What is your experience with the DFA meet-ups?

BurtWorm

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Wed Dec-01-04 10:21 AM
Original message

What is your experience with the DFA meet-ups?

Are they useful? I've never been. I'd like to get more involved if it's worthwhile.

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madfloridian

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Wed Dec-01-04 11:06 AM
Response to Original message

1. Our group has been great.

We kept it separate from the Kerry Meet-Ups, and it worked better that way. We slowed down a while after the primaries, but interest is renewed again. More have signed up this time.

We used our group to support our congressional candidate here, and many of our DFAers are running for seats in their local DECs.

We keep a mailing list which is separate from the DEC mailing list, though we often share the same items.

Well worth while. Need to have a good leader for organizational purposes.

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BurtWorm

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Wed Dec-01-04 11:31 AM
Response to Reply #1

2. What were some of your orders of business

and how did you keep track of what actually got done?

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madfloridian

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Wed Dec-01-04 11:40 AM
Response to Reply #2

3. During the campaign, there were issues laid out most of the time.

After Dean dropped out, we had a candidate running. That was a lot of work. We had to get petition cards signed.

At a couple of meetings we had one of our group talk about how to write effective letters to the editors. For a while our group led in getting letters printed in the nearby papers. We are starting to do that again.

There was a lull the last month or so, but I think DFA laid out the agenda for tomorrow night.

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BurtWorm

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Wed Dec-01-04 12:10 PM
Response to Reply #3

4. I wish I could go to the one in my neighborhood

but this my wife works late tonight and I've got childcare responsibilities. (Do people ever bring children to these meetups?)

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madfloridian

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Wed Dec-01-04 12:12 PM
Response to Reply #4

5. One couple brought their baby a few times.

Most of our group are older people, though. I would think that it would be fine.

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janx

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Wed Dec-01-04 06:20 PM
Response to Reply #4

7. Yep. Dogs, too, sometimes!

;-)

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belle

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Wed Dec-01-04 06:05 PM
Response to Original message

6. I'm going to have to miss tonight's, but will go eventually

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Fleurs du Mal

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Wed Dec-01-04 11:56 PM
Response to Original message

8. My first report

I just attended my first DFA meetup. Clearly since there was such an influx of new people like myself there was a lot of introduction and basics. However, we did get into specific actions that are on the agenda as well.

My friend and I have already volunteered to come up with a proposal for the next Dean Corp event in our area. You will certainly have an opportunity get your hands dirty right from the start. I'd highly recommend giving the next meetup a shot. A few hours to find out isn't that much to invest.

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janx

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Thu Dec-02-04 12:06 AM
Response to Reply #8

9. Hey, now I know who you are--or at least I know that you

are one of two people. It was great that you volunteered.

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Fleurs du Mal

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Thu Dec-02-04 09:42 AM
Response to Reply #9

14. D'oh!

Now I'll have to be on my best behaviour ;-)

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janx

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Thu Dec-02-04 12:07 AM
Response to Original message

10. For the record, Burtworm, there was again a child at our

Edited on Thu Dec-02-04 12:07 AM by janx

MeetUp tonight. (No dog this time though.)

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madfloridian

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Thu Dec-02-04 12:24 AM
Response to Original message

11. Ours was very good.

Several new folks. A couple of the new ones very enthusiastic. We have a great couple who are the leaders, just super. Some oldies brought guests.

Still have not posted in the local paper events, but next month we will.

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madfloridian

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Thu Dec-02-04 12:54 AM
Response to Original message

12. One thing we talked about was organizing to be in the MLK parade.

We did that last year. Had a pretty good group....worked with the DEC some on it. They asked us if we would be back this year after the election, or wait another 4 years. We may surprise on it.

Our DFA leader is running for State Committeewoman, and the election is tomorrow night. So that was discussed.

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bullimiami

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Thu Dec-02-04 04:34 AM
Response to Original message

13. the dfa meetups were always good and productive

i havent been to one since dean conceded the primary.
i did my best to work for kerrys election.

well last night was the first one ive gone back to. It was more energized, more determined, more organized and had more enthusiastic people than ever.

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janx

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Thu Dec-02-04 10:08 AM
Response to Reply #13

15. Ours wasn't bigger, but it certainly was energized.

People seem to be caught up more in the excitement of presidential elections (much the same as around here), but our Meetup will grow again. I have no doubt about that.

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realFedUp

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Thu Dec-02-04 02:44 PM
Response to Original message

16. Opportunity for those not involved in Dem clubs to be involved

In my district, the Dem clubs are dominant and
numerous...Independents, Greens and Libs really
don't have the established orgs here and so DFA
Meetups are attracting those who want to be
politically active but don't want to be Democrats.

They are looking for more issue oriented action
not candidate driven ones.

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Capn Sunshine

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Thu Dec-02-04 03:10 PM
Response to Reply #16

17. If you'll note, what DFA is doing is individualized to the area

Edited on Thu Dec-02-04 03:10 PM by Capn Sunshine

There's plenty of folks in those Dem clubs who sympathsize with the more progressive elements out there, but DFA is primarilay at this point about creating local power structiures that are responsive to local progressive issues.

While part of our playbook involves taking the reigns of the Democratic party, this is a long range goal. If the Dems in the clubs in your area are not in tune with the basic progresive issues of your region, they can't be effective IMO.

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realFedUp

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Thu Dec-02-04 03:14 PM
Response to Reply #17

18. Yes, I agree.....

I think what local Dem clubs will benefit
from, as seen by this last election, is the
influx of new volunteers and interest in
local politics. It's really a win-win situation...
some of the established Dem power may have
to be more flexible in the future because
DFAers will also join Dem clubs.

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CitySky

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Thu Dec-02-04 06:25 PM
Response to Original message

19. I'd like to go to one sometime, but...

it seems like they're always on Wednesday nights, and I go to church on Wednesday nights. :shrug:

(anonymous member of the Christian Left?)

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janx

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Thu Dec-02-04 06:58 PM
Response to Reply #19

20. I had that problem one semester when I had to teach on

Wed. nights. You might want to check out your state organization through DFA. They probably have a web site.

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Cheswick2.0

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Fri Dec-03-04 12:24 PM
Response to Reply #19

21. me too....................church choir

:cry:

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janx

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Fri Dec-03-04 10:15 PM
Response to Reply #21

22. Don't cry about that.

The world NEEDS more Presbyterian choirs.

(From a native Congregationalist who knows about the magnificence of and who has participated in Presbyterian choirs.)

:loveya: +

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Cheswick2.0

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Fri Dec-03-04 11:16 PM
Response to Reply #22

23. We have a really good one too

Edited on Fri Dec-03-04 11:19 PM by Cheswick2.0

If I do say so myself. I didn't know you were a congregationalist...or maybe I did and don't remember.

:hi:

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Eric J in MN

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Fri Dec-03-04 11:36 PM
Response to Reply #19

24. In Minnesota there are also weekend groups. You could

check for other times, and perhaps start your own group at a better time.

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