Yesterday kicked off the Democratic National Committee’s 2011 winter meeting in Washington, D.C. This gathering is one of several annual meetings that bring Democrats – community leaders and volunteers interested in making a difference – together from the national, state, and local level. Led by Chairman Tim Kaine, this week’s meeting is an opportunity to take pride in our work and our accomplishments, but also to prepare for the challenges ahead of us in 2011 and 2012.
This is a conversation that starts here, but it continues in communities across the country. Democrats are talking about their priorities in the fights ahead – like reforming education, creating a clean-energy economy, passing the DREAM Act, improving literacy in underserved areas, and fighting for those hit hardest by the recession. They’re priorities shared by President Obama.
This meeting also is an opportunity to talk about organizing priorities. While not all communities have the same needs, Democratic leaders are always looking for better ways to increase volunteer engagement, reach out to voters, and get them to the polls.
Yesterday, Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx was featured as the host of the 2012 Democratic National Convention. Mayor Foxx thanked committee members for bringing the convention to “the new south,” a city with a reputation for smart investments in infrastructure, innovation, and urban renewal – and a commitment to rebuilding the economy from the ground up.
Check back later on for more updates from the DNC winter meeting.