Possible to attend the State Convention but not be a delegate?

[liveoaktx]

I would imagine the only drawback would be that one couldn't vote on things but I'd like to go and hear the speeches.

[Vincardog]

1. That is fine but is is more fun to be a delegate, be on committees and

vote on things. However spectators are welcome the more the better:toast: :thumbsup: :grouphug: :yourock: :woohoo:

[liveoaktx]

2. Yes, but I'm thinking ahead in case not voted in

I'd still like to go.

[PDittie]

3. This is how I became an activist, in June of 2004

A bunch of us DUers met for the first time -- Richardo, fudge striped cookays, Lisa0825, John Coby, Wolverine DG; I know I'm leaving somebody out -- and we all attended the convention, went to lunch at a little Italian place near the George R Brown, and ate Mexican food at a couple of different places in Montrose. We heard John Edwards speak. I recall Rich and I saying to each other that we hoped he would become the vice-presidential nominee.

None of us were delegates. Well, maybe VelmaD and sonia were (I had met them in a previous trip to Austin). I went to the PPC Caucus and heard DVO speak for only about the second or third time, and shook his hand. But he didn't know who I was -- then. ;)

I met Dennis Kucinich as I was handing out flyers for "health care for all", the forerunner of what is now Purple Ocean.

My advice? Don't miss it. You stand a good chance of meeting a bunch of us, who WILL be delegates this go-round, as well as meeting all the Texas candidates running for office. I know Wesley Clark will be speaking at this year's convention, and there are usually cool parties to go to that don't require any delegate creds ...

[muse]

4. And, how do you become a delegate?

This has been explained to me a number of times . . .

But, apparently, I am a slow learner. :)

Seriously, PD, I need it explained to me again, so please help!

[liveoaktx]

6. I was told last night that you have so much time (like 3 days) after

the election to tell your precinct chair you want to be a candidate for delegate, to be voted on at the county convention. So, what I would do if I was you is call your precinct chair immediately (or if you can't reach the precinct chair, the county chair) and find out what you have to do to get on the list of potentials.

[muse]

7. I read your other thread

about all of this after I posted my question and that was VERY helpful!!!

I think I've unearthed my precinct chair's email address, so I may be in business.

Thanks!

[PDittie]

10. That's true, if he/she hasn't

filed his convention minutes and attendance report with the county.

[PDittie]

9. Why, M, it's easy; you attend your precinct convention

which was held Tuesday night, at your polling place, at 7:15 pm. Did you? (I think I know the answer to this question, since I saw you at Chris Bell's party later on.)

And if you had, you could have stood for election as a delegate. And likely been elected, as there were probably on a few people there -- as with every other precinct convention across the county, and the state, for that matter.

(Don't stone the bearer of not-so-good news...)

[liveoaktx]

5. I also went to the Houston convention as a delegate

The county chair (at the time), because there was no precinct party after the election nor county convention didn't have anyone to go so he asked us. It was great-favorite part completely was hearing the Killer D's. We did go to the voting part for our senate district but I didn't really know until after it was all over what the heck was going on.

Anyway, it was great, and I want to go whether or not I get elected as a delegate.

[NoPasaran]

8. Please do come, delegate or not

I was a delegate for the first time in 2004 and I want to come back this time.

If you can't make it as a delegate---try to become an alternate. Even though a huge number of people attended the 2004 convention, there were still enough no-shows that every alternate that I knew was elevated to full delegate status.

I think that the most important thing the convention is going to do this year is select a new party chair. I expect that this is going to be a rather contencious issue. It's pretty clear from reading this forum over the last day or two that the TDP has serious problems. Whoever we choose, it needs to be someone who is really going to change the way we do business.