Good Morning,

As caucuses approach this evening, I wish everyone a safe, productive, and successful experience. I appreciate each unit's efforts to ensure tonight is welcoming, accessible, and well-organized. Thanks for all you do, big and small, to make tonight happen.

Below is the February Outreach and Inclusion Committee update, including important information and reminders. 

Outreach and Inclusion Committee Meeting Schedule Update

To avoid overwhelming people and to acknowledge the significant workload everyone carries, particularly during election years, the Outreach and Inclusion Committee will begin meeting every other month starting in March 2026. These meetings will be held at 6:00 PM on the second Sunday of alternating months.

There will be no meeting in February, and our next Outreach and Inclusion Committee meeting will be on Sunday, March 8. The next meeting after that will be on Sunday, May 10. These meetings are open to anyone, but we will obviously focus on the business of the Outreach and Inclusion Committee.

 

• Register for the Zoom meeting here.

• You can find the January meeting notes here.

 

Outreach Officer 101 Training – In Development
 

We are developing an Outreach Officer 101 training this month. This foundational guidance is designed to support both new and returning Outreach Officers by providing shared expectations and practical tools for the role. We plan to roll out the training sometime in March.

 

We are actively seeking input from current and former Outreach Officers to ensure this resource is useful and grounded in real needs. If you have previously expressed interest in supporting Outreach and Inclusion work, or have specific ideas, suggestions, or topics for the training, please email me.

Mentorship Program – Next Cohort
 

With new participants entering the program through caucuses, we plan to open another mentorship cohort, match approximately 10 new mentor–mentee pairs, and replace a few participants who were unable to continue. This program is designed to support leadership development, share institutional knowledge, and help newer members navigate DFL structures and culture in a supportive, intentional way. Here's how it works:
 

• We aim to match at least 10 mentors with 10 mentees for our second class.

• Participants will receive orientation training and materials and will meet once per month (virtually or in person).

• Mentors will provide guidance, context, and encouragement. Mentees will gain access to networks, skills, and deeper involvement in party work.
   

Whether you're a longtime leader or just getting involved, this is a chance to help sustainably grow our party. Apply to be a mentor or mentee using the links below:
 

• Mentor Application: Click Here

• Mentee Application: Click Here
   

Upcoming De-escalation and Safety Planning Training

The next De-escalation and Safety Planning Training will be held on February 8th at 1:00 PM. You can register for the training here. You can find a description of the training below: 

 

This training focuses on de-escalation and safety strategies for situations involving external hostility or disruption, including confrontations with individuals or groups opposed to our values at meetings, caucuses, conventions, or community events. Participants will learn to recognize early warning signs, set clear boundaries, lower emotional intensity, and help maintain safe, grounded spaces while upholding shared standards.
 

I have facilitated three of these trainings so far this year and am happy to schedule additional sessions upon request.

 

Outreach Plan Submissions — One Last Call

Outreach plans were originally due at the end of the year. However, if your organizing unit has not yet submitted a plan, you may still do so.
 

We hope to receive a few final outreach plan submissions before our March 8 meeting so they can meaningfully inform upcoming O&I work as we head into the fall.  Please use the following link to complete and submit your plan. 

Accessibility Subcommittee Resources
 

This is a reminder that the Accessibility Subcommittee of the Outreach and Inclusion Committee released the first edition of our draft accessibility materials late last year.
 

This initial release reflects months of research, discussion, and collaboration to support more accessible and inclusive conventions and large-scale events across the DFL. As we continue strengthening our Outreach and Inclusion work, this first edition is an important step toward ensuring our processes and spaces better meet the needs of all participants. You can find the documents here.
 

Please remember that these materials outline best practices, not new requirements, rules, or expectations. They are intended to guide and support units as they plan events, recognizing the wide range of capacities and contexts across the state.

 

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need clarification on any of this information.

​

Quentin Ocama

DFL Outreach Officer (SD64)

outreach@dfl.org