Here's one key item for Dean's to do list: Every precinct in the country should have a Democratic precinct leader, and maybe elected precinct leaders. I also think the Party needs to develop a more effective structure for local gatherings (e.g., Meetups, grassroots house parties, precinct meetings) that allows for 2-way communication and strong GOTV.In Santa Barbara where I live, we've been working on this for about a year and have leaders of about half the precincts. I suggest that Dean encourage the Democratic Party state leaders to create elections for precinct leaders, for states that don't already have them. I have found that elections bring out a lot more people than simply asking for volunteers. These precinct leaders will also be point people. The GOP uses an Amway-style pyramid structure for their top-down communications. In contrast, the Dems could have two-way communication where good ideas bubble up and also are communicated from the top. But, a structure with precinct leaders would enable Dems to have point people in every precinct in all fifty states.
An unresolved structural issue is how Meetups, house parties, etc. will fit in. Ideally, people should be gathering monthly or weekly in neighborhoods (or precincts) so that when it's time for GOTV before an election, the organization and relationships are already well established. Most DFA Meetups are regional in location, and not necessarily by neighborhood. Grassroots house parties can be collections of friends who live in different neighborhoods but share common interests. I believe the Dem Party needs to structure this right from the beginning to be as effective as possible in upcoming elections. Can the DNC encourage Dem Meetups by neighborhood, instead of the more regional DFA Meetups? Can these Meetups be social gatherings of neighbors discussing politics? Will they become the "Church" of the Democrats, in terms of a weekly message and a place to build community? In addition to election precinct leaders in every precinct in the country, should we also elect or appoint a few other folks in every precinct - like a political blog reader who can report to the others and then bring ideas from the group to the blogs, or an event coordinator who can organize neighborhood gatherings and community service activities? I know Dean's emphasis is on decentralizing, trusting the grassroots, and not imposing one structure nationally for all locals to follow. I think that's good, but I also think it would be helpful for the DNC to offer some suggested "best practices" and models of local organizing, perhaps on the DNC website.
I've read Dean's Plan for the DNC and think it's great, but it's not very specific. Let's flush out some suggested items for his to do list. Please share your ideas for Dean's "Grassroots To Do List" below. And, please recommend this diary so it becomes a compilation of great ideas from the 'roots for the new DNC Chair. Thanks!