DPVA Grassroots Training - Comfort Inn Richmond
By: Shawn
Published On: 8/11/2007 9:55:06 AM
Just getting to Richmond from Fredericksburg was an effort that left me thinking about our interdependent roadways, "Republican Abuser Fees" and how many out of state plates running I-95 I saw. Maryland was number one, New York came in a close second, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Georgia ... in all less than 40 percent of the traffic I counted on the road with me was from Virginia. ... even one garbage hauler with a "Maine" tag.
Three accidents and an 1 hour and 15 mins from leaving home (usually a 50 min run) I arrived at the Comfort Inn. I was greeted by lots of great Democrats ... too many to mention them all but I was pleased to see Pete from Prince William, Earl from Middlesex, Gaylee from Hampton, York-Poquoson is here (I see a t-shirt!!!), Bob from Northumberland, Sally, Teddy, Jim, Jean,... looks to be about 125 -150 people here
Levar Stoney handled the introductions and the day has started with Chris Ambrose and Sue Langley doing an intro to the 2008 Presidential Petition Collection. The goal is to collect 5,000 signitures for the DPVA with provided petitions you can have folks "SIGN FOR 9"
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Be sure to check out:
Blueweeds live blog of the training
10:00 am and we've broken into 3 sections urban/suburban, rural, and one for absentee ballots ... I'm now with about 50 folks in the rural session on phone banking. Jim Turpin the Finance Director for the DPVA handled the intro and talked about the importance of the rural vote to the DPVA and the formation of the Rural Caucus... I'm impressed that the leadership is focusing on this area.
The Facilitator is Adam White, a regional field director for the DPVA ...for veteran phone bankers nothing much new here ... as long as you know about the VAN...
11:20 I've moved over to the urban/suburban Canvassing:Putting the VAN Into Practice with Matt Weinstein a regional field director for the DPVA from Virginia Beach with an assist from Susan Mariner, the DNC regional rep., Troy Farlow running for Delegate in York / Williamsburg is here along with 50 to 75 folks ...
We've just seen a good demo of the VAN's "Cut Turf" feature ... everyone who has ever done canvassing will want to use get comfortable with using this feature.
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After fighting the traffic heading back to Fredericksburg, I've added some pictures and (while watching the Redskins) I'll finish off the day ....
The highlight of the day had to be the Netroot Panel Discussion with Vivian Paige, Waldo Jaquith and Greg Scanlon from the DPVA on the panel ... Amy Reger, DPVA Executive Director served as moderator as a last min. stand in for the DPVA new communications director, Danae Jones who could not attend for personal reasons ... on the whole the questions and answers were thoughtful and informative.
The session on the 2008 Delegate Selection Process with Frank Leone was the next session I attended. ... plenty to digest and the best part is ... it'll all be up on the DPVA website ...
VAN The Basics with Mike Sager, DPVA Deputy Director for Technology gave a presentation the IMO should have led of the day . and, if laptops aren't available, screens for better viewing would be setup ... VAN is such a great improvement over Prevail ... and the best way to take advantage of it in 2007, 2008 and beyond is to get people onto the system .... in my experiences nothing beats hands on examples ... and so I would suggest ... live examples of phone banking using the VAN ... from log on through log out ...
All in all another positive DPVA training day ... my thanks to all who made it possible ... it was another step forward toward rebuilding the Democratic Party in Virginia
Redskins just won 14 to 6
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Check out Vivian Paige's Day
Comments
Congratulations to the DPVA on its training (Dianne - 8/12/2007 8:45:35 AM)
But also, congratulations goes to Lowell/Raising Kaine for bringing up what were some important problems with DPVA's lack of understanding of the Virginia netroots and the talent and power that it's readers and contributors have.
The Democratic netroots represents intelligent, politically-informed and experienced folks who have found an avenue to talk easily about what they want from their government and from their party. It is a forum that had to be reckoned with and it looks like DPVA is heeding the call and are listening to and acting on RK participants' complaints, desires, and ideas.
Activism works and sunlight is healthy.
Keep talking!
Don't know if Lowell or RK was invited to be on the panel (Shawn - 8/12/2007 7:33:39 PM)
but Amy Reger, DPVA's Executive Ditector made it a point, during the Netroots session of the day, that people who are the focus of bloggers should not take it personally ... I'm not certain she takes her own advise
I was invited but needed to spend (Lowell - 8/12/2007 8:09:45 PM)
this weekend working on my book. I'm glad I did, since I got a lot accomplished and time's running out. Anyway, I'm sure Vivian, Waldo and Greg did a great job. Waldo, after all, is in many ways the "blogfather" for the Virginia progressive blogs. Plus, they all live a lot closer to Richmond than I do!
Plus, I could really really really (Lowell - 8/12/2007 8:10:22 PM)
do without that drive to Richmond. Blech. And your photo convinces me I made the right decision.
I do understand getting a book done can be hard (Shawn - 8/13/2007 11:31:41 AM)
I'm currently working on 2 more ...
I am pleased you were invited and yes the folks on the panel did do a great job!
It was nice to finally meet you, Shawn! (elevandoski - 8/12/2007 9:48:04 AM)
Same here (Shawn - 8/12/2007 7:34:39 PM)
and it was good to get some live background on you too!