The Third Annual
Nonpartisan Party
From: Carleton Crawford
Elizabeth Dickinson
Lee Eklund
Darrell Gerber
Brian Melendez
Connie Nompelis
Sue Ponsford
David Weinlick
You and your friends are cordially invited to the third annual
"Nonpartisan Party" on Saturday 12 November, from 6 p.m. until Whenever,
at Brian Melendez's home, 1777 Dupont Avenue South, Minneapolis. (Please
see below for directions.)
The Concept
The inaugural Nonpartisan Party was held in 2003, when -- for
the first time in many years -- there were neither federal, state,
legislative, nor municipal elections scheduled in Minneapolis. The first
Tuesday after the first Monday in November came and went without a
general election.
The co-hosts -- then as now -- were volunteer activists in
different political parties. We spend practically all our volunteer time
around politics, helping get our candidates elected. But some of the
most decent and interesting folks that we have met in local politics are
not necessarily members of the same party as we are. Unfortunately,
those folks seldom deal with each other outside the partisan political
context, so building relationships and actual friendships with each
other is tough. But local politics would be much more civil, and perhaps
focused more on issues and less on personalities, if there were more
opportunities for building relationships and friendships among
volunteers across party lines.
To that end, we threw the first Nonpartisan Party as an
opportunity for volunteer leaders in all the political parties to meet
and mingle outside partisan politics. The event was a success, so we
have turned it into an annual event -- a chance for coming together
after an actual election, taking off our hats as partisans for a moment
and looking at the candidates and at each other as neighbors and fellow
citizens.
The Rules
There will be a few ground rules:
1. The party is a private event, hosted by individuals and
not by political parties, organizations, or titles. Everyone who cares
about local politics, regardless of partisan affiliation (or lack of
affiliation), is welcome.
2. No agenda or program.
3. No handouts, leaflets, or other propaganda. It's a
party, ya know?
4. The party is mostly in honor of volunteer activists.
Publicly elected officers are more than welcome. So are candidates for
those offices. But nobody gets a soapbox or a formal introduction.
5. No campaigning allowed. (Gossip and speculation are
okay.)
6. No speeches!
We will supply some beverages and munchies (and maybe even some
Krispy Kreme donuts). You don't need to bring anything. But if you do
want to bring something, you can bring a favorite beverage or snack for
sharing. Bert Black will again furnish the musical accompaniment.
The Directions
1777 Dupont Avenue is a red-brick house with white trim, in
Lowry Hill, three blocks west of Hennepin Avenue, between Summit and
Douglas (three blocks north of Franklin). You can park on the street in
front. Brian's phone number is 612.377.1777.
We hope that you can come! Please write or call any co-host if
you have any questions:
Carleton Crawford
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Elizabeth Dickinson
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Darrell Gerber
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Lee Eklund
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Brian Melendez
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Connie Nompelis
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sue Ponsford
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
David Weinlick
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Posted by
Brian Melendez
Lowry Hill (Ward 7)
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