Many of us were inspired by Howard Dean’s 50-state strategy. Our own Meteor Blades has expanded that to call for a 176,000 precinct strategy. Several of us here think that now is the time to put this into action. We’re creating another new group, Democratic Precinct Organizing, to help us do the essential work on the ground needed to rebuild the party.
At the moment, we invite *current precinct delegates/precinct captains,* along with those who work on committees devoted to precinct operations, and those who are entrusted with this area of responsibility on their county Democratic Party board, to step forward and join us. If you have an interest in these party-building roles but no experience yet, we welcome you to follow the group, so that you can participate in the dialogue when we publish posts. Please read on for more specifics about our group.
Right now, we are all struggling to come to terms with the attacks already launched by this illegitimate administration.
We need the Dems to be at the forefront of the resistance — and also to lead the effort to create a new, collective vision for what government can and should do for our people. That means YOU in whatever way you can manage.
Our immediate concerns and our fierce daily resistance should not overwhelm our efforts to plan a long-term strategy for resurgence. This work may take some time, but it will also bring some crucial payoffs, soon. Several states and many municipalities hold major elections this year, and for everyone the 2018 midterms are just around the corner.
Those of us who have been working in the trenches to organize Democrats in our local communities have many insights to bring to the table. Our direct experience has taught us that “vibrant, permanent Party organizations organized around precinct operations can punch well above their weight,” in the words of my co-administrator, Virginia Victory.
We have some excellent resources to tap here on the site, within easy reach. Chris Reeves has been promoting engaged Democratic Party involvement for some years now, and he has only just started. Crowdsourcing the 50 State Strategy, our main Daily Kos group created last year to develop state-level resources, builds on the vision of Howard Dean. Many Daily Kos community members, Contributing Editors, and staff bring decades of experience apiece in the practical, day-to-day elements of organizing people. Together, we have centuries of wisdom to draw upon, in just about every area of progressive activism you could name.
It’s time now to use all of what we have available on behalf of Democratic Party organizing. Non-electoral activism matters too, very much. But when it comes to taking back our country we need to get the VOTES of the people. And to get the VOTES, we need to make sure that the Democratic Party is present, accessible, and accountable to all the people we claim to want to represent.
Hence this new Daily Kos group dedicated to Precinct Organizing. We intend this group to fill these roles:
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Clearinghouse for resources and information needed to develop a 176,000-precinct strategy
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Forum to discuss our activities, either in public or via group Kosmail
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Promoter of the benefits of a 176,000-precinct strategy!
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Supporter of precinct leaders in struggle and in success
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Tracker of organizing goals for each of us and our local parties
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Platform to share success stories as well as “What would have worked better?” stories
We will expand upon the topics that Chris Reeves has addressed in his Nuts & Bolts series as they concern *precinct-level organizing.* We will develop mechanisms for sharing training materials, workshop notes, and voter empowerment strategies. We will foster the growth of a national party emerging from the strength of thousands of local parties that are solidly rooted in their communities.
Anyone who understands cultural change knows that real change happens from the ground up. This is our chance to bring to the forefront the real change that we need so desperately.
Thank you. Now, who’s in?
If you are, please share in the comments below
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Your state and CD
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Your county, if you are comfortable doing so
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The role you have in your local Democratic Party
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Your own top priority for organizing in 2017
Yes, we can. And yes, we will. Join us!