Help us Ring in the Change we Need at OFA-Wisconsin!
Wisconsin’s 2009 Rapid Response program wrapped up last Thursday, December 17, with a total of 32 call parties held across the state! Volunteers made over 6,500 calls to our neighbors in Wisconsin and Nebraska. Together we had over 1,600 conversations on the importance of health insurance reform and received over 1,000 commits to call members of Congress.
Later that evening a conference call was held with Organizing for America’s National Political Director, Addisu Demissie, explaining where we are with the Health Care Reform Bill currently making its way through the Senate. Volunteers from across the state had an opportunity to ask Addisu specific questions and give our State Director, Dan Grandone, feedback to send in a special memo to the White House this week. The call was a great opportunity to get the inside perspective on process and continue to strengthen the two-way conversation between our volunteers on the ground and our leaders in Washington, D.C.Of course, the best news of all came on Saturday morning, when Senator Ben Nelson announced that he would be voting in support of the bill, giving us the much-needed sixtieth vote to pass the Health Care Reform Bill out of the Senate. After that historic vote—which we hope will take place before Christmas—the bill will go into conference committee, where the differences between the Senate and House Health Care bills will be resolved. The one bill that emerges from the conference committee then needs to go back to both the House and the Senate for a final vote before heading to President Obama’s desk. We will likely be calling representatives again at that time, but before we get too far down that road, let’s pause and celebrate what we’ve accomplished in the last two Rapid Response rounds...and please send us pictures of your event so we can add them to our scrapbook!
Mid-November, Wisconsin grassroots volunteers kicked into action by making over 6,500 calls into states of undecided Senators.The purpose? To make sure people on the ground know the stakes in the current debate and encourage them to call their Senators and speak their hearts and minds about the need for health insurance reform. The result? Wisconsin alone encouraged more than 1,000 residents in these states to call their Senators and speak from their own experiences about health care--and we were only one state of many!
The efforts were enormously successful.
Reports from the states said that calls for health insurance reform had increased significantly in the last two weeks and the people who we reached out to called their Senators on their own instead of sending an email, spoke from the heart instead of reciting talking points, and told their own stories…making a difference one call at a time.
This week, Wisconsin activists are at it again, spending some of their holiday season making sure that the people who need it most are going to get the gift of health care reform. We’re setting up call parties all week to call constituents in other states and encourage them to call their Senators yet again and let them know how serious they are about the need for health care reform.
You can make a difference! Click here to find a Rapid Response Call party near you, or here if you would like to set up your own Rapid Response party, or here to send photos or stories about your Rapid Response party into the blog. Let’s show the world what action looks like!
Organizing for America’s National Weekend of Training hit Wisconsin last weekend, spreading “snowflakey” leadership models (as one campus organizer described them) all over the state just before the real stuff hit!Both Dane County and our first-ever statewide campus training event involved intensive training on organizing the Obama way, telling our story, building relationships, and—most importantly—moving our words into action. Teams got to know each other, practiced telling their own stories, practiced “one-on-one” meetings with volunteers, and left the day with strategies for organizing their own neighborhood in hand. At the end of the weekend, as a group, we had committed to going out into the snow and doing nearly two hundred “one-on-ones” across Wisconsin in addition to hosting Rapid Response call parties, House parties, and organizational meetings.The weekend was part of a National Weekend of Training with over two hundred trainings across the country in forty-eight different states! In Wisconsin, they marked the sixth and seventh trainings held here since June, and the first wave of many that will take place in the upcoming year.Volunteers who attended some of our meetings found them extremely helpful:
Thanks to OFA for putting on the training…. The material that was covered was excellent. When I answered your question of how did I feel about the training by saying "satisfied," I was saying that the training met my hopes of both being fun, informative, and very helpful… I've been to a lot of trainings in my life and taught a few, too. You all get an A+. Thank you!Susan McKeegan-Guinn, Elkhorn Team LeaderBeing a master’s level psychotherapist, I've been through many trainings. I've done many trainings, workshops, and conferences. This training was by far the most clearly defined and easy to follow. I came away with a sense of "I can do this. And it will be fun. And I won't be alone. There is a definite person I can call when I have questions." Things I really appreciated about the training:1) The structure for the day was very organized and outlined.2) The materials were extensive and all prepared in a neat packet. So, I knew I didn't have to take a lot of notes because I could see that the whole day-long training was well laid out in the packet.3) There was a variety of people presenting in their area of expertise. This kept the pace moving right along. And we had a chance to hear from everyone who is involved from my neighborhood right on through the state director.4) It was relaxed, fun, and fast moving.Margie Pecus, Wauwatosa Team Leader
Thanks to OFA for putting on the training…. The material that was covered was excellent. When I answered your question of how did I feel about the training by saying "satisfied," I was saying that the training met my hopes of both being fun, informative, and very helpful… I've been to a lot of trainings in my life and taught a few, too. You all get an A+. Thank you!
Susan McKeegan-Guinn, Elkhorn Team Leader
Being a master’s level psychotherapist, I've been through many trainings. I've done many trainings, workshops, and conferences. This training was by far the most clearly defined and easy to follow. I came away with a sense of "I can do this. And it will be fun. And I won't be alone. There is a definite person I can call when I have questions."
Things I really appreciated about the training:1) The structure for the day was very organized and outlined.2) The materials were extensive and all prepared in a neat packet. So, I knew I didn't have to take a lot of notes because I could see that the whole day-long training was well laid out in the packet.3) There was a variety of people presenting in their area of expertise. This kept the pace moving right along. And we had a chance to hear from everyone who is involved from my neighborhood right on through the state director.4) It was relaxed, fun, and fast moving.
Margie Pecus, Wauwatosa Team Leader
Grab the opportunity to create the change we seek! Join OFA Wisconsin now!
CORRECTION: THE POSTCARD CAMPAIGN HAS COME TO WI AND WILL BE CONTINUING ON INTO OCTOBER. TALK TO YOUR FIELD ORGANIZER ABOUT HOW TO GET INVOLVED.Thank you, Hannah, for this brilliant idea! It’s a great way to get people involved who aren’t comfortable making phone calls!!
MONDAY, canvassing, 5:00-7:30 & cell phone bank at the Hawkins', 5:30-8:30. Bring your own cell phone. Email Nansi at pastor@seeyouonsunday.org for directions.TUESDAY, canvassing, 5:00-7:30 & cell phone banking at the O’Brien’s, 5:30-8:30. Bring cell phones and a friend to 138 E. Greenland Ave.WEDNESDAY, canvassing, 5:00-7:30 & cell phone banking, 5:30-8:30. Bring cell phones, bottled water, and a friend. Email Nansi for weekly venue.THURSDAY, canvassing, 5:00-7:30 & cell phone banking at the O’Brien’s, 5:30-8:30.SATURDAY, CANVASSING 101: we’ll take a little extra time to train you, to decompress afterward, and have some extra treats on hand. Join us! We could really use experienced canvassers to team up with all the newbies. Shifts leave from the O’Brien’s at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and noon.SLO-MO CALLING/CANVASSING: Packets with addresses, numbers, and scripts can be picked up every week and brought back the next—or I’ll drop them off: staci.leigh.obrien@att.net.Find out what’s going on around you: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/search_simple.**Mark Your Calendars! Tuesday, Sept. 23, 6:30, there will be a special women’s forum to engage, mobilize, and encourage more women to take ownership in this campaign. Humphrey Memorial Chapel; Carroll College; 238 North East Avenue; Waukesha. Please RSVP at http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/womenforobama/gs7tfl; they need the numbers in advance.
Logos galore, sign-in sheets, issues guides--all free. Have at it!
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/actioncenter/resourcelibrary/
Our team decided to host a special canvass next Saturday for first-time canvassers. We're going to take some extra time at the beginning--even role play if they want to--and some extra time at the end to talk about how it went. Special treats, lots of encouragement...we're hoping to find pros to pair up with the newbies. We hope this event might bring in some new faces and have sent out special invitations to the h.s. group and others on our email list.
Don't know if it will work yet (fingers crossed!) Just thought I'd share the idea.
Dear Friends,Whether you watched the speeches last night, or just picked up the one-liners this morning, we now know what form the attacks against Senator Obama are going to take.I was most discouraged by the way community organizing was mocked. Whether we’re fighting for a soccer park, an auditorium, or a city beach—zoning regulations around the block or stem cell research around the world—we are all organizers in a world that too often forgets what City Hall policies look like on the street, a world too often swayed by large wallets instead of the greater good.Barack Obama has done an amazing job inspiring millions to believe in what they’ve had all along—a voice.Regardless of your politics, this is not an idea that should be mocked.We don’t know how the country will respond to these attacks or where the polls will go from here—but we do know our candidate is working tirelessly for the ideal of a country where people are actively engaged in a government that has, in turn, pledged to listen…and that he has a brilliant team running his campaign.One member of that team, David Plouffe, is the genius behind the call and walk packets our teams are handed each week. When Ryan Shannon gave us our first packet, he said, “If we do this, we win the election.” I don’t know enough about campaigns to know if it’s that simple, but if Obama’s gamble is on what can happen when people take more ownership, that’s a bet I want in on.Join us when you can; call me for other ways to help:Oconomowoc Phone Banking & Canvassing Schedule: * Thursday, September 4, 5:00-7:30, canvass from the O’Briens,. Bring cellphones, bottled water, and a friend: 138 E. Greenland Ave. AND, Cellphone bank, 6:00-9:00, at the O’Briens. Bring cellphones. Bring a friend. * Saturday, September 6, 1:00, canvass from the O’Briens, 1:00. * Tuesday, September 9, 5:00-7:30, canvass from the O’Briens AND, Cellphone bank, 6:00-9:00, meet at the O’Briens.Slow motion phone bank/canvass: Packets with addresses, numbers, and scripts can be picked up every week and brought back the next—or I’ll drop them off.Plug in your zip code to find events closer to you: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/search_simple.
Three things I think you’ll like:Video of Obama’s speech in Milwaukee, September 1: http://www.myfoxmilwaukee.com/myfox/MyFox/pages/sidebar_video.jsp?contentId=7337065&version=1&locale=EN-USThis Moveon.org briefing is a fundraiser, but feel free to ignore that part. The rundown of the challenges we face in this election should be mandatory watching for all Obama supporters:https://pol.moveon.org/donate/electionbrief.html?id=13503-9900850-pxtz9vx&t=1.I’m reposting the link to the Democratic convention by request. You’ll find everything you missed at the video gallery: http://www.demconvention.com/Oconomowoc Phone Banking & Canvassing Schedule: * Thursday, September 4, 5:00-7:30, canvass from the O’Briens,. Bring cellphones, bottled water, and a friend: 138 E. Greenland Ave. * Thursday, September 4, 6:00-9:00. Cellphone bank at the O’Briens. Bring cellphones, goodies if you want them, and a friend: 138 E. Greenland Ave. * Saturday, September 6, 1:00, canvass from the O’Briens, 1:00.SLOW MOTION PHONE BANK/CANVASS: Packets with addresses, numbers, and scripts can be picked up every week and brought back the next—or I’ll drop them off.No matter where you are, other teams are active all around you. Find out where you can plug in: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/search_simple.This week’s Quick & Easy thing to do: Come to breakfast! The Waukesha Dems breakfast is this Saturday, September 6, at 10:00 a.m. (Maxim’s/the Depot). Paul Soglin is speaking, and there will be a chance to hear about or meet local candidates. Also, I’ll be giving a short update on the state of the campaign in Oconomowoc. Join us!
These are all available at the website where, if you increase the number of purchase, you can buy them in bulk. Yard signs, for example, drop down to $4 eventually. Buttons down ton $.35 each.
Our team is looking for local patrons to buy in bulk and donate to us, so we can give them out for free to people who put in one volunteer shift. Just a thought.
Convention Watch Party, this Thursday at Maxim’s/the Depot in Oconomowoc: Don’t forget! Party at 7:00; speech at 8:00.Or, find a closer watch party by plugging your zip code into “Find Events” at www.mybarackobama.com.Three things I think you’ll like:The New York Times’ David Brooks on Joe Biden (written the day before the announcement): http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/22/opinion/22brooks.html?_r=1&em&oref=sloginPictures of the Obama/Biden event in Springfield: http://thisweekwithbarackobama.blogspot.com/2008/08/obama-biden-pictures-august-23-2008.htmlWho really made a killing on the drawn out veep-watch? http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/08/media-learns-wi.htmlThis week’s Quick & Easy thing to do: Livestream the convention on your computer at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26223664/Three sites you need to bookmark:I had hoped to share rebuttals for each email smear, but they’re coming too fast. We really need each of you to work the frontlines and respond to them as you find them in your inbox.The three websites below address everything from taxes and troop visits to abortion--with links to neutral sources that are easy to send to others. There’s no need to be confrontational; factcheck.org is both the easiest and most persuasive way to deal with these, and we do need to deal with these. • Hearing wild rumors about Obama’s positions, actions, or voting record? Answer with the truth: http://factcheck.barackobama.com/ • This site wraps all the tools you need to respond in a nice little package: http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/fightthesmearshome • Received a smear they don’t know about yet? Forward to: watchdog@barackobama.comThe truth can be powerful, but only if it’s spoken.Keep it positive out there!
Use votebuilder to find democrats in your community, but also to look up people you know who you never discuss politics with.
Make a list of the hardworking people you know from work, school, committees, clubs, church...then use votebuilder to look up their political leanings. They won't all be Democratic, but I guarantee there will be some surprises. Calling them to ask them to get involved will be that much easier once you know they are with you in spirit (although I wouldn't mention looking them up).
Hi Everyone. Welcome aboard!
Now that you've joined the group, you can write a blog at your "My Dashboard" page, then scroll down before posting and click the box next to our group to have it appear here. Feel free to contact me if you have questions: staci.leigh.obrien@att.net.
Also, my "lessons learned" blog doesn't say what it's about. We are all too busy to open every blog just to find out if we need it--so let's learn from my mistake and make the "post title" line specific to the topic.
This is not an "ask Staci" column (as if I had answers!). All of us are asking each other. Ask questions--but jump in and answer them, too. And please post your successful ideas; we need them! To address a specific topic raised, hit the comment button at the end of that blog.
Let's all commit to checking back frequently enough to be of real help to each other. We can do this!
Here are a few things our team has learned over the last few weeks:
1. The smartest thing we did was start an email list. We keep posts short, and try not to send more than once or twice a week. It gets forwarded, our list grows, etc. When we needed to staff a table at the Festival of the Arts, these people were in the loop and ready to help.
2. But--we should have had more stickers for people at the Festival. They went fast, and were a great visibility opportunity for us. People were genuinely surprised to see so many Obama stickers in our relatively conservative town.
3. And it turns out that the price of Obama buttons DOES drop as you increase the order. They don't make that very clear at the store. We bought 500 at $.35/ea. that we plan to give out for free to people who phone and canvas for us.
I'll post more as I think of other things we've learned, but you should all feel free to post things as well--and ask questions! My father always said, "Ask a question, you're a fool for five minutes. Don't ask it and you're a fool for life!"
Since our list has doubled, it seemed appropriate to reintroduce this post as an update on local events you won’t hear about in national campaign emails—such as next week’s Convention Party in Oconomowoc(!). Please forward this to anyone who might be interested, or send me their emails. If you’re reading this on my blog, and would rather get it as an email, just let me know. This is a private list and will evaporate in 78 days, so there’s no need to worry about spam. Our team is your local campaign contact, so hang on to my contact info. Your questions and comments are always welcome.
Fired up!
Staci Leigh O’Brienfor Oconomowoc’s Obama Neighborhood Organizing Team staci.leigh.obrien@att.net
Here’s your update:
You’re Invited to Oconomowoc’s Convention Watch Party! Watch Senator Obama formally accept the Democratic Nomination for President on Thursday, August 28th at the Depot/Maxim’s in downtown Oconomowoc. Party at 7:00/speech at 8:00. Admission is free; food and drinks are available for purchase. Sign up at www.barackobama.com or look for other convention watch events near you. (Minors are welcome but, of course, they will not be served alcohol.)
Thank you, thank you, thank you…to everyone who canvassed, persuaded, walked, watched, or simply stopped by to encourage us at the Festival of the Arts last weekend. We knocked on over 260 doors (the second highest canvas in the state last Saturday!) and added nearly 100 enthusiastic supporters to our list. Waukesha County may not go blue in November, but we’re turning it purple!!
Three Things I Think You’ll Like:
· “Obama Ready to Announce Running Mate This Week,” The New York Times, August 18: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/19/us/politics/19veep.html.
· Camp Obama’s guide to the website: http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/amandascott/gG5FdX; more Camp blogs: http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/blog/amandascott.
· “Troops Deployed Abroad Give 6:1 to Obama”: http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2008/08/troops-deployed-abroad-give-61.html.
Waukesha office volunteers needed (Info: 262.521.2008):Phonebanking: M-F, 5:00-9:00 p.m. Canvassing: Saturday 10:00-2:00/2:00-6:00; Sunday 2:00-6:00.
This week’s QUICK AND EASY thing to do: Time to put your yard sign up! Help the local office out and make an easy/cheap donation by purchasing your own at www.barackobama.com (click on “store” in the upper banner).
