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The Right Way to Re-Engage Youth: It's Hard, but not that hard

Young, smart ambitious people want to do one thing - make good use of their youth, smarts and ambition. In 2008 young people proved they are willing and able to change the course of an election; we're raising the resources for them to do it every election.

  • There are no cogs, there are no wheels. It's true and it's powerful. Responsibility and the chance to innovate keep people engaged, and keeps our organizing fresh.
  • When people organize for themselves they create a community they want to stay a part of.
  • Fact: Everyone has different skills, not everyone phonebanks. Giving people a chance to engage in a way that interests them is the best first step to getting them involved.
  • New people don't get a chance to prove themselves outside of campaigns because no one will entrust them with funds. With your help, we're changing that. Right now.

 

Empowering the New Activists: It takes money, but not that much money

This fundraiser is for giving young people, Young Democrats, the opportunity to organize, innovate, lead on their own terms. Not for drinking parties - but for

  • Organizing rallies, online movements, canvassing campaigns, electing youth to office.
  • Building websites, online movements and doing the new things that get new people involved.
  • Experimenting in ways the old school guys don't feel they have time for.

It doesn't take a lot, we're only looking for a minumum of 10k for 7 counties, 7 of them. 10k will give the Young Dems in this region the seed money to organize some major events to build membership, start building the lattice of websites and social networks which will organically bring the Democratic Party into the 21st century, and get its members into the field in elections.

 

Start Strong, Finish Strong: It takes people, A LOT of people. You.

We're starting with GOTV

  • Bus trips of people to competitive districts.
  • Promotion. Because if no one knows, know one cares.
  • Food and drinks because even if they know, they may still not care. But they still need to eat.

We're finishing with long-term retention

  • I said it before, I'll say it again: There are no cogs, there are no wheels.
  • Continual planning of programs and events that will allow the Young Democrats to advocate for progressive issues.
  • Creation of a strong Downstate Young Democrats community through shared projects to keep people active and inspire new people to join.