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

[Jim O'Loughlin]

I'm coming to this thread late, but I'd like make a suggestion  
following Daryl's concern about letting the election cycles dictate  
what we do.

Considering that those of us on the statewide listserv are more than  
willing to write our opinions, how about some coordinated statewide  
cyberactivism?  What if we took on a quarterly issue/topic and agreed  
to write legislators and send letters to the editors of local papers  
(and perhaps a collection of these could be part of a later  
newsletter)?  If we did this on a quarterly basis, we could approach  
this cyberactivism as perhaps the beginning point for other forms of  
activism (including recruitment of new members).  Ideal issues would  
be those where the Greens stand apart from the Democrats and  
Republicans, but there may be times when we're looking to coalition  
build rather than stand out from the crowd.

An off-the-top-of-my-head example of the kind of thing I have in mind  
would be a winter project on local control over hog lots.  Because  
this is an issue with some big money behind it, it's one that  
Democrats are likely to put off addressing, but it would only take a  
slight readjustment of current state law to add some sensible,  
decentralized decision making to the process.  If a dozen (maybe two  
dozen) of us would sign on to do just four issues a year, we could  
create momentum outside of the election cycles.

But, as far as elections go, with perfect 20/20 hindsight I wish we  
had run someone against the unopposed Republican candidate for  
Auditor.  In a race like that we could really draw some attention.

Jim


On Nov 22, 2006, at 10:25 PM, hhart@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu wrote:

> Thanks to Daryl for starting this thread and for all the (imo)  
> excellent comments following.    I think Larry's and Rick's remarks  
> are good advice, and describe how things have been working in Iowa  
> City, where members have been involved in the UI Anti-War  
> Committee, FAIR!, Iowans for Peace, People for Justice in  
> Palestine, part of some local campaigns (ballot initiative and city  
> council), and the Housing Commission.  (Not all at one, this is  
> spread over several members over a period of time.)  Here, I've  
> noticed the accepted attitude for most activities is one of  
> respectful "non-partisanship" which means *inclusion* of  
> progressive Dems, Greens, Socialists, indies and anything else  
> progressive.  It's when election time comes that the Green Party  
> can actually fill a niche no one else does, and where we can supply  
> candidates we hope will gain the support of the progressive  
> spectrum.  I also like Rick's recommendation that organized  
> counties "host' or mentor nearby counties, something we've used  
> with varying success in the past.
>
> I don't think anyone from Dubuque is on this list right now, since  
> Sarah Davidson went off-line.  However, one of the names on the  
> newsletter list ("walmetto" - someone you may have met when you  
> were there, Rick) was going to get in touch with Sarah and get the  
> old list of Dubuque Greens, plus any new contacts.  I know I saved  
> this 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 remember to have a donations jar at events or tables.  We've  
> tended to rely on specific fundraisers for infusions of cash, which  
> means we 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 me, having observed the IAGP over several, that part of this is  
> normal, since we would expect to have more activity and interest  
> during campaign seasons.  I agree we should think about being  
> better prepared to kick into gear when the next campaign season  
> rolls around.  In an earlier message, Rick suggested ways in which  
> the IAGP could be developing strategy and membership in the  
> interim, which I would strongly underscore:  maintaining consistent  
> contacts (thorough some activities or involvement in other groups,  
> member education about local government and issues, etc); campaign  
> strategy and training; I also like the idea of a legislative agenda  
> as Wendy and others have suggested.
>
> In 2007, there will be some local elections.  In 2008, I would love  
> to see several Green candidates around the state - a half dozen  
> would be a good number.  Obviously the major action would be  
> wherever those races took place, but the state party could step in  
> with volunteer support, fundraising, etc.  Possibly, we could think  
> of bringing in a campaign school.
>
> OK, here's a couple thought for 2007:
>   - Campaign school, or setting up one or more trainings with Karen  
> Kubby or other local experts???
>   - We now (as of last night) have *two* declared presidential  
> candidates willing to travel (Nan Garret, GA; Kat Swift, TX - who  
> will just be old enough to actually be president in 2008, if she  
> should happen to win).  Ideally, we could aim to bring one or both  
> here for a few days and have them visit several places throughout  
> the state.  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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