Grassroots Media Coverage of the 2003 National Governors Association (NGA) Convergence in Indianapolis 

"Walking to the Free Speech Zone" in Indianapolis with two columns of police
 (National Governors Association Convergence,  August 16, 2003)

What is the NGA? According to the organization's Web site, the National Governors Association, founded in 1908, is the instrument through which the nation's governors collectively influence the development and implementation of national policy and apply creative leadership to state issues. Its members are the governors of the 50 states, three territories and two commonwealths. For more information, visit www.nga.org .

Who attends NGA meetings? From August 16-19, 2003  the NGA held its annual meeting in Indianapolis. Many of the meetings are "governors-only" meetings with little or no support staff.  Other gatherings open to media, staff and Corporate Fellows include:

• Plenary sessions
• Standing committees: Economic Development and Commerce, Natural Resources, Human Resources

Corporate Fellows Advisory Meetings are open to Corporate Fellows and State Staff only.

What is the Corporate Fellows Program? According to the NGA, The Corporate Fellows Program improves cooperation and understanding between government and industry and develops bipartisan, collaborative responses and solutions to issues affecting our nation.

Founded in 1988, the Corporate Fellows Program works through the NGA's nonprofit arm, the NGA Center for Best Practices. Membership is limited to 100 industry leaders that each pay $12,000 annually. A partial list of Corporate Fellows includes: Alcoa, AOL Time-Warner, AT&T, Bechtel, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Citigroup, Inc., Monsanto, Pfizer, Inc., and Wal-Mart. 

What was the Convergence About? Activists and citizens from around the country arrived in Indianapolis to raise the visibility of a variety of issues, from anti-death penalty crusaders demanding that individual governors repeal the death penalty, to feminists fighting against the NGA's support for anti-choice measures on the state level, to peace activists protesting the US war in Iraq. Other related issues include the NGA's lobbying against federal environmental regulations, Indiana Governor O'Bannon's 1-69 (the "NAFTA highway") plan, privatization, and increased prison funding/decreased education funding at the state level.