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Megan Kaminski, Intern NY 21 (Schenectady, NY)

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An upstate New Yorkers stories about helping the Obama campaign

Grand Opening of OFA Office in Albany NY = )

By Megan Kaminski, Intern NY 21 - Nov 12th, 2009 at 5:58 pm EST

Also listed in: 6 groups

To who ever might be lucky enough to read this,

I am super excited about our office grand opening this Saturday Nov 14 at 2pm. Congressman Paul Tonko will be there. It is an open event so all are welcome.

Please RSVP now. Here are the details:

What: OFA New York Office Grand Opening

Where: OFA Offices - Albany
90 State Street, Suite 602
Albany, NY 12207

When: Saturday, November 14th
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

http://ny.barackobama.com/NYOfficeOpening

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New York CAN Monthly Planning Meeting on April 9th

By Megan Kaminski, Intern NY 21 - Apr 13th, 2009 at 11:00 am EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

Hi all,

Here are the topics we discussed during the monthly meeting:

1. Health care- new bill in committee in the House and 656 single payer headed by Senator Conner of Michigan, he is the head of the health committee

2. Economy/ Jobs- military spending

3. Human Rights- sikhs in the military are being forced to violate their religious beliefs by not allowing them to wear turbans and requiring them to cut their hair. To learn more go to sikhcoalition.org .

4. Energy- PSC does not allow for solar users to get money for the extra electricity they provide for the electrical grid according to a Times Union article. We are contacting Congressman's Tonko's office about the regulations.

5. Relocating our meeting area- Next meeting is Tentatively scheduled for Thursday May 7th 7pm-8pm at the Colonie Library. it is located right off the Northway to make it easier for more people to come to meetings.

6. Community service- Contact Tony if interested in Troy Boys and girls Club; camp clean up first weekend of June..Hamd vote counting for primaries and general election in November. Need to contact DFA.

If you have any questions or comments please email me at chefmaster518@gmail.com

Peace,

Megan Kaminski

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Campaigning for Scott Murphy

By Megan Kaminski, Intern NY 21 - Mar 30th, 2009 at 1:01 pm EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

Hi everyone,

I have been working on the Scott murphy Campaign for the last 5 weeks and it has been an amazing ride. My organizer Brian is wonderful and all of the organizers in th eTroy office Rock =)Anyways, I just wanted to make sure all of my fabulous MyBO friends know at the election.

Election day is tomorrow, March 31st. We could always use more volunteers GIve me a call at 518.322.6353 or the office at 273-2797. Also, feel free to check out the website www.scottmurphy09.com.

Take care,

Megan

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Obama's Speech to Joint Session of Congress

By Megan Kaminski, Intern NY 21 - Feb 26th, 2009 at 10:53 am EST

Also listed in: 9 groups

Hey, So I had time to fully digest Obama's amazing speech on Tuesday night. I know it has been a long time since I posted anything; Obama has once again inspired me to action. Since he was inaugurated, I have had a renewed energy to work towards a better county. I have been doing 3 things.1. I have been working with MoveOn.org for green energy legislation. We are meeting with Rep. Paul Tonko tomorrow to discuss clean energy bills.2. I have become an Admin for the NewYork.CAN group along with my good friend Satwant Dhillion. We have a meeting this Monday March 2nd 8PM at the Albany County Community Public Library. It is an open meeting and everyone is welcome. Feel free to give me a call 518.322.6353 if you have any questions.3. Lastly and arguably most important is the Scott Murphy for congress campaign. Scott is running for the 20st congressional district in New York State; he is trying to fill the seat vacated by Senator Gillibrand. Check him out at: www.scottmurphy09.com or call his glen's fall office at 518.761.2009.Alright, I should get to Obama's speech. I cried some small tears of joy. After the speech, I started bragging to my friends and family about how I voted and campaigned for him. There were so many good points he made but I want to talk about the shocking and very surprising.The speech's high point for me was when the president called out the agriculture industry. He stood up to big Ag companies and called on congress to stop subsidizing them. At which my father and I dropped our jaws. Also, he delineated clear ambitious goals. Doubter might say that it is impossible and ridiculous to set these goals. I believe that set these goals forces us to try harder and maybe get further on the path to healthcare reform than we otherwise would. For example, say you are in a difficult class, if you strive for an A even though it might not be possible. You may end up with a B for your effort. So even if we don't Obama's goals during his first or second (fingers crossed) term, we may get a foundation for the future on healthcare, green energy, education, etc.Alright, I have rambled on long enough. If you would like to add a comment to my post; it would make me feel good to know some read this. Have an amazing day, Megan

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USA.CAN Post

By Megan Kaminski, Intern NY 21 - Jan 30th, 2009 at 4:47 pm EST

Hello Everybody !

We are live. This is not a test. I just sent this request for help to our larger USA.CAN Group. We opened that group and are just this weekend, we are assigning State G roup CAN Administrator and Communications Directors - Nationwide.

Today, I ask you now for help with County.California.CAN Group Administrators. If your able to devote 1 hour of work daily, We need you now. I well promote to County Group Admin and County Group Comm Director those who read my "Welcome and Some Rules of the Road" Letter to all Members of our Community Action Network. If you read and agree to the Seven Principles, I will turn ownership of your County over to you. This is not a test. If any of you wonder who we are and what is the Chain of Command: We are the change we have been waiting for, and we report to President Barack Obama.

Proceedural Steps -

Please use the "Host an Event" tool to create your County CAN Group Organizational Meetings.

Please use MyBO to join all your local groups, and invite all members to your County Organizing Event - and set the date and time for 2/7 at 9 AM to allow you to circle the room as we were trained at Camp Obama. The San Francisco Founding Group Webcast - should start at 10:30 AM. Our County will be at our 4th Meeting.

We CAN Do this People! Yes - We - Can.

For all others who want to work from their Homes and Home Meeting Groups, please reassemble from your sign in sheet, you made last December 13 and 14.

We encourage you all to use MyBO. Use the "Invite Others" to invite MyBO Member Groups (One at a Time Please - as we have brought our list servers to their knees before during both the Primaries and General). Inviting One Group At a Time, technically is like using the Freeway Entry Signal Lights. It's polite and respects the rest of us on MyBO as our Network Information System.

Ask others to join your County Gro ups. California is built and open in all 58 Counties. The remaining 49 States are replicating the structure so we can build out a Digital Militia to support our President in real time. Now is the time for all good people to come to the aid of our country.

Please keep your MyBO Groups Moderated. We are an Action Corps. We are not a debate group. Our experience is the debates belong on the Issues Groups also in MyBO. Your monthly meetings are for you to use - and are the source point for local and Statewide Action Requests - to our Grassroots 2.0 Network. Elevate your self. No Fear. Be Kind. Get to Work!!!

Please send to all local MyBO groups in California. And please get the word out!

This is Not a Test !

Please allow me to Introduce you to our Executive Director, and someone I give my respect as a Commanding General. Enjoy Mitch. And before we "hit the bricks" a special thanks and loud roar is due to a man who made this all possible. Thatnk you for believing in your Grassroots!!! Thank David Plouffe for his housepitality to us all while we work in Barack Obama's Digital House.

Thank you David, and let's get to work.

Begin forwarded message:

From : Paul Currier <paulcurrier@mac.com>
Date: January 30, 2009 8:27:37 AM PST
To: "USACAN@groups.barackobama.com" <USACAN@groups.barackobama.com>
Subject: You can help fix the economy

Will you please help President Obama?

Please: Read, Wach the Video, Go To your MyBO Personal Profile Page and update your profile to help all of us get to know each other and then click on "Host an Event" to open your home to your O-friends and help us get America back to Work!

Paul Currier
Internet Community Organizer
Communit y Action Network

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Canvassing in Philly

By Megan Kaminski, Intern NY 21 - Apr 19th, 2008 at 8:12 am EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

Hi everyone ( my sister and her friend),

I went to Philadelphia to canvass for OBAMA = ) last weekend. I convinced my two awesome friends living in DC to meet there. It was their first times and they did an awesome job. We stayed with an absolutely lovely family.

The couple we stayed with had a gorgeous house and made us a fabulous send off breakfeat with french toast. They had this beautiful fund raiser lastt saturday with the best food. I am in Scranton, PA so I will give you a blog on that.

Take care all,

Megan

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Peace rally and march in Albany NY

By Megan Kaminski, Intern NY 21 - Mar 23rd, 2008 at 4:00 pm EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

Hi all,

Yesterday, we had a peace rally and march around the capital building in Albany NY. Yes, Albany is the capital of New York State for those of you who don't know it.

We had over 300 people come. We had high school students and grannies. We had the Veterans for Peace President there and a muslims for peace group. It was wonderful. I would encourage of you to check out moveon.org. They helped organize this events and events like these all around the US.

Speaking of causes, I am trying to help out some of my friends in their/our effort to help Darfur. Does anyone know any local albany bands that would play at a benefit concert? There is a run for Darfur on SUnday April 27 in Albany.

I hope you all are having a Happy Easter if you celebrate it or not.

Take care,

Megan

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Visiting the Obama HQ in Chicago

By Megan Kaminski, Intern NY 21 - Mar 9th, 2008 at 8:11 pm EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

Hi all,

Today I went to check out the Obama office in Chicago and it was wonderful. I got an Obama t-shirt that is green with a shamrock on it =) The people here has been great.

Oh, by the way, I twisted my ankle canvassing in Rhode Island. Ice gets me everytime. It has been fun naviagting the streets of chicago on chrutches. Thankfully, one of the Obama organizers offered me a ride home tonight = )

Well, after the losses in Ohio and rhode Island (We actually won more delegates in Texas); the fight for the nomiknation continues. If any of you can travel and volunteer in Pennsylvania even for a weekend from know until April 22nd, it would be greatly appreciated and important. I am definetly going to go to PA one if not more of weekends. Its very easy to sign up at the pennsylvania for Obama cite on http://pa.barackobama.com/page/s/pavolunteer.

Thanks for reading,

Megan

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Going to Ohio and RI

By Megan Kaminski, Intern NY 21 - Feb 26th, 2008 at 10:14 am EST

Also listed in: 10 groups

Hello,

Its been a while since I have written. Obama has been on a role but 4 states are coming up March 4th and 3 of them he needs help in.He is polling very well in Vermont. Ohio and Rhode Island, he is behind and tied in Texas.

I am going on a bus trip to cleveland,OH this Friday. We get back on sunday. Then Monday morning I am driving out to Rhode Island and staying until Wednesday morning. This should be an exciting week. I have never been to Providence. RI and I am excited. Plus I believe their is a small Naval base there and I may see some old friends.

I gotta go work on a fundraiser. I'll keep you guys posted on this week.

Take care,

Megan

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POST Sarolinaouth C

By Megan Kaminski, Intern NY 21 - Feb 1st, 2008 at 11:31 am EST

Also listed in: 10 groups

Hey everybody,

I have been sooooo busy that I am very behind on my blogging. A lot has happened in the last 3 weeks.

I have gone down to SC Carolina and volunteered. It was amazing and I have worked in the new wonderful Albany for OBAMA office.

SC-

First of all it was awesome to work in such a supportive state. The people were the poorest I have ever met in the US but also in many ways the most generous. I have 2 short stories to tell.

1. I knock on the door of a young black man living in a trailer park. After telling him who I was and that I was getting out the vote he said to me, "WHITE people are always trying to STOP me from VOTING. There's a WHITE person trying to HELP me VOTE, crazy !"

2. One woman who I had knocked on her door, was a single mom and after speaking with her for a while. I finally mentioned that I was a volunteer with the OBAMA campaign. She said, "OBAMA, that's who I voted for!" Then she gave me a big hug. People tend to assume that I am a Clinton supporter but you all know I ain't =)

Albany-

The office has been crazy. All of us are volunteers and we are completely locally funded. By the way if you would like to donate to our local office go to AlbanyforObama.com and donate to our office online. We have about 200 volunteers working all the hours they can give until Feb. 5th. We are trying to stay open after the election until March. We NEED money for electricity, rent, supplies, etc. We get NO national money = (

We have several events this weekend including a huge RALLY at Townsend Park. It is at the corner of CENTRAL AVE and Route 9 !!! I will be one of the 5 speakers including an ALBANY COUNCILMAN and an ALBANY COUNCILWOMAN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Take care all,

Megan

FIRED UP and READY TO GO =)

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Day 5 - New Hampshire Primary Voluneering

By Megan Kaminski, Intern NY 21 - Jan 9th, 2008 at 9:45 pm EST

Also listed in: 9 groups

Hi fellow Obama enthusaists,

Yesterday was a wild ride. It had ups and downs. In the beggining of the day we won 70 percent of the vote in Old Tilton, a town with 12 people who votedat 12:00 and ended at 12:01. Clinton got 0 votes. Edwards got 5 votes.

Of course all, all of you probaly know that Hillary Clinton won the popular vote in New Hampshire. The interesting part is they both won the same number of delegates in New Hampshire. The current delegate count is Obama 31 Clinton 30 Edwards ~20.

I did meet many wonderful intellegent New Hampshiries who baracked the vote. The ignorant or poorly educated people tended to vote for Sen. Clinton. We still did suceed because we tied Clinton when the polls 2 weeks before had Obama double digits behind her.

Also, Obama and Clinton are tied now in national polls =-) Plus, my time in New Hampshire overall was a wonderful experience. I was definitely worth it. The people I met in Loudon, NH are kind, smart and very generous. My fellow Obama volunteer were wonderful and hopefully will be m friends for life ; ) Hopefully, they are reading this = )

Hang in there...keep up the hope

FIRED UP,

Megan

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New Hampshire Day 4

By Megan Kaminski, Intern NY 21 - Jan 8th, 2008 at 1:28 am EST

Also listed in: 8 groups

Hey one person who reads this,

Let me tell you about my awesome day. I got to see Barack Obama speak and touch his pinke ; )

I started working today with the sign wars at 7 am. There was one woman will Clinton sign, about 50 Obama signers and 30 McCain sign carriers. I was personally on a bipartian corner, half McCain and half Obama. We both admitted the other were our second choice candiate. We had fun.

Then onto about 2 hours of door knocking. After that I was rewarded, by meeting former senator Bill Bradley. I desperately tried to find a basketball for him to sign but all I could get was a nerf basketball set for children.

Afterwards, I did more canvassing (door knocking) and onto todays main event. I saw Sen. Barack Obama at Concord High School. He was all I hoped and more. His stump speech is amazing and all the New Hampshirites I spoke to outside were fired up and ready to barack the vote.

Now, I am watching the first daily show since the strike began. The show is now calle dA daily show with Jon Stewart. Of course Jon is keeping the show lively.

Barack the vote,

P.S. Lets dominate today in New Hampshire

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New Hampshire Primary, Canvassing,

By Megan Kaminski, Intern NY 21 - Jan 7th, 2008 at 1:45 pm EST

Also listed in: 8 groups

Hi loyaly readers,

I have been sooo busy I missed blogging yesterday. Yesterday was a great day but very tiring. We started late because it was Sunday but I worked the hardest since I have got her.

Tiday, has been great. I meet former New Jersey senator Bill Bradly. He signed a bball that I am gonna give to a non-profit for aution !!!!!!!!

I continue to marvel at the kindness of the New Hampshire residents. They have been giving my host family free baked good, caaserole, pizzas and lasagana. I think I eat better while campaigning than I do at home. ( No Offence mom) Campaigning agrees with me. It is great exercise and I am beening well fed.

A CNN poll yesterday but Obama double digits ahead of Clinton. He is polling 40 percent to Clinton's 28 percent. The engery of the Obama campaign is amazing. We keep making our own cheers. Clinton people look sad and worried and they never cheer.

Thanks for reading. Vote Obama for 08 for your mama !!!!!!!

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Day One of Work in NH

By Megan Kaminski, Intern NY 21 - Jan 4th, 2008 at 9:13 pm EST

Also listed in: 8 groups

Hi everyone,

Today was my first day working as a volunteer in canvassing New Hampshire. It was tiring but rewarding. I actually mainly drove since we had my car (a standard and non of my passengers could drive stick).

We knocked on roughly 100 doors today in Cantbury, NH. Its a small town in the Southeast of New Hampshire. My passengers, both named John, were great sports and must have walked over 10 miles each today = (

Right now I am listening to Senator Obama speak on C-span at the "100 club" dinner in New Hampshire. It is doing a wonderful job and I am going to stop typing so I can listen. I will add more to my blog tomorrow.

Take care,

Megan

P.S. Fire it up !

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Arrived in New Hampshire

By Megan Kaminski, Intern NY 21 - Jan 4th, 2008 at 8:41 am EST

Also listed in: 8 groups

Hey all, It has been an amazing last 24 hours. Obama won Iowa with a commanding lead. I arrived in concord, NH last night around 7:30 pm. I was lucky enough to have wonderful car mates both named John.Last night on the drive across VT into NH, the Johns and I stopped at a quaint Vermont dinner. The food was delicious and the waitress, named Jennifer, was adorable. She gave me her email to me and I plan on sending her a voter registration link and Obama propaganda.Then last night we all went to a restaurant bar to watch the results in Iowa. When we finally won, it was awesome. We had reserved off a floor for the twenty or so of us. It was definitely a memorable and historic moment=)

Fired up !!!!!

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