Should I go to apartments and condos to register people to vote?

[coloradodem2005]

I have been talking to someone about volunteering for this but I have a little anxiety about it. Since I have not fared well at solicitation jobs either to sell stuff or fundraise. What do you think? I want to do my part to unseat Bush, but I don't know if I can do this.

[movonne]

1. I think you have to do what is comfortable to you. Try doing something

over the internet. I am not good with talking to people who oppose my position, I end up just getting mad and shouting.

[coloradodem2005]

5. The people I would talk to would either be Dems or Independents.

Try to talk to them. The Republicans get written off.

[Shoeempress]

2. YES! I canvassed for the 1st time last Saturday, in NH, which

is very Repub. It was a blast. Thought people would be setting the dogs loss to get me, but everyone, including the poor Misguided Bush supporters were really nice. Met some incredible Kerry Supporters and got several to volunteer to help the campaign. Go, you will have more fun than you think.

[CaTeacher]

3. If you do, be prepared for a lot of rejection

(not that the people are freepers)--but most people just don't want to be bothered.

So--just be prepared and don't let it get you down if only about 5% actually listen to you. Every little bit helps!

[arbusto_baboso]

4. If you go to condos...

make sure you get permission from the Homeowners Association first. Many condo complexes are pretty tight-sphinctered about ANYONE they might view as "soliciting" on complex property, and may boot you out if you don't check with them before knocking on doors.

It may not be ENTIRELY legal for them to do so, but they'll do it anyway.

[Kanary]

6. I will repeat a previous poster....... do what is most comfortable for you

All these "shoulds" aren't productive.

You can be just as helpful doing something that you are comfortable doing, as pushing yourself to do something you realy don't want to do. Actually, probably *more* helpful.

It sounds like your self is telling you something important, and I think it's best to listen.

We really need to get away from all these "shoulds", and telling others what to do. We're all different, and have different gifts, and we hve no business telling someone, especially someone we don't even know, how they "should" help.

I thought a while back I should embroider a pillow which would say "Don't 'should' on me".

:hi:

Kanary

[eridani]

12. OK, but how do you know if it's too uncomfortable unless you try?

I'm a geek, far more at home behind a lab bench or with my nose in a book than with initiating contact with people I don't know. But I canvassed my whole precinct after I got active in the Kucinich campaign. Someone more naturally outgoing might have done a better job, but I was the only one available.

If it had been excessively stressful, I'd have quit, but if we want to grow progressive politics, I think we have to push our comfort zones every now and then.

[Kanary]

14. Only the person involved knows that.

They want to try it, fine.

What I was saying is that I see so many posts telling other people what to do. That is NOT productive.

We all have our strengths and our weaknesses. Different people have different resources. WE cannot get into another's skin and determine that. To attempt to do so is hubris in the extreme.

We are a society that believes in constantly pushing ourselves, then wondering why we have so much aggression. It's simply not productive. At some point it becomes important to accept ourselves As We Are, not what somebody thinks we SHOULD be, and let the rest go. By declaring peace with ourselves, we're much more likely to find it with others.

Live and let live. To each their own.

Kanary

[cally]

7. Do what feels OK to you

I was chatting with someone about this. I have no problem with precinct walking and entering apartments and condos. I wait for someone to come out and illegally enter the complex. Still, I absolutely loathe phone calling. I do it but I have sweats before calling. Just pick your niche and do what you do best.

[democratreformed]

8. I can feel your pain.

When I first got involved, I did some things that I did not feel comfortable with either. Going door to door in New Hampshire bothered me some but the phone calling was what REALLY made me self-concious.

When I went door to door in Memphis, I actually enjoyed it. I felt comfortable and really had a good time talking to people. Phone calling still bothered me, though.

I'm undecided, really, on what you should do. In a way, I think it would be better to find something you're comfortable with. You will do a better job and will feel better about it. On the other hand, sometimes, to accomplish things, you have to step outside your level of comfort. And, if you're like me, you want to do whatever needs to be done - even if you're not completely jumping for joy about it.

[SheilaT]

9. Another way to do it

is to help them fill out the registration form. Hand it to them to sign and note party affiliation. If they register as Democrat, smile happily and get it into your voter registration office (whatever it's called in Colorado) for them. If they're Republican, or anything else, smile equally as broadly and tell them all they have to do is mail it in.

You really want to be garnering more votes for Kerry/Edwards and all the other wonderful Democratic candidates out there, not more for Bush or any of the Republicans. Not this year.

And don't think for one moment that they won't do exactly that same thing if they're out registering.

[ClassWarrior]

10. One word: yes!

Since you're registering people to vote, you're doing something non-partisan. Therefore even Republicants who "get it" (in other words, know that voter reg drives benefit the Dems) are compelled to be nice to you, lest they come off like the anti-democratic fascists they wish they could be.

[alfredo]

11. Voter registration is pretty easy, and a good way to

get your feet wet. I hit places like bus terminals, farmer's markets, events, and parks.

It is fun. Get involved at your comfort level.

One good thing to do is give people rides to the polls on Nov 2. You can also help passing out yard signs.

Drop off voter registration cards at nursing homes. Call the activity director and ask how they'd feel about that. Say that you will come back at an agreed upon time to pick up the cards if they don't want to go to the county clerk's office.

First see if any group has already been around doing that.

Most of all, find something fun.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

13. You'll never know until you try

you never know what you are capable of....you might surprise yourself.

I say do it once. See how it is. If you just DETEST it, don't do it again and find another way to help!

[sandnsea]

15. Oh I remember, lol

You had the fundraising job. Maybe you want to do tabling at the farmer's market or something. I did that a while back and people were really nice. Only one person came up and challenged us politically, a couple of snide remarks as people walked by, that's it. Very fun. You get lots and lots of people who thank you, agree with you, etc. More fun than having the door slammed in your face!

[UTUSN]

16. Neh. Just VOTE. & Talk 1 or 2 People into Voting. n/t

[yellowdog]

17. I am a volunteer here in Dubuque, IA

and I imagine most of the local offices run the same way. Different people are comfortable doing different things and there seems to be something for everyone. I am not comfortable phone banking or going door to door so I drive around following up on requests for absentee ballots that the phone bankers get. Local staffers always need people to deliver yard signs, fill in and help out with clerical work in the offices, etc. Some of the volunteers are not comfortable knocking on doors by themselves but are fine with it when they go out in pairs. Talk to the local coordinator and explain things and I am sure they will be only too glad to have your help.