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DAP Forums > DREAM Act > Taking Action

Things To Do To Make Your Dap Campaing Work

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#1
02-27-2009, 06:23 AM
Senior Member
From Bewteen Sacramento and Redding
Joined in Aug 2007
1,114 posts
OptimistinDenial's Avatar
OptimistinDenial
0 AP
Well, I am going to temporarily ban myself for a week or two. Although I love you all, I frankly, rather talk with a local leader for 30 minutes than to write a blog or write posts in Dap or elsewhere. I know I am in the process of becoming ProcrasinatorinDenial for never blogging. What can I say? Love the person to person thing.

Still, it seems that some of you want this site to become more effective. Although, it is a great idea, it is also very difficult. For something to change, it needs a consensus with a majority that respects the minority. Also, organizations are hard duty, as other members said, there is underline issues. Simply, if you want to become a non-profit, you need to have a director, a board of directors, a clear plan and a clear path. As I talked to some foundations, it is clear that they only fund organizations that are serious and professional.

My personal motto is that you leave the leaders/volunteers/ people you hang out with to share the power. You allow others to make decisions too and allow others to do share the load of work. Simply said, power is responsibility. If you want lots of power, you are going to take lots of responsibility. If you want no power, neither you have to do nothing. Still, if you let others to take your responsibility, don’t complain when they use their power against you.

Well, going to the grain of the matter.

First, what do you want to obtain? Pass the Dream Act is veeeery vague. You need something very specific. Do you want to chain yourself to the White House building to grab media attention for the pledge of students? That is kind of lame -and kind of cool- but veeeery specific. Do you want to promote a phone campaign to pass the Dream Act…how about focusing on five senators instead of 10-20? Also, how about a phone campaign that focus on 2-3 Senators that were co-sponsors, asking them to do it again? How about concentrating on Obama and making a phone/mail/email campaign for a week. You get the point, find something veeery specific.

Second, as paragraph one states, do something that you feel passion about. Talking to people is hard, especially when people are jerks and tell you in your face that you are a moron forwarding La Reconquista. All events are hard to coordinate, thus, for you to stick around, find something you want to do. If you really want to make a parade, do a parade. Don’t don’t do what you don’t want to do, do what you want to.

Third, do research. Say, you want to parade with big sombreros and chili pepper collars in DC. See what you need to do, how many people you want in your parade? Thus, how many people you need to volunteer? How much time you need to organize the event – some actions take months to develop, promote and do. Parades do require a lot of prior planning and at least four months. If the concept is daunting, how about parading in your home town? How about parading in your state? Again, consider specific targets. If is better to make one event with one senator than to make 10 calls to 10 senators.

Fourth, prepare for naysayers, if we learned from something from the current topics. Some of us are snobs with low self-esteem that delight into making people look/feel bad thus making us look/feel better. That is why steps 1-3 are so important, when the go into “well parading with sombreros and pepper collars is a lame idea” you can give reasoning as to why your plan will work.

Fifth, make a thread with your idea. As a rule, all members at least try to read all posts. Make it on the Take Action section. Give your idea with lots of passion and logic. People do love passion and logic. What if Gerardo Rivera had a child with Nancy Pelosi….mmmmm….creeeepy.

Sixth, target specific members that you think might like your idea. Look for support, if Ianus says that parading with sombreros is a reasonable idea, his credibility makes your idea more credible. Actually, I would pay to read a post by Ianus promoting parading with sombreros and peppers. Yes, you are rubbing shoulders, kissing butts, selling, hustling, and pitching…in that order. Make as many PMs and emails as possible to as many members as possible. Compliment them sincerely and do your stuff.

Note: when dealing with face to face meetings, in average for every ten people you approach one will respond and half of those ones, will actively work on your plan. Since people can be cowards and insult you without merits because they know that you will never confront them face to face and expose them for the fakes they are, it is easier for just ignore you, send you to hell or tell you that you are awesome and do shit. Sorry for the language but that is the actual definition. It is hard work that is why you need the love and passion thing. It is the only way, you can make it work.

The more people you have the faster things will move. Still, three to five strong is better than 20 weak.

Seventh, be ready to change plans but do not compromised on the vision or the values nor the practical. If someone throws in sandals, well, let’s parade with sombreros, peppers and sandals. If someone advices on parading without sombreros, peppers or sandals and it seems that it would make the idea more popular, then let’s do it. If someone wants you to change the 100 people parade in to a 100,000 people parade, is that feasible? Can you guys really pull it off? Also, trying to organize an effective phone campaign in one hour is a lame ass idea and it will not work.

DO IT AND BRAG ABOUT IT ON THE SITE SO THAT TROLLS CAN EAT THEIR HEART OUT.

Analyze what happen. Make a phone meeting or a chat with the team and see what went right and wrong and how to make it work better for the next time. Also, what are the next steps for the following action. More important what you learned from this? What do you need to do for the next time and how can you put your accomplishments in a resume? Yes, what you did is actual work and makes you a more valuable future employee. Whether you stay in the country or leave, people will want to pay top dollar for your virtues.
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#2
02-27-2009, 11:28 AM
Senior Member
From Texas
Joined in Mar 2006
386 posts
deftbeta's Avatar
deftbeta
0 AP
Quote:
Originally Posted by OptimistinDenial View Post
I know I am in the process of becoming ProcrasinatorinDenial.
Ditto!

Quote:
Originally Posted by OptimistinDenial View Post
it seems that some of you want this site to become more effective. Although, it is a great idea, it is also very difficult.
For something to change, it needs a consensus with a majority that respects the minority. Also, organizations are hard duty…
Agree, building organizations is tough, especially if built around a target such as ours (DREAM). While it may be hard it’s quite possible. DAP members are amongst the smartest collective of individuals with a common goal so it’s a question of finding a way to bring the cumulative together. Nick’s organizational list if put into an organizational structure that outlines the interaction of the matrix the organization as a whole would be feasible and manageable.

Quote:
Originally Posted by OptimistinDenial View Post
As I talked to some foundations, it is clear that they only fund organizations that are serious and professional.
Giving the organization structure is the first step. Outlining and structuring a set of goals/milestones/projects that would be stepping stones towards DREAM is the second step. These are common to all organizations: They need the structure and a plan for their objective. Having those set up can allow the organization to seek funding/supporters, but until that is accomplished it’s all just talk. With the Team, the Plan and the Supporters identified one can move to Execution.

Quote:
Originally Posted by OptimistinDenial View Post
First, what do you want to obtain? Pass the Dream Act is veeeery vague. You need something very specific. Do you want to chain yourself to the White House building to grab media attention for the pledge of students? That is kind of lame -and kind of cool- but veeeery specific. Do you want to promote a phone campaign to pass the Dream Act…how about focusing on five senators instead of 10-20? Also, how about a phone campaign that focus on 2-3 Senators that were co-sponsors, asking them to do it again? How about concentrating on Obama and making a phone/mail/email campaign for a week. You get the point, find something veeery specific.
As mentioned above we’re trying to build an organization solely on the objective of getting from point A to B. A being where we stand right now and B being DREAM passed. While it’s the back of our heads, we’re not really considering all the ‘meat’ of the project. We know of the basics: calling senators, emailing, etc etc but we’re not going about it in a strategic and efficient manner. You’re hitting on the right issue when you say we need to have Target points (be it target senators, target projects, target whatever). This is part of the ‘meat’… we need to know what we want to do specifically if we want to be effective. Not all senators need the same attention or persuasion for the cause. Some are already on our boat so they need minor reminders so we need to concentrate on those who are iffy and to some extent on those who are completely bashing our cause. The same would apply to any other projects; the target objectives need be clearly defined. Why are we doing it? What will be deliverable? Who will be in charge? How will it be approached/ executed? How will we evaluate its success or failure?

Quote:
Originally Posted by OptimistinDenial View Post
Second, as paragraph one states, do something that you feel passion about…All events are hard to coordinate, thus, for you to stick around, find something you want to do.
Given the large amount of things one can do between our points A and B I’m sure there are projects where everyone can take part in.

Quote:
Originally Posted by OptimistinDenial View Post
Thus, how many people you need to volunteer? How much time you need to organize the event – some actions take months to develop, promote and do. Parades do require a lot of prior planning and at least four months. If the concept is daunting, how about parading in your home town? How about parading in your state? Again, consider specific targets. If is better to make one event with one senator than to make 10 calls to 10 senators.
Obvious, but often overseen. Again it’s a matter of having our targets clearly designed for each intermediate step/milestone/project clearly defined. Once we know what we’re trying to achieve we can plan accordingly. From Nicks list positions this would incorporate all teams from Research for preliminary preparations/insight into the proposed projects to Public Affairs for execution to Bloggers and IT for ‘marketing’/dissemination of information to the masses. Again the steps (work breakdown structure) from getting from Step 0 to Step X (final) of a project need to be defined via its work packages. These work packages are the small tasks that need to be done very detailed to achieve individual milestones of the overall project. We can’t continue to just pick up the phone and call a whole list of senators. Some of us might have the routine down and know exactly what to say while others don’t so steps to an organized calling campaign/effort will be priceless to the newly inducted DAP member. We’d be improving our learning curve to maximize effectiveness. This applies across the board to informational meetings like the ones done in Cali, HS information sessions for parents and students, community meetings to gather support and any other project that can be applied across the nation in support of DREAM.

Quote:
Originally Posted by OptimistinDenial View Post
Fourth, prepare for naysayers
F’em… If they can’t provide constructive criticism ignore them.

Quote:
Originally Posted by OptimistinDenial View Post
Fifth, make a thread with your idea. As a rule, all members at least try to read all posts. Make it on the Take Action section. Give your idea with lots of passion and logic. People do love passion and logic.
Hmmm…All communication of the projects needs to be open for DAP members both for constructive criticism but so that we learn from them. Yet, if we’re to do this in a structured manner all ideas will have to be ‘sold’ to DAP for support so love for your project is essential. The point is not to get discouraged if you don’t get support as well as to not dog down an idea because you don’t believe in it. Provide constructive criticism where the project could either be modified to seem more feasible and if such does happen and its an effort going after the general steps to its execution will follow.

Quote:
Originally Posted by OptimistinDenial View Post
Sixth, target specific members that you think might like your idea. Look for support
Again sell your idea.

Quote:
Originally Posted by OptimistinDenial View Post
people can be cowards and insult you without merits because they know that you will never confront them face to face and expose them for the fakes they are, it is easier for just ignore you, send you to hell or tell you that you are awesome and do shit.
Again, if you don’t have any constructive criticisms please refrain from any comments. All projects must be given the same initial consideration but all must be cognizant that some projects might not receive the same acceptance as others. It’s a matter of what will be effective and what will not. It happens all the time in a professional world projects get shut down at the concept phase so all must remain professional and think about the cumulative as a whole and not just our own efforts.

Quote:
Originally Posted by OptimistinDenial View Post
Seventh, be ready to change plans but do not compromise on the vision or the values nor the practical.
Be professional, respectful and be open to criticism.

Quote:
Originally Posted by OptimistinDenial View Post
trying to organize an effective phone campaign in one hour is a lame ass idea and it will not work.
Plan plan plan….set up structure is priceless. There is a need to formalize and archive past and future efforts from members so that we can improve the learning curve of the cumulative and be an effective organization. There is no need to re-invent the wheel every time we’re trying to do something. More than likely someone has done it in the past so reference material streamlines the planning and execution processes.

Quote:
Originally Posted by OptimistinDenial View Post
DO IT AND BRAG ABOUT IT ON THE SITE SO THAT TROLLS CAN EAT THEIR HEART OUT. Analyze what happen. Make a phone meeting or a chat with the team and see what went right and wrong and how to make it work better for the next time. Also, what are the next steps for the following action. More important what you learned from this? What do you need to do for the next time and how can you put your accomplishments in a resume?
This is where the ‘Blogging’ dept will help out by disseminating the efforts of the group. Internally we need to evaluate, record and archive all efforts for later reference and future efforts.




Just some comments....
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Last edited by deftbeta; 02-27-2009 at 11:41 AM..
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#3
02-28-2009, 08:02 AM
Senior Member
From Bewteen Sacramento and Redding
Joined in Aug 2007
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Thanks for complimenting my post.

Yes, I think that the difference in though is that you believe this forum can be an organized and I do not. Still, I respect your position and you do have a point. I am not going to get into a lame debate of which opinion is the right one because again, I admit, you do have a strong argument. I also wish for you to be right.

Looking back, I can see how some Dreamers can get discourage. It looks like a lot of work and yes, having something more organized would stream line that process. I would die of happiness if you are right. If I am right there is this post were people can see what they need to do for something to get achieve.

okay, here is the drill, flyers are the least effective way to get someone to do something. -Still, I love the flyer idea and I will downloaded and post it not only in my school but in nearby college. Still, if you hand out flyers or put them on the wall. The rate of someone reading it and doing something is less than 10%. If you call people, the odds change to like 25% and grow bigger if you know the person. If you talked to someone the changes of them doing something is 50%. Since this community is virtual, we cannot talk face to face but still, email, pm becoming facebook buddies do increase your changes of getting the needed support.

This is how people do it on the streets. They talk to friends and estrangers and convince them how this is important. Furthermore, you need to convince someone why it is important for THEM, not you. Why it is important for them to be on DAP or parading or calling senators. Network and sell, sell and network. By the time the dream act passes, you are going to be able to sell ice in the pole north. You are going to get a job in no time because shamelessly promoting something will be so engraved in your DNA, that neither China nor India are going to what hit them when you get all the jobs, they were supposed to steal from you.
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#4
02-28-2009, 04:12 PM
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Or we can tell our parents to have more US citizen children, become a majority by 2035, and pass an immigration reform.

"Yea" Agree, "if you want to become a non-profit, you need to have a director, a board of directors, a clear plan and a clear path."

We need a leader, someone with "big huevos" to step up to the plate. Not all will survive, someone has to take one for the team.
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#5
03-01-2009, 06:20 AM
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From West Hollywood
Joined in Sep 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ehfornue View Post
Or we can tell our parents to have more US citizen children, become a majority by 2035, and pass an immigration reform.
*calling octo-mom's doctor
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#6
03-05-2009, 02:08 AM
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Joined in Nov 2007
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nevfo
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I'm down! lol
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