The seven steps to launching successful campaigns for candidates and causes were outlined by Christine Pelosi, attorney, author and activist to an enthusiastic gathering of Democrats on Sunday. The Democratic Club of the Conejo celebrated its 5th Annual Garden Party luncheon at the Los Robles Greens Banquet Center.

About 150 guests enjoyed sipped Blue Conejo cocktails and listened to Jazz music from the Susan Cohen ensemble while bidding on a beautiful selection of silent auction baskets. Many of the items were donated by local businesses.

Tom Mullens, President of the Democratic Club of the Conejo Valley, introduced local candidates and special guests from Oxnard, Ojai, Young Progressive Democrats and Malibu Clubs.

A few disgruntled Green Party members picketed the event, calling for impeachment.

Sandy Emberland, event chair, thanked the committee who worked so hard to put together the event.

Being the daughter of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is not her only claim to fame. Author, attorney and activist Christine Pelosi has a lifetime of grassroots experience in politics and public policy. She has engaged in extensive voter contact, education and mobilization efforts at the local, state and federal levels. She has served as executive director of the California Democratic Party.

Since 1996, she has chaired the California Democratic Party Platform Committee and served as an elected Democratic National Committee member, where she co-founded the DNC Veterans and Military Families Council. She is author of the forthcoming Campaign Boot Camp: Basic Training for Future Leaders, a book that emerged from her years of grassroots organizing.

Pelosi told everyone of her first exposure to campaigning as a young child with her mother, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, from a stroller, passing out campaign information. She started out early and hasn't stopped.

Pelosi's boot camp strategy stresses the importance of identifying your call to service - imagine the world the way you want it to be and identify what values shape your decisions. "Ask what can you give, and what you are willing to sacrifice - time, money, etc. Know your community's schools and traditions by doing a listening tour for a sense of how people live and what issues are important," stressed Pelosi. Connect to voters on the issues rather than on a political basis.

Building a leadership team involves two teams, continued Pelosi, a "kitchen cabinet" team to give you an honest assessment and frank feedback, and an "election protection" team to identify who has voter files and how often they are updated. Everyone has the right to a ballot, the right to vote, and the right to cast a provisional ballot - but Pelosi believes that is not a good idea.

Defining the message is not only getting out your message, but also punching back when attacked. In doing so, you define yourself as someone who will stand up for yourself and stand up for others when you are elected. Voters like trust and strength.

Pelosi also predicted that Governor Schwarzenegger will run against Senator Boxer in 2010. It is not too early to start working with your precinct captain to mobilize for this campaign. Past successes in defeating the popular governor's initiatives came from grassroots workers who defined and educated voters on the issues involved.

For information on the November meeting, the December Volunteer Appreciation Dinner or other local activities, check our website: www.conejodemocrats.com.