Should the DU Activist Corps have permanent sub-groups?

[ck4829]

I think the DU Activist Corps should have permanent sub-divisions.

We have lots of work to do and so we have to fight on multiple fronts.

I have gone ahead and called these sub-groups 'operations'.

Operation Psychotic Disturbance - People such as Michael Savage are on the mental edge. I think we should give them a little push.

Operation Embargo - We have to fight the Right in their pocketbooks.

Road Work - Dedicated to the OBSTRUCTION (that's right, I said OBSTRUCTION) of the Bush Agenda.

[stepnw1f]

1. Should There Be A : Illustration/Graphics Sub-Group?

Maybe?

[ck4829]

2. Yes

[skids]

3. Try a finite task-oriented division, not a generic "ongoing" division.

One of the big mistakes new groups often make is compartmentalizing their activists too soon, as well as spending too much effort on compartmentalization. This should be a much more gradual process. I would say, at least for the first six months or so, you guys (and I'm sorry I can't commit to the obligation to join) should focus on definite tasks, and let the activists follow those that they feel the strongest about.

In other words, open a group for major tasks only, and make any smaller grouping or assignments extremely specific and of a limited duration -- I don't mean impose a time limit, but pick assignments that you know will be over eventually.

I'll flesh out an example. One task you guys should strongly consider is the one that Conyers has asked for on his blog:

"As we prepare to take the next steps, I would like your assistance in helping me prepare a comprehensive chronology--a time line of everything we know about the fixation with war in Iraq, the manipulation of intelligence, and the deliberate misrepresentations made both to the Congress and to the public."

The way to do this is ask a small group to break off for a couple of days, and come up with a plan for executing this, which should answer the following questions.

1) How many people are needed to get this done and what skills will each need? Some will dedicate 100% of their time, some will be part-time helpers and also work on other stuff.

2) What are the essential steps to get it done?

Quicky example for #'s 1 and 2:
. two people to find/compile list of all public appearences
. one person to find the material that is on the internet
. two people to dig up offline sources, preferably with access to research facilities
. five people to read through the material and pluck out references
. one compiler to produce the final document

3) What are the milestones that this group would acheive and what is the ballpark on how long each will take to reach?

Quicky example for #3:

. Accumulate enough material from the internet to get the
readers started: 2 days
. Once a timeline 3 times bigger than similar stuff out there is compiled, release preliminary results to JC: week or two
...etc...

4) What non-manpower resources (money, internet forums, webpages, etc) are required or would be helpful

Quicky example for #4:

. Access to archived newsreels/research libraries
. A way to take in contributions from outside the working group and a bit of ongoing publicity for it.

...so anyway you get the drift. Drill down into specifics ASAP, and get people moving directly on projects that are not generic. Or maybe that level of organization isn't what you guys are after, but I would hope it is -- I mean, DU already *has* plenty of prolific graphics people who drop random propaganda in the normal channels, and already *has* action alerts (though they are anarchy and I haven't seen one lately.) The trick to actually acheiving something of consequence is to get task forces together who know their exact goals, and know they can reach them. I can't stress the latter hard enough. People work harder on stuff they can finish.

Anyway, 2 cents which I hope, coming from an experienced activist, are worth more than $0.02.

(EDIT: PS: before creating any groups, consider the ones that exist, and if that group is pretty much dead anyway, liven it up instead of making one more nook and cranny. Specifically, see here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=206
)

[cloudythescribbler]

4. I don't think even modest harassment is what they had in mind

Remember, I can tell you from first hand experience as a recipient of it, when it comes to harassment and abuse and worse, like military conflict, that is the RW's forte. Best to focus the public's attention as much as possible on issues.

Subgroups of other kinds are something that might evolve with time. Starting out, some degree of simplicity to get that going.
To quote Woody Allen -- "those achieving oneness can move on to twoness"

[pstans]

5. I think they should have sub-tasks

So break it down into Petition to sign, LTTE's to write, contact Congress about upcoming votes, protests, etc.

[imenja]

6. I'd like to see separate groups/forums by topic

rather than strategy.

[davidinalameda]

7. what Imenja said

I know more about GLBT issues and feel more comfortable talking about them than electronic voting

or religious rights

[Ready2Snap]

8. We could use

a voluntary editorial group made up a people with writing or journalism experience
to coach and tutor LTTEs and op-ed piece writers.
A DUACer could submit a draft and get several people's feedback on making it better.

And our fledgling correspondents would be getting an education
in organizing ideas, presenting arguments and framing issues.
I see this accelerating the development of more good writers and journalists to carry the battle.
Sort of an organic, grassroots to response to the right-wing propaganda machine.
We could call it DUU.

Volunteers could sign up through a group administrator
(assigned by DUAC admin. staff) who could help coordinate their efforts.

Whadda ya think?

[Old Vet]

9. Good idea, Iam not the best writer.............

But with help I can churn some letters out.

[More Than A Feeling]

10. No, I disagree. No splitting up.

We need time to jell, and get everyone to feel the effectiveness and the solidarity. Besides, the whole point is to have everyone focusing like a laser on one task at a time, to put the full weight of the group against the door, so that it bursts open and we all fall into the the room in a big pile.:-)

We were divided before we joined DU Activist Corp. It's time to stand together.