What would make the State Convention more enjoyable to you?

[MessiahRp]

Poll question: What would make the State Convention more enjoyable to you?

I am involved with organizing activities for the Convention this year and I want to make the convention an event that makes you the visitor want to stay longer. As the Convention is currently, it runs from Friday morning until mid-Saturday with Saturday basically only being for the DPW/DNC elections.

To me I think we can coordinate a Thursday night concert event to draw people, do something on Saturday night afterwards and possibly something Sunday afternoon.

This convention is a once a year chance to hang out with Democrats from all over the state and the party treats it as a boring business meeting.

I personally think if we organized some interesting events it might get people to stick around an extra day or so and give people a bit more interest in their party's biggest local event of the year.

So what would keep you interested to stay longer?

[ewagner]

1. I'm really looking forward

to the convention in Oshkosh this year.

Our County Chair has already reserved 6 rooms for the event and I plan on having one of them.......

I just want to offer an opinion. I think a "big name speaker" is the right way to go as opposed to a concert or any other kind of organized entertainment. Why? Well, social events shouldn't have the official sanction of the party. They should be organized individually. If anything goes badly, the party has no responsibility for it and "immoral" things like drinking, dancing and having a hell of a good time cannot be tagged as an official policy of the party. Just an opinion.....

[MessiahRp]

2. Actually

None of it would be sanctioned by the party and would be organized seperately by yours truly and the local Dems from the area.

The party made sure to state that they prefer it to remain a boring business meeting and that's it. So myself and others are taking iniatives to make the event more fun, independent of the State party.

Rp

[MessiahRp]

3. Also...

after quite a few of our local party members attended Camp Wellstone and a few attended DLI last year we're working on putting on some Campaign workshops on how to organize and how to win campaigns.

This also may be independent of the party's plans itself but be organized and offered up by the Winnebago Co. Dems on Saturday morning.

Rp

[ewagner]

4. Great Idea!

I'm interested too.

[eyesroll]

5. So long as I can vote by mid-day Saturday, it's all good.

I have a wedding Saturday evening, so I won't be able to join you for Saturday festivities.

[MessiahRp]

6. Unrelated activity but something to do...

The state Democracy for America members will be staging a Saturday night rally after the convention. At this time we do know Jim Dean (Howard's brother) will be there but we're making a pitch for Howard to come and speak to us and we need to gather as large of a progressive audience as possible for it to happen.

The reason I mention is that might be the big name speaker we can attract on Saturday night.

The two other concert opportunities may end up occurring as well but I'm trying to get a feel out of what I can get people to attend. I already have 3-4 bands ready to play the rock concert on Sunday afterwards.

My *goal* would be a schedule of the following:

Thursday night- Waterfest, Live Concert geared towards older adults.

Friday- Convention... Speakers, Hospitality Suites

Saturday- Morning Campaign Workshops, DPW Voting, DFA Rally with a Dean, (possibly a political play at the Grand Opera House put on by the Rebel Alliance Theatre)

Sunday- Rockin' for Democracy Youth Concert (3-4 hard rock bands in Grand Opera Square park)

[gizmo1979]

7. I've never been.

Sounds like a goodtime I'am interested.I need more info!

[russwallac]

8. How about...

... a gathering of all the former Deaniacs from across the state for organizing and training sessions on Saturday afternoon right after the convention.

With Jim Dean, Howard Dean's brother and the current director of Democracy for America, as the featured speaker. There's even a chance that Howard will show up.

We haven't formally announced this event yet, but if anybody wants more info please contact me.

[sybylla]

9. Nice idea

Welcome to DU, btw.

If you're talking about is something on the order of a peer-to-peer training seminar, that could work but it would take a lot of organization.

And that free time your thinking of after the convention will most likely be Saturday evening. Been to these things four years in a row and we have never finished the platform and resolutions debate before 4pm and rarely by 5pm.

But even if you just have a massive DFA meetup after the convention, I bet you'll get a nice turnout.

[MessiahRp]

19. Well some people stick around for that...

"And that free time your thinking of after the convention will most likely be Saturday evening. Been to these things four years in a row and we have never finished the platform and resolutions debate before 4pm and rarely by 5pm."

I noticed a lot of Dems leave when that's all going on because they find the party business boring. I think it would be a tight fit yes, but it will also depend on the DFA event (which is already set in stone) and whether or not Howard does attend it. If he does it will clutter time a bit more.

-------------
For the Sunday afterwards I have a concert almost in place right by the Convention center at the Grand Opera Square park on Main St. IF all goes as planned (and we still have a ways to go) we will have three really good local hard rock bands playing from 12-3pm or 1-4pm. The concert will be free to the public and be called "Rockin' For Democracy".

The concert will not be an official DPW event but rather a concert to bring attention to progressive politics as well as good local bands. I think we will have a table for Democrats and I would LIKE for the Greens to have a table to discuss their views and hand out literature to anyone whose interested. I figure we have a lot in common and instead of infighting here's an olive branch for the moment to maybe make peace with our peers. So those tables as well as beer/food for sale (proceeds of that will go to the Democratic Party since they are likely the supplier) and a table for the bands to meet and greet the public (and sell merch).

Should be fun.

The bands I am likely booking:

Sketchy - A band from Milwaukee and Summerfest regular who has opened for Mudvayne, Saliva and others.
http://www.sketchy.cc

Silik - A band from the Stevens Point area. Close to finishing their first album and a band I truly believe will make it big out of the area.
http://www.silik.net

Scarlet Escape - A band from Oshkosh. They played support for Chevelle's Snocore concert last Month and are a definite crowd favorite.
http://www.scarletescape.com/

[newyawker99]

10. Hi russwallac!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[MessiahRp]

11. That't already on the docket

Which I mentioned in my schedule above...

Rp

[gizmo1979]

12. Still need info.

Like when is it?I'am dumb I am naive I need help.

[sybylla]

13. June 10 & 11

Friday night and all day Saturday. If you have to drive more than an hour, I'd recommend a hotel. It's hard to leave Friday night when all the reps have their meet-n-greets that go on as late as midnight.

[RevCheesehead]

14. I'm not going to the convention, but ...

I will probably meet ClassWarrior for a beer one evening.

Do any of you plan on having a DU Gathering? :toast:

[ClassWarrior]

16. Okay, so who's up for a DU meet-up there?

NGU.

[MessiahRp]

17. Of course I'm game...

That weekend is going to rule all.

PM me for contact info...

Rp

[ClassWarrior]

23. I'll PM you and any other interested DUers as we get closer to the date.

Looking forward to meeting you Messiah...

NGU.

[Viking12]

15. FYI

Be aware that there is also a major fishing tournament (500+ entrants)in Oshkosh that weekend. Hotel space may be limited.

[MessiahRp]

18. We should be okay...

We have the Park Plaza Hotel pre-booked for the Convention and if anyone needs help acquiring a Hotel/Motel room, let me know and I will hook you up with numbers.

Rp

[Viking12]

20. Cool. Just wanted to bring to light possibble inconveniences for our visit

[ewagner]

21. Our county chair

has already booked rooms for our delegation.........

I'm looking forward to this!!!!

[ClassWarrior]

22. Wow. Look forward to meeting you there, E...

NGU.