Your Thread on Last Night's MeetUp

According to our sign-in sheets and head counts for last night's Albuquerque DFA - DFNM MeetUp at Page One, almost 100 people were in attendance! We had lots of new faces, as well as many whose involvement dates back to the early days of the Dean campaign. Quite a turnout -- one that spilled out of the cafe and into the bookstore proper. Thanks for everyone's patience with the crowded environment!

I think we got a good start on understanding the structure of the local Democratic Party and how to get more involved at the precinct and ward levels, thanks to an excellent presentation by ex-ward chair Bruce Barnaby. Much more action to come on this, as well as work on compiling useful information about the Party on this website.

As always, Dr. Miles Nelson was inspiring in speaking about the future of progressive and, yes, liberal politics in New Mexico. He explained the promise of his fledgling SeedPAC to support progressive local and state candidates with both money and volunteers. I know many of us will participate in the PAC and contribute money and time. Miles also urged us to attend the Thank You Volunteers potluck this Sunday at 4:00-7:00 PM at 5th and Copper, sponsored by SeedPAC. In addition to lots of good food, this event will feature representatives of groups like MoveOn and ACT, who will lead a brainstorming session about the focus of future actions and how each group can best contribute. I expect to see many familiar faces of people who volunteered in various ways during this past election.

ABQ MeetUp also had a number of reports from attendees about projects and plans for political action. I'll be compiling information on these and featuring them in posts over the next few days.

I'm proud to report that ABQ Meetup folks donated the equivalent of 4,335 minutes, worth about $400, to DFA's national effort to collect long distance phone cards for vets at VA hospitals. This will help many deserving vets call friends and family during the holiday season. Democracy for America will match these contributions dollar for dollar and see that the phone cards get to the places where they can help the most. Thanks to all who gave generously on this effort! There's still time for more donations of phone cards before I send the batch to Burlington VT. Click on the "Email Me" link on the upper right-hand side of this page and I'll tell you how.

Now go ahead and click on "Comments" below to add your take on how the MeetUp went last night and what we need to do in the weeks and months ahead! And we'd love to hear from folks from the Santa Fe and Las Cruces Meetups too.