CCDS Mobilizer

Report from the Regional Coordinators Meeting

By Harry Targ

The first meeting of the Regional Coordinators since the Convention met on January 27th. Attendees addressed the question of what constitutes a region-given current CCDS membership, who is willing to serve as a regional coordinator, and what should be the priorities of the Regional Coordinators given the priorities of the national organization.

It was decided that we should continue regional work in Northern California, the Midwest, the South, and New England. In addition, members should be encouraged to organize meetings and networks of relationships in other areas as feasible. In this regard, attendees recommended that we pursue the construction of a regional organization for New York.

In addition, Karl Kramer agreed to continue as a regional coordinator for Northern California, Harry for the Midwest. Sandy Eaton agreed to serve in New England and while he was not on the call, Brandon Wallace volunteered to serve as the RC from the South. It was recommended that we ask for a representative to be a RC for the New York area. Janet Tucker agreed to work with the RCs on a variety of tasks.

The majority of the meeting was devoted to the tasks of the RCs. Harry Targ proposed that the RCs and the regions continue the tasks they had been doing for the last several years; holding regional meetings, reporting on activities in the regions for the Mobilizer; promoting a speakers bureau for regional speaking events; and meeting on a monthly basis to continue planning.

In addition, Karl Kramer reported that the Democracy Charter committee hoped that the RCs and the regions would organize events to educate about and promote support for the Democracy Charter. The ways this could proceed would depend on the regions. The Charter could be the subject of regional meetings, and/or small “People’s Assemblies” in cities and towns. RCs could disseminate educational materials on the Charter and secure regional endorsers of it.

The RCs discussed how they could assist in the organization for the United States Social Forum in June, 2010 including mobilizing members and others to attend.

The RCs discussed also phone banking to supplement the mail solicitation for membership and contributions.

Finally, Duncan McFarland pointed out that the number one priority of CCDS, and particularly the RCs, should be membership. Attendees agreed that every effort should be made to connect the leadership of the organization with every member of the organization, current and former. After much discussion, the RCs decided to draft a plan in which all members of the leadership of CCDS, the NEC, NCC and the RCs, call several members to solicit their feedback about what they think CCDS should be doing and also soliciting dues and other support for the organization. It was decided that if the leadership, some 30 people, each assumed responsibility for about 20 members in their own areas then virtually every member could be contacted. The benefits of such personal contact could be enormous.

The RCs decided to develop a mobilization plan to be available this spring to carry out the membership campaign. We will develop 20-person lists and present those to the leadership with a script which could be used for the calls. In addition, the RCs will follow up on the development of a membership brochure that can be distributed at upcoming public events CCDS will be a part of to recruit new members.

Janet and Harry agreed to prepare a rough draft of the membership campaign to present to the next meeting of the RCs.

NORTHEASTERN REGION

Peace and Labor Activists Working Together in Boston - March 23, 2010

Boston Chapter Hosts Davidson Talk - February 03, 2010

MID-WESTERN REGION

Midwesterners Gather to Discuss Health Care and Building a Progressive Majority

by Harry Targ

SOUTHERN REGION

Meeting of Southern Region Committee of CCDS in Raleigh, NC

by Randy Shannon

WESTERN REGION

Northern California hold an Educational on Red-baiting and Smear Tactics