I got an advance copy of Dave Taylor’s Alberta Liberal Party organization document, which is being released later this afternoon. Given that I’ve been talking a lot about grass roots reform for the federal Liberals lately, I figured I’d skim the 46 pages. And, you know what? There are probably some things in here the federal Liberals should consider doing, as icky as taking advice from Alberta seems. Among the highlights:

1. “Thorough” would be an understatement for this document. Taylor tackles every conceivable aspect of the ALP structure, from his headline-grabbing pledge to adopt a permanent plastic membership card, to his sexy promise to use html rather than pdf newsletters.

2. Taylor wisely takes a page from the federal Tories, putting an emphasis on information. Members would be asked for policy interests upon sign up, for the purposes of fundraising micro-targeting, and a central database of all voters would be set up.

3. Given the young web gurus Taylor has running his campaign, it’s not surprising to see an emphasis placed on moving the party online. The plan is to shift away from paper wherever possible, and create as much two-way communication as possible online.

4. The best part of this document is a pledge to run membership drives on old lists, and to canvass between elections. In some cases, this would involve going into dying riding associations and building the party up one member at a time.

5. There’s a promise for the leader to hold more town hall meetings.

6. There’s a promise to create an Aboriginal People’s Commission.

7. There’s the controversial promise of allowing proxy votes at party AGMs.

8. And, most exciting of all…a new logo! And a plan to “review” the party colours.

I’ll toss up a link once the document goes public later today. btw, I’m not getting involved in this race at all so I’ll gladly post on Swann and Elsalhy’s plans for party renewal if they send them my way. And, as for the federal Liberal leadership race? I think a condition of entry for all candidates should be a detailed plan for party renewal – I know I’d have a hard time supporting anyone who didn’t release one.