The public is invited to an afternoon strategy session on Nov. 20, 1-3pm, at the SC Alliance for Retired Americans’ annual convention, which will be held at 2025 Marion St., downtown Columbia. The Alliance will hold an executive board meeting 10am-noon. The meeting is open, but only board members may vote.

At 1pm the public is invited to join in a roundtable discussion on what health care changes mean for South Carolina. At 2pm we will have a forum on the President’s Deficit Commission and its pending recommendations to Congress on Dec. 1. Participants will include: Dr. John Rouff, director of SC Fair Share; Frank Knapp, President SC Small Business Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Sam Baker, professor of health care management and policy at University of SC School of Public Health; Lynn Bailey, health care economist; Rep. Joe Neal, leader in the legislative Black Caucus; Donna Dewitt, President of the SC AFL-CIO and Brett Bursey, Director of the SC Progressive Network.

The coming months offer organizing challenges and opportunities for activists in the Palmetto State, and it’s important that we coordinate efforts to maximize our effectiveness. The event is free and open to individuals and organizations advocating for the state’s most vulnerable citizens. For more information, email scalliance@mindspring.com or call 803-957-9740. Find the SC Alliance at scretiredamericans.org and on Facebook.