DFA Memberships and Stories

By DFA

Last night, I spoke to Ari Fertig at DFA in Vermont. He told me about a couple of new things they are doing, and I wanted to pass this info on to you.

You can now Share your stories of activisim on the DFIA web page at http://www.dfalink.com/group.php?id=508!

Below are two great examples of stories. They can be in depth or they can be short and sweet. Please pass the volunteer stories link on to your group.

Example one: The Canvass that Almost Wasn't

Last weekend I went canvassing for John Pavich, who is running for Congress against Republican incumbent Jerry Weller. I had seen the notice about the canvassing date several times, but the location was pretty far away from me, so I wasn't planning on going. But since my DFA group had just adopted John's campaign I decided I better email the notice to our group members. While I was doing that I noticed that there was a person you could call if you wanted a ride. Well, a ride made all the difference! Having a ride helped me recruit a friend to go as well, and we ended up having a carfull going down for the canvassing. As we chatted in the car, it turned out that the person giving the ride had been volunteering with the campaign for over a year, and was able to answer many questions that we, as new comers, had about the campaign. At the end of our successful day of canvassing, topped off by Oreo cookies and sodas at the campaign office, we all exchanged emails and promised to keep in touch about carpooling for future Pavich events.

Because of that one little thing — an email that turned into a ride that turned into our own “inside track” on the campaign — we were able to be the “boots on the ground” for the campaign and to lay the groundwork for future volunteer efforts. This is what grassroots is about — people helping people to reach out to their neighbors, one door, one vote, one ride at a time.

Sandra Verthein
Chicago, IL

Example two:

Volunteer experience with Dave Patlak for US Representative 18th Congressional District of Florida  We went canvassing, tons of fun, very friendly people, and the Dems we visited were pumped for the election. Unfortunately I had to run for my life from a dog I didn't see!

Franco Caliz-Aguilar
Miami, FL

DFA Link is having a membership drive contest!

Invite your Friend and Win a DFA T-Shirt!

Over the last two weeks, DFA activists all over the country have been working hard to grow our online community at DFA-link.  Together, we're building an extensive network of progressive activists. We're connecting people, events, candidates, and groups and making a difference in elections in every state.  We can't stop now. That's why we have extended our summer membership drive until the last day in August.  Please take a minute and invite your friends to join DFA-Link today:

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/membership

There are prizes! Today, Patrick Schmitt (13 recruits) and Ken Leach (12 recruits) are battling it out for top recruiter in the nation.  But to win a t-shirt you just have to beat the top recruiter in your own state, in some cases that may only be five or six new recruits.  You can do that!

The fastest growing local groups will win a free DFA banner! Broward County DFA (17 recruits) is on the heels of Democracy for NYC (19 recruits). Will they over take the largest local group in the country?  Can brand new T-Town DFA (11 recruits) jump three spots and beat out Philly for Change (15 recruits)? You have the power to put your group in the top five. Invite your friends, family, and co-workers right now:

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/membershipdrive

November is right around the corner.  Now, more then ever, we need to bring new members into the DFA-Link community and get them active.  Have fun.  Be creative.  Make your invites personal.  You'll never know who might want to join if you don't ask. The future of America — and the chance to win a cool t-shirt — is in your hands.

Good luck and Check out the live stats and see where you group ranks right now at http://www.dfalink.com/stats_groups.php