Speaker Information Kits
From the 2009 Boston Freedom Rally
For a number of years, I served as the Speaker Coordinator for the Boston Freedom Rally. Inspired by my visits to Seattle Hempfest, I wanted speakers to feel uniquely appreciated for what they were contributing. At the time, 10 months after voters had passed decriminalization in Massachusetts, we were still emphasizing speaker messaging over performer notoriety. This is what the speakers for the 20th Annual Boston Freedom Rally received. Never before has this been shared with the general public.
Hello 2009 Freedom Rally Speakers,
Thank you for accepting our offer to speak at the 20th annual Freedom Rally on Boston Common! The Freedom Rally will be held on Saturday, September 19, from High Noon til 6 p.m. We are working on making this year's Rally the best yet—and given Massachusetts' decriminalization of marijuana since last year's Rally (65% support!), we are already well on our way. We anticipate expanding the Rally to two stages this year (the Carty Parade Grounds plus the Parkman Bandstand), thus doubling the amount of available stage time.
We are also expanding our speaker lineup to unprecedented numbers. If both stages are a go, that means most people will be asked to speak more than once. On the other hand, should the expansion plans fall through, we will need speakers to make their points directly and concisely, in less than 3 minutes. Visit [dead website] and/or www.masscann.org for more information about this year's event.
In this email:
1. Your Bio, Please
2. How to get backstage
3. Where to stay
4. How to get there
5. What to do Friday night
6. What to do on Saturday
7. What to do on Saturday night
Biographical Information/Stage Introduction
Please send your title, your organization or affiliation, how you would like to be introduced by our emcee, a photo of yourself (optional), and a website link (optional), to [email]. We are going to be including speaker information on our website, so the earlier you can get the information to us, the sooner we can promote your appearance.
Lodging
This year's "Unofficial" Friday night hotel is Le Meridien Cambridge-MIT, with nonrefundable rooms for up to 2 people starting at $179, tax included, and 4-person rooms at $224, as of July 30. Lowest-cost hotel rooms in downtown Boston range from about $220 - $350, for most major chains. Less expensive lodging with nearby public transit is available just outside the city, in Somerville and Quincy.
Transit
We advise Rally attendees to take public transit to the Common. Parking is available in the Boston Common garage and at other garages.
Awards Show
As many of you know, the Freedom Rally is the "meat" in a weekend party-and-politics sandwich. The festivities actually kick off on Friday night, with the Mass Cann Awards Show, this year it will be Upstairs at The Middle East in Central Square, Cambridge (just a few blocks from Le Meridien). Doors open at 8:00, 18+, $10 cover. It's a MassCann fundraiser, so don't go asking [board member] for a comp—and he says it is going to sell out, so get there early!
Speaker Passes
Speaker passes will be available at the Rally site, on the morning of the 19th. See Keith Saunders to check in and receive your pass. Your pass will grant you access to the backstage area(s) throughout the day. If you need an additional pass, please let us know at [email] before Labor Day.
Scheduling
With your speaker pass, you will receive a speaking schedule. Please check in with the stage manager before your scheduled speaking time. If we do have two stages, we will make certain that you will have time to get from one stage area to the other, if you should be speaking from both. Please keep your remarks to within the allotted time.
Vending/Sponsorship
If you are interested in a vending space, we still have some available for businesses and non-profits. We request a $50 donation from non-profits and $400 from businesses. Speakers are eligible for a discount—contact Bill Downing through the link above. If you are interested in sponsorship packages, please contact us.
Volunteering
The Freedom Rally does not exist without volunteers! Many of this year's speakers are past and present day volunteers. After 20 years, we have managed to maximize our volunteer efficiency, but that doesn't mean we can do this all by ourselves. If you would be interested in volunteering, we would be glad to have you help out. The major needs are for set-up on Saturday morning, vending, litter control and public relations during the event, and breakdown and packing the truck just after the Rally ends.
The Boston Tea Party
MassCann is working with High Times to arrange the 4th annual Boston Tea Party, an exhibition of some of the Boston area's finest strains. This event is invitation-only, and as a speaker, you are invited! We try to keep it free of charge for entry, so we ask that you consider contributing cash (in advance), grass, food or drink, to make this event possible. If we can secure a location, we will let you know at the Rally. The Tea Party traditionally begins at 8:40 and continues until the venue closes or we run out of herb.
Donations
Besides being the leading pot protestival east of Seattle's Hempfest, the Freedom Rally is Mass Cann's signature event and membership drive. Donations are needed to make the Freedom Rally happen. Donations in advance of the Rally are most appreciated.
What Else to Do in Boston
For those of you who are spending a few days in the city, here are some things you might enjoy:
The Other Side Cosmic Cafe (Newbury St. @ Mass Ave.) Fresh food with lots of vegetarian & vegan options. Specialty beers on draught and bottled. Loud music. Tattooed staff. Smoking no longer allowed on the patio--move to the recessed doorway that is shielded from Mass Ave by the patio.
Bukowski's Tavern (50 Dalton St.) 100 different beers, daily $1.69 burger and hot dog specials. Soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta, too. You may want to check out the roof of the parking garage this bar is built into.
Legal Sea Foods has the national reputation, but locals can be found at Jasper White's Summer Shack (50 Dalton St.). Raw bar, rotating menu of fresh caught fish, steamers, lobsters, fried chicken, baked beans & cornbread are some good choices. Located in the same building as Bukowski's.
Boston's Museum of Science can be enlightening. Enjoy a laser show or visit the planetarium's regular display. Upcoming shows and exhibits, for your convenience. Also, the roof of the parking garage offers a spectacular westerly view of the Charles River, over which the museum is built.
The Arnold Arboretum is a bit off the beaten path, but well worth the trip. With over 120 species of trees, the second- and third-tallest hills in Boston, and a rock outcropping just east and uphill of the Rhododendrons (map) that provides a discreet area and a nice view
You can find a variety of glass at Sugar Daddy's Smoke Shop, Buried Treasures, and The Hempest.
Thanks again for coming to Boston and helping to make the 20th Annual Freedom Rally possible. After years of helplessly watching Boston police (undercover and uniformed) bag harmless stoners, it will be a joy to see people enjoying themselves without the threat or fear of arrest. That is the victory we celebrate this year. We like to think the Freedom Rally has been at least a little bit responsible in helping bring about the culture shift that made decriminalization possible. And for that, we thank everyone who has helped make the Rally possible.
We look forward to seeing you, hearing from you, and enjoying your company.
Sincerely,
MassCann/NORML
Keith Saunders, President