Ask me anything

[miss_s_b]

Ask me a question. Anything you like. As long as I am not infringing anyone else's privacy, I will answer it to the best of my ability.

Comments

[frankie_ecap]

Do you really believe that leafleting is helpful for the Lib Dems, and if so why?

[miss_s_b]

Yes and no. I think that SOME people like recieving leaflets, but they are a very small number. Some people are reminded of our existence by their appearance. But also a lot of people find them annoying, and a lot of people find them actively off-putting. On balance, I think leafletting probably annoys more people than is helpful, but I know I am in a minority in believing this.

There needs to be proper extensive research into whether and how well leafletting works. The party wouldn't spend so much money on it if they didn't think it did, because we are VERY cash-poor. But if that money could be better spent elsewhere...

[frankie_ecap]

I emailed my local party and asked how I could help, and they said have a leaflet round. And I'm reluctant, because in my heart of hearts I cannot convince myself that it is making the world a better place. But I also wonder if I should do it, because that is that they think I need, and it might be the only route to doing something more useful.

[miss_s_b]

Oh if you want to help your local party they will almost always give you leaflets to deliver. It's one of my main bugbears. This does not engage people with the party! However, you're right, taking a delivery route will be a route into the party machinery.

[frankie_ecap]

That's really helpful, thank you. I will screw my courage to the sticking post and say yes, even though I'm still reluctant. But not until I've navigated the important college deadline next week that I found out about by accident three days ago.

Can't say as I feel particularly engaged, but maybe that will change. And if it doesn't, I can always stop.

[miss_s_b]

I'm a party officer, and I'm not feeling particularly engaged at the moment ;)

[frankie_ecap]

Do you mind my asking what are the reasons? since we're still on the 'ask me anything thread :-)

[miss_s_b]

Oh, the frustrations of dealing with fallible human beings; myself included.

[frankie_ecap]

For me, I find that dealing with my own fallibility is so much harder than others'. And when I'm triggered by other people, it's almost always because they have some quality that I dislike or repress or want to change in myself.

[miss_s_b]

Oh God I recognise that. I get annoyed with people for being flakey and unreliable, which is a major trait I have. And yeah, I am much harder on myself than anyone else is, and than I am on anyone else.

[frankie_ecap]

I suspect that some of this is human nature, and I'm not even sure I'd want to change it in its entirety - I'm nervous of going easy on myself. But I'm sure that I also cause myself unnecessary pain and sometimes I make it harder for myself to do things because I'm beating up and beaten up. It's very hard to put this down, though.

[miss_s_b]

Yes, it is hard to put down. One day I might get better at it...

[frankie_ecap]

Sending you good wishes and hoping you become more engaged soon. Thanks for this - it really has helped.

[miss_s_b]

No worries. Glad to be of help.

[matgb]

generally, most local parties are completely unable to organise their volunteers effectively. The easiest thing to get someone to do is deliver, anything else needs time and trust. Leafletting does work, to an extent, there're diminishing returns,but feedback shows they work,even with those voters that say they don't.

Best way to actually do stuff is turn up at Exec meetings, all members are welcome to attend, and volunteer to fix something. The website is a perennial thing that needs help, as is date entry and, well volunteer admin. Odds are they haven't got anyone doing polling data analysis, and they'll need that doing.

Other than that, depends how busy they are, is it you lives in Lynne's seat?