Any suggestions for setting up a volunteer data base?

[fed-up]

I created a Volunteer Opportunity form and so far have gotten 30 filled out between our first two meetings and tabling this past Saturday at our farmers market. We also have separate contact lists from all those that attended the meetings, as not all of those people wanted to actively volunteer. I realize now we should ask those that come to meetings if they will want a yard sign because that is a little bit easier for some people to do than actively working in a campaign.

A friend that knows databases is creating one from my questionnaire. I covered tabling, voter reg, fundraising, media, letters to editor, get out the vote, leafletting, creating materials, hosting meetings/house parties, data entry, phone banking, tech help, and website developer, and speaking events.

I asked for name, address, phone number, email, facebook name and if they went to school or belonged to any organizations.

I found this online with a few things we left out. Like what hours they would be available and if they wanted a yard sign at first glance and will look more thoroughly through that sample tomorrow for anything else I missed.

http://www.dflers.org/van/Appendix%20F,%20My%20Campaign.pdf

are there any other good websites out there for creating volunteer databases?

Within the next month when school and students are back in town we will start forming committees for the different areas as we will have a larger base of volunteers to draw from by then.

I also think that the college can mentor the high school group that wants to set up, so I will put those students in touch with each other.

[Bjorn Against]

1. Don't try to do this on your own, coordinate with the Sanders campaign

I don't know what state you are in but here in Minnesota we have a volunteer database being built by volunteers working directly through the Bernie campaign. Contact the campaign, I am sure they will want the names you gathered and I am sure they would be happy to have you volunteer for the campaign to help build their database as well.

[fed-up]

2. Nor CA-will I get an answer back? I keep reading here they are swamped! which is a good thing-

Our primary isn't til June, so I figured he would be really busy with the early primary states.

I am sending an email right now.

I did include everything he had on his list for volunteers.

[SoapBox]

3. Just my quickie thought...

CALL them...see if you can get put in touch with one of their coordinators or such.

I think there was mention of some assistance for those that wanted to set up all these house parties on July 29th...if they have people to help steer those, then they might have someone that can give you help.

I'll have to look for a contact phone number, unless someone has it handy...think it's on my desktop machine and it's off for the night (I'm lazy and don't want to get out of bed right now! )

[fed-up]

7. okay, like I said I know they are swamped -tomorrow is fine for number

I need to head to bed anyway. Put in a long weekend flyering and tabling.

[Bjorn Against]

4. If you sign up as a volunteer on their website I am sure that you will get a response

I don't know anything about the California campaign, but in a state as large as California they are certainly going to need a lot of help building that database. They may be swamped but they are also well aware that they won't be quite so busy if they can get some more volunteers to help them so they are going to make recruiting volunteers a top priority.

[SoapBox]

5. ^This is also a good idea^

[fed-up]

6. already filled out the volunteer form on their website :)

There are facebook groups popping up from all over California.

There are already a few for Sacramento, Paradise, North Staters (chico area). I think Redding may start their own and also Red Bluff. People are soooo excited Bernie is running! We are working with the smaller groups around us, but they are also independent from us.

[eridani]

8. Caucuses of the WA State Democratic Prty are allowed to have VoteBuilder accounts

If that doesn't work where you are, I'd suggest Google Docs

[merrily]

9. Great suggestion!

[fed-up]

12. thanks, found their website to learn more :)

and this article https://www.ngpvan.com/voter-activation-network-and-ngp-software-merge

http://signup.ngpvan.com/

What do you mean by "allowed"?

[eridani]

17. The state party controls access to the party database n/t

[TBF]

10. Organizing locally is cool -

when we met for Obama here locally we just made simple contact lists so we could call each other. The campaign may get to you quicker than you think - I was surprised to see Bernie already down in Texas because our primary isn't until March. At least with a local "team" ready to volunteer you will be ready.

Ask if they prefer to be contacted by phone (text) or email. That way you at least know how to best get ahold of people when the campaign gets to your area.

I was very involved in 2008 after years away from politics (precinct co-leader - we coordinated the caucus as well) - it was a lot of fun.

[fed-up]

13. great idea to ask for contact preference!

We have already started leafletting and tabling. we want to be prepared to help the early primary states with phone banking or whatever else they may need, as ours is not until June. And I want our volunteers and facebook members to help spread the word to their family and friends in other states that have the early primaries. Hurray for facebook!

[TBF]

14. A lot of action on Twitter and Reddit as well -

I am not personally on those sites - just Facebook to keep up with far away family. The kids are sometimes on Twitter and Reddit. My daughter and young nieces/nephews are on Instagram. Lots of ways to reach folks. If there are college campuses in your area search their names with Bernie to see if groups are already going there. The location for Bernie's event last night in Houston was University of Houston.

I'm starting to believe he has a real shot at this.

[fed-up]

15. I need the young kids to teach me about twitter and reddit-hahaha

One gal on our strategy teams does twitter, and some of the younger kids will teach me about reddit. I need to go back and figure out how to get a password after I take care of other things.

I am already looking at venues in case Bernie wants to come here at some point in his campaign. Largest I found so far holds 7,000, but it is outdoors, so would have to be in the dry season.

I firmly believe he and we can do it! The enthusiasm I am hearing from people is off the charts. They are so excited to volunteer for and vote for someone that has not sold out to the highest bidder!

[TBF]

11. Also be sure to check Facebook and Twitter -

I did a google search and found a "Houstonians for Bernie Sanders" twitter account. Searched on Facebook and found 435 people on his page there (I am #436). I have not decided how involved I will be this time aside from sending cash. So far I have donated $500 to Bernie's campaign. I figure some can give cash, some can give time. But I did join the page so I hear about when he is in Houston. With small children and a couple of chronic health issues (these have surfaced since 2010 - were not a factor when I was active in 2008) I may just be a cheerleader from afar this time. I didn't even go to the arena last night although it's within 10 miles because I had my small son home & didn't know if either of us could take the heat with the meds I'm on now.

I encourage anyone with time and good health to get involved though - it will make you more hopeful about what can be accomplished politically if you volunteer in some way.

[SoapBox]

16. Here is the contact phone number for the campaign.

Finally.

855-4-Bernie