Good government is created by people who care and show up! Even a hour every other week can make a huge difference.

I found that many people need to feel comfortable to go to the precinct caucuses. So here is a quick guide based on my experience to having fun and being political effective, first time out.

The Process in Steps:

1) Key Action: Go to your caucus! Each party has a caucus, so at least for just this night, you have to pick just one party. Find out where your caucus is by entering your address and picking a party at Secretary of State website or call 651-215-1440. If you choose to go the DFL caucus, the DFL lookup will give you both location and contact people. Mark it on the calender Feb 5, show up on 6:45 or earlier if possible.

2) If you are early enough, then go find a candidate. Key Action: ask a critical question, or present a critical fact to a candidate.

3) Check what precinct you are in and go to the appropriate room - usually a whole group of precincts meet in one building.

4) Sign in when you walk in. Vote on any paper ballot issues. In the DFL party, at the precinct you do not have to sign the back of a paper ballot. Read literature available. Find the resolution paperwork, and fill one sheet out for each resolution that you plan to propose (don't try for more than three). Your already written resolutions can just be attached to the resolution form, like this DFL resolution form.

5) Usually the meeting will be started by a "convener", a person who volunteered to start the meeting. Usually one of the first considerations is to consider whether the convener or another person should run the meeting. People usually approve of the original convener unless that person is known to be unfair. The person running the meeting is then called the chair. Sorry, no one gets to be the "table".

6) Then rules and agenda is considered. In listening to rules, the important points are a) what percentage is needed for approval b) how many speakers and how long each side gets to speak c) does anything need to be in writing. Changing the rules here only takes a majority vote, a change later takes a 2/3 vote. Changes must also be consistent with party rules.

7) Elected offices and volunteer positions are filled. Raise your hand if you wish to volunteer, here is where you can have a huge impact.

8) Meeting pauses occasionally so candidates and elected officials can give brief speeches.

9) The chair announces the next convention, date and time and asks who would like to be a delegate. Key Action: Raise your hand and sign the sheet as it comes around. If you cannot be a delegate, be an alternate. Alternates become actual delegates when delegates don't show up, which is very common. Note alternate order matters, so sign up quickly and then you will be assured of being seated as a delegate. Alternates, even when not seated, can actively participate in many ways.

10) The chair announces consideration of resolutions, and asks if anyone has a resolution. Key Action: Raise your hand. When recognized, read your resolution. Then give the first speech, you can read it right off of a sheet if you are nervous. Every consideration and every discussion of good resolutions helps move people toward political action, even though you don't always win approval!

11) Go home, mark the next convention on your calendar. Come prepared with literature, snacks, drinks and sudoku/crossword puzzles.

General notes:

1) Talk, smile, help out, make friends and have fun - these are your neighbors and your community.

2) Meetings are usually run, by a friendly version of Roberts Rules of Order. a) someone making a motion to do something. a second person must "second" the motion so that the motion is considered b) then debate or discussion happens where usually alternating points of view discuss the idea until time and number limits are reached c) the motion is approved by a majority vote.

3) Sometimes, it gets interesting when the chair tries to act against the wishes of the group. Usually someone brings up a "Point of order" which is a specific case of not following the rules. Then the chair rules that we are following the rules. At this point, a person can move to overrule the chair. The group can then overrule the chair by a 2/3 vote. Note that if the chair acts improperly that there usually is an appeal and remedy process within each party. Also note, that rules can also be suspended at any time for a specific purpose, by a 2/3 vote. For example, rules are frequently suspended to allow an guest speaker, who is not a voting member.

4) In the DFL, a few really active precincts will sub caucus, which just means that you break into smaller groups to elect delegates. The odds should still be very good, for most of the people in the very active precincts are still becoming delegates at the this level.

Resolutions:

There is an art to drafting resolutions that make them easier to understand and to be approved. The "whereas portion" is just a sneaky way to do a persuasive speech. The resolution part "be it resolved" is the part that eventually makes into the platform (what the party tries to make law). It is most important to be short and clear. Don't try to cover details or engineer compromises in a resolution, that is actual lawmaking. There should be no more than three whereas points. The first one should ring with a deep spiritual value. You may change the whereas-s if you like and even the resolution, when you present the resolution in caucus. The same resolution presented and passed in many precincts has a great chance of making it into the platform (the party's commitment of what to make into law).

Sample Resolution: Create Security through Global Marshall Plan

Whereas solidarity with other nations and generosity in alleviating global poverty is more effective in eliminating terrorism than with military intervention,

Be it resolved that we enact a Global Marshall Plan that would allocate at least 1-2 percent of the gross domestic product of the U.S. to eliminating global poverty, homelessness, hunger, inadequate education, inadequate health care, and to repair the global environment.

Short Sample Speech for Resolution to Create Security through Global Marshall Plan:

Our country has forgotten how to wage peace. In World War II, the United States had a Marshall Plan that successfully brought relief and reconstruction to European nations ravaged by war. Now we need to bring back the idea of the Global Marshall Plan to restore peace and goodwill. If we spend a half or even a quarter of what we normally spend on the military during non-war times, we would truly be investing in peace and friendship. The war policy is a failure policy. Using the Global Marshall Plan is effective, it is cost efficient and it is the moral thing to do.

So go to your caucus, have fun and be politically effective!

More information available at www.mnblue.com .