Here's a column from the site techPresident. It was written by Zephyr Teachout, who was a major factor in the "Dean-iac" movement as the former Director of Online Organizing for Howard Dean.

He basically talks about the importance of using Meetup as a means of person-to-person campaigning and how it can really help the Huckabee movement gain supporters and increase fundraising (the guy should know afterall). Read the article here...

BUT!! Today Zephyr has come back with another column that talks about "Godbloggers", "Godblogcon", and how they affect the Huckabee campaign. At the end of the column (and this is key), he writes (in reference to the above column):




PEOPLE!!

We MUST make Meetup a priority. The official campaign needs to make Meetup a priority. HucksArmy is a good place to share ideas, but it does nothing if we can't implement them into our own communities. We HAVE to emphasize recruiting people to create groups and for others to join. If not, all we have to show for this is a buzzing message board.

Some already have Meetup groups. Most likely, you people could use a few more members. Other supporters have signed up but there's no group in your area. You guys need more people around you made aware of Meetup, and for them to join. These issues can be solved if Meetup is made to be a priority, by EVERYONE.

What we can do:

• Write the campaign and tell them to funnel more supporters into Meetup.
• Talk more about Meetup on your blogs.
• Add a Huckabee Meetup tag to your blog or social networking page.
• Send out MySpace bulletins to your friends list, promoting Meetup.
• Encourage everyone you know to register.
• Include the internet address for your Meetup Group on any handouts.

This aspect of our movement is vital. We can get as many people we want to think Mike is a great guy, but until we organize, collaborate, and get the word out IN OUR OWN COMMUNITIES, it's not going to translate into anything useful. My suggestion is that we make it a goal to have 4000 members and 200 groups by Jan 1st. We need boots on the ground and we need them to be organized and cohesive. Meetup is our tool to accomplish this.

We cannot let up, time is too short right now.

IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY, JOIN MEETUP TODAY!!


4000 Members & 200 Groups By Jan 1st






Huck!

Right on!

Meetup is the best way to mobilize our supporters. Great post!

I signed up on Meet-up to be contacted if a Meet-up forms in the DFW area in support of Mike.
I agree...we need to get together!

Wow. It's been made a sticky. That was quick. It might be good to cross-post this into the "Grassroots" section or even just move it there. ???

Why don't you post the same thing in the grassroots and we'll sticky it there too? We want people to see it.

Done.

New to blogging and grassroots stuff, how do I get involved or sign up to Meetup?

Thanks, Linda

Linda..

http://mikehuckabee.meetup.com

For some reason I neglected to put a link in the original post for those that would want to register after seeing this. I was shortsighted in thinking of getting the word out through other avenues not inside this forum.

My bad.

A link to the official Mike Huckabee Meetup topic has been added to the post above.

Thanks so much for posting this!
At the end of the day, we can blog all we want, but if we want to actually have a major impact on this election we need to put our words into action and actually meet to acomplish great things!
The campaign itself has been very weak on grassroots organization. That isn't a slam, their strategy is working as evidenced in the polls, but an effective grassroots campaign is necessary in order to be the ultimate victor of this race. If the campaign is tied up on other projects, then the grassroots must organize themselves...thus this site and the meetup groups.
What have you done for Huckabee today?

How much does it cost to set one up?

I set one up for three months and it was $45.00. There was also a price for one month and for six months, but I can't remember how much they were. There's also a 30 money back guarantee.

Hope this helps! Let's get as many up and running as possible!!

I've sent some emails to friends this week, also spent considerable time watching videos, reading, and educating myself about his positions/experience, etc. so I can be an intelligent supporter.

I think Governor Huckabee demonstrates shrewd judgment in his decisions about what meetings to attend, like the AARP meeting -- that choice spoke volumes to me as a person in that age group. His funds (and time) are limited, so he must continually and carefully make "best use" decisions.

The rest of us can help by the things we do that do not use up his campaign funds (or his staff's time). In the end, part of the testimony of his success will be the amazing results that came out of limited financial resources.

Great stuff! I am a believer in 'the personal touch'. Iowa is a Caucus state. Caucus states require much more coordination and in terms of readiness and strategy than do Primary states. In caucus states, voters are required to listen to platform positions from their friends and neighbors and can be persuaded or even may be required to switch allegiences if their candidate is determined to not be 'viable'. As such - coordination, development, and mobilzation of caucusers in paramount to the success of the campaign.

One thing to note is that the Jan 3 caucus falls on the evening of the Orange Bowl. (It is a good thing that neither Iowa nor Iowa State are going 'bowling' in Florida this year). That will mean however that candidates with empassioned-base will take stock in what is important and attend the caucus. Does Huckabee have an empassioned-base?

Here is an open invitiation to Iowans to meet-up in DM this Thursday.
http://mikehuckabee.meetup.com/44/

Historical Iowa Caucus info
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iowa_caucus

DM Register Huckabee Profile
http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs. ... /-1/caucus

BiggJ,
Great! Yes, education is step one. (You'll find I have a lot of step ones...) The more you know, the better able you are to speak for your candidate. In the diction of Huck's Army (or, um, GI Joe)... "Now I know! And knowing is half the battle!"
And utilizing personal contacts are also a great first step. Use them as you can to build your own grassroots army.

Kdecoster,
Personal touch! Absolutely! That's why I've always prefered door to door campaigning to phone banking. Seeing someone in person adds credibility.
And that is another plus garnered from polls. Huckabee supporters are the most empassioned. That will really play well in the caucuses...especially if our folks are educated enough to share intelligently about Mike! Don't let the "establishment" kick you around in those caucuses.

Keep fighting the good fight!

I just wanted to let others know who may be in this forum from Hampton Roads/Chesapeake, VA area that my husband and I are planning on starting a meetup group in mid-November. We can only afford a 3 month membership and we want to make sure it lasts us through the Virginia Primary on Feb. 12. So please if you are interested sign up on http://mikehuckabee.meetup.com indicating your interest so we can start getting some more coordinated efforts in the Hampton Roads area. I'm really excited about the possibilities things brings!