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The Manistee County Democratic Party is an active participant in the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) Rural Caucus. The MDP Rural Caucus was chartered in July 2017 to ensure a voice for rural communities and work toward addressing the needs of rural Michigan. Rural Michigan represents 25% of the state’s population.

The foundation of American democracy was built on the ideal of the self-sufficient rural citizen. While much has changed in the make-up of the United States since 1776, today rural voters have concerns and issues that are vital to rural communities, like reliable broadband service, education, conservation, and access to healthcare. As the elections in 2016 so powerfully demonstrated, the Michigan Democratic Party cannot cede a single county or vote as it strives to ensure a free and fair society. To accomplish this goal, the Michigan Democratic Party must have a strong party structure in every region statewide. The Rural Caucus serves to ensure a voice for rural communities to communicate concerns and needs to the Michigan Democratic Party.

The MDP Rural Caucus had it first annual Summit on Friday April 14th, and Saturday April 15th, 2023, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Six members of the Manistee County Democratic Party joined over 150 rural activists from 45 Michigan counties at this summit meeting. Participants attended work sessions designed for sharing ideas and best practices. Facilitators asked discussion questions to learn about the work that has been previously done, and ideas for moving forward with coordinated strategies with our Rural Alliance partnership. Here is a recap of those training sessions:

Communication and Messaging
- The Rural Caucus effectively communicates to targeted rural audiences.
Support of County Parties
- The Rural Caucus effectively supports the organization and work of County parties and other aligned organizations.
Liaison and Collaboration Building with Allied Organizations
- The Rural Caucus works with other organizations (local, state, and national) to achieve strategic goals.
2024 Ballot Proposal Possibilities
- The Rural Caucus will support ballot petitions that align with our values and principles.
Policy, Issues, and Legislation
- The Rural Caucus effectively researches, educates, advocates for and lobbies for rural Michigan residents.
Candidate Recruitment and Support
- The Rural Caucus assists in recruiting and supporting effective rural candidates.
Community Building (non-partisan)
- The Rural Caucus works to build positive relationships within communities.
Fund Raising
- The Rural Caucus fundraises to fund its strategic plans.

Democratic political leaders on the ground at the county level are the

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RURAL CAUCUS SUMMIT MEETING REPORT

change makers, the eyes and ears that help support our Leaders who are elected and making policy and legislation. The action plan resulting from this Summit Meeting is to form a Rural Alliance that is powerful and vocal about issues that are important to rural Michigan and our communities.

Everyone’s ideas and suggestions gathered at the summit will go toward future lobbying for change within our State. Everyone has issues/needs that are important to them that the Rural Caucus feels needs to be addressed. Addressing the needs of rural families and rural communities with meaningful legislative action should be a priority for our legislators in Lansing. The Rural Caucus plans to have Legislative Days when community members get together to go to Lansing for a day and help lobby for issues. Indirect lobbying will also be important: phone calls, emails, letters, letters to the editors in local papers, postcards, social media etc.
As our party grows in Manistee County, we need to make conscientious decisions as to what our “brand” will look like. We need cohesive messaging to tag onto our brand to create a clear, concise, and memorable identity. Knowing the importance of a good identity is foundational to build up our party.
And let’s face it; the Democratic Party has had a fractured identity while Republicans have kept it simple. The pick-up truck flying the Trump flag, the red MAGA hat. What do these images do to you? They give me a visceral reaction. It’s emotional. And it’s emotional for them also. It gives them a sense of belonging, and it’s clearly powerful. We need an identity. And we need messaging to tag onto it. The Democratic Party is more than a political party. We own values. We put people first. We’re pro women. We’re pro workers. We’re inclusive. We came away from this Rural Summit with even stronger
commitments dedicated to these basic beliefs:

All people are created equal! This is America’s fundamental ideal.
America is a democracy, by and for the people: ruled by the Constitution and its interpretations, protected by the Bill of Rights, and inspired by the declaration of Independence.
These founding documents demand Freedom, Justice, and Opportunity for all Americans, in full and equal measure – regardless of who you are, what you believe, or where you live.
The duty of government is to strive endlessly to make the ideals of Freedom, Justice, and Opportunity a reality for all.
The Purpose of government is to protect our nation, defend our democracy, and to endlessly promote the welfare of each and every one of us.
Fighting for these ideals is our purpose as a political party.

If these basic tenets align with your personal beliefs, then please consider joining us as an active member of the Manistee County Democratic Party. Check out our website for more information: https://www.manisteecountydemocrats.us/