Texas Democratic Women attending the TDW Summer Retreat offered tremendous ideas for all TDW Chapters.  Attendees met in twelve breakout groups on Friday evening upon registering for the “Summer in Salado Retreat”.  Their work was completed on Saturday and then recommendations were reported.  Members were presented three questions that they were to address.  We were all energized by everyone’s participation.

Following are the recommendations.  One particular recommendation TDW feels should be acted on right away is notifying all chapters and members about how to meet the requirements of the new Voter ID law.  You will be hearing more from us on that subject soon.

QUESTION 1:  In Your Opinion, What Does Your Chapter Need To Do To Get Ready For the Election
in 2012?
- Visibility
- Voter Registration (What you need in order to vote - Letters to Editors/opinion pieces
provided on 3x5 cards by TDW) - Diversity memberships
- Election Judge training - Coordinated campaigns
- How do people get ID’s - Apartment complex for Voter Reg.—events
- Early Voting reminders - Booths at Festivals
- Inter-org. participation/work - Children’s Activities to get young parent’s interest
- One source to tell chapters status of Voter ID law - Pin tail on donkey
- Ways to target Latinos (churches/organizations) - Educate seniors on voting machine or ask for
- Nursing home organizing paper ballots
- Adopt a precinct/precinct chairs in every county - Educate re: new districts
- Truth squads to educate local voters - Fundraise now for 2012
- Visibility—stickers, signs, etc. - Set a budget—what to raise, what to spend
- Absentee voting - Election Judges
- Show up at festivals (non political) in political gear - Find members who do Social Media
- Encourage Early Voting - Referendums on primary ballots
- Update VAN - Encourage presence of children during voting
- Caucus—promote local chapter - Educate precincts
- Voter ID requirements

QUESTION 2:  What Does Your Chapter Do To Build Alliances With Your Community?
- Fairs/Floats x 2 - County Chair meeting
- Float politicking - Generic card or tri-fold
- Avoid confrontation w/others - Build with schools
- Similar priority clubs—participate - Coordinate with County Chairs/Good Comm.
- Go to more diverse groups - Reach out to teachers & State Emp. & Students
- Align with groups that have potential voters (AARP, etc.) - Booth at County Fair
- Volunteer on school/county committees - Movie Night—Persuasive films
- Adopt highway/soldier - Scholarships
- Invite reps from other orgs. to come to meetings - $/Volunteer—Animal Shelters, Homeless, Hwy
- Give to events and wear TDW gear to them Cleanup
- Partner with other clubs (Stonewall, etc.) - College Democrats
- Fun events—low dollar but more people - Always get FOX turned off in doctor’s office and
- Campaign training mtg. Hospital waiting rooms
- Partner with non-profits/other TDW chapters to get -Written complaints about FOX
name out

QUESTION 3:  In Your Opinion, How Do You Recruit and Retain Members?
- Sign up for Mtg. In restaurant - Identify w/in chapters new TDW leaders
- Membership rosters - Interesting/timely events
- Brochure & business cards - Online membership renewal via Actblue.com
- Facebook ads = 25-90 Fans - Put new members in charge of things
- Other clubs on your Facebook Page - Childcare at meetings
- Email signup sheets for events - Chamber of Commerce
- Communication w/members (current and past) - Help chapters start
- Signs/Visibility - Tap members’ social contacts
- Contact info up to date - Mtgs. Have agenda & program
- Links work on website - Together we are stronger
- Different events for different people - Give away stuff (buttons)
- Survey members to discover talents - Rallies
- Delegate - Birthday etc, cards to members
- Business cards/push cards - Let younger members join at 1/2 or free for 1st yr.

- Updated online presence - Babysitting at mtgs.
- Make sure everyone has something to do - Celebrate behind the scenes women
- Announce Mtgs. Before and After - Invite a buddy (or an enemy or opponents to
- Survey Monkey.com to find out best Mtg. Times hear opposing views) & preferences - Good speakers/food

- Membership cards to get people hooked - Deadline to be in directory by paying dues  
- Leave cards at county party HQ (calendar for mtgs. in roster)
- Statewide Lady’s night with Cabana Boy(s) - Have fun, but stay focused