Download - Building An Open Progressive Community
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Building an Open ProgressiveCommunity
August 2nd, 2007Paid for by Democracy for America, www.democracyforamerica.com,
and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
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2 Questions? Email [email protected]
Tonight’s Trainers
Chris Bowerswww.openleft.com
Katrina Bakerwww.cosmopolity.org
Arshad HasanDFA Training Director
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3 Questions? Email [email protected]
Objectives for this Session
1) Build a local and active blogosphere
2) Organize offline groups using online tools
3) Engage your local Democratic Party (using 1 & 2)
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4 Questions? Email [email protected]
Online and Offline ProgressiveCommunities
What is an “Open Left”?
Online tools:blogs, social
networks,email lists
Democratic Partyactivism
Offline action:DFA groups,
Living Liberally,blogger brunches
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5 Questions? Email [email protected]
Benefits of Your Friendly LocalBlogosphere
• All politics is local• Amplifies your message• Builds a ‘buzz’• Open source opposition research• Directs resources to local campaigns
– Money– People
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6 Questions? Email [email protected]
Creating a Local BlogosphereGetting Noticed
• Write original content and post often• Be a good news filter• Find a niche and become the expert• Cross-post at other larger blogs• Be easy to find
• Have contact info visible• Google & Yahoo searches• Technorati• LeftyBlogs
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7 Questions? Email [email protected]
Creating a Local BlogosphereBuilding Community
• Get together (online & offline)– Create an email list of local bloggers– Have regular caucuses, brunches, etc
• Link to each other• Start a local blogroll• Build a community blog
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8 Questions? Email [email protected]
Local Blogs Impact in 2006• Ned Lamont campaign
• Jon Tester for Senate
• Other examples: Virginia, New York,Northern California, New Hampshire
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9 Questions? Email [email protected]
Listener Submitted QuestionsGet in on the discussion – The Night School Blog:
www.dfalink.com/nightschool
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10 Questions? Email [email protected]
Political Communities• Historical Context
– Community is an effective catalyst for change• Cesar Chavez-United Farm Workers• Lois Gibbs-Love Canal
– Decline of community groups in America-Late 20th Century• Internet redefines community organizing
– Dean Meetups– Emails, listserves, early blogs
• The Next Generation– Social Networking sites--DFA-Link– Living Liberally chapters
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11 Questions? Email [email protected]
Taking It OfflineGetting Started
What’s the point?– What is your groups’ purpose– Why should people be interested– For example: Why Drink Liberally?
Just do it– Don’t be afraid of making mistakes– Avoid ‘analysis paralysis’
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12 Questions? Email [email protected]
Taking It OfflineBuilding a Community
1) Pick your time and place- Should be open, accessible and fun
2) Recruit, Recruit, Recruit- Be inviting and open to anyone- Low entry barriers = greater participation
3) Be engaging and unique- What sets you apart from other groups?- What is your draw?
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13 Questions? Email [email protected]
Taking It OfflineBuilding a Community
4) Open lines of communication- Set up a group blog or email list
5) Ritual and regularity- Avoid rescheduling or moving meetings- What can people expect?- What characterizes your gatherings?
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The Silent Revolution• Progressive activists winning seats as
Democratic Party precinct captains,committeepersons or chairs
• Prominent Examples– Kentucky– California– North Carolina– Philadelphia
14 Questions? Email [email protected]
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15 Questions? Email [email protected]
Philadelphia, 2005-2007
• Take back your precinct• 200 progressive activists run• Increased Democratic voter turnout by 74%• Help elect progressive mayor
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16 Questions? Email [email protected]
Benefits of Party Office
• You’ll make new friends• Precinct captains win primaries• Shape the direction of the party• GOTV!
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17 Questions? Email [email protected]
• 80% is just showing up• Know the rules, Follow the rules• Do your job well• Keep an open mind, but be ready to fight• Have fun!
How to do it
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18 Questions? Email [email protected]
Dean for DNC Chair
• A 50 state strategy• Online buzz• Offline actions• Grassroots activists swamped
local DNC meetings
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19 Questions? Email [email protected]
Listener Submitted QuestionsGet in on the discussion – The Night School Blog:
www.dfalink.com/nightschool
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Homework1) Engage your local Blogosphere
Click Here for a guide2) Attend the next DFA or Drinking Liberally in
your area…or start one up.-Ilya Sheyman: [email protected] Baker: [email protected]
3) Become a Precinct Captain in yourneighborhood
20 Questions? Email [email protected]
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21 Questions? Email [email protected]
Coming Soon from DFA:
Want the DFA Training Academy to come to your town?
Request a 2008 Training!
http://www.democracyforamerica.com/training/requests
Coming in September:DFA Night School onPrecinct Organizing
September 8-9 - Atlanta, GASeptember 29-30 - Springfield, IL
Attend a DFA Training Academy weekend training near you:
www.democracyforamerica.com/training
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Thank you for joining us!
22 Questions? Email [email protected]
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Need to catch up on earlier Night School presentations?Order previous semesters on DVD (and help keep Night School free)
Summer 2007 (Fundraising) now available!
https://contribute.democracyforamerica.com/nightschool