100 Days: Mobilize for Change
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee had announced that it is sponsoring Mobilize for Change: A National Day of Action on July 26, 2008 -- marking 100 days until Election Day. Mobilize for Change: A National Day of Action will boost House Democratic campaigns' efforts to recruit additional volunteers to phone bank and canvass congressional districts across the country. The House campaign that has the most volunteers will win a fundraising email sent on their behalf to our 3 million person strong list.
It’s easy to walk your neighborhood. All you need is literature, a list of voters, talking points, and a map of your area. You can get all four things from the campaign or the local Democratic Party organization. You can also use Google maps to print street level maps of your neighborhood. Organize in teams and walk with at least one other person. Each team member should take one side of the street.
Downloadable Materials:
Easier than walking is picking up the phone! You can phone bank at the local campaign or party headquarters. Phone banks are usually scheduled in the evening hours or on weekends. Party and campaign organizers will provide you with a list of questions and talking points when you arrive at headquarters. Make sure you call ahead so that you have a phone line reserved for you. If you have a cell phone with free nights or weekend minutes, you can bring that so that the campaign can free up more lines for more volunteers.
Sometimes the best way to convince your friends and neighbors to support your candidate is to have them over to your house. And believe it or not, if you can help build a crowd, they just may come! Use your own rolodex to invite all your friends and family to the event. The campaign can also help supplement your list with a list of voters in your area who may want to meet the candidate. The campaign can provide materials and support for your event and you can. You should count providing the hospitality for your guests. Make sure that you get a good cell phone and email address for all of your guests so that they can be contacted again by the campaign via email or text message.
You can also join the national day of action for your Congressional candidate online. You can use your social networks, blogs, and other online communities to spread the word about your candidate for Congress. Posting your affiliation, joining groups and networks of other like-minded people online is an activity, much like virtually walking your neighborhood. Shoe leather and phone calls are the old-fashioned way, but your time can be used just as effectively in the virtual world.
You can also write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper on behalf of your favorite Congressional candidate using our online tool. Candidates need your support in every medium available, online, on the phone, at the doors. You should contact your local congressional candidate’s campaign for their positions on issues important to you and work with them to develop a letter that echoes the campaign’s message.
