People who go to Meetups want action. I find that an action project that takes place at the Meetup tends to keep participants motivated to come again the next month.
I solicited ideas for action items that could take place during a Meetup in an earlier DailyKos diary. I also solicited ideas through a few Yahoo groups.
For those of you who host or attend Meetups, I hope this is helpful-- I've gathered the various ideas I've received, and also brainstormed a bunch more on my own. So, here are quite a few ideas for action projects that could be done while at a Meetup:
1. Create materials for voter registration outreach.
Break into small groups to develop key materials and locations for outreach and voter reg to various demographics. e.g., one breakout group could discuss Latino voters (voter reg table at local Swap Meet); another breakout group could discuss registering women by going to Curves & yoga gyms and Jamba Juice stores; another group could discuss presentations to high school seniors; college students; neighborhood voter reg house parties -- see
Party For America (and note that the Bush campaign already has almost 1500 of this kind of house party happening this month -- see the
Bush/Cheney House Parties website). First, find out what materials (beyond voter reg cards) are already used by the Democratic clubs in town, and collaborate. Registering voters helps all the Democratic candidates.
2. Write letters to editor about current issues and campaigns.
Provide stationery and letter-writing tips -- e.g., MAX 250 words. Ask people to write one letter each; or break into small groups and brainstorm talking points, then one person writes the letter - thus the Meetup adds some value: better letters than if people simply wrote a letter by themselves at home; or small groups brainstorm talking points for each person's letter on individual topics, then everyone writes a letter. Consider collaborating with local or national issues-oriented groups in choosing an issue and getting background information.
3. Raise money for candidates or organizations.
Recruit house parties, organize benefit events, create plan to advertise online giving, etc. Consider working with one of the new national grassroots house party support organizations. Break into small groups and create party and event flyers.
4. Write to Congress to ask our elected reps to sponsor legislation...
for verified voting (legislation is currently pending), civil rights (oppose Const amendment on marriage, advocate reproductive rights), civil liberties (legislation to repeal parts of Patriot Act is currently pending), etc. (These letters could be written during the Meetup, if we bring the background materials with info.) Collaborate with local and national issues-oriented groups (e.g., Verified Voting, HRC, ACLU, BORDC).
5. Write to FCC to oppose new Bush Admin restrictions on speech of nonprofit organizations.
Work with MoveOn and People for the American Way.
6. Write to state or local elected officials about issues.
(for example in California, Sheila Kuehl's SB 921: Health Care for All legislation; write to California Secretary of State Kevin Shelley that paper trails are needed in November, not next year - work with True Majority's "The Computer Ate My Vote" campaign).
7. Form local "rapid response" group that replies to local news if (1) there is a progressive solution to a problem in the news, or (2) if a Democratic candidate or cause has been misrepresented.
This group would build relationships with local reporters, serve as a reference for people who could give quotes on various issues, write letters to the editor, write Op-Ed pieces, etc.
8. Recruit and train volunteers to be precinct captains in their neighborhood.
Precinct captains will hold neighborhood meetings with Dems, or host house parties (show a short video, etc.), and also organize the canvassing of the neighborhood to get out the vote. Work with local Democratic clubs and campaigns so there is one coordinated effort for the area. At the Meetup, roleplay conversations with neighbors as a way of practicing and finding effective talking points.
9. Advertise this Meetup so we grow the local Democratic base.
(flyers on bulletin boards, press releases, calendar listings, etc.) Break into small groups and create flyers, press releases, blurbs, etc.
10. Plan to call in to talk radio.
Research the time and topics of local radio shows, as well as the host's style (does s/he let you finish your sentence?). Break into small groups and prepare talking points.
11. Develop visibility and education projects for Democratic Party platform issues.
These could include marches, holding signs at intersections, forums, passing out literature, tabling, street theatre, rallies, and theatre in a theatre. Break into small groups and create posters or signs.
12. Order and bring visibility gear for candidates, organizations, or causes to a Meetup to distribute.
These could include bumper stickers, window signs for homes and stores, buttons, yard signs, t-shirts, hats. Discuss ways to distribute these further in town (e.g., tabling; asking stores if they want a window sign and voter reg cards, etc.)
13. Hand-write letters to key voters.
(e.g., a particular demographic, a swing geographic area). Work with Mainstreet Moms Oppose Bush, for example.
Also, here are ideas for action projects that could be discussed (but not completed) at Meetup:
1. Create a calendar of elected offices with openings over the next year
(see the League of Women Voters website and contact the County - gather deadlines for filing, determine amount of money needed to successfully campaign per office, and include job description for the opening), and recruit and train progressive candidates (there are a variety of national and local organizations available to assist us).
2. Call a local talk radio station to request syndicating the new liberal talk radio in your town, if you don't already have one.
Ask for volunteer(s) to line up some potential local corporate sponsors of such a show. If a station is interested in syndicating a show, work on developing a local ten- or thirty-minute liberal news or talk segment to accompany it. If you live in one of the few cities that get the new liberal talk radio, then have an action project to promote the call number for the station (bumper stickers, window signs, etc.). Also, purchase things from the advertisers, call in to the shows, and otherwise support the station.
3. Create a community service project as part of a political campaign or organization.
Could be an environmental project (like creek clean-up) to highlight Kerry's environmental record. Could be a tutoring project in low-income neighborhood as part of DFA Corps. Could be a blood drive. Could work with Habitat for Humanity as a project for a local campaign. Ask for volunteer(s) to spearhead community service project(s). Work with VolunteerMatch or other related organizations.
4. Educate people about importance of voting.
Promote themes like "use your power," "feel proud to vote and participate in own governance," and "take responsibility." Create PSAs, hold concerts that promote voting, etc.
5. Travel to neighboring swing states. Join swing state field projects, like America Coming Together.
6. Create a plan to monitor local polling locations to prevent voter disenfranchisement.
Recruit and train local law students as volunteers for this project. Work with groups like JustDemocracy.
7. Create "welcome to the neighborhood" packets for new neighbors.
Packets could include info on progressive organizations and Democratic Party organizations. Packets could be assembled at a Meetup.
8. Create birthday cards to send to Democrats in the neighborhood.
These cards would have contact info for local Democratic Party organizations and Meetups. Many voter reg lists include people's birthdays, so precinct captains already have this info. (By the way, I'm not so sure about this idea-- it could be annoying or seen as a violation of privacy.)
9. Attend local naturalization ceremonies - pass out "Congratulations" packets with voter reg card, info on local Democratic Party organizations, Meetups, etc.
10. Develop a local Democratic Party action-oriented website, or revise an existing site or webpage.
See the Santa Clara County Democratic Party website for a terrific action-oriented local Democratic Party website.
Given that Meetups last just under two hours, how much time do you think we should give action projects that can be completed at the Meetup, and how much time do you think we should give brainstorming and organizing longer-term action projects?
I hope this is helpful, not overwhelming. I know there are a ton of action ideas in this posting...
Enjoy,
Susan