Donate money, call or canvass?
Recently on my mind, I have had a question on how to best support Bernie while working full time and most weekends. I'd like to posit this question to the community.
During the day and over the weekend I spent most of my time running an entrepreneurial business. I'm on the phone most of the day or meeting and greeting people for business. I passionately believe that Bernie's policies and his integrity to pursue those policies are the only way forward for an honest independent small businessperson and citizen to pursue and profit from their work - not to be subject to the greedy practices of corporations, or at the merciless monopoly of big banks and investors who would be holding the only pools of available capital.
Due to my line of work, as much as I'd love to support Bernie with calls or canvassing, especially before the New York primary, it's a challenge to come home to spend more time on the phone or to schedule a day to canvass. I have and I can, however, donated a good amount of money. I can and want to donate more. I imagine that the money is peanuts compared to the price we'd all pay if Bernie is not elected president.
Out of the three major options to support the campaign, if I had to choose one, which is most important (eg make calls, donate, or canvass etc)? And if I don't have as much time as I'd like, should the monetary donations not be underestimated (ie in a measured economic sense, I would donate more than I typically would to make up for a day of calls to help make up for it)?
Comments
Can you donate AND canvass?
There is nothing quite like canvassing. It is your chance to really connect with someone, look them in the eye, and tell them why Bernie is worth supporting. It really makes an impression on people. I am an Ohioan who spent Sunday in Pittsburgh knocking on PA voters' doors, and it was a fantastic experience.
That said, if you can also throw some more coin Bernie's way, that's good too.
All
are very important and I believe they all have the same effect by getting Bernies message out and getting people to the polls.I think each individual should do whatever they can but only they can determine what that is,but that's just me!
I maxed on contribs
and phone banking and canvassing is not an option due to my work schedule, which is any time I am not in the USA.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Or just cheer everyone on
There are many ways to help. Letting everyone know you are with them counts too!
We can’t save the world by playing by the rules, because the rules have to be changed.
- Greta Thunberg
I struggle with this as well,
I think I am maxxed out in the donation area. I didn't keep good records, but think I am at (or possibly- accidentally a little over) 2700.
I tried a little phone banking and didn't like it. My work and life schedule has not allowed me to canvas out of state.
Here in MN we went to local high schools just at let out time and talked to the kids. That was a 15 minute burst of fun.
Once Bernie wraps up the nom, I want to go around colleges and talk to the students about voting. We have same day registration here. But some may not know that.
Hats off to all of you calling and door knocking! And working it in any way.
Direct human interactions increase turnout
Donating helps inasmuch as it helps recruit others who may have more time to do the other two. Phonebanking and canvassing are complementary in that phonebanking makes canvassing significantly more effective by as much as 7-8 percentage points.
Sounds like
You have a pretty full plate right now. I would say donate what you can and don't stress about it. Some have time but not $ to give. You have no spare time that isn't needed for rest and family. This is about each doing their bit. All the bits make a yuuge movement.
I've decided, went through the 20 minute phonebank training
and will start making calls to New York tomorrow.
https://go.berniesanders.com/page/content/nyphonebank/
question?
it's never been clear to me if the phonebanking is calling all Democrats or just those who have already expressed support for Bernie and you're serving as a reminder for them to vote. i'm not really a people person so i've just been sending what money i can spare. i'm not a salesman so i probably couldn't sell people to vote for a different candidate when they already supporting their favorite.
I did a bit of phonebanking...
...in Ohio a few weeks ago, and it was basically calling people to find out which way they were leaning in voting - looking for undecideds and leaning to target canvassers more effectively. I didn't do it very long though - discovered talking to lots of strangers on the phone one right after the other gives me anxiety issues.
My guess is you're not going to be trying to persuade them, you're just calling and saying Hi, introducing yourself and stating you're a volunteer for Bernie's campaign and asking if they're going to be voting and which way they're leaning.
That was my experience, anyways.
Love of power is a puppet string. - Makana, Fire is Ours