Nestled in the beautiful landscape of Hanover, NH , the Kendal retirement community is renowned for its active, engaged senior residents. A dedicated group of Obama campaign volunteers from Kendal demonstrates why this reputation is well-deserved.
For several weeks now, Kendal residents have been holding their own phone bank for Obama out of their residences, with Edie Gieg taking the lead in organizing their efforts. The dedicated group has proven to be quite a force in reaching out to New Hampshire voters throughout the state, smashing their own calling records and earning a special trophy from campaign staff (seen below).
How do they do it? Each morning, Edie Gieg's pie basket (also seen below) appears with fresh calling packets for volunteers to pick up. By evening, packets are returned to the pie basket to be picked up by staffers for data entry. The next day, the process starts again, and hundreds of calls are made.
Hats off to our great team of Kendal volunteers!
The past week has been crazy. It seems like we went directly from the busy holidays to "Get Out the Vote" at breakneck speed. I keep looking over at my petrified Christmas tree and thinking, not gonna happen today- I am beat from a third day of canvassing in one of our rural towns. Who knew Lyme was so big and driveways are as long as my street? And since 911 came here, aren't all driveways supposed to have numbers? I need another five years here before I can be an efficient canvasser!
But of course it is all worth it. The excitement and energy is palpable since Iowa. Friends are changing their minds, and deciding to support Barack. Republican friends are canvassing for him. Pundits are finding themselves wrapped in the energy of his "transformative" campaign. My four-year-old walks down Main St. Hanover shouting "Fired Up! Ready to Go!" to everyone she encounters. People who never participated before are participating now. I am excited about the momentum, but also savoring what we have already done. To live this movement is a gift.
So, back to cleaning the neglected house, and time to put the coffee on... I sense an all-nighter ahead to do the work for my "real" job, because tomorrow morning it is back to canvassing...
Our moment has arrived! We need EVERYONE to try and attend the following events next week. The eyes of NH and the eyes of the country will be on Hanover, NH one week from today as it hosts the DNC-sponsored Democratic Candidates’ Debate. This is our moment to make a big impact for the campaign, and show the press and public that the Obama candidacy is DIFFERENT! We will not have another opportunity like this before the primary—we need to rally all our troops and be seen and heard!
First, join other Upper Valley supporters at the newly opened Lebanon office (57 Mechanic St. in Lebanon, next to Steve’s Pet Shoppe in the Rivermill complex) on Tuesday, September 25th any time from 4 pm to 8 pm for Pre-rally prep. Pick up signs and t-shirts, make some homemade signs, call supporters, and plan for the big debate events. It will be a fun and energy-filled evening, and a great chance to put names to faces and get to know each other before our big public debut at the debate. RSVP your attendance here. Bring creative ideas, and supplies like poster boards, paints, markers, supplies to make sandwich signs- anything that can creatively and positively represent your support for Senator Obama while complying with the debate visibility rules (see below). There will be many supporters for all the candidates, but we will be THE grassroots group at his visibility.
Then, SIGN UP TO ATTEND THE DEBATE RALLY! Meet Wednesday, Sept. 26th at the campaign office in the Rivermill Commercial complex at 5:30 pm, and then we will carpool over to the debate visibility event, which will run until about 9 p.m.. Parking in Hanover will be hard to come by, so carpooling is very important! If needed, carpool cars can park at Upper Valley for Obama members’ homes near the event site, and be shuttled in. We will have our grassroots logo on t-shirts and signs, our banner if allowed, blue glowstick “O’s”, rally signs, chants and cheers- you name it! Please familiarize yourself with the Debate Visibility Rules here; there are very specific rules about signage, sound, and parking. If you are available to help prepare for this event earlier than 5:30 pm, please email Dave Oberembt at doberembt@barackobama.com ASAP. **WE NEED ALL OUR MEMBERS HERE- PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ATTEND!!**
Once the debate begins at 9 p.m., we head over to Everything But Anchovies (EBAs) for a debate watch and after party! WE MUST HAVE RSVPS FOR THIS EVENT TO COORDINATE WITH THE RESTAURANT- so if you want to attend- and it will be very exciting and likely attract press attention- SIGN UP HERE. Do not miss out on the opportunity to watch the debate with a large group of supporters- it promises to be great!
7 DAYS TO GO, 1 DEBATE, 100s OF SUPPORTERS READY TO TAKE ACTION!
SEE YOU THERE!
Jennifer
NH and VT area supporters, Sept. 26 debate events are now listed! Join grassroots organization Upper Valley for Obama as we show the world that our candidate has the support of the people!
I am certainly not alone in feeling that my life has a certain out-of-control, chaotic, frenetic feel to it. After all, when was the last time you asked someone how they were and they replied that they were kind of bored and wished they had more to do?
But with four kids ranging in age from 4 to 20 in four different schools and involved in activities ranging from music lessons to Quiz Bowl, from the haunted house to soccer- not to mention the endless parade of visits to pediatricians, orthodontists, dentists, optometrists (you get the idea)- a day job, and a husband I want to have more than a passing conversation with, some days I just want to scream "uncle!" to no one in particular. I fantasize about curling up on the couch with a book and coffee, taking a walk to nowhere in particular, rescheduling that long ago cancelled dentist appointment now two years overdue, or being able to make it to the salon frequently enough to avoid Sharpie touch-ups.
Yet, here I am, in the trenches of grass roots activism in support of the candidacy of Barack Obama. I have spent way more time than I have on the campaign (with sleep being on the losing end of the equation), and pushed myself way outside of my comfort zone. I am shy to the point of almost phobic, with phone calls being particularly ulcer-inducing. Yet, I have organized and led meetings, made lots of calls, marched in parades, hosted house parties, painted faces- including the Obama girls'-, put myself in front of countless strangers in attention grabbing garb, and have even signed up for a canvass (no phone bank just yet).
Why? Because getting Barack Obama to the White House is that imporant to me. It is important to me, because I see in him a chance for the future I want my children to have- or at least an approximation of that given the aftemath of eight years of George Bush and partisan bickering.
Once, years ago, one of my children was diagnosed with a devastating condition, and at that time, too, I had to push meself beyond where I thought I could go to seek the care he needed- his future depended on it. Daunted by this, I cried to a friend, and she told me I had to let my inner Momma Bear out, and fight for his life, no matter how difficult that seemed. Well, my Momma Bear is back out, and that is why no matter how busy I am, and how uncomfortable I may feel, I will push to do all I can to send Obama to the White House. I am not just fighting for my children this time, though. I am fighting for your children, for the children of Iraq, for the children of the world. And the hope of victory far overshadows the sacrifices. Join me.
As hard as it is to see summer end and get back to the grind, it's also exciting to think about ramping up our efforts as primary campaigning goes into high gear. Several members of Upper Valley for Obama met at our house yesterday, and we had good discussion about our plans and goals for the days ahead. At this point we are focused on the DNC debate that will be right here in the Upper Valley on September 26th at Dartmouth College. We will be making a big statement about grassroots energy for Barack Obama in NH- so stay tuned for more information.
Upper Valley for Obama participated in the Hanover, NH 4th of July parade today, and we made quite a splash with our great banner, cute mascot Freddie the dachshund, and adorable little girl waving a flag from her Obama wagon (OK- so she is my daughter!). We were featured on the national blog- check it out here.
Also, be sure to check out the book club events starting this Friday!
Wow! Upper Valley for Obama had a great turnout for our kick-off organizing meeting. Over 25 attendees filled the front room of a local pizzeria, as we talked about our future plans to support the Obama campaign.
The campaign was there to support our efforts as well, with Jim Demers (NH campaign co-chair), Damian Bednarz (in charge of NH New Media), and Dave Oberembdt (area field organizer) each addressing the group briefly.
Our next events include a community service project working at our area homeless shelter, and fielding an Upper Valley for Obama team in the Prouty, a large fundraiser for the Norris Cotton Cancer Center.
Our group will also focus on getting the word out about Obama, and encouraging friends and family to sign up with Upper Valley for Obama and come as guests to the next meeting. We are also looking forward to opening our local field office in style.
The energy in the room was palpable, with great ideas flowing and lots of enthusiasm. Our next organizing meeting will be on Tuesday, July 24 at 6:30 pm, location TBD. Join us!
We are just back from a weekend in Concord and participating in the Women for Obama kickoff fair. It was a great event, and the rain stayed away!
Both Upper Valley for Obama and Obama Youth had booths at the event, along with several women's organizations and the campaign. The highlight of the event was the appearance and speech by Michelle Obama, accompanied by her daughters and her mother. Sarah, my 13-year-old, described the speech as "riveting."
Upper Valley for Obama's "Learn How to Go Green" booth, staffed by our volunteer Sandra Akacem, gave away close to 100 booklets with "Go Green" tips. We also unveiled our new logo on a banner, showing the green hills of both NH and VT united by the CT river. Many folks stopped to chat with Sandy and learn more about what they might do to help the environment and look at our display.
Obama Youth's booth included a very popular face painting table (visited by the Obama's duaghters Sasha and Mailia- see pictures on NH page of this site) and a raffle. Co-founders Josh and Sarah Ramirez raised $100 for Obama for America with all their efforts.
It was great to meet people from many organizations, and Obama supporters of all ages.
Our Obama t-shirts were met with nods of approval and positive comments by all we met at our Concord hotel!
What a wonderful Memorial Day weekend- time with friends and family, and time for reflection on the sacrifices so many men and women have made for our country. The weekend was, of course, capped by the rousing rally for Senator Obama at Dartmouth College on Monday afternoon. What a sight to see over 5,000 people gathered to hear Obama’s message. I was struck by the make up of the crowd- many Dartmouth students, to be sure, but I also saw families from my youngest’s preschool, a fellow board member from an autism advocacy group, neighbors, the friendly cashier from Lou’s Restaurant, and my mother and mother-in-law. It was a multi-generational group, all brought together to hear the Senator speak. The sense of community was palpable.
Later, at home, we had some new friends and their family over for a cookout. They couldn’t help but notice our cars decked out in Obama bumper stickers. To our surprise, these friends related how Obama was the first politician they had ever made a donation to. The past primary, they supported McCain. Apparently, after reading the text of one of Obama’s speeches circulated by email, they were moved to take this action. As they left, they asked if we had any extra bumper stickers and pins.
I tell you this, because I have a real sense of a growing momentum, and the power we have for introducing more people to our candidate. I am not one to force my agenda on others, or even express it in an obvious way- I am at baseline pretty shy. But what I have found is that by wearing my Obama wristband and button, by having my bumper sticker, by sending out emails to friends inviting them to house parties and rallies, by participating in community service projects, by writing letters to my local paper, I am making a difference. Conversations start, and people want to hear why I support Obama. And people start paying more attention, checking out the campaign website, listening, reading, joinging our group- Upper Valley for Obama- and they see the potential of this man to lead our country in a new direction.
Supporting our candidate does not require the hard sell that so many of us are uncomfortable with- just opening the door for discussion works wonders. If each of us introduced Barack Obama to just two people, imagine the possibilities….
