I attended the Boston Democratic Party Meetup Group last night. Earlier yesterday afternoon, SSN asked me if I would like to be the organizer. Now, I had some misgivings. Not because I thought I can not do this, but because a lot of people don't like the new kid on the block taking over anything on their turf. So, I told SSN that if it was okay with the group, I would do this.
I arrived early at the Red Line restaurant in Cambridge and when there were enough people gathered, I asked the hostess to put together some tables so we could begin introductions. Since SSN was not there, everyone just started to move the meeting along. As new people came in, they were introduced. As more people arrived, some members moved tables and chairs to accommodate the new arrivals.
I was disappointed that there is still so much anger about losing the election. I am ready to move on from this and work on the next elections. We have our work cut out for us.
More about that at a later date.
At some point near the end of the meeting, we discussed who would be the organizer. Someone made a rude remark about SSN not "even" being there, and he asked if anyone knew who he was. I said that I did. He said, well who is he, and I looked him straight in the eye, and said, "He is my friend." End of that line of convo.
Anyway, the group did not mind that I am the organizer. My thoughts ran back to another time where I was given this organizer type position. That time, I rewrote their constitution, changed the date of the election, which gave me six more months in office, suspended Robert's rules and got the yes vote for the coffee house, which is still running after more than 3 decades. hehehehe
This is just as important as that group. Different focus, but making a difference.
I will work hard to grow this group. I firmly believe that a large number of Democrats in a large American city can be loud enough for the DNC to hear us.
From what I heard on Tuesday night, people want change. I need to write up the minutes. I looked at the organizer's page and there are some things an organizer can do, which will be useful.
After I got home, I learned that it was a dead truck battery that deterred SSN. Things happen, but I was worried. But, that reminded me that I will need a back up to lead the meeting, or I might ask others to chair the meetings from time to time. I didn't see anyone at that meeting that couldn't do this.
There was something else that I will need help with...people attending this Meetup to get members for other Meetups and take over the conversation. I think that having an agenda will help.
I asked SSN about having a guest speaker. He had a suggestion and he's working on that.
People are adding to the discussion thread I started, and others are reading it. We need to get people to participate and make comments.