I have been President of IMDC for at least 6 years. I believe my best contribution to the club is the web site. Not so much as a go-to site, but the Document System that gives us a repository for the club's vital documents. We have established a member meeting approach with our informational forums, although the attendance has been uneven, and mostly sparse.
The membership numbers are about the same over the past 6 years, but participation in club activities is rather disappointing. I remember Joe saying that people only get excited about politics during the run-up to elections, so I guess the low level of interest is to be expected.
Last year I included a proposed plan for 2025: Click Here
The plan I presented last year was a road map to grow the club, but we did none of it.
2026 is the most important campaign of our lives, and it may very well be the last.
The club membership is static with only a small number of members participating in club activities. To rise to the challenge of 2026, we need to increase our membership and increase volunteer participation.
But the fundamental issue is we do not have a clear concept of what this club is.
We need to converge on the overall goal of the club - what are we trying to accomplish. Not HOW, but WHAT.
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ARTICLE II – PURPOSE
The purpose of the IMDC is:
- Empower the people of Mendocino County to improve the quality of their lives by participation in political decisions at the local, state, and national levels
- Foster Democratic ideals by stimulating active interest in the Democratic Party
- Support the party platform
- Contribute to party leadership and responsibility
- Provide a constructive role for the volunteer in Democratic politics
- Promote an activist base
- Elect Democrats
These are all things to do - the HOW - i.e., the MISSION is defined in terms of VERBS
Here is an example of a GOAL, a desired end state - what we strive to achieve
Goal
Our overall goal is to bring our government into harmony with the well being of our citizens. This goal evolves with each election cycle and the candidates that step into the fray. Our near term goals are defined in the context of each election.
Note how the Mission describes ways in which we can accomplish our Goal.
Once we have our overall, we can plan specific goals for the 2026 campaign
For example: Realize these end states
Become an organization widely known for community involvement
- Elect Demoicrats
- Flip District 1 Blue
- Elect a Democrat to Dist 2 State Assembly
- Elect a Democrat to District 3 BoD
- Promote an activist base
- Grow our club to have vibrant volunteer community to accomplish the above
Today, that is what we are going to discuss, and we will keep discussing that and only that until we all agree on that goal. Things like hosting fair booths, post carding, LDP, fielding the MHQ, voter registration are all about HOW to accomplish something - WHAT is it we are trying accomplishment?
Let's begin: I am a prospective IMDC member. Please answer a few simple questions
- Why should I spend $30 to join IMDC?
- What does the club do?
- Why is that important to me?
- How can I participate?