Onslow County Democratic Convention
The Onslow County Democratic Party held their annual convention on Saturday, April 14th, 2007.
Items of note:
- Mr. Billy Mills, Ms. Kever Clark, Mr. Ernest Wright, Ms. Elizabeth Koen, Mr. John Burns and myself were elected as the new leadership team.
- Ms. Jennifer Frye of Democracy N.C. was the guest speaker. She talked about the importance of getting youth involved in politics. One of the ways to do that is by funding elections with public money. If elections were conducted with equal amounts of money distributed, candidates would not need to "dial for dollars" and could engage the constituency. (For more information on Democracy NC read this post at BlueNC.)
- Delegates were selected for the 3rd Congressional District and State conventions.
After the convention meeting, Onslow County Sheriff Ed Brown provided Eastern NC vinegar barbeque, beans and hush puppies. Good eatin'.
Mr. Marshall Adame came by the luncheon and met with many of the Democratic leaders. Mr. Adame is running against Congressman Walter B. Jones, Jr. for North Carolina's 3rd Congressional District. For more information on how weak Mr. Jones, Jr is in Eastern NC, check out BlueNC blogger Blue South's post "An Introduction to NC-03 (Or, how to create a Perfect Storm)".
NC-03 is winnable by a Democrat. Now is the time to make it happen.
Technorati tags: NC-03, Onslow County Democratic Party, Onslow County, Marshall Adame, Walter B. Jones Jr. Billy Mills, Kever Clark, Ernest Wright, Elizabeth Koen, John Burns, Thomas Brock, Jennifer Frye, Democracy N.C., public financed elections, Ed Brown
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Can I Ask a Few Questions?
How was this covered by local media?
Did you notice any/many 'new' faces at the convention or was it mostly party regulars?
What steps have been taken (if any) to engage more Democratic voters to participate?
Is your county or any of their precincts active online? If not, why not?
Sorry if the questions sound odd, I'm still trying to figure out how to place all the pieces in my own mind.
Of course, Unique
To my knowledge, it wasn't. I didn't see any of the local writers at the convention.
There were a couple of younger folks, but I think they were dragged along instead of coming out of a "need" for participation.
Not many. There were "blurbs" in the local paper's "Area Happenings" sections. I posted fliers around town and advertised on the local message board (which wasn't well received...). All to mostly on avail, I disappointedly say.
At the moment, no.
The previous Democratic leadership saw no value in an online presence. As a member of the new leadership team, I'm recommending to the Chair that we establish a website, etc, etc.
Unique, no reason to apologize for the questions. If we don't help each other, we're all totally hosed, especially those of us in a low-participation county.
I'm looking at the next two years as time to organize the Onslow County Democrats in a way that will strengthen the Party and foster participation (especially in the youth demographic).
For too long local Parties have been strife with cronyism and "Old Guard" leadership. It's time to change. We have to lead that change or it will never happen.
Thomas S. Brock
www.brocknet.net
http://blogs.brocknet.net/brocklog/
Thomas
What have YOU done today to make the world a better place?
thomas
get them walking and knocking and calling. we younguns have lots of energy.
Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33
"Keep the Faith"
Great report, Mr. B.
Glad to see you're moving ahead. This is good.
Haven't done anything, -A-...
Hopefully I'll be able to get something done...
Thomas S. Brock
www.brocknet.net
http://blogs.brocknet.net/brocklog/
Thomas
What have YOU done today to make the world a better place?
I would like to know
how to get younger people involved too. You're going to do great things out there Thom, good luck!
No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.
Progressive Discussions
prove their voice matters
The most important thing to remember is that everyone under the age of 25 probably has limited memories of life before Bush.
Most of them dont like Republicans, but they have spent most of their time having to hear Democrats be demonized. Convince them that #1 you arent what the Repugs say you are (should be fairly easy) and #2 show them that their voice matters. There is a cynical outlook by most young people that their voice wont be listened to. One way to get them involved is to grab a "local celebrity". For instance, Jerry Meek often shows up at meetings of NCSU college dems.
So, grab a local dem candidate, a local party chair or something, and show them that their voices matter and that their work will cause changes.
Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33
"Keep the Faith"
voters under 25...
...are also not familiar with the word "draft".
"...i feel that if a person can't communicate, the very least he can do is to shut up." --tom lehrer, january 1965
One thing I found
during a county campaign last fall was not to expect "young people" to go where "old people" are.
They're not going to hang out with us. If we want to talk to them, to hear what they have to say, we have to go to them. That's what Terry Marquez did during her campaign for County Commissioner. She didn't win, unfortunately, but she sure had the 18-25 vote working for her. And that's because she was out there at the college, and at the Skate Park, and in the parking lots, and any where else they were.
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Gandhi
outstanding idea...
...discussing climate change, health care, and the war should all make for good conversation.
don't forget voter registration cards...
"...i feel that if a person can't communicate, the very least he can do is to shut up." --tom lehrer, january 1965
Absolutely take voter registration cards with you
Every where you go.
I was surprised (and impressed) with how many of the young people we encountered were more interested in local environmental issues than bigger issues like "global warming".
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Gandhi
I didn't know she did that
I wish I had gotten involved in local politics earlier. Have you ever spoken to her about coming here? I spoke to her about it once but we never followed up.
No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.
Progressive Discussions
She's not that comfortable with the tubes
and she's pretty busy - but we could ask her again.
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Gandhi
maybe
you could do like DQ and interview her and then just post that.
Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33
"Keep the Faith"