We three sisters have hosted 4 organizational "parties" from the first on 3/31/07 to the most recent on 6/28/08. All have a central purpose- to elect Barack Obama the 44th President of the United States. Guests may be old friends, or total strangers (ours are usually 4 to 1 stranger to friend, but many strangers have become true friends in the process).
The format is similar- after a bit of mingling (1st? ,sharing links, sharing videos, speeches, news, music, etc) the hosts introduce themselves and describe what has brought them to support Barack, what they have been doing for the campaign, any personal anecdotes, etc. Each guest is expected to do the same- this is an opportunity for those who may have supported another democratic candidate, who may be Republicans disenchanted with their party and sincerely wanting to learn more about ours, and independents who simply are weighing their options, to openly express their interest and their concerns. It is an opportunity for the Obama backers to reenforce the energy in this campaign and this movement and respond to those questions and concerns respectfully. (The secret to a great party is a diverse group all behaving nicely)
Several things happen when an event like this happens- energy is transferred; ideas take shape. On June 28, here in Wheaton, IL, we talked about donating, wearing gear, traveling to border states, phone banking- but more importantly, 38 people stood and stated who they were and what led them to support Barack, or what brought them to the party if they weren't yet 100% supporters (I call curious guests). One of the first guests to arrive stated she was a democrat, but she had supported Hillary and you could see in her face and hear in her voice her disappointment and, truthfully, concern, that the right candidate had not been chosen. In the end, she was one of the last to leave and she bought a bumper sticker and button on her way out and signed on to help the campaign as a volunteer. We had at least a dozen new volunteers for road trips and phone banking.
We can transfer the same tone and purpose to the blog, which is often too easy a place to be less than gracious (because we aren't face to face, perhaps). The "hosts" (those with profiles, let's say) and the guests, who may or may not have profiles as they walk in the door (we should not immediately assume no profile=troll), should get to know one another. Obviously, if someone comes in the door wearing a McCain T-shirt, or blatantly trying to recruite for the other side, he/she is swiftly showed the door and told that they came to the wrong party. If someone shows up who speaks disrespectfully about our candidate, they will be shown the door, as to not distract or disrupt the other guests. One who hogs the conversation about issues that belong somewhere else (like his senate web site, if it is about a vote, or his HQ email, if it is about campaign tactics) can be redirected, and the "meeting" can continue without distraction. The parties are fun, but they are organized; they have purpose; they seek committments. Our blog can be one huge Unite for Change party if we hosts want it to be.
Our blog will have many visitors from now to the general election; they don't know us yet, but we want to think that many are extremely curious about this movement and our candidate. I suggest we treat them as honored guests until we are absolutely sure their presence serves no purpose. I am confident if we employ Obama's rule- respect, empower, include- on his blog, we will ensure a landslide victory in November.
Thoughts, dear Obama family? Are you ready for a party?
Donna of the 3 sisters
Almost forty supporters from the Western Suburbs of Chicago attended our backyard event today. Everyone shared their reasons for supporting Barack, and most enthusiastically signed up to volunteer for future projects, such as the Border Buddies road trips to canvass in swing states surrounding Illinois. Wheaton is a very Republican city in a very Republican county, so our turnout was impressive.
The success of the event can best be summed up by the story of one guest who arrived a rather disappointed Democrat, as she was a Hillary supporter. She left the event having purchased an Obama button and bumper sticker. YES WE CAN!
We originally found this blog in October 2007. It bears repeating.
This was written by an Obama supporter named Linnie Frank Bailey. Most Obama supporters are passionate in their support, but few are as articulate as Linnie. We share this with you, because it may help you when you discuss your support with others.
DX3
“Bring America Back”
"We're going to lead with our values and our ideals by deed and by example…. I want to go before the world and say America's back. America is back."
Barack Obama
Barack Obama is the candidate who best exemplifies the values and ideals that made this country great. He alone possesses the experience required to lead America to a glorious future.
By experience, I do not mean years spent in battle with the opposing political party.
By experience, I do not mean putting the desires of special interests, ahead of the needs of the American people.
By experience, I do not mean casting aside judgment, in favor of political chips to be cashed in later.
By experience, I do not mean being all things to all people, instead of being consistent and honest.
By experience, I do not mean drawing on family connections to advance a career, instead of standing on one’s own accord.
By experience, I do not mean authorizing our young people to be sent to fight the wrong war, because of popular opinion at the time.
By experience, I do not mean putting POLITICS above AMERICA!
Like the great American leaders who preceded him—Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, King, and Parks—Obama has risen to the moment! This is what great leaders do! He is a man of the times, and exactly what America needs right now.
We NEED a person with a worldview…someone who has lived among the peoples of the world, and understands their viewpoint—while still championing our American values and interests.
We NEED a person who represents the various cultures of our own country, while also understanding we are stronger as a nation when we unite.
We NEED a person who has empathy for the ‘withouts' in our society, as evidenced by Obama’s decision years ago to forgo a big income, in favor of serving in the community.
Which brings up another point….
We NEED a person who understands that money is not the solution for all of our ills, and there are more important things, like family, friendships, and faith.
We NEED a person who will be honest with us as we tackle the many issues of our time on this planet, and not just tell us what we want to hear, or what they think we need to know.
We NEED a person who will bring in fresh faces, fresh voices, and fresh solutions from both parties, and end our political gridlock.
And finally, we NEED a person who inspires us to look toward the future, instead of reminding us of the mistakes of our past.
Yes….it’s Obama time!
If we want to bring America back to its glory…if we want to leave our children a better tomorrow….if we want to elect the person with the BEST experience for where we are now…if we want to say “AMERICA IS BACK!.....AMERICA IS BACK!” ….we NEED Barack Obama!
Elect Barack Obama as President of the United States...."And I Think To Myself, What a Wonderful World!"
My sister and I feel so privileged to have heard it first at DePaul University 10/2/07- the fifth anniversary of his speech in opposition of the Iraq war. This "Speech" is part two of the DNC 2004 address that placed Barack on the American stage, and it will steer him to the White House. Read it. Read it again. Then send it to everyone you know-from Barack supporters (for reinforcement) to every cynic you know. Ask them to read it and then read it again and then, name any candidate, either party, who could make this speech. Barack lives this speech.
Albert Einstein said "Setting an example is not the main means of influencing another, it is the only means." Barack said in his speech "to lead the world we must lead by example".
We've known Barack since January 2004 and we've known him to not just talk the talk, but walk the walk. Please do not miss the opportunity to share who he is and what a wonderful American President he will be.
Two sisters from Wheaton, two couples from Lombard and three college interns drove to Dubuque Saturday morning and canvassed for Barack Obama this past weekend. It was part of the Sister Cities Program, where the campaign has supporters from Illinois "introduce" Barack to Democrats in Iowa. Since DuPage County is just a scenic three hour drive to Dubuque, the pairing is natural. Also, the Field Director in Dubuque, Nick Meyer, is familiar to many DuPage Democrats, as he was the field organizer for Milton Township for Tammy Duckworth in '06.
Besides being a beautiful summer weekend to travel and walk (a lot), it was a very successful weekend. A group of Oak Park supporters had driven in on Saturday, and combined with the door knocking DuPagers, who canvassed both Saturday and Sunday, a lot of contacts were made. Every time we secured a supporter card with a committment to caucus for Barack, it felt like winning the lottery.
We really felt like we made a difference to the campaign in this all important state. We plan a return trip in October, and again for the caucuses on January 14, 2008.
