CHULA VISTA MARCH 9th MEETING NOTES:
The meeting of the DPW Progressive Caucus was called to order at 1:15 p.m. chair John Stanley. John noted that the meeting would follow Robert's Rules of Order. He summarized the day's agenda.
John talked about the Progressive Caucus plan to divide the state into nine regions. We're seeking a liaison/leader from each to be a connection with county representatives and to help organize the caucus. Please volunteer to be either a county rep or a regional liaison!
Ben Wikler spoke about his background and decision to run as chair of the DPW. Ben grew up in Madison campaigning for his godmother, Ada Deer, and organizing at his high school. He's volunteered or worked for Tammy Baldwin, Ed Garvey, Al Franken, and Russell Feingold. He was the Washington director for Moveon.org, co-chair. Ben talked about his hope to bring the party into the modern era with tools - like a texting tool developed by moveon - that could be used free by all state candidates. He wants to build up the party all around the state using the grassroots organizers already working in order to make changes in the state legislature in 2020. Ben ended by noting he is running as part of a team – Felecia Martin, Milwaukee County Board Supervisor and Lee Snodgrass, a recent candidate from Appleton for State Senate. A few questions followed.
The first questions was about DPW favoring incumbents vs challengers in primaries by withholding access to VAN. Ben said he is still forming an answer to this. He said he understands the issues. The procedure is for the Admin committee to vote on this type of policy.
Next, there was a question about the “choke hold” consultants seem to have on the DPW, consultants who don't seem to have a clue about most of Wisconsin, especially rural Wisconsin, Ben said he'd do a complete analysis of every tactic and retain only those that have data to show they actually work. Everything needs to be backed by data.
How do we change the “red” map of rural Wisconsin? What is the strategy to win state legislative races? Ben's answer: Organize everywhere. Support county parties and candidates with training, tools (like the texting tool). Organize around local issues, for example, when there are clean water issues, connect with citizens over those issues. He would start a Rural Advisory Council.
Rep. David Bowen is currently first vice chair of DPW. He helped get the Progressive Caucus started and has worked on progressive issues in and out of office. He has not yet decided whether to run for DPW chair. He is working on the ability to share data.
When a participant asked about getting Neubauer lit and signs, David noted that this is a NON-partisan race and the party must be very careful about how it gets involved. Campaign materials come from the judicial candidates' campaigns.
To the same “red Wisconsin” question asked of Ben, David said he'd work to ensure presidential candidates make appearances in the state and not just in Madison and Milwaukee. He'd encourage them to show up in all areas of the state. He also believes in building up county parties.
The final questions was about the fact that only a very small percentage of Dem voters are members of the party. Some counties' parties have very few members and very little support from DPW. Most Admin committee members are from "unsuccessful" counties (those where percentage of Dem voters who are also Dem party members is at the bottom end of the scale). (Secretary had to excuse herself and did not hear the answer.)
Tammy Wood and Ernie Lowe talked about recruiting local activists to be local candidates - from school board to town council and county board. Ernie has worked for decades on getting people active to protect the environment. He worked with Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa when Harkin was considering running for president. They noted that Republicans have a successful candidate pipeline from the lowest local offices on up. They suggested we find people who are already active in local issues, already know the issues, already have connections, to run for office. As recruiters of candidates, we need to do our homework to know all about the offices you are recruiting for - how to nominate, timeline, time commitment, etc. so when we approach potential candidates we can make the vision more realistic, showing that it is within their abilities. Ernie and Tammy will put up details including resources and tools at http://action-campaign.com
Nate Timm, chair of DPW rural caucus and very involved with Wisconsin Grassroots Network, focused on the importance of creating grassroots networks of organizers capable of working in rural Wisconsin. He noted that DPW hired young people from other areas of the country to drop in and “organize.” This was stupid and counterproductive. In some cases outside organizers were hired over much better, more informed, more connected local organizers already working in the area. New people had to be educated, informed, and trained by locals and then they were gone.
Next, Nate discussed the importance of SIGNS in rural Wisconsin campaigns (the “coin of the realm” in rural campaigning.) Many candidates for state and higher office dismiss signs as unimportant, but signs are one of the most important and most cost effective ways to communicate in rural areas. Nate spoke about the Neubauer campaign as an example (he had signs with him). The campaign was slow to get signs and get them out (they still aren't out in many areas). He said cardboard signs are better than plastic bag signs – you can flip a cardboard sign to the blank side and make a new sign out of it using paint, markers, stencils. Signs should be big, contrasting dark and white (so you end up with a “night sign” and a “day sign”) and have the CANDIDATE'S NAME AND THE DATE OF THE ELECTION on it. Make sure the sign is well taped (plastic bag sign) and well stapled (cardboard) and always SAVE THE WIRES. You need an organized team to get the signs, distribute the signs (this includes having a list of locations and people willing to “host” signs), and pick up the signs after the election so they can be reused.
The “super 17th” is organizing is organizing in this way. It's a rural area with teams in each population center. They meet monthly and coordinate on strategy and action plans. The four most important things:
- Messaging – HOW do we talk to people, learn as much about people as possible beforehand so you'll be able to communicate from the heart. What kind of farm is it – dairy, grains, pigs, etc. What are the issues LISTEN is more important than talk at the beginning
- Reach out to existing communities. List all the groups and organizations in your area. Rank them (Lions Club probably won't be very fruitful but an environmental or water quality group probably will). Reach out to them. Enlist them as helpers in sign placement, letters to editor, etc.
- Build a network down to the ward level. We need to connect to the big picture, but we need also connections to the smallest levels – the voting wards. Try to get at least one from each in your teams.
- Create, find, collect and make available resources – from training on communications, to yard signs. Make sure people have what they need to stay connected and work together.
Questions followed.
What can be done at the ward level? Connect with neighbors on local issues and passions. Reach out and talk to people at every opportunity.
What about TV and radio ads? There's usually a radio on in the barn or on the headphones or in the tractor or truck cab. The party cannot expect rural candidates to raise tens of thousands of dollars from their neighbors before being offered help. These investments in rural elections are minor compared to the funds being wasted on high power consultants who recommend fancy mailers that end in the trash.
We must change how we consider rural areas. Look at the population centers and add up the voters. Think of that as a city. Consider a rural area as a city and spend as you would in a metropolitan area. Put organizers at the centers of those population areas.
Would things be different if rural chairs had a say in who organizes in their counties? Absolutely. Prefer locals over out of area/out of state hires. DPW could hire part time retired “grey hairs” who don't need high salaries and benefits and are already known and active in the area to work on building and strengthening the network in their area to be ready for the next election. Give those already working 365 days a year on issues more support and credit. Help them, don't drop in people to knock some doors at election time.
Nate ended by noting that there is no committee in the Democratic Party at the national level specifically tasked with looking at rural issues.
Following a break, business resumed.
Adjournment with a 1st and second motion. 4:35
About 20 people had dinner at Myrt and Lucy’s Chat and Chew after the meeting.
HERE IS THE LOGO, THAT WAS UP FOR VOTE. COMMENTS MADE:
Cathy Van Maren, Secretary/Treasurer, who was our tech, had to leave due to her rideshare and the bad weather. Notes are shaky, here after.
Because the projector person left early due to weather-related travel expectations, the vote on the DPW PC logo was postponed.
Ranked Choice Voting was discussed and explained. The DPW has voted to use RCV in its state party elections. The PC voted unanimously to use RCV in DPW PC elections going forward.
Suzzane Miller, spoke to filling candidate seats, in her segment about Running for Office.
About 20 people had dinner at Myrt and Lucy’s Chat and Chew after the meeting.
HERE IS THE LOGO, THAT WAS UP FOR VOTE. COMMENTS MADE:
- Fix Eyes
- Remove blue in Wing tips
- Remove DPW from Inside of Body and put it outside.
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