BlogPac: For the Netroots, From the Netroots

by Chris Bowers, Mon Jun 05, 2006 at 11:58:41 AM EST

Support BlogPac

Today, I am proud to announce that Matt and I have taken over stewardship of BlogPac, an organization founded in 2004 by Markos and Jerome. Rather than operating primarily as a means to channel money to electoral campaigns, under our management, the mission of BlogPac will be primarily to defend the netroots and improve the quality of online activism. Through ActBlue, the netroots already has an excellent means of channeling resources to its favorite campaigns. What we do not have is a formal entity to defend and enhance the political activity of the progressive blogosphere and progressive netroots. BlogPac will now be refocused to serve that function.

Our work is already underway. For over a month now, Matt has been the clear blogosphere leader in the fight to save Net Neutrality, and his tireless efforts have already resulted in tangible victories. At the same time, I have begun to engage in a full-scale effort to defeat the negative branding of the netroots being conducted by certain elements within the political and media establishment. This effort includes a scientific survey of the netroots to be revealed at Yearly Kos, upcoming appearances in major news publications, and an upcoming website to gather all of the best work online written about the netroots.

These are important undertakings we are engaged in to defend the netroots, and to date we have done so without any pay and with few resources. While operating within the free-flowing world of the netroots and the blogosphere allows us to operate with far less overhead than most organizations, we cannot operate without any resources at all. We need to be paid for the work we do. We need money for the surveys we are running. We have bills for a lawyer and an accountant.

This week, during our initial fundraiser, we are looking to raise $15,000 to support our work of defending the netroots. If you want to support Net Neutrality, support BlogPac. If you want to improve the image of the netroots in the established media, support BlogPac.

As BlogPac seeks to defend the progressive netroots, we are looking for our funding from the netroots. We need to know that the work we are doing is important to the netroots, and one of the best ways to guarantee that is for our primary source of funding to be small donations from the netroots activists we are defending. Also, we want to stay in touch with our donors through a series of regular emails and conference calls. This is not only so our donors can hear updates on our efforts, but also so we can hear from you on how well you think we are doing, and on other projects you would like to see us pursue. Your contribution to BlogPac will give you a voice in the direction we take.

BlogPac will be for the netroots, from the netroots. You contribution will not only help make sure that the progressive netroots remains strong and effective, but it will also bring you into a community of people willing to partake in the fight to defend and enhance the netroots. Contribute to BlogPac and join the fight today.




Tags: Fundraising, Netroots, Activism (all tags)

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Permalink :: 17 Comments :: Post a Comment


Please help (3.00 / 1)

This is a fight we can only win together. I am here to answer any questions.
by Chris Bowers on Mon Jun 05, 2006 at 11:59:22 AM EST

When is this change of emphasis effective? (none / 0)

As of today you are going to switch the focus more to the netroots?


by MNPundit on Mon Jun 05, 2006 at 12:13:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: When is this change of emphasis effective? (none / 0)

The change of focus was actually taking place behind the scenes for a few weeks as the organization was beign transferred. With Yearly Kos coming up, I thought this was the best time to make the shift public.
by Chris Bowers on Mon Jun 05, 2006 at 12:15:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

What's the difference between BlogPac and ActBlue? (none / 0)

besides the secret handshake?


Dare to be free.
by misscee on Mon Jun 05, 2006 at 01:55:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: What's the difference between BlogPac and ActB (none / 0)

ActBlue is a means for netroots activists to channel funds to their favroite Demcoratic caniddates. BlogPac is in the busines of defending the netroots, as described above.

This new focus prevents the previous overlap from being a problem.
by Chris Bowers on Mon Jun 05, 2006 at 02:10:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: What's the difference between BlogPac and ActB (none / 0)

"Improve the quality of online activism" means that you will defend, promote, improve netroots activism.  Ok. But does that means you won't be channeling money to and volunteering for progressive candidates?  Because the overlap goes both ways.

Just for the record, I've contributed to BlogPac since 2004 (I can't believe how time flies.)


Dare to be free.
by misscee on Mon Jun 05, 2006 at 03:24:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: What's the difference between BlogPac and ActB (none / 0)

We will continue chanelling resources to cmapaigns via the combined netroots page. That won't change. BlogPac will serve a different purpose.
by Chris Bowers on Mon Jun 05, 2006 at 04:32:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: What's the difference between BlogPac and ActB (none / 0)

Thtat's great! I love it. I think BlogPac will take off with the new emphasis.


Dare to be free.
by misscee on Tue Jun 06, 2006 at 07:41:27 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: BlogPac: For the Netroots, From the Netroots (none / 0)

If I join up, do I get a lapel pin and secret handshake? Also, would this conflict with my current membership in the International Liberal Conspiracy Cabal Committee on International Conspiracies (ILCCCIC)? They did not give me a lapel pin or secret handshake, which was kind of a letdown. Although they did put peanut butter in my hair.

Finally, I'd like to become a big shot in the blogosphere like you guys, because I hear that's where all the money goes. I promise I will promote the "netroots" (wink wink). Oh, and I'll vote for Ned Lamont. I might even vote for Jack Murtha, even though he's more of a Republican than Lieberman. Whatever you, er, I mean the "netroots" want me to do. I'll even try to dull down my blog a bit, to fit in.


by Mark Spittle on Mon Jun 05, 2006 at 12:20:11 PM EST

Re: BlogPac: For the Netroots, From the Netroots (none / 0)

Secret handsake, definately. Lapel pin? How much do those things cost? Even though we bloggers swin in bathtubs of cash, I worry it might cost too much. The $775 I made in a money last month only allows me to apartments on Central PArk West.
by Chris Bowers on Mon Jun 05, 2006 at 12:22:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: BlogPac: For the Netroots, From the Netroots (none / 0)

You gotta start getting book deals and TV guest spots like Kos & Strongarm, then.

And no lapel pins? C'mon, even the 101st Fighting Keyboarders have lapel pins, and those guys don't even have lapels. They just pin them to their chests to show how tough they are, in the hopes no one will draft them.

Well, I'll keep an eye on this "BlogPAC" for now. I want to promote the "netroots" (wink wink) but I need to know my money is going towards something tangible, progressive and action-oriented.

Like lapel pins.


by Mark Spittle on Mon Jun 05, 2006 at 12:33:57 PM EST

Sounds awesome (none / 0)

Truly...
What's the expendature-breakdown of the 15,000 you hope to raise?

My expertise is in 401-3c organizations, where a board of directors traditionally oversees expenses.  A "hypothetical" question... what's to prevent PAC-leaders (organizers? You and Stoller?) from being overpaid (you laugh, so do I... especially considering your meager request)... but this is in the hypothetical sense...

For instance, I remember there being questions about DeLay's wife being paid as a consultant for his PAC, though she didn't do jack.  Do you set your own salary? Do PACs have the equivalent of a board-of-directors who oversee the expendatures and justify (your) salaries?  If not, how do you justify your payscale?  (If anything, I would guess that a "board" would request that you guys get paid MORE than you would).

Just wondering how the mechanism works.

Sounds like a good idea, though.


Invest in nature
by NCDem on Mon Jun 05, 2006 at 01:04:29 PM EST

Re: Sounds awesome (none / 0)

I think that PACs have to disclose expenditures through FEC statements.  


by Matt Stoller on Mon Jun 05, 2006 at 01:27:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

That's what I thought... (none / 0)

So in effect, all of your donors, big-or-small... serve as your board members, examining your salary and either approving (and sending more cash) or disapproving (and stopping the cash-flow).  Sounds scary, I'd hate working for a board composed of thousands of members. I'd want to appoint some sort of independent oversight committee (independent of myself) of 4 or 5 bloggers (or what-have-you's) to keep myself out of having to make decisions (such as salary / consulting fees) with potential conflicts of interest.


Invest in nature
by NCDem on Mon Jun 05, 2006 at 01:34:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

It seems... (none / 0)

It seems that a structure like this, where essentially you'd both be co-executive directors... you could tell your "board" what, realistically, you need to build an infrastructure, and what a realistic salary should be (why pay yourselves shit?).  Then, the "board" could make the "ask", after having asked you the tough questions and done the research...

15,000 seems a pittance for re-organizing a brand-spankin'-new PAC with two salaried E.D. (equivalents)... Yet if you, personally, asked for more (for your salaries), your potential donors would (rightfully) be skeptical...

just a thought.


Invest in nature
by NCDem on Mon Jun 05, 2006 at 01:40:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

That's correct (none / 0)

Signed,

Your Lawyer.


by Adam B on Mon Jun 05, 2006 at 03:22:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

public (none / 0)

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by riptid on Wed Sep 13, 2006 at 10:10:50 AM EST


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