by Nick Harrison, DPBC Advisory Board Member
Tired of seeing Trump’s face on TV and reading about attempts by his minions to support billionaires by demolishing programs and institutions that work for regular people?
If so, you are like many Democrats who are seeking ways to deal with disturbing news on the national front by getting involved at the local level. It’s an effective way to push back where it matters most, because state and municipal offices, along with bodies like school boards and Democratic activists, are within everyone’s reach and form a solid base for promoting our values.
The DPBC has a treasure trove of such people who, over the years, have said they want to get involved. They’ve expressed an interest in contributing in different ways, depending on their talents and availability — from writing and editing to doing research and analyzing legislation, helping setup at events, supporting campaigns through phone banks or canvassing, helping to build the website, and more.
They are now part of our Teambuilder database, having completed online forms or signed up at events, and are part of a broad effort to reach out to DPBC members who are ready to take action.
Over this past weekend, First Vice-Chair Chase Jacques-Maynes alerted chairs across the County that contact information is on the way for everyone in their ward who has previously signed up. The spreadsheets, some of which will have more than 100 names, will form the basis for new outreach efforts at the ward level. That will help the chairs strengthen their wards and give volunteers ways they can channel their talents locally.
Abby Foster, Second Vice-Chair, has also been calling on DPBC members to support organizations and activities across the County. Wearing tee shirts that identified them as local Democrats, they served Christmas dinners at the Joy Junction emergency homeless shelter and helped with the annual counting of unhoused people in Albuquerque.
Emails and public announcements about these activities resulted in high levels of participation, a demonstration of willingness that is widespread.
In the coming months, look for more engagement opportunities and ideas for how each of us can do our part. The positive impact of what we do will be felt immediately on the local level and may ripple outward to help steer a better course for the country.
