Change Needed?

[walk softly]

I became aware of several things at the First District Convention that bothered me and wondered if others may feel the same. These had to do with the selection of both the State Central Committee and National Delegates. Upon arrival at our convention, each seat had the required certificate and sign up sheets for National Delegate. This was great since it gave everyone an opportunity to participate but was it really an equal opportunity or an afterthought. 77 Obama folks signed up to run for national delegate, and according to Rules, each had two minutes to speak - 2.5 hours! It was amazing how many took their name off the list when they found out the cost of lodging per night, the air fares, etc. This is all info that should have been available much earlier than convention day. Many of these folks were not happy when they left the convention.

The same is true with elections for State Central Committee. In our Grassroots Organization how many people really understand how important this committee really is, what it's responsible for and how does it operate. What are the metrics by which we measure how effective the Party is being run? Giving folks a 1 minute rundown of your qualification for State Central Committee is not enough to judge the best people for the job.

Maybe I'm alone on this, but as a member of the Party I think it's time we introduce change into some of our processes. Let's consider adding education on some of these committees and caucuses. What about using the website to educate people on timely issues such as the details on cost and time commitment of a National Delegate.

[Debi]

1. I think this is the outcome of so many new folks joining the party and the process

Which I am THRILLED about.

I agree that the responsibilities for these positions should be readily available (and traditionally have been passed down by word of mouth to those interested). I just think the turnout on January 3rd (and continued participation at County Conventions and again at District Conventions) has caught us all off guard.

State Convention should prove interesting.

[valuesvoter]

2. I'm an uninformed newbie

I was an alternate for my county who got bumped up to being a delegate. I was outraged by the number of delegates who didn't show up at our county convention (50+ for Obama alone). I decided to sign up to be a delegate for the district because I thought it was important, but no one ever told me (until Deb on this list) that it also meant I would be a delegate at the state convention. Definitely, there needs to be more communication about responsibilities for these positions. I am working on arrangements for the state, and I'm not upset about going--don't take this the wrong way, but I wonder how many other people will simply fail to show up in Des Moines because they didn't realize they'd need to go/don't want to drive/can't afford a hotel/would rather be outside in June/etc.

Aside from the huge waste of paper, I don't think putting the petition forms on every chair is a good idea. There were a few people near us who just sent their sheets around for signatures, but dropped out after they learned the cost. Clearly, they had no idea what they were really signing up for. I definitely would have benefited from a short morning presentation in the midst of all the speeches on what these important posts entailed in terms of time and monetary commitment, and I suspect others would have, too. They could be told about the petition process at 9, then directed to speak with someone to obtain a form.

Just a few observations...

[rurallib]

3. Welcome to DU and to the Iowa forum

:bounce: :toast: :party:

We had a person who tested the waters to run for office. Everyone assumed that the person knew they would have to raise their own money. Said person dropped shortly after it was finally revealed that the party didn't bankroll the candidacy.

[Debi]

4. I may need to clarify - if you were selected as a delegate to district convention at the county

convention they you were also selected as a delegate to the state convention. If you were an alternate to district convention (from the county convention) and got seated at district then you are STILL only an alternate to state convention. You should contact the county organizer for your candidate and start making arrangements to become a delegate to state convention (find someone who is a delegate and have them designate you as their replacement).

Hope I didn't confuse you.

I'm making a mess of things here.

[valuesvoter]

5. Might not have been clear

Debi,

I was an alternate at the county who became a delegate there. After that debacle, I became an actual delegate for the district convention.

Thanks

[Debi]

6. Okay, then you are a delegate to the state convention as well.

As for the Debis - all of us are only alternates to the state convention hoping to get in touch w/delegates who won't be able to attend so we can go in their place...yes, this is a call to any Obama delegates who won't be going to state convention...I got three here who want to go!!! :hi: