In December, we heard from Debra Hilstrom of the DFL House Caucus concerning the importance of finding candidates early and having them begin organizing and fundraising.

We heard from two announced candidates Jerry Newton for the legislature and Jeremy Whittenback who is running for City Council in Coon Rapids.

We talked about the caucuses that will be held February 7th at Andover High School. Everyone will still be in their same precincts – We are still looking for some precinct conveners. I have asked someone in each precinct, but have not received answers in all of them yet. We decided to join other districts and mail out postcards to the strong DFL’er and we will be doing some phoning the week of January 23rd – I will get you a notice of when and where.

We talked about redistricting – There are four plans out and they all treat District 49 differently. One splits us four ways. In all we will lose some portion of the existing district. – I am in conversation with the district chairs of districts near us and we will meet after the courts announce redistricting, probably not until February 21st – we will decide then who will convene what convention and where and when we will attempt to hold them. You can be elected a delegate from your precinct, we are just unsure what district convention you will be going to and we will not know at the precinct caucuses – you will just have to be patient as we all will.

We watched the composite of advertisements that the League of Women Voters has proactively put together against any voter ID amendment that the legislature may put on the 2012 ballot.

Caucuses are coming – February 7 – 7:00PM at Andover High School It is most important is that you all attend; let your voice be heard, be involved in organizing the party in this reorganization year- we will need all your help.

We will be sending out postcards to over 700 people in District 49 and we will be calling also. On the 24th and the 31st if you do not need convener training we will set up part of the space to begin calling people to remind them of the caucuses. There may be other opportunities for calling. Please volunteer a little of your time if you can. I was hoping to have conveners for every precinct by now, but I still have a few to get. If I call or e-mail you requesting that you perform this task, please say, “YES”.

For those who are conveners or think they may like to be or just want to learn what the whole process is about, we will hold caucus convener training on the 25th directly after our regular meeting or at about 7:15 PM. Another session will be held at Davanni’s on January 31 6:30 PM and 7:30 PM – we will conduct it twice in case someone can not make the earlier time. We are opening our training to other districts and some of them have agreed to allow our conveners to be trained at their meetings. There will be training at Hugo City Hall at noon on January 21 and January 28; the Stillwater Public Library on January 24 at 6:15 PM and at Hardwood Public Library in Forest Lake at 6:00 pm on January 26.

The delegates elected at the precinct caucuses will go on to their district convention. Because the courts will not tell us where the new district boundaries are until February 21, if you are elected a delegate you will not know the date, place of the next convention. But if you are elected, I will insure that you are notified as soon as possible. Do not allow that to deter you from becoming a delegate, for thinking about running for party office. Each of those new districts will require officers. The DFL is asking that we do not plan for District conventions before March 17. That will give us about a month before the Congressional District Conventions.

Candidates In my search for candidates, I have gotten a number of people who have said they were not running in 2012, but I have at least three who have indicated an interest in Coon Rapids and interest indicated for the councils in Coon Rapids, Andover and Ham Lake. . We do not know exactly where the boundaries of new congressional and legislative districts may be, but if people intend to run for the state legislature now is the time to begin planning. If you thin you might have an interest contact Mel Aanerud . If you are thinking of running for a house seat contact please email Jaime Makepeace.

To all potential 2012 DFL House candidates

To training session for all potential 2012 DFL House candidates to be held on Sunday, June 12 from 2 to 5 PM. The training will be held in the Twin Cities metro area, actual place to be determined. At the training, you will learn:

• Writing a plan & planning to win
• Developing a winning message
• Fundraising
• Caucus structure & expectations

The Minnesota DFL begins small contributors program again

Some of you may recall that years ago the state DFL had a small contributors program. People would commit whatever they could afford on a regular basis. The DFL then knew what income they were getting each month and it provided as easier way to give. You can even make it an automatic deduction from a credit card and can be as little as $10.00. I will have sign up forms at the meeting. Each district will get a portion of those contributions back. Also the District that signs up the most people will have a dinner for the district.

Obama Re-election campaign

There is now a Obama campaign headquarters in Minnesota Location: 2722 University Ave SE. Minneapolis – our contact is Mike Crusinberry 218- 390-1755

Calendar of events.

• January 21 6th District Fundraiser Coon Rapid Legion 6.00
• January 24 Caucus convener training at Stillwater Public Library at 6:15 PM
• January 25 District 49 DFL meeting at Divanni’s 6:30 PM and caucus convener training at 7:15 and calling for caucus attendance
• January 26 Caucus convener training at Hardwood Public Library in Forest Lake at 6:00 pm on.
• January 28 Caucus convener training at Hugo City Hall at noon
• January 31 caucus convener training at 6:30 and again at 7:30 at Divanni’s in Coon Rapids and calling for caucus attendance
• February 7 Precinct Caucus Andover High School 7:00 pm
• April 14 6th district convention (or at least whichever district we will be in by that time)