My Vote is My Voice Leader's Blog

Help Us Help San Diego!

Hello fellow activists!  My name is Amy and I’m an intern for EMILY’s List in Washington D.C., a political network for pro-choice Democratic women. I wanted to encourage you to join our efforts to elect Francine Busby in California’s 50^th (San Diego). This is a special election.  So this June 6^th the Democrats can take back a Republican seat!!! How can *YOU* get involved?? Join us and canvass around San Diego. Never canvassed before? Don’t worry, we will train you and give you everything you need to join in this exciting campaign! You’ll be knocking on the doors of Democrats, reminding them how important it is to vote. Take advantage of this incredible opportunity and get involved in a dynamic political campaign, gaining unique experiences and friendships. You can make the difference while having a blast! Sign up at: californiawomenvote.org. Go Blue!

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?