DFQC: Targeting the Offline Community

I
initially wrote this article for Blog for America a few months ago, but
since I didn't get to share it with ya'll,  I felt it was worth
repeating, particularly since it embodies the invaluable contributions
of some of our senior activists.


Given all the emphasis we have placed on the Internet community, it is
also very important to continue outreach efforts within the offline
community.




As much as 20% of our local Meetup (Democracy For The Quad Cities)
attendance is comprised of individuals who are notified by telephone
and word of mouth. Many of these are senior citizens that already have
a long-standing history of grassroots activism and community
involvement. In fact, they are the very bedrock of our democracy; eager
to share their experiences and ready and willing to pass the torch to
the next generation of movers and shakers. And what a story they have
to tell… there is so much to learn from them.




DFQC is extremely fortunate to have benefited from the steadfast
participation of such seasoned political veterans as Lou and Joe
Waechter, and Betty and Cal Drumm. Our local group has been enriched by
the collective contributions and lifelong experiences of these two
couples.




Joe and Lou Waechter have been involved with the grassroots as far back
as 1963, when Bill Gluba and Art Small (recently local candidates for
the US House and Senate) recruited Lou as Precinct Committee Person
while canvassing from house to house in an effort to organize the
Democratic party. Over the years, the Waechters have continued to open
their home and their hearts in pursuit of promoting life, liberty and
happiness for the common good.

Betty and Cal Drumm are also longtime activists. Betty indicated there
were many times when she had set aside the money they would have used
to dine out, in order to be able to send money to the Democratic party.
She said, “It would be a win-win situation, such as, no calories, lose
pounds, no heartburn, and the Democratic party would gain a few more
dollars.” Cal expressed the importance of taking care of business in
our own back yards first. During the Democratic primary Cal contacted
every registered person in their ward, urging them to vote in the
caucus, as well assisting Betty in her role as Caucus Captain.

The contributions of these couples reflect the value and the need of
developing a variety of tools for outreach to all aspects of our
communities. In addition to establishing contact by phone and word of
mouth, we are currently in the process of creating and distributing
flyers to promote upcoming Meetups and other events within the
progressive community. Senior centers and union halls are ideal
locations to post flyers. Contacting local newspapers and radio
stations are also very effective methods for promoting Meetup.




Both the Waechters and the Drumms were inspired and re-invigorated by
the call to action from our very own Chairman, Governor Howard Dean.
Cal speaks for all of us at DFQC, “We would like to thank Governor Dean
for what he brought to our table… we learned so much from him, and we
wish you the best Howard, as Chairman of the DNC. We know the best is
yet to come.”