Okay, we had 10 people, 3 schools represented and 3 College Democrats presidents at last night's meetup. We meet at Goose Island and we got the Beer Stieb or whatever it's called. I had a couple of Clark meetups (sorry Dean, Kerry, Edwards, Kunicich fans) there so it was quite nostalgic. We had a great conversation ranging from CTA budget cuts to the Democratic Presidential nomination in 2008, and from how Christian values match up with Democrats more than Republicans to the DePaul kids cheering wildly when they saw the huge upset of Marquette (the TV was on because we wanted to watch the Daily Show, but Goose Island doesn't have Comedy Central!). Big success if I do say so myself. The chapter leaders were able to talk about things they had done that worked and share managing tips. I just had a guy from IIT E-mail me saying he wants to start a chapter at his school! Watch Chicago machine! The college students of Chicago are building their own!
Okay not quite, and we generally support the machine it being Democratic and all (Since 1927 and still going) but I'm quite excited about all of this.
More work needs to be done though. 12 members is nothing. Also we had a DePaul Democrats meeting at our Loop campus today and only 4 people showed up. Usually at Lincoln Park, we get 30-40 so it looks like it will be like starting a whole new organization at the Loop but harder since its the business school and most people want to make money and live in the Republican suburbs. It's Chicago though, so it shouldn't be impossible. Gotta just keep on plucking away.
Here's the link to the website college lurkers, sign up already:
http://democrat.meetup.com/576/ Oh and of course I gave a plug for the DU. Some of them had never heard of it before. They seemed very interested. Maybe they will become regular hardcore posters like myself.