Do-to-Door

"Politics of service" is a phrase heard often around these parts. It means building and learning from your community. It means becoming part of something bigger than yourself. It claims that being politically active can be about more than just asking for votes.

This is September though - September of the "most important election of our lives". This is definitely vote asking season.

So what does that mean to Democrats Work, a politically affiliated service organization? It means literally combining "politics" with "service".

We've spent the past few weeks mutating traditional campaign techniques to fit our brand of service. With the help of young voter organizations like New Era Colorado, we've instituted a "Do-to-Door" Campaign that twists the standard canvass to our unique desires. We've been cleaning up neighborhoods as we canvass them. Registering voters while our fellow volunteers plant trees. And this Saturday we're having our first ever "Can"-vass that mashes door knocking together with a food drive.

These events have proven to us that service can be a part of even the most intense weeks of the election cycle. Be it voters who are more receptive to canvassers who've invested in the community or seasoned volunteers who appreciate the hell out of a splash of variety, we've learned that these "mutant" events can be quite effective.

Our hope has always been that our values could speak through our actions. We're finding out that those actions are pretty damn convincing.

(This week's author, Ted Velie is the newest member of the DW team. Because of the importance of youth activism, we brought him on board with that as his focus. To find out how you can help, reach Ted at info[at]democratswork.org)