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Getting Involved with the Democratic Party
My name is Kate Donaghue. I am a DFAer and a member of the Democratic State Committee in Massachusetts. The Democratic Party wants people to get involved, both in campaigns and in the Democratic Party infrastructure.
As activists, I expect that the readers of "My Vote is My Voice" are involved in campaigns. But are you involved in the Democratic Party? Today I'm going to talk briefly about why you should consider getting involved with the Democratic Party and how to go about getting involved.
People new to campaigns sometimes don't see the reasons for getting involved in the Democratic Party. You may believe that it is more time and cost effective for you to volunteer directly with a campaign, rather than with the Democratic Party.
Campaigns are going out of business. Win, lose or draw, they are coming to an end. Even if a campaign wins, it will go into a dormant phase for a period of time.
A Permanent Campaign: The Democratic Party offers a place for you to stay involved after election day. Building and maintaining an effective network of Democratic contacts is one of the most important reasons to become involved in the Democratic Party. Through the Democratic Party there is an organization and/or a network that can be placed into action each election cycle without having to organize anew each time.
Candidate Recruitment: The Democratic Party provides a basis for the all important effort of candidate recruitment. As an aside, I began my adult political activism when Michael Dukakis lost the governorship of Massachusetts to a conservative Democrat. It was then that I realized the right people don't get elected by accident. It took me twenty years to realize that the right people don't run by accident.
Meeting Candidates: Potential candidates reach out to the Democratic Party infrastructure. Active members of Democratic organizations are in a position to get to know potential candidates personally. This access positions individual members to get to know candidates. The Democratic Party organization also helps candidates by providing a means for them to meet activists.
A Voice at the Table: Decisions of the Democratic Party are made by members. From the local level to the presidency, the rules that govern our Party's nomination process belong to us. People who are involved in the governance of the Democratic Party have a vote and a voice in creating the processes that ultimately determine who are our nominees, in establishing the platform and the direction of the Democratic Party.
There are many other reasons to get involved. I have highlighted just a few.
Thoughts?
Posted by KateD on May 15, 2006 at 10:37 AM | Permalink
Comments
Kate,
Thank you for your thought provoking post.
You are right. Many of MViMVers are involved in campaigns; some of them are running for office and others are helping anyway they can.
Some MViMVer have had very positive experiences working within their local or regional Dem Party while others have not been so fortunate. As we know, sometimes organizations that have been around for a long time resist newcomers or even just new ideas.
Do you have any advice for those that have been frustrated with acceptance of the status quo at their local meetings?
Posted by: Charlene | May 15, 2006 7:58:28 PM
to whom it may concern :i would love to become a member in the democratic party and i wanna be contacted regarding that . my name is sam and iam 26 years of age, business owner , my major in science and physics and i wanna obtain the pleasure of becoming an active memeber in your awsome part and its the deam of my life ..my cell phone is 863-899-5526 . my business phone = 863-859-0597 . again i wanna have a pleasure to become an activest in your party . thank you !
Posted by: sam rabi | Jun 20, 2007 1:27:36 PM
