(Capable people are the greatest treasure. - promoted by boadicea)
In 2006, I had reached a point in my life where just voting wasn't enough. Reading the League of Women Voters Guide to learn about the candidates wasn't enough. Telling my friends and family to vote wasn't enough.
I was appointed to a vacant Precinct Chair slot after calling the Travis County Democratic Party to volunteer for something, anything... I hadn't expected to become a precinct chair, but when I was told that there was a need for one in my precinct, I stepped up.
The more involved I become, the more involved I want to be.
When I found out that there was a Senate District level of government in the Texas Democratic Party, I decided to check it out. I have been going to the meetings since January of 2007. What I've learned is, in a nutshell, I can, and want to do this.
I'm Susan Shelton, and I am running for the SDEC Committeewoman for Senate District 14. I'll explain why after the jump. |
| I've been fortunate to live in Austin, where most of the SDEC meetings have been held. The meetings are open to the public, and I have never been made to feel anything but welcome. In fact, I was even recognized in the Grassroots Subcommittee when the current Chair, Marvin Sutton, asked for precinct and county chairs to stand and be noted. He did so again in the General meeting, and I have to say it was a proud moment to look around the room and see my peers.
The men and women who serve on the SDEC come with their own interests, but come together to work for a common goal: getting Democrats elected, and getting Democrats involved in the process.
I want to bring blogging to the outreach process. This is an effective way to reach people, especially lurkers (you know who you are!). It's hard to measure, but the lurkers are learning about the Democratic process in blogs. It's where they can go for information, discussion, and it's where they can gather the strength to raise their hands and volunteer.
For instance, I read about John Courage's training sessions with Christopher Bua through blogs. I found out about Democracy for America training through blogs. I learned about all kinds of meetings around town when I checked into blogs. It's a great tool, and one that is not well represented on the SDEC right now.
I want to bring the blogger perspective to these meetings. Will it change the world? Probably not. But it's one more method with which to reach people. It's one more tool in the toolbox of "little d" democracy.
The election to the SDEC is at the State Convention in June. For the readers who are delegates and alternates to the convention, I would appreciate your support. For the readers who aren't, I would encourage you to attend the convention if you can, and see what it's all about. If you can't, why not give your local county party a call, and see what they need help with in this election season?
It's where I started, and it's been worth every minute of it.
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