July 12, 2005
Step Up Texas
By Karl-Thomas Musselman
It's been mentioned here in passing in a number of posts and comments before, but for all of you who aren't sure what it is, I'd like to introduce you to Step Up Texas.
Step Up Texas is... Well, let me let them say it for me...
We're Texans. We talk big. Now we are asking Texas Democrats to put their big talk to action. It's time for everyone in the party to step up and take Texas back. We believe success in the voting booth will be found by recruiting and running strong candidates in every race on the ballot in 2006. And we believe the conversation to find and encourage good Democrats to run should be expanded to include all Texas Democrats.
HOW?
Conversation - An open forum for Texas Democrats to discuss their potential candidates.
Nomination - The opportunity for anyone to suggest a good Democrat run for any office.
Persuasion - Inspire nominees to run by endorsing those Democrats with concrete pledges of support.
Built by some of the same people that are now working on the coordination of a number of Central Texas campaigns (who I have a meeting with in an hour), this powerful tool enables the grassroots to take control. We can encourage people to run and let those up and down the ladder of the State Democratic Party know of people and opportunities in some of the most obscure areas of the state. It broadens the base of those "in the know".
So go create an account, leave comments, nominate people, and see what others have said. 2006 will be the year where grassroots and technology come together and Texas Democrats will pull some surprises across the state.
Now it the time to Step Up Texas.
Posted by Karl-Thomas Musselman at July 12, 2005 07:11 PM
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The last two elections I have attempted to volunteer to work for the party and have never heard back, except to ask for money. Why should I think this time will be any different?
This project isn't part of the state Party. And the people working on it are also working on coordination of campaigns that is taking on outside of the state party structure. There is a reason for this.
Charles Watkins, give the Chris Bell Exploratorium a call at (512) 482-0216. Ask for Tim McCann, the operations director. We have more than enough opportunities for an army of volunteers.
Charles, it's easier to volunteer in some places than in others. If there is a local or reasonably nearby campaign office for a candidate that you want to support, GO to that campaign office and tell them that you want to volunteer. ASK them what they need. Sometimes it's very helpful, especially for small campaigns, to provide office supplies or loan equipment. ASK them when they have scheduled their next block walk and how to sign up for it. If they haven't scheduled one, ask them to let you organize one for your neighborhood. TELL them that you want a yard sign, bumper sticker, voter registration cards. If they can't provide the VR cards, go to your country voter registrar and get deputized to register voters. TELL them if you have special skills or knowledge that they can use.
Coordinating volunteers for a campaign can be pretty much like herding cats. Don't feel left out--just jump right in. And, if one campaign doesn't let you do enough, go volunteer for another. Somebody is desperate for your help!
Geez, I thought Charles just wanted to do a little volunteer work, not RUN the damn campaign.
Thanks a bunch. I'll be in touch.
It was kind of a shock to go from being immersed in the Dean meet-ups to being completely ignored by the state party. (And also the national party for that matter.) It's pretty clear they could at least use some help answering emails.
Now if someone could help me get off the Kerry mailing list ...
