WHAT'S THE PLAN FOR 2007?

[walk softly]

Would like to see us share some of our ideas for 2007. What's your plan, have you set any goals?

I admit I'm nervous as heck. Our county party Central Committee is heavily laden with great folks - who are no longer active. Plus, lots of folks are not comfortable with change so need to win support.

My goal in 2007 is continue to build on grassroots precinct building and still need to establish goals

[NMDemDist2]

1. i live in the largest precinct in the county landwise

it's spread over 30 square miles

I don't know where to start :shrug:

first things first, I'm gonna (finally) get to attend the Democratic Women's Lunch the end of the month

[SCDem]

4. Start small

Start small with just a list of your active Dems - this should be available to you through your County Party if you do not already have it. If your County Party is slack then ask your State Party. Start meeting active, and effective Dems now so that you can plan targeted walks in 2008.

What I did this past election - and I was dealing with many precincts within the County - is to target a precinct a weekend - if you are a precinct leader and just want to focus on your precinct - get a map out and say from 10am - 12pm every Saturday in October leading up to elections you are going to knock on doors of active democrats to remind them to get out and vote. 10-12 is doable and it doesn't set you to some unreasonable amount of doors to knock on - go by your walking list of active Dems - even if you don't get your whole precinct done - no doors would have been knocked on if you didn't do it. Also Starting the First Saturday of October may seem a bit extreme but from previous years I found it was a way to pace myself. Advertise what you are doing to other Dems in your precinct and just in the area in general. Last election by my last two weekends - the last in October and the first in November I had people who had never walked before contacting me because so many people were excited about what i was doing. oh and these walks just include active Dems.

Don't waste time trying to convert people right before elections.

[derby378]

2. I have no goals yet other than possibly building the core

One idea I have (I'm still new at the precinct-chair business) is taking a little stroll through my neighborhood and identifying all homes for sale or rent. Then, when people move in to those homes, I'll be there to get them registered to vote and to get their feedback concerning what they want out of government.

[GenDem]

5. That is a fantastic idea!

I am going to keep that in mind and make an effort to implement this immediately. One problem with a mobile society is re-registering to vote every time a person moves may not be at the top of anyones list of priorities. These people end up voting provisional at a risk of their vote counting. The new renters is another way to target people that may not be registered.

Thanks a bunch! :hi:

[Kixel]

7. Great idea!!!

I'm gonna steal it, if that's okay!

[SCDem]

3. My 2007 Goals

I had a great time this past election and gained so much experience and all of our efforts paid off and people took notice of them. Saying all that lots of people who did help want some time off.

In February I am going to invite the individuals that attended my GOTV workshops and that were part of the walkin-pricenct corps to another meeting - this one being a Thank You and Feedback meeting. What worked? What didn't work? Want do you think we could do differently? What suggestions do you have if I bring this GOTV workshop to other areas in the county? And just a big Thank You. I already sent out Thank You cards to the dedicated crew of walkers that were active this election. It's just a little gesture but little gestures count especially when there is no type of monetary reward for this selfless effort.

Second I've contacted my Congressman's wife to get possible contacts - solid Dems who garner a lot of respect in their communities - in other major/minor cities within our county. I've proposed the idea of Roving Workshops come 2008. These contacts need to be made now with the major Dem players so that you can rely on them to get the word out about the Workshops when they do get arranged in 2008. This will save you a lot of time and you will get a better turn out because they know that person.

Third get active in your local municipal elections - later in the year. This will help you to continue to gain experience and get to know the Dem players in your area.

That's only 3 things but they're pretty ambitous.

[JNelson6563]

6. Checkout financial reports

At the FEC and your Sec of State websites should have financial reports available from your state, local and fed. candidates. Folks who donated to those campaigns are obviously interested in working to make a difference.

Julie

[Kixel]

8. Organize, organize, organize

I went to Camp Wellstone a few weeks ago. My mind is buzzing with what I want to see done. Some of the goals prior to our next convention:

1. Build the base by making it easy to figure out how to be a part of our local unit.
2. Make it fun for people when they get there-the welcoming aspect of things.
3. Have clear goals for all events-don't waste people's time!!!

[Pryderi]

9. Steps to building your organization at the precinct level

1. Gather data: Educate yourself about the precinct.
- Contact the local Party
- Your political landscape
- Obtain your Precinct's (or Ward's, or County's, whatever) Voter File
- Deadlines and other important dates
- Targeting plan

2. Recruitment: Core leadership and activists
- Share your data, educate the leadership
- Delegate responsibilities
- Precinct activist gathering (call it a leadership meeting, whatever)

3. Events and visibility (if you have time)
- Create a presence – window signs, community service, BBQ

The information above I found on the Democracy For Texas website. They have great number of documents that you can d/l to help you do your precinct organzing. You can d/l the document here: www.democracyfortexas.org/img/Precinct-Organizing.pdf

Other files can be found: http://democracyfortexas.org/wp/?page_id=18

Be sure to drop one of the people listed on the steering committee an email and thank them for the hard work! :)