• Home
  • About
    • Team N4P
  • Blog
    • Events
    • News
    • FWDPROGRESS Movement Strategy
  • TAKE ACTION!
    • Campaigns
    • Advocacy
    • Service & Giving
  • NETWORK!
    • DC/MD/VA Community
    • Communications / Technology
    • Career
    • Social
    • USA
  • RESOURCES!
    • Issues
    • Organizing
    • Leadership
  • FOLLOW US!
  • DONATE!
Network For Progress
CONNECT:

FWD BLOG - Dear Democrats: Why is the DNC Winter Meeting open to the public…yet designed for Party Crashers Only? #itmypartytoo

2/19/2015

0 Comments

 
Network For Progress and Generation Obama-DC founder Jim McBride's "Forward Progressive" take on why the Democratic Victory Task Force needs to call for a major re-boot to put the “party” back into the Democratic Party via a 50-State Strategy 2.0


WATCH THE "FWD VLOG":
A preliminary report from the Democratic Victory Task Force is scheduled for the DNC Winter Meeting this week to help us decipher what went wrong in 2014 so it can be corrected in 2016. 

I’m sure there will be lots of great recommendations and mysteries discovered but the most important fact is right under our nose: the Democratic Party in many ways isn’t really a party at all. And for a party of the “people” it is kind of critical.

The problem is easy to spot when you consider this week’s DNC Winter Meeting where we can see that no adjustments have been made yet.
Picture
The event is technically open to the public according to their schedule but how many Democrats even know that? Yet there are general sessions and caucus meetings but aside from party officers only the activist versions of the Salahi’s will actually participate in….people so committed to the party that they show up even if they only see the details second-hand.

First off, the only schedule i have seen is a PDF for God’ sake! 
I would suggest adding more trainings and panels to the program to get people thinking but let’s start small.

If it wasn’t for Virginia DNC Committeeman Frank Leone’s twitter feed I wouldn’t have even known about it....so congrats to him for doing his job but I don't think he has ever been retweeted by a party committee yet so he's a voice in the wilderness.

After asking around I found out there was a web page where you could sign up for free…..on a Association of State Democratic Chairs web site I have never heard of. Maybe because it is obviously only designed for State Democratic Chairs....that's why my friend had to find it via google search.

But you would think the DNC would be trumpeting this exciting event and the speaker program somewhere, right? Wrong!

Here's what I came up with....in the meantime let the DNC know what you think on twitter and facebook because you need to let them know why #itsmypartytoo and what is #mydemautopsy. You can copy your feedback in the comments below so we can share our ideas in the process....I will include some feedback I collected recently as well.

There is no “Contact Us” page so we will skip email and phone today.


In the meantime….nothing on twitter yet.

Picture
Or Facebook...Marco Rubio’s book is apparently the most important topic for the Democratic Party in the last 24 hours:
Picture
Well, there must be something on the web site, right? But there isn’t even an Events page:
Picture
On the bottom left of the page is a “What’s Next for Democrats” video where DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman-Schultz asks for our input, which is great, yet provided no opportunity to give the feedback that she was asking for. There are a couple surveys that were circulated in November and December but neither are shared here.

OK but what about those emails….at least one of those must have mentioned the meeting right?

Sort of….I got one email that invites me to donate money so i can “win” a chance to attend the meeting AND meet President Obama!
Picture
I also was invited to become a DNC Member this past month but since there were no membership benefits like "meeting invites" listed I have to assume membership doesn’t have its privileges.

On the DNC web site is a blog post about the contest and where I can see that the DNC Chair wants ME there….maybe if i click on that link i can sign up?
Picture

Actually, no. She wants you to be entered in a contest to meet the President...not actually show up to get involved or anything! I know many folks would only attend if they won a contest but thousands of Democrats live within a day’s drive of Washington, DC and if the DNC is able to set up out-of-state volunteer drives during election season then why not even tell people about a quarterly meeting?
Picture
Okay, maybe we can’t attend but how about a Hashtag or Live-Stream or at least a YouTube channel so we can follow along from home? No, that’s for CPAC…conservatives are more digital-savvy i guess. They even have an app!

Of course, outside organizations always have an advantage but a potential juggernaut like the President’s Organizing For Action barely has any events that get beyond house party status....if at all these days.

This is the 2015 Democratic “organizing advantage” at work. We have great data for banner ads and door knocks that the average voter will probably notice for a split second but don’t use much of it to segment and actually REACH supporters who follow our emails, social media or even visit our web sites. 

In the end, despite some mild gains from superficial forms of content and outreach, not many new activists get involved and not many new voters are inspired by our grassroots army to join our movement OR at minimum pull the lever to vote Democratic in November.

The funny thing is, when you go to the About US page of the DNC web site, there is a section on the 50-State Strategy of funding party committees nationwide so they can better compete. The highlights end after 2008 because for some reason unifying our party with a nationwide network of activists was no longer a priority.
Picture
And if you go to the Leadership page, you see a list of politicians and not any staff who can even be a resource for people interested in helping build the Democratic Party:
Picture
Yes, there are local party committees and campaigns that people can work with too but in many cases they offer the same insular structure where you basically need the secret password to participate….and even when you do you might later regret walking in the door in the first place.

The best example I found in November was how the Warner for Senate campaign held a Get-Out-The-Vote Rally on Election Eve and it got barely more publicity than the DNC Meeting….no twitter, no facebook, no web site. No events or campaign offices were ever mentioned on those platforms. It mattered too…a near surprise upset.

This culture needs to change from the TOP DOWN not just rely on the BOTTOM UP. Party leaders talk a good game about “grassroots” organizing but successful people-focused activism is supported by strong leadership not just left to hang out to dry. 

Democratic Party of Virginia’s Vice Chair of Technology Dave Leichtman recently posted a blog about the need for a 50-State Strategy for Digital Organizers and I would suggest incorporating such a program into re-invigorating the original vision.

The Democratic Party needs to focus on three key things right now as part of 50-State Strategy 2.0:

  1. Relationships

  2. Innovation

  3. Innovation to build more Relationships


I recently saw the film “The Imitation Game” and the story of Alan Turing is inspiring and tragic because he was an innovator who helped a society triumph even though society worked against him personally and professionally. 

We have thousands of Democratic Party activists whose talents are being lost in the current system. Sometimes this happens because they are not trained to create relationships and innovation but sometimes it's as simple as they are not rich enough to work without a living wage or in conditions that the party supposedly finds an affront to our values when implemented in the private sector.

Until party and campaign organizations are truly partnering with their supporters to adequately invest in creating the 21st Century solutions necessary to build the kind of relationships that enable trust and influence in the electorate, no one is going to care enough to fight back anymore…..and that means no one is going to donate, volunteer or vote either.

It’s often called Movement-building...organizing groups of like-minded people around a singular cause. 

That is why we chant “Yes We Can!” not “Yes I Can!” 

Even though I have encouraged people to organize themselves, the fact is if they are not part of a smart coordinated team effort than all that work eventually dies and can become worthless….look at Occupy Wall Street.

And if you look at leaders of great movements, I don’t recall MLK using the “March on Washington” as a vehicle for big fundraiser or Barack Obama hosting rallies without telling his supporters about them. Why create obstacles to building your movement?

That is why the most important message that was lost in 2014 wasn’t simply how many jobs were created in the past 5 years, but the message of who we are and who are we going to share it with. Everything else should complement these efforts.

It’s time to put the Obama campaign’s “Respect. Empower. Include.” slogan at the forefront of a Democratic MOVEMENT that is well-aware that it represents much more than a bureaucracy….but it is leading the cause of democratic opportunity for all in our government.

Hopefully, the Democratic Victory Task Force will address some of these issues.  And I really hope we can work with current DNC leaders to enact them because they will need Obama supporters and those who demand a “Yes We Can” culture if they’re going to work for another presidential candidate in 2016.


There's no reason why Network For Progress should be the only game in town for the State of the Union and so many other great community-building opportunities.

In the meantime, the question remains, if the Democratic National Committee holds a meeting and doesn’t invite Democrats….does it make a sound?


ABOUT JIM MCBRIDE (FORWARD PROGRESSIVE):

Jim has spent over twenty years working in Communications, from radio to TV to public relations from the high-tech sector (Checkpoint Software, OfficeDepot.com) to being the first media staffer hired at the International Association of Fire Fighters after 9/11 who managed Fire Fighters for Kerry press outreach.

McBride has been an active grassroots activist since 2004, previously serving as President of the Arlington Young Democrats (Virginia Young Democrats’ 2007 Club of the Year), Vice Chair of Precinct Operations for Arlington Democrats, Virginia for Obama Volunteer Database Coordinator (2008 Primary), Founder of Generation Webb and the Generation Obama-DC community he still engages as one of the DNC’s top Gen44 young professional fundraisers for the Obama Victory Fund.

Picture
Let’s campaign for a more unified movement and get “Ready For Unity!”
Like Us!
Follow Us!
FWD
Picture
Follow Forward Progressive on Facebook & Twitter!
0 Comments

NEWS 4 PROGRESS: RFH Tonight! 2/15 ACA deadline! 2/16 Liz Run! 2/17 PMD! 2/18 AYD & Netroots deadline! 2/26 YDA & WIN! + Progress Highlights!

2/12/2015

0 Comments

 
*** NEWS 4 PROGRESS **
(February 12, 2015)



WATCH:
Vox.com Conversation with President Obama

READ:
BuzzFeed Conversation with President Obama



UPCOMING CALENDAR:
2/12: Women Ready For Hillary
2/15: ACA Deadline
2/16: “Run Liz Run” to the White House
2/17: Progressive Maryland “Budget” Tele-Town Hall
2/18: AYD Meeting: “Net Neutrality”
2/18: Netroots Nation panel submission deadline!
2/19-21: DNC Winter Meeting
2/26: YDA Founder’s Day Receptiom
2/26: WIN’s Young Women of Achievement Awards

(details below)


PROGRESS HIGHLIGHTS:

*State of the Union Recap
- videos, photos and info -

*White House Ebola Update

*Clean Energy Update
(details below)




UPCOMING CALENDAR:


2/12: Women Ready for Hillary
Picture
REGISTER


2/15: 2015 ACA applications due!

Picture
www.healthcare.gov

Watch the President’s Buzzfeed video:
“Things Everybody Does But Doesn't Talk About”



2/16: President’s Day “Run Liz Run” to the White House!
@ Capitol Hill
Picture
RSVP ON FACEBOOK

For the 2/15 Ready For Warren-DC Meeting & other updates:
GOOGLE GROUP
FACEBOOK GROUP



2/17: Progressive Maryland’s
“State Budget Organizing” Tele-Town Hall
Picture
REGISTER

RSVP ON FACEBOOK



2/18: Arlington Young Democrats’s
“Net Neutrality: Why should you care?”
@ Guarapo (Court House)
Picture
RSVP ON FACEBOOK


2/18: Netroots Nation panel submissions due!
http://www.netrootsnation.org/proposals
Picture
*Watch the Google Hangout Q&A!
*Apply for a free Blue Nation Review pass to Netroots Nation!


2/19-21: DNC Winter Meeting
Hyatt Regency, 400 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
Picture
Picture

SCHEDULE


2/26: Young Democrats of America’s Founders Day Reception
featuring Paul Begala and DNC Vice Chair Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

@ International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (Gallery Place)
Picture
REGISTER

RSVP ON FACEBOOK


Women’s Information Network’s
Young Women of Achievement Awards
@ Carnegie Institution for Science (15th & P)
Picture
REGISTER


PROGRESS HIGHLIGHTS:

State of the Union Recap





Picture
#SOTU15 VIDEO & RESOURCES
(watch and read online for infographics, photos and more)

WHITE HOUSE VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE
(#AskTheWH Feedback Form: http://www.whitehouse.gov/your-feedback-2015)

EVERY “STATE OF THE STATE” VIDEO


Picture
#SOTUUNITYDC PHOTOS & VIDEO
including surprise guest DNC Political Director Raul Alvillar and DC Shadow Rep Franklin Garcia
(via dcireporter.com)

#SOTUNITYDC PHOTOS
(via Randy Goldstein)

Straw Poll Results announced after the speech:
HILLARY CLINTON: 42
ELIZABETH WARREN: 23
JOE BIDEN: 6
MARTIN O’MALLEY: 1


White House Ebola Update
Picture
http://wh.gov/ebola-response


Clean Energy Update
Picture
Report: Wind and solar energy have tripled since 2008 
(Washington Post)

The cost of wind and solar power keeps dropping all over the world 
(Vox)



FOLLOW US!
(includes Progress USA (national posts), Career Progress, Comm Tech 4 Progress, Campaign 4 Progress, Advocate 4 Progress, Serve 4 Progress, Policy Progress, Grassroots Progress, Progress Office and Forward Progressive blog)
Picture
Join our networks via Email, Facebook & Twitter!
0 Comments

    Author

    Network For Progress

    Archives

    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014

    Categories

    All
    10. ACTION
    1. EVENTS
    2. NEWS/INFO
    3. DC
    4. MARYLAND
    5. VIRGINIA
    6. USA
    7. NEWSLETTER
    8. N4P EVENT
    9. FWD BLOG
    Advocacy
    Advocacy > DMV Events
    Advocacy > USA News/Info
    AfricanAm
    AfricanAm > DMV Events
    Campaigns
    Campaigns > DMV Events
    Campaigns > News/Info
    Career
    Career > DMV Events
    Comm Tech
    Comm Tech > DMV Events
    Community
    Community > DMV Events
    Democracy/Gov
    Democracy/Gov > DMV Events
    Democracy/Gov > USA Events
    Energy/Env
    Energy/Env > DMV Events
    Energy/Env > USA News/Info
    International
    International > DMV Events
    International > USA News/Info
    Serve/Give
    Serve/Give > DMV Events
    Social
    Social > DMV Events
    Social -> DMV Events
    Women
    Women > DMV Events
    Women > USA News/Info

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.