At Netroots Nation, we love to see how folks like you are using technology to spread your voices from coast to coast.

Needless to say, we've been truly inspired by the creativity of the grassroots during this election cycle. With less than 30 days out from perhaps the most important election of our lives, activists like you are turning out one poignant video after another in an effort to inspire others to act.

We wanted to share one of our favorites with you.

Netroots Nation's huge online auction fundraiser starts today! Bid on one-of-a-kind items while you help raise funds for Netroots programs.

Want to have coffee with General Wesley Clark or lunch with Lawrence Lessig? Here's your chance! Our auction includes nearly 200 items including signed books from Nancy Pelosi and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, a signed Constitution from Russ Feingold, autographed boxer shorts from Barbara Boxer, even a signed Dwight Shrute bobblehead doll. We've got Kobe beef from Scott Kleeb's ranch in Nebraska, a tour of the set of Meet the Bloggers, a suite at the official Netroots Nation hotel in Pittsburgh, community-created art and jewelry, and lots of other priceless treasures.

Click here to bid early and often.

By bidding on auction items, you are helping fund:

* The greening of our convention, so we can reduce our impact on the environment.
* Our regional salon program, which just kicked off in San Francisco (check our website for upcoming events)
* The ability to keep registration prices low (right now just $225)

Netroots Nation is committed to providing an online and in-person campus for exchanging ideas and learning how to be more effective in using technology to influence the public debate. But we can't do it without support from the community we serve.

The auction will be open for bidding through October 23. Until then, bid early and often at www.netrootsnation.org/auction.

Part of our mission here at Netroots Nation is to give regular folks an opportunity to insert themselves into the political process, be it as a blogger, community organizer or candidate for office. Bringing fresh progressive voices into the fold makes our movement more effective and diverse. Plus, it gives people like us a chance to make a difference.

Two of our very own truly embody our mission--Raven Brooks, our acting executive director (and a former software developer), and Gina Cooper, our founder and chair emeritus (and a former schoolteacher). Raven and Gina were recently named honorees in the New Leaders Council's first annual Emerging Leaders 40 under 40. You can view all the honorees here.

Netroots Nation wouldn't exist without their leadership and dedication. Through their work along with the generosity of our community and help of our volunteers, we've held three successful conventions, conversed with some of our country's top leaders and participated in training sessions and panels about a whole host of issues. And, in an effort to truly serve as an online and in-person campus for the progressive community, we have new programming lined up between now and our next gathering in Pittsburgh, including a series of regional salons that will be held throughout the year.

But as you, know this is a team effort! Would you make a contribution of $35, $50, $100 or the most you feel comfortable giving today, to help Netroots Nation continue to bring new voices into the political process?

We've just opened the room blocks at the two official convention hotels in Pittsburgh. That's right, two hotels. One isn't enough to contain everyone any longer.

You'll always find the latest and greatest information about hotel accommodations at netrootsnation.org/location, but the information you need is also below.

You can book a room in either hotel for a special rate of $149 a night.

Book at the Westin Convention Center hotel located at 1000 Penn Avenue through this special link or call 412-281-3700 and mention the Netroots Nation convention when booking your room. The Westin is conveniently located, with a sky bridge connecting it to the convention center.

Book at the Omni William Penn hotel located at 530 William Penn Place through this special link or call 412-281-7100 and mention the Netroots Nation convention when booking your room. The Omni is located a short walking distance from the convention center.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Netroots Nation will host an online auction fundraiser October 9–23, and we need your help! It's easy to get involved in this huge community project--simply donate or bid on an item.

We are collecting auction items now through October 6th. Show your support by clicking here to contribute to our catalog.

We want our catalog to include a host of unique items. Past auctions have offered everything from political memorabilia to a batch of homemade organic cookies. Click the headline for more info.

With Netroots Nation 2008 behind us, we're thrilled to be sponsors of another huge event that provides citizen journalists and activists unparalleled access to the premier political event of the year—or decade.

Hosted by the good folks at the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado, Daily Kos and ProgressNow, the Big Tent is the place to be for new media journalists, bloggers, reporters and non-profit leaders in town for the DNC.

The Big Tent is an 8,000-square-foot, two-story structure built in the parking lot of the Alliance Center that will feature a bloggers lounge and a Digg Stage with tons of panels and sessions (see the full schedule here), as well as a Google Retreat with a YouTube kiosk where you can make your own YouTube videos.

Part of our mission at Netroots Nation is to provide opportunities for progressives to exchange ideas and learn how to be more effective in using technology to influence the public debate. We believe that each of you plays a significant role in changing the face of progressive politics.

Through our annual Netroots Nation convention--and starting this month, through a series of regional salons that will be held throughout the year--we aim to strengthen our community, inspire action and serve as an incubator for ideas that challenge the status quo and ultimately affect change in the public sphere.

Those same values are the basis for Markos Moulitsas Zúniga's forthcoming book, "Taking on the System: Rules for Radical Change in a Digital Era."

For our first regional event, held last week in San Francisco, we kicked off the release of Markos' book tour, but you can still get your signed copy of the book now.

Join our virtual host committee for a donation of $125 to Netroots Nation, and we'll send you a signed copy of "Taking on the System."

Join us to celebrate the release of Markos Moulitsas' new book:
Taking on the System: Rules for Radical Change in a Digital Era

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 7–9 P.M.
HOUSE OF SHIELDS
39 NEW MONTGOMERY STREET, SF

Liberal hors d’oeuvres. Stimulating conversation. Progressive camaraderie.

Netroots Nation is a proud sponsor of The Big Tent, the place to be for new media journalists, bloggers, reporters, and non-profit leaders covering the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

Located at The Alliance Center just steps away from the Pepsi Center, The Big Tent will will house a work space for journalists and bloggers and a Digg Stage with prominent national leaders, as well as a Google Retreat with a YouTube kiosk where you can make your own YouTube videos.

Are you concerned about our country's addiction to oil? Or about getting universal healthcare passed? This is your chance to express what you think our national policies should be!

One of our goals at Netroots Nation is to take ideas from our community, match them with the right technology, and empower you to act. In Austin, we provided a way for you to contribute to a collaborative Netroots platform. The response was fantastic, but we still need your voice.

We need your help to ensure that all the planks are strong, and that the platform accurately reflects our collective views. Contribute your ideas at netrootsplatform.org.