Offer a Sex Ed Resolution at your precinct caucus
January 20, 2010 9:48:56
by Karina
Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund
Precinct caucuses are fast approaching! What’s a precinct caucus?
Via the Minnesota Secretary of State:
A caucus is a meeting organized by Minnesota's political parties where citizens can engage each other in a conversation about which candidates to support in the 2010 election and what public policy positions should be adopted as part of the party's platform.
If you consider yourself a Democratic, Republican, or a Green or Independence Party member, then you’ll be caucusing on February 2nd. Libertarians don’t have any caucuses this year, and Constitution Party’s
caucus date is TBD.
The Planned Parenthood Minnesota Political Action Fund hasn’t made any endorsements for the race for Governor yet, but we are asking our supporters to offer and support a sex ed resolution at their caucus. Resolutions are offered as proposed amendments or additions to a party’s platform. Typically speaking, a party platform dictates the values and stances that party members should agree with in order to be considered a member of that party. So by offering a resolution on sex ed, you are helping to elevate the importance of this particular issue to your party. It’s a very unique opportunity to shape the debate and provide direction to an entire field of candidates and the future of your party.
Offering a resolution isn’t as hard as it sounds. I was able to attend my precinct caucus in ’08 and offered a similar resolution on sex ed. The process was very simple and actually kind of fun. During the caucus, the precinct leaders asked if anyone would like to offer a resolution, at which point I raised my hand. When it was my turn, I read the resolution aloud to my neighbors and I briefly explained why I supported it. My neighbors then got a chance to share their thoughts on the resolution. After I had shared why I supported this resolution, a man who said he was a physician, echoed my support, and further explained why as a physician he also felt that responsible sex ed is important. After discussion, the sex ed resolution passed overwhelmingly. Ta Da!
After a resolution passes, it gradually works its way through the convention system. If people continue to support it, it will make its way into the party platform!
One thing that can be guaranteed: if people don’t offer the sex ed resolution, then there is no way it will end up in the party platform. So give it a shot!
Click here to download a resolution supporting responsible, comprehensive sex ed.
If you’re interested in learning more about the caucus process, the Minnesota Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed and the Minnesota AIDS Project will be holding several trainings throughout Minnesota. Learn more!
Not sure where is your precinct’s caucus going to be held? Just use the Secretary of State’s handy-dandy caucus finder to find out.
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