Women's Clubs?

[fancypantselitist]

Anyone here a member of your local Democrat Women's Club? Our by-laws state that our purpose is "to stimulate in the people a more active interest in the Democrat Party, and to help acquaint the voters with the issues and the candidates of the Democratic party". I've been a member of our local club for about a year now. I have to admit I'm disappointed because I don't feel like we're really doing anything to that end.

I'm curious what other clubs are doing to educate voters, raise funds, serve their community... that kind of thing.

[FreedomAngel82]

1. We have a women's club

I've never been.

[tnlefty]

2. Yes, I am a member.

We do raise money for candidates, the College Dems also received some funding from us last year to help them to reenergize.

We are a split group for sure, some of us are more activist oriented than others, but it does give us a chance to come together and at least discuss what the activists are doing - hope that makes a little sense.

[fancypantselitist]

3. Women's Clubs

Maybe I'm just feeling a bit cynical, but except for some women who show up once in a blue moon (when there's a political reason - they or one of their family members is running for election or re-election and they want the exposure), it seems most members of our group treat our monthly meetings as a chance to "go out with the girls". Someone talks about Aunt Mabel's gall bladder surgery and they're all ears. Someone brings up issues, and their eyes glaze over - and if anyone talks about actually doing something they start to look at their watches.

After our last meeting two women with great ideas and a lot of energy decided they were through. That was their last meeting. I'm about to give up as well, and that saddens me. I had wanted to get involved in something that would be a force for a change.

[tnlefty]

4. I'm reading frustration more than cynicism and I understand it.

We have 2 distinct groups of women in Hamilton County. One group isn't active with the women's club at all nor much of anything else except their own small clique.

Within the women's club itself there are divisions. Some of us who plan rallies, attend marches when and where we can, and are more of the activist type. Some of the women in our club wouldn't be caught dead participating in these things. We can come together and work toward fundraisers, fielding candidates, voter registration drives, phone banking, etc., and we do fairly well. Since we have Democracy for Chattanooga up and running those of us who are of the more activist stripe are coming into contact with each other on a regular basis and we communicate more frequently via e-mail and phone. The women within the club who don't usually participate in rallies will at least help us to spread the word about something that is being planned, while the group that I mentioned first tends to work against our efforts.

It's maddening and very frustrating at times. Perhaps you and the other women with the great ideas and energy can keep plugging away and try to work within the club to bring change while working together and pulling in others to work together on issues of concern when other eyes are glazing over.

Don't even get me started on the many Dems that I know who won't even attend the annual meeting of the county party, the annual fundraiser, or much of anything else. Drives me nuts!!