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A strategy to gather the steam that is brewing in the states ought to be locally owned and operated, or will risk creating programs and methods that do not reflect the community and its people. In addition, the programs that are intended to assist and support communities of color, youth, and other disenfranchised groups, must also be supported from the ground up, not the top down.

One of the lessons of 2004 was that it is useful to have staff and support tools that are focused on the needs of a collaboration—people who not connected with a particular institution or group, who can see the big-picture needs of the community. That said, there is a role for the view at 10,000 feet. This is where the Center for Civic Participation works, to support the extreme talent and energy IN the states to convene and coordinate. Our priority activities are to create efficiencies, to support a coordinated approach, and to build a lasting infrastructure, especially for communications and organizing.

CCP provides the tools of a network to groups in the states, including:

• Listservs
• News and information feeds
• Event calendars with topical and regional specificity
• Resource library
• Training resources
• “Want Ads” and “Help Boards”
• Technical support
• Message development
• Fundraising support

Other activities that stretch across states include:

• Integrated 501c3 voter files with enhanced activist background;
• Coordinated message development;
• Quick communication networks and spokespeople;
• Coordinated field strategy;
• Coordinated registration and GOTV turf.

CCP recognizes that there is no "one-size-fits-all" model. But we can provide a framework for strategies at the state level, and lean into national coordination.

We want you to come along.