WHAT’S HAPPENING HERE
I wrote on Substack about how the Democratic Party brand is improving, but I’m noticing that inside party institutions, we’ve been increasingly quiet over the past ten years in our Democratic Party cheerleading and publicity.
This survey is to help actually measure what's happening inside Democratic Party infrastructure—not what the media says, but what people who've worked inside it know.
Through August 2026, I'm running this Democratic Party Current and Former Work Survey for current and former Democratic Party staff, chairs, and officials. Preliminary findings will be shared live during a Democratic Operative Life Blueprint Workshop on August 29.
THE SURVEY
For: Current and former Democratic Party staff, county chairs, state party leaders, coordinated campaign workers, and anyone who's worked inside a Democratic Party institution.
What it measures:
Where are you now, and where did you come from?
Why did you move sectors (or stay in party work)?
Is stigma or cultural shame part of that calculation?
Why it matters: We don't measure lateral movement in politics. We know people leave party work for consulting, vendors, issue organizations, ballot initiatives, and outside groups. But we don't know the why, the scale, or what it costs the party. This survey hopes to change that.
Takes: 15–20 minutes
Confidential: Your responses are private. Email and name are not collected at all. So please sign up for the Workshop if you want to stay informed!
Aggregate findings with no identifying info will be shared at the workshop. They’ll also be utilized to inform program creation. And to help raise funds for programs that benefit Democratic Party organizational infrastructure, staffing, and leadership development.
THE DEMOCRATIC LIFE BLUEPRINT WORKSHOP
For: Current and former Democratic Party staff, county chairs, local party leaders, and anyone who's worked inside party institutions.
When: Saturday, August 29 | 9:00–10:30 AM CT
Where: Zoom
Cost: FREE (but $5-10 suggested donations are welcome)
What you get:
Your own Democratic Operative Life Blueprint: a map of your actual intentions for political work and life + how to live them out sustainably
Real peer conversation (not critics from outside, but people who get it)
Pre-survey findings shared live
Clarity on what comes next for you—whether you're staying, going, or shifting
Why now: Before we get into the post-Labor day final sprint, join for a relaxing and thought provoking morning to clarify and reflect on what brought you to this work in the first place and the meaning you find in the work — and life overall.
If Democratic operatives feel hesitant to defend their Party work, voters sense that. But, this workshop isn't about fixing the party or fixing anyone. It's about reconnecting with why you're doing this work, what lights you up in life, and building practices that make party building or your other life’s intention’s sustainable.
What to bring: Paper + pen (or digital device for notes). You'll create your digital and/or written blueprint during the workshop. If you have a printer at home, there will be handouts you can print, otherwise have blank paper.
Bring a drink and/or snack. There will be a 5 minute break half-way through.
I encourage you to be prepared to be on camera and participating during this; it’s not a great session to do while on the move or unable to be at a computer or device using zoom on camera, able to interact, and having a place to write. Treat it like a 1.5 hour mini retreat!
HOW THEY CONNECT
The survey measures what's happening. The workshop is where it gets personal.
Take the survey if you want to contribute data. Come to the workshop if you want peer community and clarity. Or ideally, do both! Survey respondents may find the workshop most valuable because they see themselves in the findings.
Preliminary findings will be shared on August 29. Early respondents will have context going in.
ABOUT LAUREN
Lauren Gepford is a political strategist and organizational coach with almost 20 years in Democratic politics, including executive director roles at state and national level Democratic organizations. She works with political organizations, campaigns, and mission-driven groups on leadership and organizational development.
She writes a regular column on Democratic Party infrastructure at Inside the Work of Change (https://substack.com/@laurengepford).
WILL YOU SHARE?
Hey, if you want to help spread the word about the survey and workshop, I made a toolkit with email templates, social posts, talking points… whatever format works for you works for me! Use it, don't use it, customize it however. Just copy this link and send it along if you can: https://www.laurengepford.com/dem-survey-workshop
QUESTIONS
Email me at: Lauren at Lauren Gepford dot com.
Or read more about this work and subscribe to my Substack: Inside the Work of Change