New Frontiers for Democrats

From Precinct Chairs to volunteers (new and veteran), we have many caring people ready to see progress through for the Collin County Democratic Party. But the question of who our next Chair will be isn't just about where we've been or who we are. A more pressing question is: Where are we going?

As we wrap up early voting in the 2018 mid-term primaries, statistics show us that people are voting on Republican ballots in Collin County at an astounding rate of 2:1 over Democratic ballots. Coupled with current and past CCDP Leadership failing to build effective infrastructure or to elect Democrats for over two decades, we are facing a new frontier. 

Republicans know all of this, of course. How could they not? For decades now, I daresay, they've exploited it. Beyond local Republicans dominating non-partisan offices, one need not look further than the red mapping efforts after Obama was elected in 2008 to see profound evidence of Democrats losing political ground, locally and nationally, at all levels of government.

Yes: We have an influx of people running for office under the Democratic Party flag in Collin County. And, Yes: We are seeing an amazing turnout compared to years past. But, No: This surge isn't because of some specific planned efforts of local Democratic Party Leadership. In fact, the current party chair said at a public event in March 2017, that "we were not prepared" for the amount of people wanting to help the party after Trump was elected.

As someone who witnessed party activity both before and after November 2016, it seems to me that the rising tide of Democrats is built upon time and circumstance. In this case, that circumstance was the election of Donald Trump. Time has worked in favor of current leadership, but lack preparation is making our work difficult.

Time and circumstance continues to show us that progressive Collin County citizens, ready to take action since Trump's election, are not going to flock to the dark side of politics. Even moderates continue to migrate to the left. When we start with why, we see the oncoming Democratic Party tsunami for what it is: A clear force of political nature driven by the need to wash away the hate and fear-mongering on the right.

So, where are we going? A better question might be:  Where could we go? Take a moment to read (or re-read) through my prior blogs for suggestions I've made since mid 2017. I might suggest starting with some of the recent ideas addressed in Building the Foundation and Turning Theory into Practice, Politically Speaking.

Our work is never finished. Who we elect March 6th as County Party Chair is who will navigate us beyond the rising tsunami, through the aftermath, and in to new frontiers. #progresstakeschange

Collin County Democratic Party Chair Forum

Thank you, Women Organizing Women Democrats, for hosting yesterday's #CollinCountyDemocraticPartyChair Forum. Whether there in person, or watching on Facebook Live, events like this offer the public the opportunity to not only hear the candidate's agenda, but, more importantly, to see the candidates state their positions side by side. Looking forward to future WOW Democrats forums and other candidate events! #StrongerTogether #ProgressTakesChange

Turning Theory Into Practice, Politically Speaking

Since the beginning of this year, I've spoken with hundreds of people in Collin County who have had no interactions with the Democratic Party or have made attempts to with little to no reply. I've interviewed dozens of progressive leaders who have expressed similar sentiment.

With hundreds of people saying this candidly, I have to wonder how many of the tens of thousands of registered Democrats in Collin County feel similarly? And, in light of Democrats not winning offices in decades, I wonder how many of the (over) half a million registered voters in Collin County expect much from Democratic Party at all?

A few months ago, I recommended a brief overview of a plan that embraced this fundamental need for change to local party leadership. One of the core components of the recommendation is the creation and implementation of a written Strategic Development Plan.

To ensure its functionality for short and long term initiatives, the plan is phased. The phasing also allows for adequate input from an Executive Steering Committee, the County Executive Committee, and, most importantly, input from the community at large. This infrastructure re-development initiative will then transition into the written Strategic Development Plan.

The written plan will be a living document, serving as a template for future county party leaders and volunteers to fall back on as needed. Nearing one million people, Collin County grows and changes daily. And this plan will allow the party the opportunity to continuously redevelop the role the Democratic Party, the party of the people.

Over the next few weeks and into the new year, I'll release more of plan specifics. Here are some highlights for now:

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Infrastructure Redevelopment Initiative:

Redeveloping the party's infrastructure will assist in providing a vision to guide the party, help find better ways to unify activities with the community-at-large, and, ultimately, help the party win offices. Some key components of this phase of development include creating:

• Strategic Development Plan
• Vision Statement
• Revamped Mission Statement
• Revamped Leadership Model
• Executive Steering Committee
• New and Revamped Action Committees
• Committee Guides
• Operations Management Initiatives
• Administrative Guidelines
• Training Guides
• Volunteer Guides

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Strategic Development Plan:

Once an effective infrastructure is established, a comprehensive written Strategic Development Plan for continuous improvement will be set in motion. This involves redirecting our operations management and practicing continuous improvement exercises all while still honoring the Democratic Party agenda. Some key components of this phase of development include implementing:

• Regular Strategic Planning Reviews
• Leadership Retreats
• Volunteer Appreciation Programs
• Train-The-Trainer Programs
• Educational Program Outreach
• Community Outreach Initiatives
• Legislative Affairs Management
• Political Activism Coordination
• Public Relations Initiatives

Are you ready for progress? Progress takes change.

#ProgressTakesChange #Vision #Unity #Empowerment #CollinCountyDemocraticPartyChair

Empowering Community

HOW CAN WE BETTER EMPOWER THE COLLIN COUNTY COMMUNITY to get involved and stay involved?

Continuing a series of interviews called Building A Better Collin County with the goal to reach out to our county and North Texas community and create a sustainable path to our future:

Among similar interviews with other organizations I've worked on, this interview is with Terri T. Thomas, President / Founding Member, Collin County Black Chamber of Commerce. As I note in all these videos, this not an endorsement of me or the Democratic Party.

Until equality is realized for all citizens, organizations like this are vital to our future locally, nationally, and globally. #ProgressTakesChange#Vision #Unity #Community #Empowerment

Stirling Morris for Collin County Democratic Party Chair

www.stirlingmorris.com

Meet & Greet Fundraiser for Stirling for CCDP Chair

Our #1 priority, as individuals, as citizens, and as the Collin County Democratic Party, is to improve the world we live in. All day. Every day. Having a mission to get Democrats elected and a vision to see it through is just part of the path to get there.

Support my campaign to be your next Collin County Democratic Party Chair and let's establish the infrastructure we need and the strategies to improve upon to build a better Collin County today and for the world tomorrow. #ProgressTakesChange

Join us! Meet Stirling Morris for Collin County Democratic Party Chair and share your ideas to Build A Better Collin County. Can't make it? No worries. Donate!

Good Citizen

Continuing a series of interviews called Building A Better Collin County with the goal to reach out to our county and North Texas community and create a sustainable path to our future:

Among similar interviews with other organizations I've worked on, this interview is with Saif Islam representing both Good Citizens DFW and DFW for Beto. As I note in all these videos, this not an endorsement of me or the Democratic Party directly.

That said, I fully support both of these groups and am honored to get to know Saif better. His support of DFW and humanity represents the best of our ability to provide positive, proactive efforts in Collin County and across the metroplex.

#ProgressTakesChange #Vision #Unity #Community #Empowerment

Volunteer Orientation: Stirling for Collin Co. Democratic Party Chair

Are your ready to make a difference? 
Are you ready to share your vision? 
Are you ready to amplify the voices of Collin County in our government?

Join Stirling Morris for Collin County Democratic Party Chair at this Volunteer Orientation, and let's build a better Collin County. One that has a vision of tomorrow. One to provide unity for individuals and communities as a whole. One that wants to educate and empower tomorrow's citizens, voters, and leaders.

Because today, and every day: #ProgressTakesChange

When:   October 15th, 2017, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Where:  Schimelpfenig Library - Conference Room
              5024 Custer Rd, Plano, TX 75023

Cause and AFFECT

Continuing a video series of interviews called Building A Better Collin County with the goal to reach out to our county community and create a sustainable path to our future, one that reflects a sensible path of Vision, Unity, and Empowerment.

Among many similar interviews with other organizations in prior and in weeks to come, this second interview is with Pastor Ramon Hodridgerepresenting both AFFECT, Avenue F Family Enrichment Corporation of Texas, Inc, and the Ave F Church of Christ. As I note in all of these videos, this not an endorsement of me, my campaign, or the Democratic Party.

That said, I fully support causes like AFFECT and am so honored to get to know Ramon better. His support of the Douglass Community in Plano represents the best of our human ability to provide positive, proactive efforts in Collin County. Please consider donating to AFFECT here, http://affectinc.com/donate.

#BlackLivesMatter #ProgressTakesChange #Vision #Unity #Community#Empowerment

The Power of Change

Engaged, educational, empowering. Are these words you would use to describe the actions of your local Democratic Party? 

In my last couple of blogs, I've addressed our need for the Collin County Democratic Party to create better Vision and Unity. However, if we want to empower people to get involved and stay involved, we have to have find better ways to engage with our community to get Democrats elected. 

For months, I've suggested to Collin County Democratic Party leadership to employ better community outreach programming. It was great to finally see party leadership take steps to address this need. It's equally important though to recognize another case I have presented, continuous improvement strategies. 

Implementing new programming, for any organizational effort, serves a good purpose. CCDP's Ready for '18 program, launched this past Spring, is a good example of trying. But one campaign program effort, especially unwritten, does not a strategic plan make. 

Unless we have a written strategic development plan to ensure our party's continued success, we will continue to face the same problems, not the least of which is not being able to get Democrats elected into partisan office. 

This has been a problem for decades, and unquestionably under the current County Chair's watch. We have to look beyond 2018 to grow as an organization and get Democrats elected.

How do we get there?

There's never one right answer, but there's always a better answer. To grow, we need:

Transformational Leadership:  Since the current two term County Chair, now asking for a third, has failed to elect Democrats into partisan office, we need a new County Chair with a new leadership model.

Strategic Development Plan:  We need an executable action plan to address infrastructure, administrative & operational needs, and continuous improvement planning. Remarkably, the current CCDP leadership structure does not have a written strategic development plan. 

As representatives of the Democratic Party in Collin County, we have an obligation to be recognized as changemakers by helping progressive Democratic Party leaders get elected at all levels of government. 

With a renewed vision and continuous improvement strategies set in motion, we can turn Collin County blue and grow future local, state, and national leaders along the way.

Building a Better Community

I've created a series of interviews called Building A Better Collin County. The goal is to reach out to our community and create a sustainable path to our future in Collin County, one that reflects a sensible path of Vision, Unity, and Empowerment.

Among many similar interviews with multiple community organizations in weeks to come, this first interview is with Jeanne Rubin representing GALA, Gay and Lesbian Alliance of North Texas. As I note in the videos, this not an endorsement of me, my campaign or the Democratic Party.

That said, I support the efforts of GALA 100%, and I am proud to know Jeanne. She supports our shared Collin County community in so many positive ways, and I look forward to growing that relationship. Please consider donating to GALA here, www.galanorthtexas.org/donations.



#LoveIsLove #ProgressTakesChange #Vision #Unity #Community

Stirling Morris for Collin County Democratic Party Chair

Being Better Stewards of Our Community

In my last blog, I addressed the need to create a vision for Collin County. Once we've attained a sustainable vision, we must do everything we can to actively pursue as many acts and organized methods of unity as possible. Only by bringing together individuals, organizations, and one cohesive community-at-large in Collin County, can we achieve a true sense of unity.

Months before announcing my candidacy to be the next Collin County Democratic Party Chair, I analyzed the current CCDP infrastructure. With a focus on candidate awareness, leadership training, and public outreach, along with conversations with multiple people and like-minded organizations, not all of which were affiliated with the Democratic Party, I came up with the following assessment and action plan:

As the assessment reflects, Collin County Democratic Party needs to create a Vision of our future with Unity at the core to drive an Empowerment message of hope for candidates and all citizens of Collin County. 

After attending a seminar a couple of weeks ago, in which the topic was systemic privilege and oppression, I was further reminded that Unity starts with empathy. All too often in Collin County, Democrats, who are not elected leaders or regular volunteers, are told that they are not members of the CCDP and occasionally made to feel bad for offering an opinion about making the party better. 

If this is true for registered Democrats reaching out to their local party that they feel doesn't represent all we could be, what must the general community of Collin County think of the Collin County Democratic Party?

Within the CCDP itself, we have to better coordinate moderation and organization so that each individual understands the importance of interpersonal communications, respecting the needs of the group, and embracing how this will have larger implications for us as a whole. 

Externally, are we reaching out, in a sustainable manner, to the Collin County community as a whole? We have so many like-minded individuals and organizations in our county, working towards common progressive goals, who the CCDP doesn't actively maintain positive relationships with. At the very least, this list includes:

• (remarkably) Democratic Party affiliated groups
• Resistance groups
• Political activist organizations
• Advocacy groups and organizations
• Municipal groups
• Religious organizations
• Schools

How many more can you think of? 

None of this is implying that the CCDP hasn't tried reaching out to other groups or hasn't maintained some relations with a few. But in my conversations and interactions with our community, we haven't scratched the surface. This is particularly worrisome, for a non-profit organization like the Collin County Democratic Party, that presumably represents all of our nation's people. 

At the end of the day, there's never one right answer, but there's always a better answer. Let's work together with our community, our nation, and our shared world, to create a sustainable path to our future in Collin County, one that reflects a sensible path of Vision, Unity, and Empowerment. From there, the Collin County Democratic Party, will simply grow organically.

Vision, Unity, & Empowerment

Building A Better Vision for Our Community

It all starts with vision. A vision of who we are. Who we want to be. Who we can be.

To build a better Collin County Democratic Party, we have to look at Collin County both as a whole and as individual citizens working toward a common cause. To change our county, and inspire others to want to change with us, we have to reassess our place in it.

"I've always been more interested in the future than in the past." Grace Hopper

A good first step is working together to create a Vision Statement that exemplifies the diversity of Collin County while growing future Democratic leaders along the way. The design and implementation of that Vision Statement is intended to complement our Mission in getting Democrats elected as well as being a constant reminder to always look forward.

We need to be less concerned with how much better the party is today compared with the problems of yesterday. This disrespects our attention to the present, and undermines our need to focus on the future. Whether we actively participate in the Collin County Democratic Party or not, citizens of Collin County must unite as one to make any difference at all, for all.

Visualizing unity applies to our internal interactions as well as our public outreach with the community at large. We need to do a better job aligning ourselves with like-minded community organizations working on common causes. This is paramount to the public having confidence us. First impressions make all the difference. 

Maintaining a consistent vision of empowering candidates to have the tools and resources to run and win is vital to Collin County Democratic Party. When the public appreciates the voter education and public outreach efforts we employ, and sees that we can consistently win partisan offices, financial and volunteer support will grow organically. 

If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. Train-the-trainer programs are critical to our elected leaders having innovative decision making abilities. We need to be grooming the next generation of future leaders as soon as we step foot into office with the goal being for them to take over when our term is over. 

Ultimately, our vision is like our humanity, doing the most we can as a collective whole for the good of all while always being focused on the future. We need to embrace regular continuous improvement and strategic development programs that encapsulate visions of change. Otherwise, we're doing ourselves the greatest disservice of all - accepting that there is only one vision of our future.

What's your vision of the future? And what does it hold for Collin County?

Over the next few weeks, I'll be sharing a series of blogs that focus on my vision as a Candidate for Collin County Democratic Party Chair. #ProgressTakesChange 

Volunteer: Build A Better Collin County

Suggestion for Vision, Unity, and Empowerment in the Democratic Party