Precinct annual meetings were held yesterday in Durham.

[barbtries]

I never went to one until after Trump. At that time I figured I needed to be active in politics locally and showed up at that meeting in 2017. That year it was held at a library, and I went to the wrong library first and consequently was late getting to the meeting.

If a precinct does not have at least 5 members present at the annual meeting, it is considered disorganized. When I finally showed up at the correct location, my precinct was discussing the fact that they were going to be disorganized, as there were only 4 people there. I made the 5th and we went from there.

Last night 16 people showed up. I was fearful that people were suffering so much from outrage overload that engagement would fall and we might not have enough again but was I ever wrong about that. It was really encouraging.

It was discouraging that everyone was white in a 31% black precinct. The greater Durham political structure does have a more equitable demographic, but I would love to see more diversity at meetings.

[vlyons]

1. Ya have to attend some black churches

Speak to the pastor at a black church and ask him to announce when such meetings will occur.

[barbtries]

2. That's a good idea.

I don't do church and don't even know if any are here in my precinct, which is on the outskirts of Durham. I do know there are a couple mega churches here, which I just learned yesterday.

But that probably makes a big difference in several other precincts closer to downtown.

[steventh]

3. duckduckgo results for "black churches durham nc"

It came up with 30 black baptist churches. It's a start:

https://www.yellowpages.com/durham-nc/black-baptist-churches

[barbtries]

4. thanks steventh

i'll take a look. it was brought up at the meeting yesterday but I don't recall the context. I have a feeling that these will be primarily outside of my precinct.
It was these churches that brought out the "souls to the polls" for early voting on Sundays in Durham and elsewhere. Republicans have done all they could to put an end to that, but we are already early voting and Sundays are still active. So that's good.
I mean to knock on doors here in my little community where several houses changed hands last year, and check they're registered and encourage engagement. I hate doing that but gawd damn. Never know, it could make a difference.

[steventh]

5. In these terrible times it's good to do all we can.

Even (bleh) door knocking. Because it very well could make a difference, as you say. I read that Clinton would have won one of the 4 crucial states she lost (maybe Wisconsin?) if only 2 more people in each county voted for her. For me that's motivation, big time.

I haven't kept up with "souls to the polls" issues. I know Republicans (bless their hearts, and i do mean that sarcastically) tried to put an end to it. It's good to see that there's still early voting on Sundays. Thanks for giving me that nice little piece of good news.