We had a great first meeting and are well on our way! We have decide on our group mission which is "to be a postive visible presence for Obama in Columbus serving as a resouce for residents who want to learn about or contribute to the campaign". Now that we have a mission, there's no stopping us! Read the meeting minutes below for details.
Columbus for Obama '08
Planning Meeting
April 3, 2007
Whetstone Library
7 p.m.
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Minutes
Introduction of Group Attendees
Everyone took a moment to introduce themselves and to share why they support Barack Obama for President and what they hope to get out of the Columbus for Obama group. Group comments centered around Obama as an inspiration to get involved, he represents a new kind of politics, and he has thought carefully about the issues.
Group members stated they want to educate people about the candidates, get people out to vote, to learn from other Obama supporters, to help get Obama elected and to identify hot button issues form people and to address those issues as a group.
Discussion of Group Mission
After discussing common themes found in the group responses during the introduction, the Columbus for Obama group decided on the following mission:
"Our mission is to be a positive visible presence for Barack Obama in Columbus, serving as a resource for residents who what to learn about or contribute to the Obama for America campaign."
Discussion of Group Goals
The group identified 3 long-term goals to focus on. They are
Begin Brainstorming Ideas for Group Projects
The group came up with the following ideas for possible projects we can do to achieve our long-term goals. The projects include:
Set Agenda for the Next Meeting
The next meeting has been scheduled for Wed, May 2, 2007 at 7 p.m. at the Whetstone Branch Library. At this meeting we will start detailed project planning.
From now until May 2, the group will suggest additional projects that are in line with our long term goals and decide on 1-3 projects to focus on. All of this will be done online.
Announcements & Group Feedback
Global Warming- kick off conversation at the Linden Elementary School on April 5, 2007, 2626 Cleveland Avenue. Contact: Craig Bickle at 614.784.1463
BBQ for Obama---the planning meeting will take place Wednesday, April 11, 2007 at 7 p.m., Panera Bread 4519 North High Street. Contact: Michelle Dolgos at mdolgos1@gmail.com.
Buckeyes for Obama—Meeting on April 14th, 347 Drinko Hall. Rich will speak about sales and persuasion techniques. Contact: Rich Ruenzi at coachrich@columbus.rr.com.
Columbus for Obama/Honk and Wave Event—Saturday, April 21, 2007 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m at the Intersection of North High Street and North Broadway in Columbus. Bring your own sign. Weather permitting. Contact: Jennifer Dillard at jaisahm@yahoo.com.
Short North for Obama—Meeting, Saturday, April 28th, 2007 at 12 Noon. Buckeye Café Hall of Fame Cafe. Contact: Rich Ruenzi at coachrich@columbus.rr.com.
Driving to the movies Thursday night in Alabama, just outside of Montgomery, my husband and I heard loud voices behind our car. I thought it was a group of kids out joy ridding. Then this car full of women pulled up along side ours and everyone in the car was hollering “Yes!” and giving us the thumbs up. They were so excited you would have thought that Obama was in the car with us!
We had a great trip and the responses we received are encouraging! We plan to travel throughout the summer and will definitely write Obama’s name on our car again.
Over and out.
What a fun event! We all had our Obama signs and stood on the corner of Morse & Hamilton from 11am to 1pm today! I would say that the response was very positive. We had lots of waves, thumbs up, honks, and a little bit of clapping. There were only a handful of minor negatives, but not enough to put a damper on the day. One man yelled "Vote for an American"; this is a prime example of the ignorance out there that we must overcome. I hope that we have many more of these events in many more areas of the city, and that more of you will join us. The event was sponsored by the Gahanna group, but I came from Galloway and Brian came from Dublin, so the west side was represented! It was great meeting other supporters, and while I was a bit tenative about standing on a corner waving, it REALLY was FUN!
We visited Selma, AL today. While driving around a historic section of the city, a car drove up beside ours and a man hollered through the window, "Why do you like Obama?" Caught off guard, I hollered back, "He's a good man at the right time!". The man in the car agreed, then said he believed Obama could win the primary. He then waved goodbye and drove off.
We also received lots of waves, but I don't know if it was because folks support Obama or because that's what people do in the South. I think it was both. In anycase, there's love for Obama here in Alabama.
We made it to Alabama. Along the way we received lots of stares, but no fingers! Some people who stared as they drove past our car also turned to each other in conversation. I'm hoping they were talking about Obama!
We also received multiple waves from cars from Alabama, Illinois, Ontario, Quebec, New York, Tenessee, Georgia, and other states. There's lots of love out there for Obama. While we were in the parking lot of a resterant, a woman walked by with a HUGE smile on her face and said she liked our car.
I had concerns about my multiracial family travelling around the South with the name of a Black man running for President written on my car. But for me it is about opening people's minds then their hearts. The best example is a living one.
My kids are on Spring Break and we are off to Alabama to visit my husband’s family. Since we’ll be out of town and unable to participate in the Honk for Obama Visibility event on the 24th, I thought we could show our solidarity and publicize Obama by decorating our car for the trip! We’ll be driving through Southern Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama. My husband’s parents live in the country and we’ll have to travel some back roads of Alabama to get to the house. What a great way to show our support for Barack Obama and get his name out there!
I’ll be blogging and sharing photos of what happens along the way.
Click on the link to see photos of the car.
Community organizing is about connecting with others. In this case, connecting with others to help get Barack Obama elected as president.
When I read Obama’s books or hear him speak, I feel inspired to create change, I feel hopeful about the future, and I feel excited about the possibilities for a better America. It is these feelings I hope to convey in my interactions with others. No matter what activity I may be involved.
Ultimately, what people will remember most is how you made them FEEL during the connection. And it is this feeling they will carry with them to the polls.
There needed to be an Obama group in our state capital.
Please join us for the first Columbus for Obama meeting on Tuesday, April 3, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Whetstone Branch Library, 3909 North High Street, Columbus, 43214.
At the meeting we will discuss our group purpose and goals we would like to focus on. Please read the Obama Campaign Online Organizing Guide below as this document will help us as we plan.
Contact me at jaisahm@yahoo.com if you have any questions or comments.
Hope to see you there!
People, let’s show our united grassroots support en masse for Barack Obama with a national Barack-A-Thon!
On one day, Obama groups across America will hold activities across their state that publicize, mobilize, and raise money for Obama for America!
We don’t need an opinion poll to tell us how Barack is doing. We are the opinion!
People, let us talk. Email me at jaisahm@yahoo.com, write comments to this blog, spread the word, become my friend.
We can do this!
It has taken me awhile to articulate why I support Barack Obama for President. I share his views on energy independence, education, ethics reform, the war in Iraq and so much more. I think Obama can bring Americans together at this important time in our history. But to me these things don’t get at what I value most of all. And that is being one’s authentic self.
I missed Obama’s speech during the 2004 Democratic National Convention. When I did hear about it, I wasn’t really impressed. At that time I felt Barack Obama was the flavor of the month and would soon pass out of our national consciousness. Then my mother died unexpectedly. She had Obama’s book “Dreams from My Father” with her at the hospital and my father had given it to me in passing. Missing my mother and wanting to feel close to her, I read the book.
There’s a passage where Obama and his sister are visiting a friend during his trip to Kenya. This woman shared with them that she was not so concerned with her daughter being authentically Kenyan as she was with her daughter being authentically herself. This notion of being truly who you are despite the confines of race and class, was a conversation my mother and I had had my entire life. At age 35 and after her death, my mother’s message had finally hit home.
Barack Obama is very handsome, well educated, wealthy, intelligent, friendly, a skilled orator and writer, an experienced politician--all of those things that make one popular. But what interests me most is his willingness to learn from his mistakes, his vision for the future of America, his refusal to engage in petty politics, his self-examination and desire to change the world for the better--all of those things that make one great.
I’m not talking about greatness that comes from conscientious effort, but greatness that comes from being one’s authentic self.
This is why I support Barack Obama for President.
I admit it. Last night I watched American Idol along with 30 million other people. I even found myself after the show dialing in my vote for my favorite contestants. Not once, but several times. If the lines were busy, I would keep trying until I finally got through and cast my vote.
Can you imagine the impact of 30 million people calling their elected officials to express their opinion on a particular issue or the impact of 30 million people descending on Washington to pay a personal visit to their representative or senator?
Think about the difference these actions would make on the Iraq War, healthcare, Medicaid, unemployment, and our dependence on foreign oil, poverty, global warming, and education.
People, we have the power to make a difference. As Barack Obama has told us, this campaign is about us!
Pick up the phone and dial in your vote.
Barack Obama Has BreakfastWith Sold-Out House In Cincinnati
Obama Makes Multiple Ohio Campaign Stop
Obama finds friends in Ohio stops
Look, I would like to make it very clear that I am not attacking Hillary Clinton. I am illustrating what is wrong with our politics today and hopefully inspire us and our political candidates to a higher standard of behavior. I disagree with the actions of her campaign. I am bothered that this is what our politics have come too. I believe Barack Obama is the right candidate at this time in our history and he can rise us above petty politics. I believe as Democrats that we need to have a vigorus debate about poltics and not be afraid of voicing our opinions no matter how unpopular they may be. I do think it is important to show a united front around our candidates. While I don't believe in attacking people, I do believe in constructive criticism. I blindly follow no one.
I am prgamatic and realize that Obama may not win the Priamy. Hillary just might. I may find myself working on her campaign. But again, I think I would probably say the same thing, just directly to her campain people.
In the future, I will be more mindful about my comments. I am finding my voice, and a strong one it is. That is the inspiration of Barack Obama's campaign.
Heartofohio and James Lang, I hear you.
Hillary Clinton’s advisors have made it clear that fellow Democrats and her rivals dare not mention Bill Clinton’s impeachment in 1998 and his behavior which lead to the impeachment, or else. A response chosen as a result of comments made earlier this week by David Geffen, a former supporter of the Clintons and now supporter of Barack Obama. (read the article below for more details)
This action on the part of Hillary Clinton’s campaign demonstrates a fear based approach to politics. Instead of being open and honest about Bill’s Impeachment, her campaign has chosen to use veiled threats and intimidation in order to keep people quiet. What a wrong move to make. I believe it puts you in a position of weakness rather than strength and casts Hillary Clinton as a victim, to her fears.
I have viewed many Oprah shows where women have endured horrendous acts of violence, infidelity from husbands, and so much more. But the prevailing theme on these shows has always been overcoming one’s shame at having endured this abuse and sharing the traumatic events with others. To me this demonstrates a position of power.
Hillary Clinton wants to become President of the United States, but my impression is she will not or can not face this shameful period of her personal life and U.S. History.
Be a person of strength and deal with it.
“Clinton Fights to Keep Impeachment Taboo”
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