Democratic National Committee: April 28th Organizing Event http://www.democrats.org/ en http://a9.g.akamai.net/7/9/8082/v001/democratic1.download.akamai.com/8082/images/20050710_donkeylogo.jpg Democratic Party Podcasts http://www.democrats.org Copyright 2009 Fri, 27 Apr 2007 10:37:11 -0500 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=4.01 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Canvassing Training Video "A group of grassroots activists - called The Community Action Project (TCAP) - based in North Carolina created this fantastic, 14-minute training video to help teach the basics of running effective canvasses. Special thanks to Beth Secosky, Will Feichter and Jeff Marsocci for sharing this with all of us. Check it out!"


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http://www.democrats.org/a/2007/04/canvassing_trai.php http://www.democrats.org/a/2007/04/canvassing_trai.php April 28th Organizing Event Fri, 27 Apr 2007 10:37:11 -0500 50 State Canvass: Making North Carolina a Blue State in '08 This weekend, Democrats will ask friends and neighbors across the country to join us in making positive change in America as part of the "50 State Canvass." Mark Hufford reports from North Carolina--and from the heart of Republican territory.

50 State Strategy

The 50-state canvass got underway last weekend here in North Carolina, where we're setting our sights on making NC a Blue State in '08.

Canvassers in one of our mountain counties hit the streets on Saturday with doorhangers in hand, and with open ears. Here in the TarHeel State we're considering this to be a "listening canvass,"--gathering information about perceptions and about issues that are touching the lives of our neighbors (and concurrently finding more volunteers to join us).

Just as the 50-state strategy is putting on a full-court press even in states considered "unwinnable," we're reaching into some counties historically considered Republican territory.

The Democrats pictured here live in a county where we're outnumbered by Republicans 55 percent to 30 percent (with 15 percent unaffiliated). Do these Democrats look demoralized or like they're ready to give up? No!! Because they're part of a four-county area that in 2006, in a huge upset, elected Democrat Steve Goss to our State Senate. Steve was on hand Saturday to spur canvassers on.

In Western North Carolina, and throughout our state, we've seen widespread proof that even in the rural South, even where we're outnumbered, Democrats can win elections. Especially when we stress direct voter contact, neighbor-to-neighbor. I strongly believe that most Unaffiliated voters, and even Republicans, are Democrats at heart--we just need to stand on their doorsteps and remind them in a neighborly way.

Lastly, thanks to the DNC for the doorhangers, which make this process easier and more professional.

(Mark Hufford is the DNC regional organizer for Western North Carolina.)

]]> http://www.democrats.org/a/2007/04/50_state_canvas_8.php http://www.democrats.org/a/2007/04/50_state_canvas_8.php April 28th Organizing Event Fri, 27 Apr 2007 08:57:34 -0500 Sample Script You can download a pdf version of the Sample Script here

]]> http://www.democrats.org/a/2007/03/sample_script_2.php http://www.democrats.org/a/2007/03/sample_script_2.php April 28th Organizing Event Wed, 28 Mar 2007 09:50:47 -0500 Sign in Sheet here.]]> http://www.democrats.org/a/2007/03/sign_in_sheet_2.php http://www.democrats.org/a/2007/03/sign_in_sheet_2.php April 28th Organizing Event Tue, 27 Mar 2007 12:00:40 -0500 Canvassing Tips Information generously provided by the Arizona Democratic Party. For more information visit http://www.azdem.org

Effective Canvassing

As a neighborhood Democratic Party Volunteer, you know your neighborhood best. You are a local "opinion maker." This means your neighbors may come to rely on you for information, advice, and help in solving public problems. Your canvass will prove invaluable in your role as a neighborhood volunteer. You will learn about the economic make-up of your area, what issues are important, what messages people are receiving from our candidates, and how the voters feel about the Party. Your canvass will prove invaluable in your role as a neighborhood Democratic volunteer. You will learn about the voters in your area, what issues are important, what messages people are receiving from our candidates, and how the voters feel about the Party.

What is Canvassing?

Definition: To solicit political support or to determine opinions or sentiments. To seek votes. A personal solicitation of votes or survey the public opinion. -- Webster’s Dictionary

Why is canvassing important?

Face-to-face voter contact is the most effective way to meet people, exchange information, and make an impression for the Democratic Party and candidates. If you have a walking list from your state or local party, it will contain house-by-house information in terms of registered voters, party affiliation, and whether or not they have voted in the last four elections (including local elections). This will tell you who the registered Democrats in your precinct are – and which houses may not have any registered voters. Make sure you follow through on all requests for help. If you don’t know the answers to questions, say, "I don’t know, but I will find out and get back to you."

Recruiting Volunteers

While you are canvassing, you will meet people who want to participate in the Democratic Party. Keep them in mind for the following jobs and opportunities:
  • Neighborhood Leaders/ Precinct Committeeperson / Block Captains
  • Volunteers: Precinct / Headquarters
  • Voter Registration volunteer

"Service" is the key word to remember in neighborhood canvassing.

The voters in your area will come to rely on you and the Democratic Party for answers to their questions and solutions to their problems.
  1. Meet everyone. Start a relationship.
  2. Let them know "they are not alone," that there are Democrats and others in the area that agree with them.
  3. Find out what issues are most important to them and talk with them about the Democratic Vision.
  4. Make sure everyone in the house is registered to vote.
  5. Recruit volunteers.
  6. NEVER try to convince someone you are right and they are wrong. We’ll never gain support trying to convince people they are wrong.
  7. Listen to their feedback.
Let them know you’re a Democratic resource for them, and there are Democratic activities they can take part in and candidates they can vote for who share their values. Be prepared when you canvass with:
  1. Precinct map
  2. Walking list
  3. Pencils and pens
  4. Literature (Democratic Doorhangers)
  5. Voter registration forms
  6. Something to carry your materials in (i.e. clipboard or folder)
Tips for when you canvass:
  • Work in pairs when possible for safety, support, and fun
  • Determine optimal time of day to visit
  • Be prepared with a script: what will you say?
  • Wear comfortable shoes!
  • Bring water
  • Don’t leave any information in someone’s mailbox
  • If you aren’t comfortable walking up to a particular house, skip it. Remember, safety first!
Discuss the issues which are important to your neighbors. You can get an idea of what those issues are by looking for the following to give you more insight:
  1. Bumper stickers or window decals: What issues are brought up? Do they indicate issue preferences? Do they indicate particular values?
  2. Family: What type of family do they have? For example, if they have small children, child care, education, and the future of our economy may be important to them. If they are an older couple, health care issues may be important, etc.
  3. Job: What does they do for a living? For example, if they are teachers, what might that tell you about the issues that are important to them? What about a tradesman or laborer?

Reading the Voters

Things to think about while you are out talking with your neighbors: Take a quick look around. What do you see and what might it tell you about the person whose home you are visiting? What might each of the cues listed below tell you about the voters who live there?
  • Toys in sight
  • Football, basketball, or soccer ball
  • U.S. flag
  • Union insignia
  • Well tended flower garden
  • Expensive car
License plate
  • Out-of-state
  • Collegiate
  • Environmental
  • Child abuse prevention
  • Veteran
  • Disabled
Bumper stickers
  • Hate is Not a Family Value
  • Rainbow flag
  • My child is an honor student at...
  • NRA
  • Buy American
  • Support our Troops
  • Active Duty Military
  • Veteran
]]> http://www.democrats.org/a/2007/03/canvassing_tips_2.php http://www.democrats.org/a/2007/03/canvassing_tips_2.php April 28th Organizing Event Tue, 27 Mar 2007 11:51:04 -0500 Democratic Vision Doorhangers High Res Flyer - Full Color and Black and White (For Home or Office Printing) In-House Color PDF file (English)
In-House Black and White PDF file (English)
In-House Full Color Spanish Language PDF file
In-House Black and White Spanish Language PDF file
Download the file(s) above. These are medium resolution PDF files of the doorhanger design in standard dimensions that can be easily printed off your home or office printer. These files do not contain a doorhanger diecut. Accordingly, use these files to for distribution. [Dimensions: 8.5" x 11"]]]> http://www.democrats.org/a/2007/03/democratic_visi_11.php http://www.democrats.org/a/2007/03/democratic_visi_11.php April 28th Organizing Event Tue, 27 Mar 2007 10:47:13 -0500 Democratic Vision Doorhangers High Res Flyer - Full Color and Black and White (For Home or Office Printing) In-House Color PDF file (English)
In-House Black and White PDF file (English)
In-House Full Color Spanish Language PDF file
In-House Black and White Spanish Language PDF file
Download the file(s) above. These are medium resolution PDF files of the doorhanger design in standard dimensions that can be easily printed off your home or office printer. These files do not contain a doorhanger diecut. Accordingly, use these files to for distribution. [Dimensions: 8.5" x 11"]]]> http://www.democrats.org/a/2007/03/democratic_visi_12.php http://www.democrats.org/a/2007/03/democratic_visi_12.php April 28th Organizing Event Tue, 27 Mar 2007 10:47:13 -0500