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The Academy of States is a collaborative effort of leading advocates who desire that our several state legislatures would bring reform to our federal government through a convention authorized and empowered by Article V of the U.S. Constitution.
Sunday, July 31, 2022
Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center
Denver, CO
INVITATION
Path To Reform, the State Legislators Article V Caucus, and the Academy of States Coalition invite you, an elected state legislator, to participate in the FREE Academy of States 3.0, an innovative, cross-partisan event focused on serving your constituents.
In anticipation of an imminent Article V Convention this academy will equip state legislators to draft delegate selection and oversight legislation, draft instructions for their delegates, and create a plan to support their delegation at the convention.
This event will be a conference of state legislators of all party affiliations, focused on the states’ role in advancing amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
Please note that this event is exclusively for legislators and legislative staff. It will be recorded and made available for online viewing, but a remote participation component will not be offered.
EVENT SCHEDULE AND OVERVIEW
Sunday, July 31, 2022

Registration 1:30 - 2:00 pm
Introductory Remarks 2:00 - 2:15 pm
Academy Sessions 2:15 - 5:30 pm
Delegate Selection
Oversight & Instruction
Convention Apprehension
Closing Remarks 5:45

why attend?
Because…
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a convention could take place within the next 24 months!
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there is a widespread perception that Washington is not serving the best interests of the states and the American people, and you can do something about it!
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as President Obama famously said, “You can’t change Washington from the inside.”
This workshop will equip state legislatures with practical skills to effectively prepare for and participate in a convention to propose amendments. Topics include:
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Drafting a delegate selection statute.
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Creating delegate instruction, oversight, and enforcement measures.
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The need for bipartisan cooperation in order to draft and ratify amendments.
THE ACADEMY
Session 1: Delegate Selection
Sam Fieldman, National Counsel for Wolf-PAC, and Vickie Deppe, Director of Education for Path To Reform, will discuss options and considerations to equip you to draft a delegate selection statute that reflects the needs and sensibilities of your state.
Session 2: Delegate Instruction and Oversight
Michael Sterns and David Guldenschuh, constitutional and legal experts, will provide guidance regarding how to instruct delegates. They will also discuss how to impose an accountability structure and steps that may be taken in the event a delegate violates the instructions they have been given.
Session 3: Overcoming Convention Apprehension
This module will facilitate a cross-partisan dialogue with emphasis on the high bar of ratification. After participating, members of the minority party should feel more comfortable that the majority will not be able to unilaterally impose policies they believe will harm their constituents. Members of the majority party should have a greater appreciation for the fact that they’re going to need the support of the minority party if the work product of their convention has any chance of being ratified.
speakers and sponsors

Carmine Gentile
Massachusetts State Representative

Michael Sterns
Keynote Presenter
Constitutional Lawyer

Vickie Deppe
Keynote Presenter
Director of Education
Path To Reform

W. Bruce Lee
Academy Presenter
Phoenix Correspondence Commission

Frank & Carol Keeney
Academy Sponsor
Act 2 Reform
Path To Reform

David Biddulph
Academy Sponsor
Entrepreneur and Political Activist
ARTICLE V RESOURCES
PBS: A More or Less Perfect Union
Video: Episode 1 - approximately 1 hour
Video: Episode 2 - approximately 1 hour
Video: Episode 3 - approximately 1 hour
Rob Natelson
David Biddulph, Co-Founder of the Let Us Vote For a BBA citizen’s campaign
Video: What is the history and significance of the state convention mode of ratification?