April 29-30, 2006 HCDC Canvass Over 30 HCDC volunteers DNC Chair Howard Dean's National Neighbor-to-Neighbor Organizing Day. Final figures aren't in yet, but we distributed literature to over 600 homes and talked to dozens of voters during the two-day canvass event, April 29 and 30. Many thanks to all who helped, and special thanks to Phil Bailey, John and Margaret Knutson, and Ellsworth Committee Chair Diana Cate for coordinating the volunteers for this successful event. Phil Bailey gives instructions to some of the Saturday canvassers at the Ellsworth HQ. Canvassers picked up lit packs - DNC door hanger, local lit piece with candidate slate, and candidate lit from Steve Savage (HD 38) and Terry Cole (HC Sheriff) - and walk sheets with maps. The HCDC canvass team enjoyed the gorgeous weather as we took part in the DNC's first-ever 50-State Canvass event. Our volunteers knocked on over 600 doors, had valuable conversations with dozens of voters, and left literature for those who weren't home. Hancock County Dem chair John Knutson reported, "I was very pleased to see 20 or more people on both days with the result that we spent more than 80 hours canvassing in Hancock County. This launched our 2006 campaign efforts with a bang." Our canvass even made it to the DNC website! A photo and report are up here- we're in photo #8 in the slideshow. (If you are on the DNC email list, you may already have gotten this link from Howard Dean!) Kudos to Phil Bailey and Diana Cate for their work in organizing the volunteers, and to John Knutson for preparing the invaluable walk lists. And a HUGE thanks to our crew of canvassers! Feedback from our volunteers was very positive. Henry Lanford, who confessed he hadn't canvassed since the Eugene McCarthy campaign in 1968, noted that "It felt very good and useful to offer simply a statement of principles of the Democratic Party: upbeat, positive, not contentious." Even hesitant first-timers found out how rewarding this experience can be. If you weren't able to participate this time, you'll have more chances to do your part. Plans are in the works to make the canvasses a monthly event, but we need your help to make it happen. Our goal is to reach as many Hancock County voters as possible between now and Election Day, sharing our Democratic message and information about our strong candidates. Canvassing is a crucial part of that effort! We have tentative plans to canvass in Ellsworth, Bucksport, and Bar Harbor on Sat., June 17/18. Contact Phil or HQ (664-6012) if you'd like to help with the June canvass, or with a future canvass.