Establish New Chapter Subcommitee for Membership, Diversity and Volunteer Recruitment (MDVR)

Co-sponsors: Charlene DiCalogero, Central District Rep, and Brian Cady, Greater Boston District Rep

PROPOSAL: The state committe fully supports  the Membership, Diversity and Volunteer Recruitment (MDVR) Committee's decision to form a “New Chapter Subcommittee”, which will focus on supporting new chapters-in-formation to become active in their regions. This subcommittee will work in collaboration with the Membership Director and the chair(s) of the MDVR Committee.

We will recruit members from the State Committee and from current chapters to help in this work.

BACKGROUND:

As a member of a long-time regional chapter, I am grateful for the knowledge, camaraderie and support of the Central Mass Green-Rainbow chapter. As a chapter we have encouraged and supported candidates for local, district, and federal office. We currently have 3 electeds at the local level. We meet monthly and have or had members also active on StateCom and at the national level.

Our sense is that it is much easier to activate people to come out for candidates, issues and legislation through an organized local chapter, rather than attempt to engage people who are registered GRP or who are interested in running for office by asking them to jump directly to the State Committee or Annual State Convention.

We have registered members in many parts of the state who do not have chapters near them. If nearby chapters existed, it would make it easier for more people to volunteer for the GRP by creating their own agendas in harmony with the Key Values.

Thus, we would like to see a working subcommittee of the Membership, Diversity and Volunteer Recruitment (MDVR) Committee focus on getting new chapters past the hurdles of initial organization. Some hurdles are a matter of technical/legal issues, while others are a matter of learning how to be the kind of party organization that is welcoming and productive. With both kinds of assistance, we can help more chapters form to become thriving hubs of activity for the GRP and the GPUS.

BUDGET IMPACT:

While it would be helpful to have some funds to support travel expenses of subcommittee members, and perhaps distribution and mailing of materials, we have no specific budget request at this time.

IMPLEMENTATION:

The co-sponsors will work with the Membership Director and chair(s) of the MDVR to recruit 3 – 5 GRP members currently in a chapter to this subcommittee. The members, in consultation with the Membership Director and chair(s) of MDVR will write a subcommittee mission statement and goals for the coming 3 years, and will be provided with a list of current chapters and their leadership to contact, as well as contacts for chapters in formation.

The subcommittee will publicize its availability to contacts and on the GRP website.


Showing 5 reactions

How would you tag this suggestion?
  • Elie Yarden
    tagged this with Important 2017-06-29 20:38:44 -0400
  • Elie Yarden
    tagged this with Good 2017-06-29 20:38:43 -0400
  • Elie Yarden
    commented 2017-06-29 20:37:12 -0400
    I believe that this suggestion may be a good one. It is certainly worth testing, and superior to waiting for a professional organizer to show up. I know that we have the people who can do this work. The future of the party lies in building locally active chapter.
    Elie Yarden
    GBC
    Cambridge
  • Charlene Dicalogero
    commented 2017-06-29 13:03:27 -0400
    Verbal feedback I’ve gotten from AdCom: the MVDR Committee can also decide to form such a subcommittee on its own. Note that our current Membership Director supports the formation of this subcommittee.
  • Charlene Dicalogero
    published this page in 2017 summer proposals 2017-06-17 15:11:28 -0400