Online Organizing: Past, Present

1
Online OrganizingPast, Present Future
August 20th, 2008
Paid for by Democracy for America,
www.democracyforamerica.com, and not authorized
by any candidate or candidates committee.
2
Welcome to DFA Night School!

• Streaming live at
• Now Available on ITunes
• Click here to subscribe

Questions? Email nightschool_at_democracyforamerica
.com AIM Instant Message DFA Night School
2 Questions? nightschool_at_democracyforamerica.com

3
Tonights Trainers
Matt Blizek Night School Host Democracy for
America
Zack Exley New Organizing Institute www.neworganiz
ing.com www.revolutioninjesusland.com
4
History of Online Organizing
www.gwbush.com
1999
2004
2008
1995
2003
2006
2002
Students organize nationwide events protesting
the Contract for America using electronic mail
Dean for America
5
Building Online Communities
Internet allows for organizations to gather
millions of new members with a single effective
action
Keys to Viral Growth Timely Relevant Achievable
Goals Sense of Community New Fresh
6
Organizing Online Communities
Typical Mass Organization

• The structure of the people is changing
• Better accountability of staff and volunteers.
• More spontaneity by leaders and activists.
• Utilization of organic leaders.
• Defeat of Tyranny of the Annoying.

7
Questions?

• Email nightschool_at_democracyforamerica.com
• Instant Message
• DFA Night School

8
Challenges of Organizing Online

• Lack of personal connection
• Spam Saturation
• Building Long Term Sustainability
• Digital divide
• Smart investment of time/resources

9
Netroots Post NovemberWhats Next?

• Issue Lobbying Campaigns
• Media Reform
• Social Networks 3.0
• Net Neutrality
• Democratic Party Reform
• Progressive Leadership Pipeline

10
Questions?

• Email
• nightschool_at_democracyforamerica.com
• Instant Message
• DFA Night School

11
The New Organizing Institute

• NOI Organizing Summits
• Geared toward nonprofit staff
• Cost is 125
• Post-Election RootsCamp Debrief

Upcoming Organizer Summits Raleigh, NC September
15 Pittsburgh, PA September 19
Sign up to learn more at www.neworganizing.com
12
Next Month on Night School

• GOTV How to Increase Voter Turnout
• w/ Donald Green
• September 3rd, 2008
• www.democracyforamerica.com/turnout
• Building Your Volunteer Base
• September 10th, 2008
• www.democracyforamerica.com/volunteers
• Canvassing Phonebanking
• September 17th, 2008
• www.democracyforamerica.com/votercontact

13
Thank you for joining us!
Need to catch up on earlier Night School
presentations? Order previous semesters on
DVD https//democracyforamerica.com/contribute/ni
ghtschool
Join the DFA Trust www.democracyforamerica.com/tru
st