By Brian Von Wert
I, as the chairperson of this group, would like to expand and empower the future for the Fulton County of Ohio Democratic Party. I know our group has a vision statement, but my goals are to bring that vision to reality. Our Democratic Party’s vision restated is:
“The Fulton County Democratic Party of Ohio is a community of individuals with shared goals. We strive to defend social justice, fight discrimination, advocate for human rights, and promote inclusivity. Our aim is to encourage participation and engagement in the democratic process through elections and activism. We provide a platform for our voices to be heard and for reforms to take place.”
I believe that to implement this vision we must follow the three basic steps of visibility and vocalization, participation, and raising funds.
1. Visibility and Vocalization:
If we do not make ourselves visible in every available instance, the people we are trying to reach will not know we are here. Our organization cannot grow without being visible. Groups like the Ohio Democratic Party (ODP) may not include us in their planning if they do not see us showing up at their functions. The Democratic National Committee may not include us in their plans if we are not visible and vocal. Visibility is key to the encouragement of participation and engaging in the democratic process.
2. Participation:
Participation follows naturally the steps of visibility and vocalization. We must take part in other groups’ activities to be seen as being vital in our community. One dinner party a year is not enough. Yes, we do parades and the fair, but we also need to join with other groups to bring diversity and inclusion into our group. We need to participate in phone banks and door knocking. We need to reach out to other groups and let them know we stand with them. We need to reach out to a diversity of groups. These may include groups that give out food and/or clothes to the needy, groups that represent the LGBTQIA+ community, groups at the local colleges for voter registration and engagement. We need programs and policies to encourage participation and enable our own members to attend events in other cities or groups. This type of outreach would help to expand our ideas for inclusivity and help our membership flourish and grow.
3. Raise Funds:
Raising money is a hard conversation. We do need money to run our organization, but in my opinion, this is not the most important aspect of our group. Raising money comes from participation and membership. If we are seen, and we grow our membership, then more money will be donated. It should not be our goal to accumulate wealth; we are non-profit. And the reason we have non-profit status is because we reach out and educate the community on politics and democracy. As chair of a non-profit, it is not my goal to build a huge bank account and never spend it. It is my goal to spend the money we raise on outreach, education, and helping the community.
Democracy is more than voting in an election; it is taking actions that promote equality and diversity. It is taking actions to help those less fortunate than ourselves. It is promoting and advocating for Social Justice by defending the weak with the power of the many. These are just some of the many aspects of democracy. We need to make sure we demonstrate them in our group, so we become the examples we want to show others. To teach democracy, we must also practice it.
My view of democracy is not that we succeed and then reach back to bring others along. My view of democracy is that we build a foundation where everyone can succeed together. I imagine a world where everyone has access to free healthcare, not because people want it, but because it is a common need. I envision a world where people of color (POC) are equal, where they are not held back by institutional and societal racism. I want this, not to give them special treatment, but because I want all people to have equal treatment. I want a world where bodily autonomy is a right because anything less is akin to slavery. And I recognize that we need some rules and laws, not to make people special, but to bring them equality in a society that has a history of treating people differently. Democracy is nothing without action, we cannot wait for someone else to make things better for everyone. It is on us to take the actions, and to build the foundations.
I have said this a few times, and I think it bears repeating:
We MUST be the tide that raises all boats
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