Hi everyone. I've posted a diary about this before, although it was a bit more vauge. I'm fundraising, and we need some help. Here's the deal:
A group of former Dean staffers in Seattle are forming a grassroots group call Take Back Washington. Our website will be at www.takebackwashington.org. The site is under construction, so you'll have to check back. We should have a quick page propped by week's end.
Our goal is to provide a place for progressives - all progressives, not just Deaniacs or Democrats - to find candidates, as well as tools to support them at the grassroots level. We will work to get progressives in office and keep them there; using all available grassroots tools, up to and including ads.
We will also organize "Meet the candidate" events throughout the state. We're hoping Alex Alben and Heidi Behrens-Benedict in the 8th CD will do forums in May, and Don Barbieri will do one in Spokane next month - these are the two most urgent races in Washington state this year.
However, we have a short-term goal and a short-term problem. We are organizing a candidate's forum for our three Democratic gubernatorial candidates. This is confirmed - the space is booked, and all three candidates have confirmed they will attend. Seattle Town Hall, the location, holds 1,000 people, and we're confident we can fill the hall.
Our problem is that fundraising is slow. We are a new organization, so we have little cachet. We've raised over $900, but the total cost of the event will be over $1800. I have already paid $750 out of pocket (which I can't afford; but willingly risk for the greater cause). We will also soon face organizational startup costs, such as paper cost, retainer for an attorney to file papers, website development, etc. So, our short term problem is that we need $900 quickly, but we also need to show a positive balance to be taken seriously by the Party and candidates.
I'm asking my fellow Kossacks to pitch in. The only fundraising link is currently at www.wa4dean.com, and we're using PayPal. We'll have our new website soon enough, and one of our primary goals is to make it easier to contribute, but for now this is what we have.
Please, please stop by www.wa4dean.com and give what you can afford to get a new grassroots group started off on the right foot. Thanks, everyone!
