Meetup Tonight

[RevolutionStartsNow]

We had a very successful Meetup tonight, tons of people. We have definitely outgrown our venue!

We broke into smaller groups, with some of the returning people talking to the new people, to introduce them to the governor and his positions (and to each other). The group that I spoke to was about 10 people, and more than half were senior citizens. I noticed a much larger group of over 50s at the meetup tonight. Still not much racial diversity, but that has a lot to do with where we live.

Great event. Even had a member of our County Board of Supervisors show up to endorse Dean.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

1. "You have the power!"

Getting rid of Chimp, one voter at a time.

[Ellen Forradalom]

2. Another good meetup

in Hyde Park, on the South Side of Chicago. 50 attendees, more African-Americans. Noisy venue (bowling alley). We showed a video greeting from the good Gov. and had our small-group discussion time as well.

[silverweb]

3. Great MeetUp here in San Diego, too!

Where are you, Amerikav60? My daughter and I were at the downtown San Diego MeetUp and your event sounds exactly like ours, outgrown venue and all!

:hi:

[RevolutionStartsNow]

7. Hi Silverweb!

I'm in Santa Cruz. But I also went with my daughter! She's 11, and a very enthusiastic supporter. She told me later that she was so proud of me when I was talking to the group of newbies about Dean -- that made my night!

[Rose Siding]

15. This is remarkable to me

I don't know that this isn't unusual for you- being this involved in the political process- but my 13 year old daughter is enthusiastic now, as well. We went to the rally in Seattle and I could see that she was making the connection between politicians, govt and how our lives are impacted by policy. THIRTEEN!

The structure of this campaign gives us a chance to be examples of good citizens to our kids and to each other. I don't care if that sounds hokey or over stated- I think it's true. And it's very touching to me that there are so many that are willing to be involved.

*Hope*

[RevolutionStartsNow]

16. To me also

When my daughter first asked to come along to a Dean Meetup, I knew she was just doing it to spend time with me. But she is a very bright kid, and she started reading about Dean and about the issues. Last night on the way home from Meetup we had a discussion about the death penalty. I let her know what my position is, but I also try to be balanced and explain the other side of the coin.

I still remember my father taking us along when he was campaigning for local candidates in Santa Barbara, when I was a kid. These kids are the future, and we should be introducing them to the process.

[rucky]

4. Just got back from one in Portland...

...I am SO WASTED!!!! It was at a brewpub with a huge backroom. 'bout 70 people there & our table ended up ordering pitchers of some excellent India Pale Ale.

Oh yeah, and we talked about Howard Dean and stuff.

[calimary]

5. The West L.A. venue was terrific! Even met a fellow DU'er!

It was really great, and packed again. Mainly white, nice age spread, three African-Americans, several Asians. Saw everything from spike heels to flip-flops to sneakers to "Rockports." One pretty young tattooed lady with a nose ring. USC AND UCLA contingents were there, too. See - even enemies can unite for the common good!

Really enjoyed it, and when we broke into groups, everybody at my table seemed MOST thoughtful, intelligent, informed, and committed to progressive causes, especially in opposition to the war. A WHOLE BUNCH of new people attended tonight. Many hands went up when they asked who was here for the first time.

And, my pen WAS returned! As one of my tablemates put it (I'm paraphrasing), "she's a Democrat. Democrats don't walk off with stuff."

When I got home, I told my husband that, while many were apparent 20-somethings, quite a few folks there reminded me of people who were graduating UC Irvine about the same time we did.

[sfecap]

6. We had about 300 in Santa Fe...

And we had Gov. Howard Dean!

[RevolutionStartsNow]

8. And? How was it?

[sfecap]

9. I'm going to post it in a separate thread....

Be just a few minutes...it was incredible!

[liberalmuse]

10. Great 2nd Meetup for me...

In Salt Lake City. We met at the library, but have outgrown our room. 60 people showed up--a lot of young people. There was a Republican Mormon who supported Bush, and then decided several months ago that Bush was a no-go and Dean was a lot better. A college student stood up and said that many people in her age group just aren't interested in politics because no one is interested in them. The girl was almost in tears when she mentioned finding Dean. Anyway, it was a meeting that promised a lot of productivity in the next month--with planned tabling at various street fairs and rock events, etc. My daughter really wants to work on Dean's campaign (she's 15), so we'll find something for her to do. She wants to table at an upcoming issues fair at her school. It's great to be involved in such an excellent cause!

[Gingersnap]

11. it's great to hear about such successful meetups

Though I'm not supporting Dean right now, I am very encouraged that he taps into the dissatisfaction of Bush voters. And it's totally cool that his campaign has such momentum.

:toast:

[RevolutionStartsNow]

12. People are getting involved

and the things that we are doing -- outreach, voter registration, or simply just talking about the issues -- are going to help the Dems whether or not Dean gets the nomination.

People are becoming engaged in the process. This has as much to do with Dean's appeal as with Bush's utter failures.

What I heard mostly tonight was that people like to be involved; they don't just want to support the candidate, they want to participate in the campaign -- Dean's camp does this as well as any of them.

Being involved helps to counter my frustration with the current state of affairs; it gives my anger a purpose. This, I believe, is what will sustain his momentum through the long season...

[GumboYaYa]

13. At 1 of 4 St. Louis locations

we had 60-70 people. We had to add locations because we outgrew our meeting place last month. I don't know yet how the other locations were attended. We are adding 1-2 more locatins next monthas we continue to grow.

I had the pleasure of sitting with another DUer this time also. This was my first DUer to meet live and in person. It was cool to put a face with a username and to get to bash Bush all night long.

We asked people who were attebnding to bring canned food or dry food goods to donate to a local food pantry. We collected over 7 full bags of food at our one location. I'm supposed to gather the food from the other Meetups today, but if they came close to our location' totals, we should have 25-30 bags of food to donate.

[deutsey]

14. Our second Meetup was a success as well

We didn't even publicize it as we should have (I moved since the last Meetup, the other coordinator was on vacation, etc.), and it was a rainy evening.

Even so, we still had lots of new faces and the group was larger than last month by about 10 (we were in the 40s last night). Who knows what it will be like next month after we do some real publicizing?

Lots of energy, too. People were eager to volunteer for local events we're planning.