report from Houston PPC mtg 5/2 + actions you can take

[CitySky]

Here's what we "Progressive Populist Caucus" folks covered at the Houston Public Library in the Heights tonight:

1. Precinct Chair Task Force

There will be a Precinct Chair training session the evening of Monday, May 16 at Poblano's in Meyer Park Shopping Center. This is for ANYONE interested in organizing Dems at the precinct level, not just precinct chairs. There is a need for people to be Precinct CAPTAINS: You can be a captain for the precinct where you live or another precinct (see? I'm always learning something new!), whereas to be "Chair" you have to live there. A Captain can help a Chair or fill in for an inactive chair.

If you're interested but can't make May 16, there will be more training sessions, and also training for trainers. May 16 is just the next one on deck. The "curriculum" is HCDP-reviewed and -approved. So PPC is essentially doing this for the county Party.

2. Voter-Verifiable Paper Trail

See SoniaS's thread for the latest developments on the state level. This is EXCITING - if Sonia and all the others wearing out their shoes for this in Austin are successful, we could join 16 other states with Voter Verifiable Paper Trail voting! No more "faith-based voting" for Texans! Rock on!

PPC is also working on a Plan B towards improving our voting machines here locally, in case VVPT doesn't work out statewide. But a statewide victory would obviously be better.

3. Website

PPC is working on a website. They could use some help...

4. Memorial Day

On Memorial Day, Monday May 30, the San Jacinto Democratic Venterans Brigade will sponsor a POWERFUL Memorial ceremony for the service members who have died in Afghanistan and Iraq. Each person's name and other biographical data will be read as a flag is planted for each fallen service member. Those from Texas have a Texas flag just below the US Flag. The reading of the names will begin at noon and is expected to take 3-5 hours; taps will be played at the end. No other speeches or music.

Help is needed reading the names. ALSO, the City required a ridiculous amount of liability insurance (unaffordable) in order to keep the flags up overnight. So, in order to leave a powerful display for the downtown employees arriving at work on Tuesday morning after their holiday, volunteers are needed to re-plant the flags starting at first light on Tuesday. I live nearby, so I plan to bike over, plant flags for a few hours, then bike home and shower for work. Can't think of a better way to spend Memorial Day.

5. SAVE AMERICA WITHOUT DELAY

FINALLY, on a much lighter note, a Democracy For Texas rep reminded us all about the Save America Without DeLay Family Fun Festival at Tom Bass Regional Park all day May 14. A fabulous time will be had by all ('cept Republicans!) More on this on other threads.

Okay that's your DU Special Report on these Houston goings-on! Feel free to PM me if you need any specifics.

Yours, :patriot:

CitySky

[WestHoustonDem]

1. Hi CitySky

Thanks for the report! I couldn't make the meeting tonight!

[sonias]

2. Thanks for the update CitySky

I really, really want to come out to the Save America Without DeLay Family Fun Festival.

Good luck on all these events. The memorial ceremony should be powerful. We had the touring "Eyes Wide Open" exhibit here couple of month's back (empty soldiers' boots) and it was incredibly powerful. I'm sure seeing all those flags will give you the same feeling. You really will cry when you think of all of these deaths.

Sonia

[PDittie]

3. Well come on!

VelmaD is supposed to come down for the Go Away Party for slutticus, and both the Art Car Parade and the Without DeLay Festival are the same day.

And bring some of your compadres with you.

[sonias]

5. PDittie if I can, I will

I know some of those art car freaks from Burning Man. They're good folk too.

I know it would be a blast. So much to do in one day.

Sonia

[PDittie]

4. Great report, C

I thought I was going to make this meeting, but the traffic from the south side was so thick this afternoon I finally turned back.

We'll be in Boston on Memorial Day, but we are attending the Without DeLay Festival (and I am going to the billboard event tomorrow also).

[CitySky]

6. Glad I was able to fill the "DU spot!"

That was my first time making it to the regular monthly meeting. I know that you & WestHoustonDem go more often. It is sure refreshing to be around people who are getting stuff done!

It was, "here's what I'm doing; here's what we need. Okay, if you can help with that, write your contact info on a piece of paper and pass it around to me." And so on.

As for the 14th: I will likely be out of town, in which case I'll miss the "Sack DeLay Sack Race" and the "Dump DeLay Dunk Tank" and so on. Somebody take PICTURES! :)

[WestHoustonDem]

7. We'll definitely take pictures

but since my maiden name was Sack, that race makes me a little uncomfortable. :hide: :hide: