My First Precinct Meeting
Submitted by Internazionale on Mon, 02/19/2007 - 5:27pm
I've done a lot of political things, but I've never been to a party precinct meeting. Before tonight, that is. . .
What should I expect? Or is a better question: what shouldn't I expect?
Don't expect a lot of people
Expect to be volunteered to volunteer. It doesn't take a lot of time to be an officer, so don't be afraid to jump in if they need you.
Good for you. We'll never win elections yakking online, but we will win them if we get out there and get organized.
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
***************************
Vote Democratic, the ass you save may be your own.
Thanks
I already volunteer for the party---just thought I'd try a different avenue.
War is over if you want it.
Think about what you're willing to do
Lots of times, not much is being done at the precinct level. But in really active areas, that's where everything happens.
At the precinct level, the active members set the tone. You can have social events. You can do community service. Or you can meet either well before or very near election time and go door-to-door or phone bank. It's really up to you. And the leaders elected at these meetings set the tone.
Our precinct is small and isolated. So we just met last year to get our lists to go door-to-door or phone potential voters, and then we arranged staffing for election day. That's it. So, it's quite dry but short and sweet.
Also, at these meetings, you can run to be delegate for the county convention. Be sure to check out this post of Screwy's if you would like to propose any resolutions to the county, district or state party. That process starts at the precinct meeting.
“All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players.” So enjoy the drama.
If I'm made chair
It'll be a real opportunity to lead and influence others. Instead of just using the position to appoint election judges, I'd like to take resolutions and push the agenda with our city, county, and district elected officials.
Great post from Screwy. I'm willing to lead here locally, but it's awesome to have folks like you guys for me to follow, in a way of thinking about these things.
Cheers!
War is over if you want it.
Precinct Work is the grassroots
HI
Do you believe in the power of grassroots organizing?
In many areas of NC, precinct organization is non existent. So each of us can remedy this by attending this February meeting to nurture our precincts. There are wonderful training programs written and developed and organized by Jeff Marsocci for how to develop the precinct.
If we really want a strong state Democratic presence, we need to be developing precincts. That is the grassroots that BluNC is all about.
No one can canvass the entire county. Best to talk to our neighbors from the heart, and form affiliations around political issues person-to-person.
and on and on
TurnNCBlue
Yes, I do
And I can see that our precinct has some tiny roots. I see that as an opportunity to be influential and use my relative youth to re-energize the group, both at precinct and county level, in particular.
It's time to rock the boat a little. We've got some awesome folks in this area working for the party, but we obviously need more who aren't retired or nearing it. Like John Edwards says, Tomorrow Begins Today.
War is over if you want it.
Going to my first tomorrow night
my captain, Watts Auman (the peach orchard guy they always interview in the spring when there's a chance of the freeze)is pretty confident that we'll have at least five. Have to have at least 5 for a quorum. I'm printing out the different resolutions and brining them. If I get up the nerve, I'll present them.
No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.
Progressive Discussions My Blog
Hope yours goes better than ours just did
We only had three show up---the chair (who wants to give up the office, as he's done it the last 3 years) and two of us newbies. They think I should be the chair, and they plan to back me in a couple of weeks when we strongarm some folks who are happy to take the party's check on election day but didn't show up. I'm also bringing my favorite person in the world, my wife (migraine prevented her from being #4 tonight).
Found out that upon attending our real meeting in two weeks, I'll automatically be a delegate to the county convention. Looking forward to stirring the pot for progressive issues.
War is over if you want it.
great news
on both of those. there are plenty of people here (as you have discovered) who have served in many different roles in party organization. I am sure they can give you some hints and ideas.
Im thrilled you are willing to be a precinct chair. If done right it can be huge in changing election outcomes.
Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Petition
"Keep the Faith"
you are correct
That's what I like best about this site. It's fun to talk anywhere, but this is one of the places where it's even more fun to listen to others. it's not about who can sound the wittiest or quippish with their prose---there's a genuine activism here. A sincerity to the cause. True believers who have been around the block and are still true believers. That's rare and just begins to explain why the vast majority of elections have somewhere between 32-45% turnout.
Nice.
War is over if you want it.
delegate.
Just keep showing up : )
County delegate, district delgate, then state delegate. I've been all of those just by showing up. I doubt the national convention will be so easy : )
Where are the candidates?
Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me
Who knows . . .
But wouldn't you love to be on camera with the NC contingent when it pledges its delegates to its favorite son, JRE? I believe the tradition is to pull the nominee's state out of alphabetical order so that their pledged delegatest put their person over the top.
One of those awesome little things you see in politics.
War is over if you want it.
Oh, yeah -
"... wouldn't you love to be on camera with the NC contingent when it pledges its delegates to its favorite son, JRE?..."
That would be way past cool but could you explain the rest of your post and how people end up at those events - cuz I never have known how that works.
Pretty please?
I would guess I'm way back in line : )
Where are the candidates?
Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me