The Return of the DU Activist Corps - Democratic Underground

EarlG ADMIN

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Thu Jul-10-08 01:14 PM
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The Return of the DU Activist Corps

Three years ago we launched the DU Activist Corps, an experimental project intended to provide our members with a way to join forces and go beyond the message board to take part in "real world" activism. Our members have always participated in online and offline activism, but we felt that with some top-down organization we could help multiply those individual efforts to greater effect.

The Activist Corps project was active through 2005 and 2006, but fell by the wayside after the Democrats retook Congress. With just under four months to go until the general election, we feel that now would be the perfect time to revive it. We already have just over 1,300 members signed up, and obviously many more people have joined DU since since the last action in 2006.

How It's Going To Work

From now until the election we hope to run a scheduled Activist Corps action once a week. Here's the planned schedule:

Thursday
On Thursday we will post a discussion thread in the http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=106">Activist HQ looking for suggestions and ideas for the upcoming activity. Discussion will be open Thursday through Sunday.

Monday
On Monday, we will compile the best suggestions and take a poll in the big forums, so everyone can vote for their favorite suggestion.

Tuesday
On Tuesday we will post the winning action(s) with instructions on how to participate. We will also send a private message to every member of the Activist Corps to announce the latest action.

Keeping Track

Once you have completed an action you should return to the Activist HQ to report. We'll have a "Check-In" thread where you'll simply have to click a link to report that you've taken part in the action (this will work on the honor system). The Check-In thread will keep a running total of the number of people who have taken part.

Emergency Actions

As the election gets closer there will no doubt be occasions when rapid-response activism is required. In these situations we may post an action off-schedule.

Other Issues

Activist Corps actions will NOT require you to gather in groups or travel (well, maybe to the nearest mailbox) - you will be able to take part as individuals, from wherever you connect to the Internet. Nevertheless, if you are not willing to make a serious commitment to activism, please do not sign up. We are looking for people who are ready and willing to "sign on the dotted line," to make a personal commitment to do your part in the actions of the DU Activist Corps. The more people that are serious about taking part, the more effective the project will be.

We intend to get the ball rolling this week and start with our first action next Thursday (July 17). However, we have not used the Activist Corps system for two years, so please bear in mind that next week's action will probably be something of a test run. It's possible that the system will need some minor bug fixes, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

How To Join the DU Activist Corps

Just http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=add_activist">click this link to join the DU Activist Corps. It will automatically register you as a member. If you're not sure whether you are already a member, click the link and it will tell you, or look in your member profile.

In addition, you can add the Activist HQ to your "My Forums" list (if you haven't already done so) by http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=user&saz=my_forums&ssaz=add&forum=106">clicking here.

There are currently 1455 members in the DU Activist Corps.

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