A little planning help?

[Kixel]

Recently, I became Associate Chair of our Senate District (equivalent to County Units elsewhere). Our current representation is red and our SD hasn’t been all that well organized in the past. The (also new) Chair and I have split things between long term goals and prior to the election goals. A big goal we have is volunteer recruitment. One plan (which has become my baby) is a “Time-Raiser.” Basically, it would be a party where people pledge to work x amount of hours. I’ll have contact information forms for folks to fill out and they will sign up on a calendar which days they can work.

It’s also going to be a thank you for past, present, and future volunteers. I am thinking the invite will read something like this:

"When the Republicans raise money, they charge $1500 a plate for a meal. While Democrats don't have those kind of resources, we do have something more valuable-time and talents that are yet to be tapped. Please join us for an (evening/afternoon) of Democratic fun. If you would like to donate your time and energy, we'll be more than happy to make you a part of our team. Of course, if you'd like to make a donation, we'll accept those, too!"

We are thinking of doing a desert potluck-having everyone from our Central Committee bring a desert of some sort (cost effective, we don’t want to spend too much on this) and provide coffee and juice.

My questions for the wise folks of the DU:

My questions for you are this:
1. What time/day make for the most successful events?
2. Would it be too cheesy to do a little "game show" between our local candidates? I have a cousin who is very creative and great at making a fool out of himself in this kind of position-a natural comedian who can work a crowd. He's a Democrat, so I am thinking I could twist him into a little performance.
3. We are talking about having different levels of donors-x amount of hours is such and such. Any ideas on names for the different level donors? We want this to be light hearted.
4. The kiddos-any ideas for things to keep them busy? I was thinking of coloring pictures (black and white donkey clip art), but that won’t keep ‘em busy for long.

I am sorry this is so long, but this event is important-it’ll be our first as Chair and Associate, and our Senate District is a little fractured right now (as you can probably guess with August elections for its leadership). Thanks for any help or suggestions you can give!

[NMDemDist2]

1. did you read this thread?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=382x185

as for donor levels, keep em patriotic and dem oriented IMO

MLK
JFK
RFK
FDR

maybe?? and not necessarily in that order

as for kiddos, give them a room with a movie showing, games and coloring stuff. maybe have them make "window signs" for the candidates with stars and bright colors. have one adult or maybe a teen who is in the room keeping an eye on things at all times

as for the game show, if you can get people to stick around that long maybe. IME having hours people can just "drop in" and not a structured time works better

[Kixel]

2. Thank you!

Great ideas. All of them...!

I like the drop in idea-maybe make it longer, and use the "Candidate A will be here at this time" from the previous thread. Loving it! Thank you!

K