IRV Coming to Rutland, VT!

Written by: Jessica Falker on Nov 26, 2008 1:58 PM EST

Linked to groups: Rutland DFA, Democracy For Vermont

An effort is underway to implement a Charter change in Rutland City, VT to have the Mayor elected using instant runoff voting (IRV). The Charter change would be similar to the one Burlington, VT passed a few years ago and now uses to elect their Mayor.

IRV is good because it ensures that the candidate who is elected has majority support (the current Mayor of Rutland was elected with just 33% of the vote), and does it in a way that doesn’t involve a costly separate runoff election. There is a great explanation of how IRV works using the Muppets here: http://fairvote.org/irv/muppets/

This effort is endorsed by Rutland DFA and Democracy For Vermont, as well as Fair Vote and Vermont Common Cause. Several more organizations are expected to make official endorsements this week.

Our next step is to collect signatures of Rutland City voters so that the Charter change proposal will be printed on the March 2009 ballot. We are looking for 40 volunteers to collect 20 signatures each. If you can help, please email me at jjem1999@yahoo.com

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DemocracyFest 2009 will be held in...

Written by: Jessica Falker on Nov 14, 2008 3:59 PM EST

Linked to groups: Democracy For Vermont, Blog For America, DFA Blog Network, California for Democracy, Latinos for America, DC for Democracy, San Diego for Democracy, Blog For America, Democracy for Virginia, Netroots Activism!, Blogs United, Indiana Progressives

DemocracyFest is a political festival for liberal/progressive activists which features trainings, speakers and entertainment; teaching people how to make a difference and have fun doing it! Prior DemocracyFests have been held in Massachusetts, Texas, California, New Hampshire and Virginia. Over 4,000 activists have been trained to help on campaigns and make a difference in their communities.

The 6th Annual DemocracyFest will be held this summer in Burlington, VT !

Democracy For Vermont will be this year's Host, and we are beginning to partner with other organizations who will offer education and entertainment at DemocracyFest 2009. If you would like to recommend a particular organization for us to work with, or have other input for this summer's DemocracyFest, please contact us at info@democracyfest.net

We are also currently accepting sponsorships for the 6th Annual DemocracyFest and cordially invite liberal/progressive organizations and businesses to become sponsors of this year's event at one of the sponsorship levels which can be found on our website at http://www.DemocracyFest.net

We look forward to seeing you in Vermont this summer!

The DemocracyFest Team
David, Ellen, Jessica, Laurie and Quintus
www.DemocracyFest.net

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Garneau Online Auction - Part 2!

Written by: Jessica Falker on Oct 22, 2008 10:51 AM EDT

Linked to campaigns: Garneau For State House

The first online auction fundraiser we did for Ellen Garneau's campaign for State House was so succesful that we're doing another one this week!

There are almost 100 items this time, so make sure you check out everything (you may have to click to the next page), and bid high!

There is lots of great stuff, including many political and Vermont books. Auctions end soon; this Sunday October 25th. See the list of items up for bid at: http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/garneauforstatehouse

For more information about Ellen's campaign, please visit http://www.EllenGarneau.com

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DFV Endorses Joanna Cole

Written by: Jessica Falker on Sep 7, 2008 7:05 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy For Vermont

Democracy For Vermont is proud to endorse Joanna Cole for the Vermont State House, Chittenden 3-1. Joanna is a long-time DFA and DFV member, and has also been endorsed by Burlington DFA.

Joanna believes in healthcare for all, that efficiency is key to solving our energy crisis, and that we should fund our schools in a fairer way with a graduated income tax.

If you live in Chittenden 3-1, please vote for Joanna in the Primary this Tuesday. More information about Joanna can be found on her website at http://www.joannacole.org. Contributions to Joanna’s campaign can be sent to Joanna Cole for State House, c/o Leo Fleury, Treasurer, 108 Rivers Edge Drive, Burlington, VT 05408.

6th Annual DemocracyFest ~ 2009!

Written by: Jessica Falker on Aug 22, 2008 10:11 AM EDT

A huge thank you to all that made the 5th Annual DemocracyFest so great again this year. With your attendance, with participation locally in Virginia and from around the country, you have continued the tradition. To all of the sponsors, speakers, trainers, entertainers, volunteers, and attendees! Thank you!

Click Here to see Gov. Dean's speech at the 5th Annual DemocracyFest on C-SPAN.

We have already started planning to reconvene next summer for the 6th Annual DemocracyFest and will let you know the location and date as soon as possible. (The poll taken at this year's event for current proposals of Burlington VT and Chicago IL came out 50/50!) Your input and suggestions are always welcome! Email us at info@democracyfest.net

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DemocracyFest - Join Us This Weekend!

Written by: Jessica Falker on Aug 14, 2008 6:40 PM EDT

The DemocracyFest Team has arrived at the site of the 5th Annual DemocracyFest and we are busy setting up for this weekend's event! The venue is awesome and we're all very excited!
 
The 5th Annual DemocracyFest will be held this Saturday and Sunday, August 16th-17th in Dulles, VA (just outside Washington, DC). Tickets are still available. Get yours today!
 
www.DemocracyFest.net
 
Getting to DemocracyFest is easy! Just hop in your car and drive. Click here for directions. Or, you can reduce your carbon footprint by taking a bus, a train, or find a last minute deal on a flight to Dulles Airport.
 
Guest rooms are still available on site at a reduced rate of only $89/night. Just call the Holiday Inn at 703-471-7411 and say you are attending DemocracyFest to get the reduced rate.
 
Weekend event tickets are only $115 and include all speakers, trainings and entertainment throughout the weekend. Check out our updated schedule at http://democracyfest.net/Schedule
 
This year's DemocracyFest will be a great time, so don't miss out! 
 
The DemocracyFest Team
David, Ellen, Jessica, Laurie and Quintus
www.DemocracyFest.net

Entertainment and Networking Games At DemocracyFest

Written by: Jessica Falker on Aug 12, 2008 7:57 AM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA Blog Network, Blog For America

The 5th Annual DemocracyFest will be held August 16th-17th in Dulles, VA (just outside Washington DC). Get your tickets today at:

http://www.DemocracyFest.net

Part of what makes DemocracyFest unique is our focus on community and having fun. We feel that going to a conference where you just sit and listen to people tell you how to be a better activist is well...boring!

We like to incorporate as much entertainment in to the schedule as possible, so if you are an entertainer that is interested in performing at this year's DemocracyFest, please contact us ASAP at info@DemocracyFest.net

Also, we are going to kick off this year's DemocracyFest with some interactive networking games. We have some fun ideas lined up already, but if you have attended an event that did an icebreaker or networking activity that you particularly enjoyed, please let us know in the comments below.

Hope to see you soon!

The DemocracyFest Team

David, Ellen, Jessica, Laurie and Quintus

http://www.democracyfest.net

Speakers at DemocracyFest

Written by: Jessica Falker on Aug 6, 2008 1:58 PM EDT

The 5th Annual DemocracyFest will be held August 16th-17th in Dulles, VA (just outside Washington DC).

Get your tickets today!

http://www.democracyfest.net

Speakers this year include:

Plus trainings by Democracy For America with trainers: Matt Blizek, Bryan Hageny, Dorrie Clark, and Maya Enista

And Entertainment by: Subway Serenade and Bobby Kendes

Additional speakers, trainers and entertainers are being confirmed almost daily now, so check our website regularly for additions.

http://www.democracyfest.net

Hope to see you there soon (only 10 days away!!!)

Food at DemocracyFest

Written by: Jessica Falker on Aug 3, 2008 9:24 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Blog For America

The 5th Annual DemocracyFest will be held August 16th-17th in Dulles, VA (just outside Washington, DC).

www.DemocracyFest.net

Full weekend tickets are only $115 and include all trainings, speakers and entertainment, as well as 2 meals:

Saturday Night Dinner

Beef Bordelaise
Vegetarian Penne (Vegetarian)
Rice Pilaf (Vegan)
Vegetable Medley (Vegan)
Roasted Potatoes (Vegan)
Dinner Rolls (Vegetarian)
Garden Salad (Vegan)
Tomato/Cucumber Salad (Vegan)
Dessert (Vegetarian)
Coffee/Iced Tea (Vegan)

Sunday Bloggers Breakfast

Scrambled Eggs (Vegetarian)
Bacon
Homefries (Vegan)
Fruit (Vegan)
Pastries (Vegetarian)
Coffee/Tea (Vegan)

Lunch each day will be "on your own." One of our volunteers (Thanks Rich!) has prepared a list of nearby resteraunts/delivery that we will have available at the registration desk. There are also 2 restaurant/bars on site at the hotel.

DemocracyFest Coming Soon!

Written by: Jessica Falker on Jul 28, 2008 10:16 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Blog For America, California for Democracy, DFA-Link Organizers, DFA Blog Network, Democracy for Virginia

DemocracyFest is less then 3 weeks away!

DemocracyFest is an event that started from an idea posted right here on Blog For America! The 5th Annual DemocracyFest will be held August 16-17, 2008 in Dulles, VA (just outside Washington DC). 

Get your tickets at a $20 discount today! There's only 4 days left to get  your tickets at the discounted rate of only $95!

http://www.democracyfest.net/

The DemocracyFest schedule includes many exciting trainings, speakers and entertainers again this year! Plus lots of networking  opportunities to socialize with like-minded liberal activists.

Democracy For America (DFA) will conduct trainings for activists on subjects including Canvassing & Phone Banking, Working with the Media, Event Planning, Mobilizing Young Voters and Fundraising. Speakers this year will include Gov. Howard Dean (speech free and open to the public), Jeffrey Feldman, Jim Dean, Charlie Grapski, Nathan Gonzales, and more! Entertainers will include Subway Serenade, Bobby Kendes, and more! Plus, there will be parties late into the night on both Friday and Saturday nights!

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