Organizing Platforms
Any member interested in learning about one or more of the following org tools and how to use them for organizing purposes can attend the Triangle DSA Org Tools Training, which is a required training for all chapter member leaders.
- The Triangle DSA Google Calendar is where the chapter posts all of its meetings and events.
- We hold our virtual (or hybrid) meetings and events either on Zoom or in one of the Discord voice channels. All member leaders are given access to a shared Zoom account to create Zoom meetings for official Triangle DSA meetings and events. Any member is welcome to use the voice channels on the chapter Discord to hold a meeting or just hang out.
- Our Zoom account only supports two meetings occurring simultaneously, so please use the Discord voice channel when possible, especially for smaller meetings. Discord also encourages members to join the meeting who might not otherwise. For meetings open to non-DSA members that are not in the Discord, Zoom is necessary.
- Nearly all Triangle DSA events will have an Action Network page, where you can find basic information about the event and the option to RSVP. Zoom links are always provided only after RSVPing. Even if the event is in-person with no virtual option, it’s still helpful to RSVP so that the event planner can get a sense of attendance numbers. If you can’t make an event that you RSVPed for, it’s no big deal; you don’t need to tell anyone.
- We also use Action Network to send official Triangle DSA emails out to members and supporters. For example, we use Action Network to send out our weekly Cardinal Points newsletter.
- Airtable is a platform that the chapter uses to manage membership lists and centralize information about chapter members. The account is accessible only to the Steering Committee and those approved by the Steering Committee. But members can make requests to receive limited access for the purpose of member outreach and Triangle DSA events.
Outreach Services
We use a variety of different tools to text and phonebank members and supporters. For shorter outreach lists, organizers will either use their own personal phone or Google Voice.
- Google Voice allows users to send out text messages through a proxy number. Anyone with a gmail account linked to the personal phone number has access to Google Voice, but it is limited in how many texts can be sent in a short amount of time. In using Google Voice, make sure you select a proxy number with a NC area code, otherwise your texts may get flagged as spam! If you send too many texts too quickly, you will also get flagged as spam and you won’t be able to send more texts with Google Voice for a couple days or so. If I’m using Google Voice, I like to send texts in batches of 10 to avoid getting flagged.
Other Options
- For longer lists, we use Spoke for textbanking, and Dialer for phonebanking. To access these platforms, members must submit a request through National DSA’s Org Tools Help Center, so plan in advance!
- No matter the platform used, whenever you receive a text or call from a Triangle DSA member, that member is always on the other end actually sending the text or making the call even if they’re using a platform to expedite the process.