What does Tompkins County Progressives DO?
TCP (in its current manifestation) is a streamlined organization that meets semi-regularly by zoom. Members participate in a listserv for TCP members, and also in a listserv that was created by NYPAN for all the members of all their chapters. A fair number of NYPAN members are currently serving in public office in Albany, and they often share interesting tips and backstory.
Online, TCP has a facebook group with many "members," most of whom are not actually dues-paying members of our organization. Many do not even live in Tompkins County. Most are like-minded, however, and discussion and sharing tend to be lively.
Our actions, as an organization, consist largely of signing on to initiatives that other organizations put forth, after members hold some internal email discussion. TCP tries to collaborate with other local groups whenever possible, for the sake of efficiency. Frequent partners include the WFP, DSA, and local healthcare and environmental groups.
At election time, TCP reaches out to candidates to educate themselves so that they can make recommendations to the public in the form of official endorsements. Individual members are encouraged to volunteer and donate as much as they are able, to help their favorite candidates get elected. They are also free to volunteer for candidates who were not endorsed by TCP, because TCP believes it is important to "build the bench." A candidate who doesn't win TCP's endorsement for city council one year might win it for county legislature the following year, and building positive relationships is always worthwhile.
Tompkins County Progressives as an organization tries to hold several events during each election season to generate excitement (and volunteer lists and donations) for its endorsed candidates, as a group. See this article about our recent event at Argos Warehouse.
Endorsements from Tompkins County Progressives are routinely echoed by NYPAN, although these echo-endorsements are not guaranteed. Candidates value the reach that NYPAN has among the progressive and activist communities, and are increasingly interested in forming alliances with Tompkins County Progressives as well.
Having more members would facilitate these relationships! (During TCP's first year, membership peaked at well over 50 members. Our membership numbers are much lower now!)
How do I join?
Anyone who is interested can become a member of Tompkins County Progressives by paying annual membership dues of $27. Payment can be made by check and mailed to Emily Adams, P.O. Box 86, Brooktondale NY 14817. (Make the check out to NYPAN and write TCP in the memo line)
Alternatively, a person can pay membership dues via ActBlue (either $30 for the year or $2.50 per month). Use the "donate" link in the upper right. (Scholarships are available for those who find our dues a hardship -- just ask!)
New members should fill out this form, so that the organization has your name, email, phone number and so forth.
New members need to be a member in good standing for at least 30 days before they can participate in any endorsement vote.
What can I do, with Tompkins County Progressives, right now?
New York's Presidential primary will be held on April 2nd! TCP members have voted to endorse the "Leave It Blank" campaign -- turn in a blank ballot to signal to Biden that he needs to do more to stop the genocide in Palestine. The "Listen to Wisconsin" movement is also encouraging a protest vote, and TCP members are being asked to help phonebank for their cause as well.
Are you good with social media? TCP's endorsed candidates need help amplifying their messages across various platforms!
Do you enjoy organizing events? After petitioning is over and the weather has improved, TCP could set up house parties, fundraising concerts, boat trips, seminars on special topics, voter registration drives, etc. These activities are not just fun, they are vital if we are going to save our democracy. More people do not TURN OUT TO VOTE than vote for all the candidates on a typical ballot, combined. Apathy and hopelessness are growing and will have dangerous consequences. We can't turn things around unless we first motivate people to become positively engaged.
TCP (in its current manifestation) is a streamlined organization that meets semi-regularly by zoom. Members participate in a listserv for TCP members, and also in a listserv that was created by NYPAN for all the members of all their chapters. A fair number of NYPAN members are currently serving in public office in Albany, and they often share interesting tips and backstory.
Online, TCP has a facebook group with many "members," most of whom are not actually dues-paying members of our organization. Many do not even live in Tompkins County. Most are like-minded, however, and discussion and sharing tend to be lively.
Our actions, as an organization, consist largely of signing on to initiatives that other organizations put forth, after members hold some internal email discussion. TCP tries to collaborate with other local groups whenever possible, for the sake of efficiency. Frequent partners include the WFP, DSA, and local healthcare and environmental groups.
At election time, TCP reaches out to candidates to educate themselves so that they can make recommendations to the public in the form of official endorsements. Individual members are encouraged to volunteer and donate as much as they are able, to help their favorite candidates get elected. They are also free to volunteer for candidates who were not endorsed by TCP, because TCP believes it is important to "build the bench." A candidate who doesn't win TCP's endorsement for city council one year might win it for county legislature the following year, and building positive relationships is always worthwhile.
Tompkins County Progressives as an organization tries to hold several events during each election season to generate excitement (and volunteer lists and donations) for its endorsed candidates, as a group. See this article about our recent event at Argos Warehouse.
Endorsements from Tompkins County Progressives are routinely echoed by NYPAN, although these echo-endorsements are not guaranteed. Candidates value the reach that NYPAN has among the progressive and activist communities, and are increasingly interested in forming alliances with Tompkins County Progressives as well.
Having more members would facilitate these relationships! (During TCP's first year, membership peaked at well over 50 members. Our membership numbers are much lower now!)
How do I join?
Anyone who is interested can become a member of Tompkins County Progressives by paying annual membership dues of $27. Payment can be made by check and mailed to Emily Adams, P.O. Box 86, Brooktondale NY 14817. (Make the check out to NYPAN and write TCP in the memo line)
Alternatively, a person can pay membership dues via ActBlue (either $30 for the year or $2.50 per month). Use the "donate" link in the upper right. (Scholarships are available for those who find our dues a hardship -- just ask!)
New members should fill out this form, so that the organization has your name, email, phone number and so forth.
New members need to be a member in good standing for at least 30 days before they can participate in any endorsement vote.
What can I do, with Tompkins County Progressives, right now?
New York's Presidential primary will be held on April 2nd! TCP members have voted to endorse the "Leave It Blank" campaign -- turn in a blank ballot to signal to Biden that he needs to do more to stop the genocide in Palestine. The "Listen to Wisconsin" movement is also encouraging a protest vote, and TCP members are being asked to help phonebank for their cause as well.
Are you good with social media? TCP's endorsed candidates need help amplifying their messages across various platforms!
Do you enjoy organizing events? After petitioning is over and the weather has improved, TCP could set up house parties, fundraising concerts, boat trips, seminars on special topics, voter registration drives, etc. These activities are not just fun, they are vital if we are going to save our democracy. More people do not TURN OUT TO VOTE than vote for all the candidates on a typical ballot, combined. Apathy and hopelessness are growing and will have dangerous consequences. We can't turn things around unless we first motivate people to become positively engaged.