[Iowa-dx] A vision for IAGP's future...

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 22:25:53 -0600

Thanks to Daryl for starting this thread and for all the (imo) =20
excellent comments following.    I think Larry's and Rick's remarks =20
are good advice, and describe how things have been working in Iowa =20
City, where members have been involved in the UI Anti-War Committee, =20
FAIR!, Iowans for Peace, People for Justice in Palestine, part of some =20
local campaigns (ballot initiative and city council), and the Housing =20
Commission.  (Not all at one, this is spread over several members over =20
a period of time.)  Here, I've noticed the accepted attitude for most =20
activities is one of respectful "non-partisanship" which means =20
*inclusion* of progressive Dems, Greens, Socialists, indies and =20
anything else progressive.  It's when election time comes that the =20
Green Party can actually fill a niche no one else does, and where we =20
can supply candidates we hope will gain the support of the progressive =20
spectrum.  I also like Rick's recommendation that organized counties =20
"host' or mentor nearby counties, something we've used with varying =20
success in the past.

I don't think anyone from Dubuque is on this list right now, since =20
Sarah Davidson went off-line.  However, one of the names on the =20
newsletter list ("walmetto" - someone you may have met when you were =20
there, Rick) was going to get in touch with Sarah and get the old list =20
of Dubuque Greens, plus any new contacts.  I know I saved this =20
person's ph #, so if you aren't already in touch with her, let me know.

AS for funds, we haven't been good about passing the hat, but try to =20
remember to have a donations jar at events or tables.  We've tended to =20
rely on specific fundraisers for infusions of cash, which means we =20
usually have some funds but not a lot - we could be more consistent!

As far as moving from campaign season to campaign season, it seems to =20
me, having observed the IAGP over several, that part of this is =20
normal, since we would expect to have more activity and interest =20
during campaign seasons.  I agree we should think about being better =20
prepared to kick into gear when the next campaign season rolls around. =20
  In an earlier message, Rick suggested ways in which the IAGP could =20
be developing strategy and membership in the interim, which I would =20
strongly underscore:  maintaining consistent contacts (thorough some =20
activities or involvement in other groups, member education about =20
local government and issues, etc); campaign strategy and training; I =20
also like the idea of a legislative agenda as Wendy and others have =20
suggested.

In 2007, there will be some local elections.  In 2008, I would love to =20
see several Green candidates around the state - a half dozen would be =20
a good number.  Obviously the major action would be wherever those =20
races took place, but the state party could step in with volunteer =20
support, fundraising, etc.  Possibly, we could think of bringing in a =20
campaign school.

OK, here's a couple thought for 2007:
   - Campaign school, or setting up one or more trainings with Karen =20
Kubby or other local experts???
   - We now (as of last night) have *two* declared presidential =20
candidates willing to travel (Nan Garret, GA; Kat Swift, TX - who will =20
just be old enough to actually be president in 2008, if she should =20
happen to win).  Ideally, we could aim to bring one or both here for a =20
few days and have them visit several places throughout the state.  =20
Something to discuss further...

Holly

Quoting Richard Johnson <seiowagreen@fastmail.fm>:

>
> On Tue, 21 Nov 2006 20:13:38 -0600, "Larry K. Orr"
> <elkentor@fastmail.fm> said:
>
>> I'm wondering about outreach: how do we best get our message out to
>> Iowa?  Let's keep that in the mix of general ideas.
>>
>
>
> I like the idea of being involved with other groups in the area.
> Locally we have a peace group and the PFLAG chapter, as well as a
> diversity task force.  Maintaining involvement with them on their good
> issues-oriented work gives me natural openings to talk about politics,
> especially Green politics.  I know you have been doing similar work in
> Farmington, and I've heard others talk about the local groups (and in
> some cases state-wide groups) that they are involved with.  This puts a
> face on the Green party, and that face is one of a co-worker, a friend,
> or a good solid ally on an important issue.
>
> I see that the mailing list from the campaign newsletter has been
> posted.  These would be good people to keep in touch with and include in
> discussions both online and in person.  I've contacted the folks up at
> the University of Dubuque that Paula and I visited, and I'm hoping to
> visit them again in the spring to continue some discussion of issues
> that are important to them.  It would be nice to get them connected with
> some of the Greens in that county.   Is there anyone from the Dubuque
> area on this list?
>
> Also, I'm prepping some letters to the editor.  (I'm REALLY looking
> forward to the open letter I am considering for the Linn County Auditor,
> highlighting the debacle in Florida with electronic voting and reminding
> her that we "terrorists" simply want a paper trail to prevent such
> travesties from happening here in Iowa.)  These generate discussions
> locally and can help raise awareness of the Green Party.
>
> I'm sure others have additions to this.  Again, this is not a
> one-size-fits-all situation.  Each county, and maybe each community,
> will have their own unique characteristics that will have to be
> addressed.  What works here in Des Moines County may not work in Scott,
> and what works there may not work in Linn.  Thankfully we have this
> forum to exchange ideas and brainstorm...and to encourage each other.
>
> Rick
>
> --
> http://www.fastmail.fm - And now for something completely different?
>
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