So...what are you doing for 2006?

[LoZoccolo]

Post what you are doing here, and maybe you'll give other people an idea of what they can do. There were a lot of opportunities that I didn't even know existed until I got involved in the 2004 election, so here's a place to show those opportunities.

If you're in Illinois, I'd suggest getting involved in this group I'm in called Illinois Dem Net, which is basically there to volunteer in other places where help is needed. You can visit them on the web at:

http://www.illinoisdemnet.org

It would be great if a group like this formed in every state! It would also be great if every time I posted a thread like this it wouldn't sink so fast, furthering my impression that DUers are seldom doers. Prove me wrong this time!

[JeffR]

1. Helping a progressive Dem candidate in Illinois

Among other things. And I'm not an Illinoian, and don't even live in the US anymore.

I think you'd be surprised how many DUers really are doers, but your're right, we all need to do more.

[LoZoccolo]

4. I can see where they might be.

I think it's maybe they aren't on as much, whereas the people who don't do a lot sit around and complain a lot here and start threads where they just rant. I know someone who's very active in real-life stuff who just kind of peeks their head in here every now and then; these people probably would be less likely to see my threads like this one!

[JeffR]

5. I agree about the "just rant" stuff

It's pretty wearisome.

[crispini]

8. A freaking men.

:boring:

[crispini]

2. I'm a precinct chair.

I will be working with volunteers in the neighborhood to ID Dem voters and get them to the polls on behalf of all of our Dem candidates. I've already sent out material for the primary and will do so again for the primary runoff.

I'm also an election judge.

And I'm a campaign manager for one of our judicial candidates.

And I'm helping with the training of other precinct chairs.

As far as places to help in Texas, I would suggest visiting DU's own Texas forum, where, among other things, you will find nearly 20 Texas DU'ers who will be attending the State Convention. Wish there were more!

[LoZoccolo]

3. I hear that a lot of precinct chairs seats go vacant.

Is that true? Where would someone find out if there's an opportunity there? Their local Democratic Party office?

I must admit I've never checked if mine is; maybe I should. My precinct is like, I think, four tall apartment buildings in Chicago.

[skeeters2525]

6. Working, Working, Working

I will sign up with any Dem Progressive, hopefully candidate I can find.

Signed up with one Dem Candidate, who came to our South Suburban Progressive Forum meeting that featured Kathy Kelly of Voices For Creative Nonviolence.

Will go door to door and work the phone like I did with Obama. Obama who say what you will, DOES LISTEN TO US.

I will go to peace rallies, I will call my Senators, I will camp out in front of Rahm's office, until they start to end this war and not fall for the same lies on Iran.

We also need an alternative media. We may have to stand on street corners to shout the truth.

[newyawker99]

27. Hi skeeters2525!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[crispini]

7. Yes, yes, get thyself to the county party office.

Our lists of precinct chairs are posted online, but you may have to call or go down there.

Now, here's another thought: if you HAVE a precinct chair, but your precinct is not "being worked," then consider taking on the responsibility yourself and sort of gently nudging them out of their job. In our area, many precinct chair positions are held by older people as sort of an honorary position, but they don't have the energy to blockwalk and organize, so they just come to party meetings and sometimes don't even do that.

On the one hand, bless them for doing what they can, but on the other hand, sometimes the fact that the position is "filled" will discourage an activist, and it shouldn't.

In the run up to 2004 I could not reach my precinct chair and finally just decided to walk my precinct myself with the help of our local Kerry volunteers. Turns out my precinct chair was moving anyway. When the time came to fill the vacancy, two of us had applied. I had to get up and give an impromptu speech in front of the entire county party. I basically just told them that I had already held two blockwalks, a phone bank, registered 20 voters, and gotten out over 100 signs in the precinct. I got the job. ;)

[roseBudd]

9. Creating mocking derogatory flyers that smear OH GOP candidates

and getting barber shops and beauty parlors to display them. Particularly looking forward to smearing Blackwell instead of Petro.

Uncle Tom Blackwell, the other white meat

My very popular 04 flyer is below.

[rucky]

10. knocking doors for Sherrod Brown

and circulating signatures to get a statewide healthcare plan on the ballot.

www.spanohio.org

[muse]

11. Volunteering for Nick Lampson to kick Tom DeLay

out of Congress (Congressional District 22, my district) and make all of our lives a lot better!

http://www.lampson.com/

[LWolf]

12. Trying to decide who to support. n/t

[Doorknob]

13. I've been handing out flyers for a local Democrat.

[welshTerrier2]

14. the blogosphere is rapidly growing in influence

i think you dismiss participating online way too quickly ...

i'm involved with my local Democratic committee and i'm an elected delegate to my State convention ... i'm working for people on the local and state levels ...

but by far the greatest and most important work i do, in my opinion, is writing here and in other forums to send a message to the party that they need to be far more inclusive ... i think it is political folly to ignore the anti-war movement ... i think current DC "think" that demands allegiance because we "should be fighting the republicans" is NOT going to attract more voters ... it's not that i disagree with the message; it's that it will NOT be effective in appealing to alienated voters which includes the anti-war movement and non-voters as well ...

you don't think that's important or valid? well, that's fine ... you keep fighting for what you believe and i'll do the same ... i value many of the thoughtful posts on DU and around the net ...

[OhioBlue]

15. I'm running for precinct chair

(unopposed - election in May)

I've also volunteered for 2 campaigns and I'm helping the local party with organizing efforts and events.

[Placebo]

16. There's nothing to really do in Illinois.

My senators aren't up for reelection, Governor is but he's going to win anyway.

I got nothin'.

I have donated a bunch of money to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and I suggest everyone do the same! www.dscc.org

[LoZoccolo]

17. I think you'd be surprised.

We'd love to see you at our Drinking Liberally meetings and our Dem Net meetups. You can read all about them here:

http://www.illinoisdemnet.com

It's also neat just to meet up with like-minded people as well, so everyone knows everyone else when we are needed. We have a good time at Frankie Z's, so you should come out sometime!

[Placebo]

18. If you would like to sneak me in, then I'd love to come!

I'm only 19. :P

I'll be 20 in July. :party:

[LoZoccolo]

19. They don't card at the door at Frankie Z's.

It's actually a bar & grill, so they don't restrict entry.

[IndianaGreen]

20. First and foremost: Non-partisan opposition to the war

and LGBT rights. On the latter, I am part of a group of dedicated people that are working to defeat Republican attempts to change the Indiana Constitution to deny LGBTs the same rights that heteros enjoy. On the former, I am active in an organization that is committed to peace and justice. In a happy coincidence, both areas of interest of mine come into play in the upcoming Second Midwest Peace and Justice this coming April 7-9 at the IUPUI campus. Col Ann Wright will be the keynote speaker!

On a partisan note, I am one of the many volunteers in the Julia Carson reelection campaign.

[Doctor_J]

21. Looking for work in Canada

It may be too late to save the country, even if we buck the immense odds and win back one house of Congress.

[LoZoccolo]

22. Wow, thanks.

I'm sure we can all do that, too.

[LoZoccolo]

23. Only like ten real responses??!!

Was I right that DUers are seldom doers? Hmmmmmmmm?

[NoPasaran]

24. Working for Jason Earle to win his primary runoff

And then a seat in the Texas House in November.

Working to elect John Courage to Congress.

Working to elect Glen Maxey State Chair of the Democratic Party.

In 2005 a group of us reworked what had been Austin4Kerry into an independent progressive grassroots group, Keep Austin Blue, and I'll be continuing to help run that.

[LoZoccolo]

25. That happened here too!

Basically our Illinois Dem Net formed because people wanted to stay involved. It's been good because we're networked and know each other.

[NCarolinawoman]

26. I'm a precinct delgate to my county convention.

Then it's off to knocking on doors for my local Dem candidates (statehouse, county commissioners, etc). I consider these people the up-and-coming farm team.

I also try to give a little money to the DNC because as a "red-stater" I really appreciate Howard Dean's "50 State Plan".

Finally, I will continue to contribute money to many of the nation-wide fighting Vet Dems (as long as they speak out on environmental matters). I feel that we need these people in office because they are well aware of the horrors of war and don't think of war as a glamorous game. Neither will they have this need to use a vote for war to prove how tough they are.

[DrGonzoLives]

28. I am going to complain a lot on DU

Especially how candidates in Oklahoma and Mississippi just aren't liberal enough for my taste, and how moral victories that make me feel warm and fuzzy inside are better than taking back Congress and getting people like Kennedy, Kerry and Levin committee chairmanships. :sarcasm:

[NCarolinawoman]

29. Hmmmm....I know exactly what you are talking about. n/t

[JNelson6563]

30. Ok, let's see

I'm helping two state House candidates, a few county commission candidates, a US House candidate and 14 county parties grow their parties, raise money and recruit volunteers.

:toast: Julie