Melissa and Tom: Why We're Qualified

Melissa Roberts

Melissa, a student at Boston College, has worked throughout her career at BC to promote Democratic Causes:
As Communications Director of CDM Melissa was responsible for sending State Alerts to over 2,500 MA College Dems, overseeing the redesign and upkeep of the CDM website, and facilitating weekly E-Board conference calls.
As Chair of the CDA Faith Caucus, Melissa worked with other E-Board members to create a national listserv of College Democrats of Faith, develop a programming bank of faith-based programs, and plan a service invasion of New Orleans, LA.
As Director of Political Affairs for the Undergraduate Government of Boston College, Melissa helped to reinstate an effective student advising system for the BC judicial disciplinary process, and organize a UNITY rally to respond to hate crimes on campus attended by more than 1,000 BC students.
Melissa has worked extensively on political campaigns and in legislative offices, volunteering or interning on John Connolly for Boston City Council At-Large, Mike Festa for Middlesex Co. DA, Martha Coakley for Attorney General, Chris Gabrieli for Governor, Rachel Kaprielian for State Representative, and Deval Patrick for Governor, and the Office of State Representative Mike Festa.

If you'd like to endorse us, or you'd like to see our ideas in detail, please contact Melissa at 913-449-5307 or msmeliss2024@gmail.com and Tom at 781-854-6593 or thomasemills@gmail.com.

Our Endorsements:

Young Democrats of Massachusetts- Massachusetts Democratic Future Organizational Endrosement
Annie Sawabini, Chapter Founder and President Emeritus, UMass Dartmouth College Democrats
Bobak Fatemizadeh, CDM Finance Director
Chris Campbell, President, Bentley College Democrats
Chis Dwelley, President, Suffolk University College Democrats
Cory Kalanick, President, Boston University College Democrats
Liam Carroll, President Emeritus, College Democrats of Vermont
Joe Seago, National Vice-Chair, College Democrats of America Disability Caucus
Nate Kennedy, President, College Democrats of Missouri
Jake Velleman, Chair, College Democrats of America's GLBT Caucus
Emily Brooks, President, College Democrats of D.C.

If you'd like to endorse us, or you'd like to see our ideas in detail, please contact Melissa at 913-449-5307 or msmeliss2024@gmail.com and Tom at 781-854-6593 or thomasemills@gmail.com.

Getting Ready for 2008: 8 Simple Goals

Infrastructure and Organization

1. Train students to be active members of the Democratic Party, during and after college.
2. Create working relationships with allied organizations like the State Party, YDA, labor unions, and Democratic Town Committees.
3. Form a chapter on every campus in Massachusetts by Primary Day 2008.
4. Produce an experience-driven Chapter Manual and mentor weak chapters to help with implementation.
5. Hold monthly regional leadership meetings in every region.
6. Establish support committees in the areas of Communications, Finance, and Campaigns.
7. Conduct an independent, youth-issues based poll to inform the state of what matters to our peers.
8. Hire a temporary CDM organizer in 2008.

Campaigns and Elections

1. Create a targeted, state-wide campaign plan.
2. Educate students about local races.
3. Distribute talking points, literature, and campaign materials to every chapter.
4. Bring City Council candidates to chapter meetings.
5. Run students in local elections.
6. Work with individual chapters to draft voter registration and GOTV plans.
7. Bring local officials, such as city council candidates to meetings.
8. Work to support all Democratic candidates before the primary.
9. Absorb splinter groups in a Campaigns Committee to avoid losing dedicated members after the primary.

Communications

1. Write a comprehensive Communications Plan, focusing on earned media, campus media, and new media.
2. Participate in community service projects to gain positive media attention.
3. Host monthly regional leadership meetings in each region.
4. Conduct continuous, year-round messaging campaigns on issues and Democratic beliefs.
5. Expand publication of the Tufts/CDM magazine to quarterly intervals.
6. Encourage a “House of Representatives” style chapter forum through monthly general membership conference calls.
7. Create a Communications Committee including Webmaster, Blog Editor, Graphic Design, Earned Media Specialist, and New Media Specialist positions.
8. Continue weekly E-Board conference calls.

Finance

1. Draft a Finance Plan to pick target donors, establish donor recognition, and pursue annual giving contracts.
2. Create a chapter grant program.
3. Fundraise enough to hire a temporary CDM organizer for the ‘08 cycle.
4. Acquire sponsorship through statewide publication and at CDM events.
5. Practice fiscal responsibility by filing all OCPF paperwork accurately and on-time.
6. Keep accurate, organized financial records.
7. Apply for funding grants from the State Party.
8. Hold frequent, small-scale fundraising events.