Like me, many people here have been inspired by Gov. Howard Dean, his 2004 campaign, and his 50 state strategy at the DNC. I work at Democracy for America which was founded by Dean and his supporters almost four years ago. The mission of DFA can be summed up in one of Howard Dean’s most famous lines from his stump speech:
The biggest lie told by people like me to people like you at election time is: ‘Vote for me, I’m going to solve all your problems.’ The truth is, the power to change this country is in your hands, not mine."
Howard Dean inspired millions of Americans to become active participants in their Democracy. DFA is empowering ordinary Americans to take action, work on or manage progressive campaigns and even run for office themselves. One of the primary ways we do so is through the DFA Training Academy.
Yesterday DFA announced 19 campaign training events across the country. Follow me below the fold for our 2008 schedule.
The DFA Training Academy’s mission is to empower ordinary Americans to change their country by teaching them the skills and strategies needed to run an effective, winning campaign. Every weekend in cities across America, the DFA Training Academy is building a grassroots infrastructure of skilled progressive activists in all 50 states.
We bring in experienced campaign professionals who share DFA’s vision of people-powered campaigns. The two day weekend trainings are filled with large and small group sessions on field organizing, communications, fundraising, precinct organizing and much more.
We’re kicking things off at the end of February in Darcy Burner’s district outside of Seattle, WA. We’re also working with other DFA endorsed candidates such as Eric Massa & Rick Noriega to train as many of their staff and volunteers as possible. We'll be in Austin for Netroots Nation and in Denver for the DNC Convention. We're even saving a weekend in August for the winner of DFA Grassroots All-Stars contest.
Almost every weekend this year in cities across America, the DFA Training Academy is building a grassroots infrastructure of skilled progressive activists in all 50 states.
So take a look at where the closest DFA Training is to you and sign up today. I’ll be checking back in here throughout the day and I’ll be happy to answer any questions out there.
Here's where we'll be holding trainings in 2008:
February 23-24 Seattle, WA
March 1-2 East Bay, CA
March 8-9 Birmingham, AL
March 15-16 Dallas, TX
March 29-30 Oklahoma City, OK
April 5-6 San Diego, CA
April 12-13 Charleston, SC
April 26-27 Somerville, NJ
May 3-4 Rochester, NY
May 10-11 Cincinnati, OH
May 17-18 Missoula, MT
May 31 - June 1 Pittsburgh, PA
June 7-8 Lansing, MI
June 14-15 Kansas City, MO
June 21-22 Albuquerque, NM
July 12-13 Miami, FL
July 17-20 Netroots Nation in Austin, TX
July 26-27 Milwaukee, WI
August 2-3 Winner of DFA Grassroots All-Stars
August 27-31 Democratic National Convention in Denver, CO