levineg’s Recent Comments

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  One thing about canvassing that's often overlooked is how it facilitates further interactions with 'canvassees.' I canvassed for a progressive grass-roots organizing group in the summers of 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. While fundraising was an element of our activities, our goal was find individuals who could be motivated toward political action, connect with them, and record their information. The emphasis was never the money or the first contact; what mattered was building a database of at-least-moderately-motivated individuals who could be recontacted later.

  The recontacting phase was where the real political action happened. When critical progressive issues came to a head, members were recontacted over the phone, with physical literature and electronically. They were given information about the issue or issues, encouraged to vote or speak out, and provided with the tools to do so. This recording/recontacting model has been so successful that this organization has only grown since its inception more than five years ago.

  Money makes the world go round -- but all money in the world can't buy an American vote. Grassroots political action can motivate one, however. It isn't fundraising that lies at the heart of a grassroots organization; it's the ability to reconnect with voters, time and again, and build with them a foundation of political activism.

  On Making change, one door at a time posted 4 months, 2 weeks ago 6 Responses