Comment from past president 2013
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Lets Get Big Page 1/2
My name is John Terebey and I am a
member of the Caroline County
Democratic Club. Several years ago I
was the club president.
Recently I emailed the club members
inviting them to chat with me about
club issues at the upcoming Unity
Dinner. I am very happy to report
that the response was very positive
and that we will be able to start
active and innovative membersponsored
initiatives.
One of our initiatives is to form a
permanent helpdesk to support
democrats wanting to run for elected
office. We note that right now we
only have one elected official in the
county. The helpdesk would not only
help provide information on how to
run, but also help in the nuts and
bolts of running. For example, there
could be help in setting up email list
servers, software for the books and
keeping track of supporters. We
could even help them in designing and
making signs. One member has
offered to print a small number of
signs to get them started.
This initiative helps a potential
candidate focus on running at the
start instead of being smothered
with details. And doing details takes
lots of precious time. By helping with
setting up computer systems, list
servers, and making initial signs, the
candidate can focus on generating
voter excitement.
Another of our initiatives is to vastly
increase membership. The details of
our members sponsored initiative are
still developing but we hope to add
200 new members by Summerfest.
We want to use Exposure to put our
club before the voters. And -
innovatively hook that method to an
interactive web site to both sign up
the member but also capture usage
metrics. The web hit usage metrics
can steer us to Exposure methods
that are working- and those that are
not.
Exposure methods include Road
Signs, distinctive representation at
community events, and Parades (both
local town and adjoining counties). In
2013 our club walked 3 times with
Summerfest as our best showing. As
one of the walkers, it was
electrifying to hear the words of our
banners as an echo from the crowds.
Our banners were in both English and
Spanish.
Doing Exposure does mean having
signs or other visible expressions and
that can be expensive. A typical
billboard can get one poor quickly.
But we have found a way to make
Road Signs and other visual
expressions internally and cheaply.
And we can make them in both
English and Spanish. Hooked to web
metrics, Exposure can be both
effective and affordable.
Our Road Signs disassemble and fit
inside the trunk of a car. Changing
the message is quick. Having
separate English and Spanish signs
becomes affordable and enhances
messaging.
The Democratic Club of Caroline
County could use our help. Let us be
active and innovative and help. It is
our Club.
Thank you for giving me a chance to
help. Membership is the key. We
want to go from one elected
democrat in Caroline County to again
being a democratic county with an
active and innovative club.
Please sign up and let us get big in
Caroline County. Simply email
Lets.Get.Big@WeAreDemocrats.club
and tell us if you want to be active or
just receive periodic information on
progress.