Let's Improve DPVA - Tech Edition

There's also a Vice Chair for Technology And Communications (0.00 / 0)

Who doesn't talk to the blogs or other new media.  Smart.

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by: notlarrysabato @ Fri Nov 25, 2011 at 18:28:55 PM UTC

Sorry (0.00 / 0)

That's actually who I meant when I said "Tech Chair." That's a "political appointment" from the committee. We also have a Tech Director who is paid DPVA staff, and he's a prince among men. One of the most thankless jobs around, and he does an amazing job keeping it afloat.

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by: Dave @ Fri Nov 25, 2011 at 18:39:17 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I just accessed the DPVA web site per my comments below Ben's. (0.00 / 0)

I was pleased to discover that the "political appointment" as you call him (accurately, since he's elected by the Central Committee) is Craig Fifer. I communicated with Craig a few months ago when I was trying to find the right person to complain to when I wasn't getting any response from one of the top paid staffers on a web site issue (grossly outdated posts from the previous year's elections, for example, that hadn't been updated/removed).

Craig was actually very helpful to me in explaining, among other things, that the DPVA hasn't had a webmaster in several years as you say and that even if we still had a webmaster, it's the chair's and other elected officer's as well as the paid (I think overpaid) Executive Director's job to update the web site CONTENT, not the webmaster's job who is usually responsible for the technical functioning rather than content.

I didn't think to ask Craig why he, as the elected Vice Chair, is not interested in "new media" and especially why he as the "politically selected" Vice Chair has no interest in engaging the netroots community,and specifically why he hasn't directly asked Lowell's Blue Virginia and tech-savvy
contributors to, well, contribute your ideas.

There is no (legitimate) reason that Craig,or even the anti-netroots/anti-grassroots chair should not be asking for you and/or Lowell to provide a presentation to either the Steering Committee or the full Central Committee - i.e., a formal invitation/request for a tech expert presentation with Q&A opportunity.

It's probably too late now to add such a tech expert presentation to the already pretty full agendas, but I think it might be possible to convince Craig to ask the paid tech staffer to request you to provide a summary of what you'd propose with maybe a cost est. to show how the costs could be reduced to levels affordable to candidates.

The one important decision-making fact that got my attention when I communicated with Craig was his remark that in his Vice Chair position he's really just in an "advisory" position with no real authority to commit any resources (paid staff or money) and any initiatives he might recommend still have to be approved by either the chair or the Central Committee, depending on the resource involvement details. BUT ... if a good presentation showing how the DPVA could actually reduce costs to both the DPVA and the candidates by modernizing and making the process far more cost-efficient (in terms of dollars and manpower), I think the Steering Committee, including the Vice Chair for Finance,Jon Bowerbank, could make the correct decision.

The reason I say the Steering Committee is that the SC manages the DPVA day-to-day operation between Central Committee quarterly meetings. I mention Jon Bowerbank not just because he is Vice Chair for Finance but also because he is very tech savvy and very pro-netroots/pro-grassroots - and I believe he would be a terrific choice for CHAIR.

I guess I drifted just a bit off-topic, but not too much because this all relates to the DPVA changes that must occur ASAP. We MUST have major improvements across the board by the time the 2012 campaigns hit full speed in Jan.

I'm all for working on the unpaid DPVA elected officials and the paid and unpaid appointed and volunteer folks who can help make the changes and corrections to the misdirections that we've suffered through.

                    T.C.

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by: Tom @ Fri Nov 25, 2011 at 20:56:09 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Who is the Vice Chair? (0.00 / 0)

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by: truthteller @ Fri Nov 25, 2011 at 18:53:52 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Steering Committee List (0.00 / 0)

http://www.vademocrats.org/sta...

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by: notlarrysabato @ Fri Nov 25, 2011 at 19:03:14 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Who is the Vice Chair for Technology and Communications ? (0.00 / 0)

I think when I attended the quarterly meetings at Va. Tech someone gave a very brief Technology and Communications report but I don't think that was an elected Vice Chair, maybe the paid staffer who mainly mentioned the VAN. But there was never any discussion/Q&A, just something to the effect that the VAN data base needs updating but nothing actually technically-oriented that I recall.

I'd like to meet the Vice Chair for Tech. and Comm. before the Steering Committee starts Friday, 2 Dec. and try to determine if that person seems technically savvy and if he/she is interested in Netroots involvement ("new media").

Thanks for that important bit of info. I'll get on the DPVA web site and see if there is detailed info. on who is Vice Chair and who the paid staffer is who (presumably)would be able to offer some tech. support to the elected Vice Chair.

                        T.C.

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by: Tom @ Fri Nov 25, 2011 at 18:54:52 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Thank You (0.00 / 0)

Thank you to Dave and the other commenters, for taking the time to consider these issues.

I think the original post raises many good points, and I take full responsibility for not being more active on some of these issues.  The DPVA staff -- especially IT director Brenner Tobe -- works tirelessly to provide an efficient, effective, and professional organization.  The volunteer chair and officers try to support the staff's expertise, although we also need to lead vision and policy discussions.  I will put a new emphasis on this for myself going forward, and I will discuss the specific points in this post with staff.

I would be happy to discuss anything in further detail, either prior to, at, or after the meetings on Dec. 2 and 3 in Hampton.  There will also be a session on the afternoon of Dec. 3, for staff and officers to receive input from party members.  Please email me at ( craig AT fifer DOT net ) if you'd like to chat.

Best wishes to everyone for a happy holiday weekend!

-Craig Fifer
DPVA Vice Chair for Technology and Communications

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by: CraigFifer @ Fri Nov 25, 2011 at 21:11:10 PM UTC

Thanks for the very fast response, Craig. (0.00 / 0)

I hope I didn't misstate the gist of our communication of a few months ago. I was very pleased with your fast response then, as I am now. Obviously, you're one of the folks who really read important blogs like this, take the time to digest the diverse comments,and take the time to respond quickly on issues you know are important to this large and growing community of strong activists.

I'll look you up as soon as I arrive at the Crown Plaza Hampton Marina Friday. I think they will allow us to check in well before the usual 4 P.M. check-in. I don't think we've ever met directly, so I'll ask one of the early arrivals I know to point you out to me so I can introduce myself.

Thanks,again, Craig for your very fast and positive response. See you on the 2nd of Dec.

                        T.C.

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by: Tom @ Fri Nov 25, 2011 at 22:00:03 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Such a joke (0.00 / 0)

Click on Craig's name and you can see when the DPVA technology Chair first decided to make an account on the largest Democratic blog in the state.

(Hint, it was a few minutes before his first comment).

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by: notlarrysabato @ Fri Nov 25, 2011 at 22:11:05 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Welcome to Blue Virginia, Craig. (0.00 / 0)

As Ben notes below, this is the largest pro-Democratic political blog in Virginia, also one of the largest state-based progressive blogs in the country. Which raises the question: why aren't DPVA members, including the Exec. Director (who I've invited multiple times, and has said that he'd be happy to blog here), the communications director (also most welcome to blog here, as I've told him several times), and of course the "Vice Chair for Technology and Communications," blogging on here - and on other progressive Virginia blogs/social media outlets - on a regular basis?  Same question, by the way, for chairs/communications/tech people from county and other Democratic committees, CD chairs, etc, etc. It's not just this blog, either; I rarely see any of these people on ANY progressive Virginia blogs, or on Twitter for that matter, or on YouTube, etc, etc. Do you know why this might be the case?  Thanks.

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by: lowkell @ Sat Nov 26, 2011 at 00:23:08 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

DPVA Blogging (0.00 / 0)

Lowell, thanks for the welcome. I read many blogs, but rarely post myself.  I created an account today so that I could reply to a thread that involved me by name.  I assume many people don't have a need to create an account until their first comment.  In terms of posting and commenting more often, I'll definitely talk to the staff about the best way for the Party to get out our message here.

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by: CraigFifer @ Sat Nov 26, 2011 at 01:01:53 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Right, the question is why more Democratic electeds (0.00 / 0)

and party members aren't actively engaged on social media - Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blogs?  When I started commenting on blogs and writing diaries back in 2002/2003, it was pretty new. Today, though, it's been 8-9 years since blogging got "big," 5 years since Draft James Webb, etc., so it's most definitely not new anymore. The the DPVA and Virginia elected Dems, with a few exceptions, are NOWHERE to be found. Heck, I bet a lot of them couldn't even name a progressive Virginia-based blog, let alone figure out how to write a comment or diary on one, if they even were so inclined (which most, including top ones like Dick Saslaw, Ward Armstrong, etc. are most definitely NOT!!!). Heck, I've heard that many of these people barely use email, let alone have social media accounts. How can that possibly be in the year 2011?  Why haven't all of these people been tutored in social media and encouraged to use it? Got me, but frankly, it's a HUGE fail, especially when I see Republicans using social media heavily.  In this area, there's absolutely zero excuse, at least not any good one, for Dems being behind.  

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by: lowkell @ Sat Nov 26, 2011 at 01:14:51 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

A few exceptions include (0.00 / 0)

*Scott Surovell: Blogger, totally "gets it" on new media.
*Chap Petersen: Blogger, totally "gets it" on new media.
*Mark Warner: Very active on social media, live blogged for Jim Webb back in 2006 and generally was an early adopter.
*Donald McEachin: Very active on Facebook, also very communicative with "the bloggers."
*Tim Kaine: Hired a new media person in his 2005 campaign, has a top-notch new media operation this time around as well.
*Jim Moran: Frequent poster on Blue Virginia, frequent poster on YouTube, etc.
*Andy Schmookler: Democratic candidate who is highly interested in social media and appears to "get it." Frequent diarist/commenter at Blue Virrginia.
*Terry McAuliffe: In frequent contact with "the bloggers," also was very active on social media in his 2009 gubernatorial campaign.
*A number of Dem candidates this year, although most have gotten a lot quieter since the election (that's totally natural of course, they're probably exhausted!). :)

DPVA, in stark contrast? Basically, nada.

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by: lowkell @ Sat Nov 26, 2011 at 01:28:12 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Repeating Past Mistakes by Bypassing Tech Innovation Dooms us to Failure (4.00 / 2)

Because like many older people, I have an institutional memory that goes back to the late sixties and early seventies, I remember that even back then Republicans were the first to utilize such then new technology as direct mail.  Incredible as it seems, the GOP cleaned our clocks by being first to recognize the incredible opportunities to reach people by simply building a good computer database and sending mail to potential voters and donors targeted to their specific concerns.  They did this using snail mail, back then still the only kind most people had.

Not many people were wired for email in the seventies and even eighties, but tech savvy GOP political operatives were building databases in early computers and word processors and utilizing the technology that existed to reach donors and voters with messages tailored to their specific concerns and issues.

The Democrats didn't play catch up and develop their own databases and targeted mailings until years later.  Republicans regularly out raised us in money and were more successful through much of the eighties and even into the very early nineties.

You would think Democratic Party leaders would have learned their lesson from that early failure, but they remain hardened technophobes.  And because of it, at a time when people desperately need to hear a counter to Republican memes and narratives, there is a vacuum at the top.

Technology, which has advanced to blogs; Twitter; Facebook and a host of social media tools, remain our best hope of countering the GOP message, organizing the grassroots and netroots, and reaching out to new voters and volunteers.  By turning their backs on this, party leaders are dooming themselves to mediocre results at best and outright failure most of the time.

It is very problematic that even the people in charge of technology in our party ignore these valuable tools and  disdain those netroots activists who are their best hope of reaching targeted audiences.  

I agree with Lowell that we need to reach out to a broad coalition and encourage diversity.  So we will need many tools and platforms.  What works well with one group may be different from what works for another.  But the key to reaching young voters and encouraging them to volunteer, donate money and vote is reaching them through social media.  They are plugged in.

The irony is that social media is also so cost effective.  You can run a blog and get Twitter and Facebook accounts for free.  Compare that with the expense of running a TV ad or buying a TV or radio station to compete with Fox.

But I've got to admit that for reaching older voters, especially current senior citizens, the old media - TV and radio - probably works better.  And don't write off seniors. They consistently turn out to vote in the highest numbers. Many of them are very well informed, and they often have more discretionary time for volunteering than any other group.  They can be valuable activists and supporters.  

Also, baby boomers who are reaching their senior years are still going to be a powerful and influential block.  I believe as they face retirement, fixed incomes, and increasing need for health care and other services, we have a message that can resonate with them too.  And of course, many of the baby boomers in my cohort (still working but reaching retirement age)are also almost as plugged in as younger people.  We still work at jobs that require computers, email, and use of the Internet.  So even the new retirees will be comfortable with many aspects of the new media.  And as we join older retirees, we too will have more time for volunteering and other political activities.

The point is, we need to utilize all kinds of media to reach all kinds of voters to build a broad coalition.  But young people are our future and to build that future, we cannot turn our back on blogs and social media or we will continue to be out played by Republicans as we have been in the past.

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by: AnonymousIsAWoman @ Sat Nov 26, 2011 at 18:29:12 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Right now, we are way OVERutilizing old media (4.00 / 1)

Check out the media budgets for almost any Democratic campaign run in recent years here in Virginia. Look for what percentage was spent on old media (TV, mainly) versus new media of all kinds. Also look to see if new media is coming up fast, as it should be, given the huge number of people now using it (800 million Facebook users in the world, including an enormous percentage of likely voters in places like NOVA, Cville, etc.). What I think you'll find is that Democratic campaigns continue to stay with the same-old, same-old: passive, interruption marketing via broadcast (and cable) TV, very little new media advertising or non-advertising efforts on Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc. Republicans, in contrast, are "getting it" more and more. Fortunately, I think the Kaine campaign "gets it," but people like Dick Saslaw and others stuck in/wedded to the old ways of doing things? Nope.

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by: lowkell @ Sat Nov 26, 2011 at 19:08:59 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Also, as usual, AIAW's comments are better (0.00 / 0)

-- and longer! -- than most of my diaries! :) I can't wait until Karen retires so she can return to full-time blogging. I miss her.

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by: lowkell @ Sat Nov 26, 2011 at 19:11:14 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I am blushing (0.00 / 0)

And thank you :). Counting the days, weeks and maybe a couple of years and I will be back.  

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by: AnonymousIsAWoman @ Sat Nov 26, 2011 at 23:04:47 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Ha, false modesty. (4.00 / 1)

You know you rock (and if not, you should)!

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by: lowkell @ Sat Nov 26, 2011 at 23:56:41 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

There are some real good reasons Techies don't comment on the blogs too often, BUT (4.00 / 2)

As I probably qualify as a senior techie after doing what I love for over 40 years both professionally and as a hobby, I work as many of the super techs that frequent this blog in a sensitive position that doesn't appreciate our rights to express our personal political opinions all the time.

That said, as most of you know who I am, we techies have a ton of suggestions and critical "best practices" to contribute. Also to be fair, there is a big falacy lumping together social media, net-roots, web page management, cyber newspaper contributions and editorials, along with campaign infrastructure (telephones, computers, robo-dialers, and of course the VAN data bases etc.) and now the endless videos, live broadcasts and critical recordings of debates and incidents. To put the thousands of hours of Technical contributions annually under the same heading as net-roots isn't fair to either approach.

It is normal for several of us techies to hand a wireless microphone to a candidate speaker at a political rally attached to a personal sound system that we usually supply free, and then process/post the video recordings of the rally, just after we come from installing a phone system and wireless LAN at a campaign HQ.

Oh, and not to forget those of us who also produce as well as those that host regularly scheduled TV and web-radio shows for our district committees almost every week all year, that our efforts and suggestions on how to help todays campaigns are adaquately represented by a single vice chair who doesn't even know we exist. Our own districts usually do and help immensely our efforts and the recruiting of other techies to do these jobs in the present day world of high-tech politics.

At the last central committee meeting in Woodbridge, I approached Craig and he barely gave me the few seconds I took to introduce myself. He has no idea the new stuff many of us have now started doing. Things like using a portable PC based TV studio for video and live media training for candidates. This is so they can survive a hostal reporter or make a good impression when they have 3 minutes to explain everything they stand for and their qualifications for the position, etc... not to mention how they can do a one minute or less position video that can be web embedded or emailed.

To be fair, there are technical components to many different aspects of successful campaigns. They are tools that need skills that are seriously over-looked and still offered by our volunteers. Our Republican competitors have embraced all of these. Paid bloggers when we pay only for canvassing (sometimes). They buy mailing lists for magazines that speak to the hunters and other special interest groups and then use those lists to find voters from both sides of the aisle who support gun rights. They use business publication lists to further identify contributors in those same voter lists, DO WE do this with our basic issues???  Oh BY The Way, these are all based in technology and it's applications isn't it??? There should be a Technical Vice Chair with a vote at the senior committee level and a technical sub chair in each district and operational entity to support the reality of the tool sets we need to perfect to win consistently. And they almost have to be volunteers because you CAN'T pay what business does for these skills and creativity.

Dave is right and his frustration is totally justified. Maybe this is focused on Roanoke and SW because it is the technical capitol of Virginia (VT in Blacksburg aside).... Oh I know, even though our NoVa committees get this and are using these skills much more often, the CC have to balance the vote like we do the tax revenue that doesn't return more that 19 cents on the dollar to NoVa.

Sorry, but about every 2 years something pushes my button... I lurk constantly, and I also contribute my efforts, because I can't donate money as those who know me, know why....

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by: U2Bneutral @ Sat Nov 26, 2011 at 02:05:47 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

No Message = No Media Need (4.00 / 1)

DPVA, as an institution, doesn't have and has never developed a substantive political message because it doesn't believe that having such a message is part of DPVA's mission. Since  DPVA doesn't believe that having such a message is one of its appropriate functions, DPVA has no incentive at all to use any form of media--new, old, or middle-aged-- to disseminate a message.

Moreover, since DPVA has a governance structure of the insiders, by the insiders, and for the insiders, it has no need for a truly interactive website because DPVA has no interest in interactivity.  

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by: Peter Rousselot @ Sat Nov 26, 2011 at 13:26:49 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Just to steer the conversation back to its intent... (4.00 / 1)

I'd like to hear people's thoughts and suggestions when it comes to the points made above.

While I respect Lowell's thoughts here, the main point of what I wrote above is definitely not to call out DPVA leadership for not blogging. In fact, I don't think that's even all that important. Blogging isn't the same as engaging with the Netroots community. And blogging shouldn't be conflated with "getting it" on new media and social media. I certainly don't blog that much. I'd simply like to see DPVA actively working with the bloggers in VA.

Also, this diary isn't meant to "call out" Craig Fifer. In fact, that's why I didn't address him by name above. However, since he's here, Craig, I really appreciate your engaging on this post and even creating a username. Ben's derision aside, I appreciate that you took the time to do so. I'd really like to hear your thoughts on the ideas laid out above. But more to the point, I'd like to know what DPVA is doing to address them. They're all specific and actionable.

Do us a favor and let's talk about it here. If you and I take the conversation offline, we deprive the rest of the community of their valuable input - and that's been the whole point of everything I've been saying this last week.

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by: Dave @ Sat Nov 26, 2011 at 02:06:00 AM UTC

We'll have to agree to disagree on this. (0.00 / 0)

Yes, certainly, it's theoretically possible for Democratic party officials and electeds to be in communication with heavy users of social media without using it themselves. But usually, people who aren't on social media - NOT just blogs, by the way, as I have emphasized repeatedly - are highly unlikely to be among those who "get it" (and yes, of course there are exceptions, including super techies like Dave, but not many among politicos).

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by: lowkell @ Sat Nov 26, 2011 at 02:22:48 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I can understand why some electeds are hesitant to blog (0.00 / 0)

1) Opposition
2) Public Record (if commenting versus posting)
3) Blogs can be a great resource and platform but they
also have a tentency to be very critical.  I think the critques are important - but sometimes they may hurt more than they help.

I have to agree with Dave - it is more important to understand the platform and the value it brings versus actual content submissions.

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by: totallynext @ Sat Nov 26, 2011 at 02:49:33 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Again, that's not what I'm saying. (4.00 / 1)

I'm saying that Dems are falling behind Republicans in use of ALL social media (again: NOT JUST BLOGS!).  Many of our Democratic electeds and party officials are not on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blogs, or even on email to a great extent. And many have zero interest in new media. Many also have very little interest in the grassroots/netroots/progressive activists. They're in their world, have been in that world for decades, and have no interest in leaving it for parts unknown. That's what I'm saying.

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by: lowkell @ Sat Nov 26, 2011 at 03:06:34 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Key Word (0.00 / 0)

I agree. The key word in what you say above is "USE." Twice now, I have suggested to candidates in my area, people who got someone to set up a basic website for them, to make use of YouTube to create brief position videos that could be posted on the website through YouTube addresses. I also suggested they create a Facebook page and Twitter account and put information to access them on their handouts. Needless to say, I was wasting my breath.

As for the DPVA, the training of candidates in the USE of social media should be readily available. Isn't that a valid use of the resources of the state party?

But, then, Peter R. is quite correct when he says if there is no message, then use of media is pretty much worthless.

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by: Elaine in Roanoke @ Sat Nov 26, 2011 at 15:19:21 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

It's impossible (0.00 / 0)

to really understand something that you don't know how to use, or don't want to use.  That doesn't mean that every elected Dem should sit around day and night responding to every post on every blog, but it would be very helpful if each had their own blog or Facebook page that was updated regularly - at least once a week, hopefully a few times a week.

They don't need to post anything lengthy, just short opinions on things, observations, reactions to things they've personally been involved in.  

Basically, what Chap and Scott do.

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by: NotJohnSMosby @ Sat Nov 26, 2011 at 12:40:25 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Well said. You can't understand something you never use. (0.00 / 0)

In this case, we're talking about social/new media, broadly defined - video, social networking (Facebook, Google Plus, LinkedIn, etc.), microblogging (e.g., Twitter), blogs, etc.  Chap and Scott - and others - "get it."  Most others not only do NOT "get it," they make zero effort to "get it" and don't even care. Perhaps they feel like they've got their positions, they won't be defeated/deposed, and they've been doing things the same way forever, so why change? Or, perhaps the rough-and-tumble of grassroots democracy scares them off?  If the latter, it does make you wonder why they went into politics, ya know?

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by: lowkell @ Sat Nov 26, 2011 at 13:17:35 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Dave- Listen To Yourself (0.00 / 0)

Don't thank someone for making a blog comment.  Craig has had three+ years in this position to take action and has chosen not to.  He's not on here to begin engaging, he's on here because he knows he is about to get thrown out the next time his position is up for a vote.

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by: notlarrysabato @ Sat Nov 26, 2011 at 07:11:52 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Ben, get constructive (4.00 / 1)

You and Lowell have successfully hijakced this thread to make it about nothing that I originally wrote about. Now it's just about whether people blog or not - which I didn't even mention. So, instead of getting constructive discussion, you've dominated the thread, turned it away from the original topic, and made it so nobody else wants to participate. This is exactly why elected officials are hesitant to blog in BV. Thanks for the demonstration.

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by: Dave @ Sat Nov 26, 2011 at 13:14:52 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Perhaps this discussion would be better moved to the (0.00 / 0)

non-tech thread I started, as my comments here are not specifically "tech" oriented.  However, they are in line with the item in your diary about how "The DPVA actively shuns the Netroots community." Anyway, how about we all discuss broader issues related to DPVA's efforts - or lack thereof - in social/new media on my non-tech diary, above this one? Thanks.


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by: lowkell @ Sat Nov 26, 2011 at 13:29:54 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Also relates to your excellent point #3. (0.00 / 0)

"We have no webmaster, and haven't for at least 5 years. So we have no original online content, advocacy, or directed message. We'll never be able to have a coherent externally-facing narrative without a chief messenger. And a press person isn't the same as an new media director - a remedial campaign mistake that we don't need to reproduce at the state level."

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by: lowkell @ Sat Nov 26, 2011 at 13:35:47 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

To Craig Fifer -- (4.00 / 2)

Since I can't be at the next DPVA meeting, here are a few modest thoughts:

Re Dave's point #7: Despite his heroic efforts and great expertise, Brenner Tobe can't solve most of the shortcomings of VAN; he doesn't control it. (How I wish he did.) Even before the NGP-VAN merger, a friendly party leader encouraged me to take my complaints about infrequent updating and clunky householding to DPVA. My issues got no traction there at all, perhaps because I'm just an amateur using ancient software to keep local lists. Now that we're dealing with NGPVAN, with its global ambitions, local users' perspectives and practical ideas are even less likely to be heard. DPVA could help by collecting users' concerns and presenting them forcefully to the DNC and the VANmasters as vital elements of the effort to keep VA blue in 2012.

On the larger point, AnonymousIsAWoman and others are absolutely right: the tools for political outreach and mobilization have gotten so diverse and fast-changing that everyone can learn something and has expertise to share. Occasional panels at party confabs aren't enough. At minimum DPVA should find out what local parties and groups are doing well, and set up a clearinghouse where we can learn from each other. Oh, and beef up DPVA's capacities too.

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by: listlady @ Sat Nov 26, 2011 at 19:47:40 PM UTC

+100 (0.00 / 0)

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by: Dave @ Sun Nov 27, 2011 at 02:36:31 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Belated correction (0.00 / 0)

Instead of "take my complaints ... to DPVA," I should have written "the DNC" which is where my concerns were ignored. Apologies for the error. No need to bash DPVA when the problem is really somewhere else.

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by: listlady @ Sun Nov 27, 2011 at 15:36:27 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

DPVA Public Message/Image via website (0.00 / 0)

Lets say you are a Dem and just moved to Virginia November 15, 2011 (condolences aside) and want to get "geared up" for 2012...so you go to the DPVA website and see...OMG wheres OBAMA 2012? Nothing on the front page..theres stuff about 2011...stuff about committee meetings, quarterly meetings...ugh.

Go to the "Your Party" tab...there is a  pull down list of lists with listings of persons and personnel.
The website is functional- it offers information, but there is no sizzle..it looks and "feels" more like a wake. For a newcomer,there is little motivation offered to get involved with the Party via the website. The website should entice/encourage participation as well as inform..while keeping 10 steps ahead of the competition.

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by: hereinva @ Sun Nov 27, 2011 at 19:34:22 PM UTC

Compare to the Ohio Democratic Party website (0.00 / 0)

here.

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by: lowkell @ Sun Nov 27, 2011 at 20:03:33 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Or the Pennsylvania Dem Party website (0.00 / 0)

here.

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by: lowkell @ Sun Nov 27, 2011 at 20:04:35 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Or... (0.00 / 0)

Florida Dem Party
Maryland Dem Party
North Carolina Dem Party

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by: lowkell @ Sun Nov 27, 2011 at 20:07:16 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Just proves the point about content. (4.00 / 1)

Ohio Dems site isn't much better (though designed by +3). It just has fresher/better content. Likewise, I'm pretty sure PA Dems is an NGPVAN-designed site, just like VA Dems (that is, done by their new media shop). Just goes to show you how important the person actually running the website is, as opposed to the design.

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by: Dave @ Mon Nov 28, 2011 at 03:44:00 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Exactly! (0.00 / 0)

Content, timeliness, and relevance are FAR more important than design and whiz-bang technology in political websites. And, of course, a site needs someone who has responsibility/ownership of it, or it will FAIL - just as DPVA's has for many years.

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by: lowkell @ Mon Nov 28, 2011 at 11:12:32 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Look at Fairfax County dems new website (0.00 / 0)

It rocks!  Thanks Todd Smyth

Www.fairfaxdemocrats.org

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by: totallynext @ Mon Nov 28, 2011 at 12:01:19 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Todd is rockin' it (4.00 / 1)

I didn't want to list people by name in my post, but he's responsible for some of the more innovative tech projects in Fairfax. DPVA should take a cue from his lead.

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by: Dave @ Mon Nov 28, 2011 at 14:49:25 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

That's exactly what I complained to Craig Fifer about a few months ago. (4.00 / 1)

And as Craig reminded me, the fact that the DPVA hasn't had a webmaster for several years isn't really relevant because content isn't a webmaster's job anyway.

The only (slight) improvement in important items I've noticed is the "Events" section of the home page where there is considerable and current detail about the upcoming DPVA quarterly meetings. The events content updates are typically provided by the County/City committees - e.g., the Dec. 2011 and Jan. 2012 re-organization caucuses/election of new officers. But not all local committees post info. on the state party web site, partly because most of their members rarely access the DPVA web site and partly because they have their own web sites and want to encourage their members to use them.

If the state party chair himself isn't interested in making sure the content is updated frequently, that's want I'd call a failure of leadership. But the least he could do is to tell his Executive Director to monitor the content and update it himself,or even delegate it to another paid staffer.

My feeling is that the specific job functions of all the paid staffers should be spelled out in detail so it's clear who has primary responsibility for which tasks.

My local (magisterial district) committee has a web site that hasn't been updated since last May, but that's only because the member who created the web site was a candidate for office and no other member volunteered to take over the web site content updates while he was running his own campaign.

At least our county committee web site is very good and always current, but that's because our chair built it himself and handles most of the content updates (our former webmaster quit, so our chair is also the de facto webmaster). But now we have our county committee chair loaded up with too much work because not enough committee members or even MD chairs are willing to take on enough workload. It's difficult for a local committee chair to delegate work if no one is willing to accept the tasks.

But, I digress. The DPVA leadership has plenty of task delegation options, both unpaid elected officers and paid staff. This all keeps coming back to the basic problem of failure in leadership. Change the leadership and the problems can be fixed quickly; make no changes in leadership and the problems will continue.

                          T.C.

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by: Tom @ Mon Nov 28, 2011 at 14:02:48 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

A webmaster's job is what you make it (4.00 / 1)

Hire one who can update content and who has the mandate to do so. It's that easy.

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by: Dave @ Mon Nov 28, 2011 at 14:52:34 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Our county committee can't "hire" a webmaster because it's an unpaid job. (0.00 / 0)

If our county chair does find a volunteer who is willing to take over the webmaster job, he wouldn't be able to "mandate" the much more time-consuming task of content updates because an unpaid volunteer wouldn't accept the additional workload.

Of course, the DPVA doesn't have that problem because they have paid staffers who could take on additional workload and the leadership could certainly "mandate" the work by simply writing it into the job description.

                    T.C.

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by: Tom @ Mon Nov 28, 2011 at 15:40:01 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yes. (0.00 / 0)

I was talking about DPVA, not your committee. Of course you can't afford a webmaster.

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by: Dave @ Mon Nov 28, 2011 at 19:14:33 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Ironically (0.00 / 0)

DPVA does lots of old school press releases from Brian Coy.  Why isn't someone just using that and making it web friendly as the content?  

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by: notlarrysabato @ Wed Nov 30, 2011 at 15:40:21 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

No idea, it's really weird. (0.00 / 0)

Why wouldn't they post all their press releases on Blue Virginia, for instance? Other than the fact that we've been trying to get Brian's boss canned for a while now. :)

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by: lowkell @ Wed Nov 30, 2011 at 15:50:40 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Failure of Management (0.00 / 0)

DPVA has no webmaster. The DPVA Vice Chair for Technology doesn't consider this part of his responsibility. Brian Coy doesn't consider this part of his responsibility. No one else at DPVA does either. Conclusion: FAIL.

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by: Peter Rousselot @ Wed Nov 30, 2011 at 19:26:24 PM UTC

[ Parent ]