Organizing

[jerseygirl]

I am part of a DFA/Kerry volunteer group, which is trying to help the Warren County Dem. Committee get organized. By that, I mean teaching them how to reach out to new residents, recruit candidates, fill their committee seats, do GOTV (of which they did none this fall!), fundraise effectively, etc.

**Does anyone know of someone I could contact to help with this??? Your assistance for the good cause is much appreciated!

[independentpiney]

1. My Ocean County group is looking to do the same

One of our members who had prior experience in Democratic organization and party politics is reaching out to his contacts to help us accomplish similar goals. As soon as he gets back to us,if he's successfull, I'll pass along whatever I find out to you.

[jerseygirl]

2. Thanks, I'd appreciate that! nt

[Jersey Devil]

3. Suggest you contact the County Chair in Bergen

The Bergen County Democratic Chair is Joe Ferriero, a lawyer in Hackensack whose number is listed in the phone book under Lawyers. In the past 5 years or so since taking over as County Chair he has turned the party around from one with only one county freeholder to one with 6 of 7 Dems on the freeholder board, a Dem county executive, Sheriff and Surrogate. He also helped our town (Dumont) turn from a 6-0 Republican Council to a 5-1 Dem Council (Joe is from Dumont and remains very loyal to us).

There is also a common interest because the 5th Congressional District includes Warren County and if we could get Dems organized there we might some day have a decent chance at electing a Dem like Anne Wolfe to Congress instead of being represented by a wingnut like Garrett. I live in the 5th and may even share the congressional district with you so I would like you to succeed as well.

I've been a campaign chair in my town, held office for 2 terms on the Council and done a lot of the things you are talking about on a local level. Don't you even have a county chair in Warren?

[independentpiney]

4. just got this email today

NJ Grass Roots Training Seminar



In the next few weeks we will be announcing a seminar on the basics of Grass
Roots Organizing. We will be bringing in the professionals in each area.



Learn the Basics of organizing your group, town and state



a.. Creating a local Group
a.. Recruiting
b.. Organization Issues
c.. Communications
d.. Support from national organizations
b.. Election Law in NJ
a.. Registering
b.. Types of Ballots
c.. Poll watching
c.. Fund raising
a.. Election law
b.. Catering
c.. Use of Volunteers
d.. Logistics
d.. GOTV
a.. Obtaining and maintaining Voters lists
b.. Canvassing
c.. Phone Banks
d.. Use of Volunteers
e.. Issue Advocacy
a.. Creating Legislation in NJ
b.. PR and Media
c.. Research
d.. Lobbying


Length: One day

Location: Essex County, NJ (TBD)



Date: A weekend day in Early Jan (TBD)



Agenda



a.. Training Sessions
b.. Keynote and Guest Speakers
c.. Breakout sessions


Cost: Affordable



If you are interested in attending, please contact Cary Chevat at
[e-mail]

[bluetide]

5. Grass Roots Senimar

In the next few weeks we will be announcing a seminar on the basics of Grass Roots Organizing. We will be bringing in the professionals in each area. We already have some initial interest from some amazing Keynote speakers. The proposed program will be one day, during a weekend some where in Essex County NJ in early January

We need to get real training. We need to learn the tactical grass roots operations of canvassing, GOTV, fund raising, and election laws. As Progressives and Democrats, we need to learn how to effectively communicate our views to friends and neighbors. People voted against their self interest because we and the campaign did a terrible job of positioning our issues.

The response has been over whelming; we have over 200 volunteers interested in participating in Grass Roots Training. There are a wide range of groups that have express interest in bringing their members.

The best way to help us is to spread the word and let me know who else is interested being part of this.

Please have anyone interested contact me at [e-mail]