[Mpls] Second Annual Nonpartisan Party, Sat. 13 Nov.

[Melendez, Brian]

The Second Annual
Nonpartisan Party

From:	Joseph Barisonzi
	Betsy Barnum
	Natalie Collins
	Carleton Crawford
	Lee Eklund
	Cameron Gordon
	Brian Melendez
	Connie Nompelis
	Sue Ponsford


You and your friends are cordially invited to the second annual "Nonpartisan Party" on Saturday 13 November, from 7 p.m. until Whenever, at Brian Melendez's home, 1777 Dupont Avenue South, Minneapolis. (Please see below for directions.)
The Concept
The inaugural Nonpartisan Party was held in 2003, when -- for the first time in many years -- there were neither federal, state, legislative, nor municipal elections scheduled in Minneapolis. The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November came and went without a general election.

The co-hosts -- then as now -- were volunteer activists in different political parties. We spend practically all our volunteer time around politics, helping get our candidates elected. But some of the most decent and interesting folks that we have met in local politics are not necessarily members of the same party as we are. Unfortunately, those folks seldom deal with each other outside the partisan political context, so building relationships and actual friendships with each other is tough. But local politics would be much more civil, and perhaps focused more on issues and less on personalities, if there were more opportunities for building relationships and friendships among volunteers across party lines.

To that end, we threw the first Nonpartisan Party as an opportunity for volunteer leaders in all the political parties to meet and mingle outside partisan politics. The event was a success, so we are turning it into an annual event -- a chance for coming together after an actual election, taking off our hats as partisans for a moment and looking at the candidates and at each other as neighbors and fellow citizens.
The Rules
There will be a few ground rules:

1.	The party is a private event, hosted by individuals and not by political parties, organizations, or titles. Everyone who cares about local politics, regardless of partisan affiliation (or lack of affiliation), is welcome.

2.	No agenda or program.

3.	No handouts, leaflets, or other propaganda. It's a party, ya know?

4.	The party is mostly in honor of volunteer activists. Publicly elected officers are more than welcome. So are candidates for those offices. But nobody gets a soapbox or a formal introduction.

5.	No campaigning allowed. (Gossip and speculation are okay.)

6.	No speeches!

We will supply some beverages and munchies (and maybe even some Krispy Kreme donuts). You don't need to bring anything. But if you do want to bring something, you can bring a favorite beverage or snack for sharing.
The Directions
1777 Dupont Avenue is a red-brick house with white trim, in Lowry Hill, three blocks west of Hennepin Avenue, between Summit and Douglas (three blocks north of Franklin). You can park on the street in front. Brian's phone number is 612.377.1777.


We hope that you can come! Please write or call any co-host if you have any questions:

				Betsy Barnum	betsy at greatriv.org
				Brian Melendez	brian.melendez at usa.net
				Cameron Gordon	camgordon333 at msn.com
				Carleton Crawford	carleton at c3homedesign.com
				Joseph Barisonzi	joe at communityleader.com
				Lee Eklund	leeboy1 at peoplepc.com
				Connie Nompelis	mplsgop at yahoo.com
				Natalie Collins	nataliemariec at yahoo.com
				Sue Ponsford	seponsford at yahoo.com