CalgaryLiberal

When I first joined the Liberals in ’08 I didn’t know what I was getting myself into–I didn’t know the culture, the debate customs, or many rules of order. I just wanted to contribute. I didn’t know how to deal with some of the things that came up. Many others probably either would give up before even trying or after a small bit of turbulence–which is normal, of course.

Anyways, since not everyone is like me I’ve devised a set of ten rules to help people inside the party on how to deal with controversy and sometime debilitating conversations. This set of simple rules that is set out to also build a culture of discussion and open debate in policy discussions, Liberal commissions, and elections within the Liberal Party of Canada. My goal is to have this set of 10 rules, perhaps after adding and subtracting language from here and there, put through as a resolution in my home riding of Calgary Centre-North so that it’ll have an impact not only on what’s expect of board of directors in my current year but carry forward into other years.

So here are my 10 rules of Liberal debate.

 

1. Be Prepared to Compromise

In every party there is a direct need for compromise. Without compromise there are divisions amongst people, a schism without a vision, and general harm in the actions of activists. As a general rule of thumb expect at any time for 60% of the party to agree with you on 60% of the things you believe in with 40% in what you don’t believe on the other issues.

 

2. Do Not Compromise Too Much

There comes a time when a large tent is too large, when too many voices are too disharmonious, and when a clear direction needs to be set. Certain times require for certain people to be shown the time to leave. A party can only go so far to reach out for support and shouldn’t surrender its core values to do so.

 

3. A Balancing Act

A precarious balancing act must be done to balance the need to include and the need for vision. The balance created can only be created out of those involved in the party and then channeled by those making decisions on boards, in executives, and in the middle of a campaign.

 

4. Disagreement is Good

Political people and people of strong beliefs disagree quite often. This is a fact of life. Without a doubt people in a party will and will often disagree on policy, candidates, and ideas. This is expected. In fact, it should be encouraged seeing that any debates that do occur will provide clarity, an exposition of arguments that can be used later against opposition, and strengthens the debating skills of party members. Additionally, competed in candidate nominations prepares an election team and candidate for an election and should be encouraged so as novice candidates can get a taste of competition and the maturing that occurs after such a competition.

 

5. Working Together (after disagreeing) is Better

One of the key things of being in a party is a willingness to fight vociferously for your beliefs and, once the vote has been tallied or policy passed, to drop the previous debate to work on the next vote or the next policy. When the mood of the party changes, the country, and/or of key people then is the time to reopen old debates and find more proper solutions to Canada’s problems.

 

6. Make politics a habit.

Schedule regular meetings. Be it for a breakfast chat, a liberal book club, a Quilting Caucus, or a community parliament, have a scheduled time for party members, the community, and interested individuals to engage and participate in the Liberal Party.

 

7. Schedule “Fat” Hours

This is time set aside so members and the community, when attending events, can “chew the fat.” “Fat” hours are time before an event and after an event, meeting, or AGM where people can discuss stuff done, stuff not yet done, and talk about non-Liberal things. As a social organization that is based on volunteers it’s important to have a focus on the social needs of the Liberal Party’s activists—and this can be done partially through having hours placed on the beginning and end of meetings (“fat”) to be social. This has the added benefit of between these times a fuller and more focused discussion can happen.

 

8. Sometimes We Screw Up

Sometimes people mess up, lose track of what’s important, and then get back on their game again. We should allow that. Forgiveness for past mistakes is key. A way we can build up candidates, build up leaders, and build up each other isn’t to remove them after any defeat or any set back, but to let them learn from their mistakes. Sometimes it takes time for people to believe in someone, sometimes it takes time for someone to believe in themselves, and it always takes patience to become true representatives of our communities. It takes time and sometimes we screw up.

 

9. Sometimes We Do it Right: Schedule “Bragging” Time

Allow and encourage young liberals, experienced liberals, and angry liberals to stand on their soap box and talk about the marvelous things that are being done in the community, in the riding association, and across Canada: these bring about a chemistry of excellence and positivity in debate, meetings, and in planning that assists in building the party and each other.

 

10. Support Each Other

A compliment does a lot of help. To a young liberal, just entering into political activism, a kind voice and a kind ear does wonders. For an experienced hand in politics acts of kindness, through mentorship and passing on knowledge, allows other people to take up more work, allows for them to think more often on harden topics, and to take a grander look at politics.  Talk about your passions.

 

… and an extra, 11th rule:

 

11. Allow for Growth

To grow a garden you don’t bend down and stretch each bean stalk to make it grow. You feed it, water it, and then just… let it be with the tools provided. In many cases growth is uncontrolled and isn’t something to be sought after. Set aside the fertilizer, the dirt, and the water, and seeds will grow. Let those who are outside walk it. This is fundamental: growth happens when we let it, give it tools, and leave it its building materials. Time, patience, and people are key.

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