters: Nicole Beckles, Director, Mass Union; Sarah Byrnes, Executive Director, Mass Union; Don Hamilton, Vice Chair, Mass Union.
Reasonable Accommodations 101
King George Suite
Spanish translation available | Traducción al español disponible
The Tenant Advocacy Project—also known as TAP—is a student practice group at Harvard Law School that represents current and prospective public housing tenants and Section 8 voucher recipients in administrative hearings and other disputes with their housing authority. We will discuss what a Reasonable Accommodation is, how to request a one, and what to expect after submitting a request. We will also spend time answering general questions about the process. The hope is that you leave the workshop confident and knowledgeable about approaching your housing authority to request any Reasonable Accommodation you might need.
Presenters: Sarah Berton & AJ Williamson, Harvard Law Students, Tenant Advocacy Project; Annette Duke, Attorney, Mass Law Reform.
1:00pm – Lunch Begins
1:30 – Luncheon Plenary
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- Remarks from EOHLC Secretary Ed Augustus by recorded video
- Committee Reports from the Policy, Membership, Personnel and Finance Committees
- Voting on Proposed Bylaws Changes
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2:30 – Workshops Round II
Race, Class and Belonging
Stonehaven Room
Spanish translation available | Traducción al español disponible
Public housing is beautifully diverse. Join this session to reflect and learn about the role race and class play in public housing and Local Tenant Organizations. We’ll focus on how to ensure that your tenant group is “radically inclusive” so that everyone feels like they belong, regardless of their race, language, religion, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, (dis)ability, or any other factor.
Presenter: Tiana Lawrence, Trainer and Facilitator.
Advocacy 101
Charles Room
During this workshop, presenters will share best practices for engaging with legislators as well as demonstrate the power of storytelling in building and sustaining long term relationships with elected officials. In addition, we will discuss and identify opportunities to advocate for Mass Union’s 2025 policy agenda.
Presenters: Annette Duke, Attorney, Mass Law Reform.; Maria Fernandes-Dominique, Director of Leadership Development, Mass Union; Don Hamilton, Vice Chair, Mass Union; Renee Spencer, Resident Leader, Wellesley.
Working with the Local Housing Authority Board
King George Suite
The Local Housing Authority Board is a crucial body that provides oversight and direction for the Housing Authority. Tenants have a right to be heard at LHA board meetings. Join this workshop featuring two experienced Resident Board Members to talk about working with LHA boards, as well as the mechanics behind who sits on these important bodies. We’ll also cover tips for any tenant currently serving on an LHA board, or for those thinking of joining one.
Presenters: Sarah Byrnes, Executive Director, Mass Union; Veronica Miranda, Resident Board Member, Salem; Carol Roberts, Resident Board Member, Brockton, and Secretary, Mass Union.