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.
2 Questions? Email training@democracyforamerica.com
Tonight’s Trainers
Chris Bowerswww.openleft.com
Katrina Bakerwww.cosmopolity.org
Arshad HasanDFA Training Director
3 Questions? Email training@democracyforamerica.com
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)
4 Questions? Email training@democracyforamerica.com
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
5 Questions? Email training@democracyforamerica.com
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
6 Questions? Email training@democracyforamerica.com
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
7 Questions? Email training@democracyforamerica.com
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
8 Questions? Email training@democracyforamerica.com
Local Blogs Impact in 2006• Ned Lamont campaign
• Jon Tester for Senate
• Other examples: Virginia, New York,Northern California, New Hampshire
9 Questions? Email training@democracyforamerica.com
Listener Submitted QuestionsGet in on the discussion – The Night School Blog:
www.dfalink.com/nightschool
10 Questions? Email training@democracyforamerica.com
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
11 Questions? Email training@democracyforamerica.com
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’
12 Questions? Email training@democracyforamerica.com
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?
13 Questions? Email training@democracyforamerica.com
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?
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 training@democracyforamerica.com
15 Questions? Email training@democracyforamerica.com
Philadelphia, 2005-2007
• Take back your precinct• 200 progressive activists run• Increased Democratic voter turnout by 74%• Help elect progressive mayor
16 Questions? Email training@democracyforamerica.com
Benefits of Party Office
• You’ll make new friends• Precinct captains win primaries• Shape the direction of the party• GOTV!
17 Questions? Email training@democracyforamerica.com
• 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
18 Questions? Email training@democracyforamerica.com
Dean for DNC Chair
• A 50 state strategy• Online buzz• Offline actions• Grassroots activists swamped
local DNC meetings
19 Questions? Email training@democracyforamerica.com
Listener Submitted QuestionsGet in on the discussion – The Night School Blog:
www.dfalink.com/nightschool
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: field@democracyforamerica.com-Kristina Baker: info@drinkingliberally.org
3) Become a Precinct Captain in yourneighborhood
20 Questions? Email training@democracyforamerica.com
21 Questions? Email training@democracyforamerica.com
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
Thank you for joining us!
22 Questions? Email training@democracyforamerica.com
https://contribute.democracyforamerica.com/trust
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
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