Upcoming Mult. Dem volunteer opportunities, leading up to Gen Elec kickoff

[OneMultnomahDem]

Welcome to this week's volunteer newsletter.

Upcoming week's volunteer opportunities

1. Democratic Reunion-- 100 days, 100 voters, 100 actions
2. Tired of sitting in traffic? Come make a difference while everyone else sits on the freeways.
3. Cafe Democratica
4. Volunteering in the office
5. Calendar coordinator
6. Walking your precinct
1. Democratic Reunion-- 100 days, 100 voters, 100 actions

This summer the Democratic Party will be hosting Democratic Reunions in every state across the country where volunteers will be gathering together to commit to contact 100 voters from their community by Election Day 2006.Here in Multnomah County, the party is hosting two events: a literature drop for Governor Ted Kulongoski and a canvass for Rob Brading..

This is your chance to help us reach out to thousands of voters throughout Multnomah County-- four years ago it was our county that helped Ted win the November election. Let's work together to pull through for him again.

In eastern Multnomah County, it's those who don't vote that are often the deciding factor in the election.Two years ago the undervote (those who voted on other items on the ballot, but not this race) was larger than Minnis' margin of victory. In a district where there are more registered Democrats than Republicans, we have a great chance at defeating the Republican Speaker of the House-- but it'll take all our help to get those Democrats out and voting.

Location: Rob Brading’s campaign office, 330 East Historic Columbia River Highway, Troutdale, or
Ted Kulongoski’s campaign office, 128 NE 7th Avenue in Portland.
Day: Saturday, July 29th
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
RSVP: Jenni Simonis, 503-248-0826 or http://www.multdems.org/reunion

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2. Contacting our volunteers

We'll be running a phone bank every Wednesday night to contact supporters about upcoming volunteer opportunities, including our upcoming trainings and campaign events.

These calls are very important, as they let our volunteers and supporters know what is coming up in the next two weeks. It also helps us to get an accurate head count as to how many people will be attending our events.

Spend a long time sitting in traffic on Wednesdays? Head on into the office and use the time to help make a difference in the state, and then head home once the traffic lightens up. It's a lot less frustrating than sitting in traffic for an hour (or more!), and is better for the environment and the future of our state.

Can't canvass, or aren't available on Saturdays? Helping us make calls to our volunteers makes our Saturday activities all the more successful.

If we want to win elections in November, it is extremely important that we stay in regular contact with our supporters.

Can't come in Wednesday nights? Contact Jenni Simonis about alternative times/days.

Location: Donkey Stable, 232 NE 9th
When: Every Wednesday evening
Time: 5:30 to 9 p.m.
RSVP: Jenni Simonis, 503-248-0826 or [e-mail]

If you can't make it this week, be sure to mark Wednesday evenings on your calendar-- we'll be running a phone bank every week. We only ask that you call or e-mail so that we know you're coming and will have enough scripts and phones for everyone.

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3. Cafe Democratica

It's that time of year again-- Cafe Democratica is coming up fast (planned for late September), and we need your help to make this event a huge success.

Two years ago we ha Congressman Dennis Kucinich, and we had a standing room only crowd of 460 packed into a high school cafeteria. this year it's going to be even better-- with more than 500 tickets expected to sell.

However, we can't make this low-cost event a success without your help.

We need help in locating people to fill the following positions/volunteer areas:

1) A moderator
2) A silent auction coordinator
3) A Silent auction coordinator for acquisitions and display. - appoints own helpers
4) A silent auction coordinator for sign in and distribution table. - appoints own helpers.
5) A 50/50 coordinator - makes tickets, gets buckets for money, supervises drawing, hands over $ at the end (Hires No. 6)
6) 50/50 Ticket sales staff (needed just night of event.)
7) Handlers for featured Speakers, one handler for each speaker, helps if they have a nice car to shuttle if need be.)
8) Door staff - only lets people with tickets in, have name tags, and collects e-mail addressees. coordinates with security.
9) Ticket sales manager - what do they look like, how many, comps?, block sales? sponsors...

Details for event: TBA; date depends on availability of speaker
Contact: Shane Jackson, 503-233-0241 or [e-mail]

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4. Volunteering in the office

We have many volunteer opportunities in the office, particularly 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Thanks to several volunteers who helped update our database with information on new Precinct People! We still have lots of data that needs to be added, including phone numbers and volunteer areas of interest. There are also kits to collate, copies to be made, and more.

Contact our Operations Director Blaine Palmer at 503-248-0826 or [e-mail].

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5. Calendar coordinator

We need a volunteer who can help us to keep our online calendar up-to-date.

We'd send you events via e-mail, and using a special log-in you'll be able to quickly and easily add events to our calendar. It would be spectacular if the volunteer would also check web sites for the Democratic Party of Oregon, Bus Project, NARAL, and other like-minded organizations to ensure that we've listed their events as well.

All work can be done from a remote location-- no need to come into the office.

This work is essential to our volunteers being up-to-date on upcoming events, trainings, volunteer opportunities, and more.

Contact Jenni Simonis at 503-248-0826 or [e-mail] for more information.

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6. Walking your precinct

Right now is a great time to walk your precinct, talk to your neighbors, and register some Democrats. This helps to build a relationship with the voters now before the general election season gets into full swing.

We can put together maps and lists for you, we just need your name, when you're going to need the information, and your precinct.

For all those who have already requested lists-- thank you. If you requested your list prior to July 13th and are not a district leader, your lists are available in the Donkey Stable's Volunteer Room. They're in alphabetical order in two file boxes near the reception desk. The rest of the lists will be available shortly.

Contact: Jenni Simonis, Multnomah County Democrats' Field Director, 503-248-0826 or [e-mail] or submit your request online at www.multdems.org/walk_list

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And beyond...

July 26: On the job training: contacting our supporters and volunteers
July 29th: Democratic Reunion events
August 1st: PCP Orientation & Training (PCP 101)
August 2nd: On the job training: contacting our supporters and volunteers
August 8th: PCP Orientation & Training (PCP 201)
August 10th: Monthly meeting of the Multnomah County Democrats
August 19th: Kick-off canvass for the general election season

You can find out all about these activities, and more, at www.multdems.org/event

Starting in August, we'll be holding a training or volunteer event every Tuesday evening at the Donkey Stable.

In mid-August we'll be kicking off our canvasses for the general election, so keep an eye out for forthcoming details. It'll take all of us working together (putting together packets, calling volunteers, canvassing, and entering data from the phone banks & canvasses) in order to win in November.


Thank you...

Thank you for taking the time to read this e-mail. Watch your inbox every week for the latest list of volunteer opportunities.

You can also visit out online calendar, www.multdems.org/event, for more upcoming volunteer actions and events.

Our online interest form, www.multdems.org/volunteers/, can help match your skills and interests with volunteer activities. Fill it out, and we'll let you know when we have something that matches your profile.