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For a moment I would like all of us to put our countless differences aside and call to mind our common goal. There is no doubt that our top priority is getting this new breed of Republicans out of power.
With that said I'd like to share a story with you, I hope you are encouraged by it.
I lurked at DU for sometime before I began to post, it was a long time ago. I'd been interested in politics for a few years but not involved. As I read and learned through books and DU I became a lot more emotionally involved. Campaign time of 2002 I'd been reading a lot of posts urging people to get involved and sharing info about their own involvement. I managed to track down my local Dem party--they had a high profile location for the election making them visible for the first time I knew of in the 12 or so yrs. I'd been here.
I called them when I noticed our library's copy of Fortunate Son by JH Hatfield was "disappeared" from not only the shelf but the computer system as well. They gave me ACLU folks and a local lawyer info in case my inquiries to the library didn't yeild results. Fortunately the library people looked into my claims and ordered in the new, improved version of the book. :-) I informed my local Dems and they were quite pleased. They invited me to the "victory" party on election night to celebrate that small victory as well as any electoral ones.
I went. I met all kinds of people. Informed and welcoming folks, every one of them. I'm in northern Michigan so you may know, that night we got to celebrate winning a Governorship but nothing else. I learned more about them and joined them at their next board meeting. I went to a few and assumed the responsibility of a silent auction for a spring fundraiser. I worked hard, put out a few bucks for expenses, got what donations I could (I got some unusual and surprisingly valuable things) and made a lot more than the year before. About doubled the profit of the event! The board was so impressed they elected me to the board and named me membership chair at the folowing meeting. (The former mem chair had to relocate for family reasons).
I participated in all future events, getting the wine donated, donating the ribs for Dinner with Levin at a former US attorney's house, and doing lots of other stuff.
I got the ok to do a big (for us) mailing for membership drive recently. I got it out on my own, 900+ pieces, printed it, signed the letters, the whole bit. It was done real cheap, thanks in big part to our bulk mail permit and doing the project for under $100 sans postage. Great returns. Membership sees massive growth. Our already record amounts in our coffers swell. The extra donations folks have sent in have been amazing. One lady even sent $500 extra!
The volunteers alone have been worth the project. About 70 slots have filled with folks who have all expressed great interest in Dem victory next year. The notes people have sent back with the mem forms, volunteer slips and checks have been delightful!
Two nights ago I reported the results of this drive to the board. They actually applauded. I know they were very, very surprised. I now know this memberbership drive will be an annual thing long after I am dead and buried. It has been responsible for 10% + of our record (for us) annual in-take.
One little person. I knew/know nothing of local politics. I knew/know what it is we must accomplish and I have achieved more than I ever thought I could and now look forward with big ideas and much confidence.
I write this in order to encourage everyone who really cares about breaking the grip of power these neo-con~fascists~in R clothes throughout this country. I know not everyone can dedicate the time or the $$ I have. The $$ part hasn't been big, a few hundred dollars maybe, but a couple of years ago that would have been completely impossible for me. Same for the time thing, I only recently haven't had to work thanks to my husband's success.
But remember, every check I got from my mailing meant something to me and to the party (they range from $ to $505). Even more valuable than the check was the human response. Every volunteer option checked off, every "other" checked accompanied by the subsequent comments has been of great value. There is no "too small" or "too big" an effort.
You are a person and can change the world. If you're not currently involved in your local party's efforts there's never been a better time to look into it.
To our success! :toast:
Julie
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