Blog For Arizona

DFA Business for Nov-Dec

Next meeting of DFA Tucson will be 12/1 at 7PM at Dem HQ at 4639 E 1st St., Tucson 85711. Please come and chime in on your plans and dreams for collective action.

Previous Meeting Summary Notes
DFA/Tucson - November 18 2004

Announcements:
Sonja Stupel announced that Dec. 10 in recognition of International Human Rights Day she will have a writeathon at her house. Everyone is welcome. Contact sonjastupel@aol.com for details

Becky Schulman announced that the Democratic Party will have a booth at the 4th Ave. Street Fair the weekend on Dec. 10. They will do voter registration if issues surrounding Prop. 200 requirements for registration are resolved. Volunteers are needed. Contact Becky for details SchulMB@aol.com.

Diane Call announced that Jobs with Justice will hold a Grinch Party Dec. 4 at 6:00 p.m. at Carpenter's Hall, 606 S. Plumer. This is a fundraiser and $10 donation is requested.

Democratic Party Opportunities:
Laura Burge, long-time Deaniac and now Co-Chair of the Democratic Resource and Issues Committee discussed new party activities and committees.

Deaniacs are invited to participate in working on such issues as researching voting records of city councilpeople Dunbar and Ronstadt, fighting a gay marriage ban amendment, living wage, etc.

A subgroup will concentrate on voter fraud issues.

She will be a liaison to encourage that DFA/T and the party work in cordination on common issues to avoid unnecessary duplication.

The party is forming other committees including a hiking club, a book club, Information Technology committee and many others.

More than 150 people attended a potluck the previous week where people could sign up for work. All committes are still open to anyone who wants to join. Contact Democratic headquarters.

DFA/T Organization:
Anthea Scouffas started the discussion by saying that we need to define the organization and give it some structure. We will meet twice a month for at least the next few months.

She asked people to vote on a steering committee, but the group decided to approve by acclaim 11 people who have been involved in DFA/T and are willing to work: Anthea Scouffas, Barbara Tellman, Steve Cody, Sonja Stupel, Janet Telfer, Samantha Sabo, Omid Mahdavi, Eric Fuller, Rick Graap,Judy Miller, and Jen Prileson, These people will meet ahead of time and make recommendations at the next meeting. Anthea stressed that we need to get involved in concrete action items and divided the group in subgroups to come up with a few recommended action items. The summary follows.

Brief Summary of Discussion Group Results

Voting Reform
All groups expressed concern for reform of voting systems, making every vote count, specifically,

Support groups finding out the truth about 2003 election, recounts, etc., (e.g. blackboxvoting.org)

Electoral college change, either nationally or at the state level, making vote proportional or direct vote.

Make hand recounts legal in Arizona and require that a certain %of precincts randomly chosen get hand recounts to check the computer's accuracy.

Restore voting rights of felons who have served their time.

Insist that computer programs for vote counting be available for inspection, not proprietary.

Candidates/Propositions
Most groups expressed interest in doing something in this category
Identify, recruit and support progressive local candidates.

Work for changes in Prop. 200, maintain Clean Elections System in Arizona, and other progressive ballot issues at state and local level.

Promote Arizona Clean Elections systems to other states.

Support city elections by ward, investigate political impacts of annexation.

Promote Dean as Dem. Party chair.

Oppose gay marriage ban or similar measures if they come up.

Media
Several groups felt we should get active on media issues.

Lobby to get AirAmerica in Pima County

Support Media Watch program, including letting sponsors of biased news know we do will not buy their products. Efforts to promote corporate responsibility.

Develop a marketing plan and ways to convey progressive ideas.

Have training in conveying ideas effectively.

National and International Issues
There was little agreement on which of these issues to adopt, but most had interest in this level of action.

Work with local peace groups to stop war, prevent attack on Iran, reduce military spending, etc.

Work for a living wage.

Work for improved economy, balanced budget, etc.

Form progressive Service Club

Pursue Dean Corps projects

Work on comprehensive energy policy and alternate energy sources.

Fairness in Social Security and Medicare

Work on environmental issues.

Community Relations
Work towards better communications among local groups with progressive agendas (environmental, health, peace, etc.) including forming a coalition or umbrella group.

Work on neighborhood organizing.

Work on ways to reach independents since they are the majority of voters.

Work with Democratic and Green Party committees.

Internal Organizing

Develop a rapid response team

Develop speakers bureau

Have a good web site.

Get more Hispanics in the group and learn how to reach them, especially students.

Define DFA and possibly incorporate, become a PAC, or become a Democratic Club.

Keep group open to Independents and Green Party members

posted by Michael Bryan @ 11/30/2004 06:05:00 AM