On Saturday Organizing for America volunteers and staff gathered at McCarran International Airport to thank to Nevada representatives Dina Titus and Shelley Berkley for supporting health insurance reform.
By 10:30AM a crowd of over 15 showed up to give a warm welcome to Congresswoman Dina Titus. In the afternoon a crowd of about 40 volunteers excitedly greeted Congresswoman Shelley Berkley. Both Titus and Berkley were welcomed by enthusiastic supporters waving thank you signs and chanting “we love you”.
“Thanks to the U.S. House of Representatives, we are now one step closer to real, comprehensive health insurance reform Nevadans and this country desperately needs,” said State Director Jennifer López. “Nevadans should thank Representatives Titus and Berkley for supporting health reform.”
To write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper thanking your representative for supporting health reform visit: http://my.barackobama.com/HouseVoteLTE.
From Mitch Stewart:
This is it -- the House of Representatives will vote on health insurance reform tomorrow. All signs point to it being incredibly close, possibly even coming down to a single vote. With the clock ticking, insurance company lobbyists are going all out to stop reform. Please call your represenative now. President Obama is visiting the House tomorrow to call for reform, and I hope you'll add your voice to his right away. If you haven't called before, now is the time. And if you have recently called, thank you -- now please ask friends, family members, and co-workers in your district to join you. http://my.barackobama.com/HouseVote Everything we're fighting for comes down to moments like this -- and every second counts. Thanks for stepping up,
Some great memories from Nevada:
Carolyn E, a community organizer from North Las Vegas, relives her experience during last year’s Election Day:
On November 4, 2008, I woke up early and made one more round in my district to GOTV. I was by myself- but I didn't care. I just knew I had to do every last bit to get Barack "Hope" Obama elected. After doing my last GOTV round, I went home picked out an outfit and got ready to join all the wonderful people I met in Clark County that worked just as hard, if not harder, to elect Obama. We were about to celebrate what we hoped would be a victory. We all thought it was going to be close, even though I boldly told my Deputy Field Director that it was going to be a landslide! After it was announced that Ohio went for Obama, we knew it was going to be a great night and all of our hard work and tears would soon be rewarded. I felt so happy for my community and my family, who have been life-long democrats and we never thought that we would see a man of color in office. It was such a great feeling! One year later I feel I just need to reflect and absorb every moment because we are living in such great historical times. We actually have a voice and hands on change. We direct change. All the phone calls and door knocks, emails and social networking have been exhilarating. We have to remember that President Obama needs each and every one of us to continue to make change happen the best way we know how. We can write history if we just keep the faith and have the courage to go there. I encourage people to link up with Organizing for America - Nevada! Help the President achieve our goals. Yes We Can.
On November 4, 2008, I woke up early and made one more round in my district to GOTV. I was by myself- but I didn't care. I just knew I had to do every last bit to get Barack "Hope" Obama elected. After doing my last GOTV round, I went home picked out an outfit and got ready to join all the wonderful people I met in Clark County that worked just as hard, if not harder, to elect Obama.
We were about to celebrate what we hoped would be a victory. We all thought it was going to be close, even though I boldly told my Deputy Field Director that it was going to be a landslide!
After it was announced that Ohio went for Obama, we knew it was going to be a great night and all of our hard work and tears would soon be rewarded. I felt so happy for my community and my family, who have been life-long democrats and we never thought that we would see a man of color in office. It was such a great feeling!
One year later I feel I just need to reflect and absorb every moment because we are living in such great historical times. We actually have a voice and hands on change. We direct change. All the phone calls and door knocks, emails and social networking have been exhilarating. We have to remember that President Obama needs each and every one of us to continue to make change happen the best way we know how. We can write history if we just keep the faith and have the courage to go there.
I encourage people to link up with Organizing for America - Nevada! Help the President achieve our goals. Yes We Can.
Gladys R, a pharmaceutical sales representative and super volunteer during the general election, recalls her experience during last year’s Election Day:
I remember that day so clearly! My 11 year old daughter and I were up at 6am delivering door hangers on a chilly morning in Las Vegas. Throughout the day, we hopped around different precincts canvassing neighborhood and looking for all of our last minute voters. By the time it got dark, I headed back to the Lake Mead office to see if there was anything else I could do that day. I ended up picking up a voter that needed a ride to a poll. We made it there about an hour or so before the polls closed. While waiting for her to cast her vote, my 14 year old son called to tell me Obama won Pennsylvania. Between the positive voter feelings I got while in the field and that announcement, I knew I needed to go home and bring in the official announcement with my family. I made it home just minutes before the announcement on tv. My son had been following the polls all day and was keeping his own personal tally of the electoral vote count. He was my poll informant that day. When California and the rest of the West coast numbers came in, my son and I watched in amazement how our country celebrated our new President Elect. I was extremely emotional, and I needed to be with my family to take it all in as the phone calls and text messages flooded our home with "we did it" messages. I ended up going to the Democratic Party Election Night bash at the Rio Hotel for just a short while, and after that, I slept for a long time. There is so much work to be done!
I remember that day so clearly! My 11 year old daughter and I were up at 6am delivering door hangers on a chilly morning in Las Vegas. Throughout the day, we hopped around different precincts canvassing neighborhood and looking for all of our last minute voters.
By the time it got dark, I headed back to the Lake Mead office to see if there was anything else I could do that day. I ended up picking up a voter that needed a ride to a poll. We made it there about an hour or so before the polls closed. While waiting for her to cast her vote, my 14 year old son called to tell me Obama won Pennsylvania. Between the positive voter feelings I got while in the field and that announcement, I knew I needed to go home and bring in the official announcement with my family.
I made it home just minutes before the announcement on tv. My son had been following the polls all day and was keeping his own personal tally of the electoral vote count. He was my poll informant that day. When California and the rest of the West coast numbers came in, my son and I watched in amazement how our country celebrated our new President Elect.
I was extremely emotional, and I needed to be with my family to take it all in as the phone calls and text messages flooded our home with "we did it" messages. I ended up going to the Democratic Party Election Night bash at the Rio Hotel for just a short while, and after that, I slept for a long time. There is so much work to be done!
On Tuesday, November 3, volunteers and staff will gather to celebrate the one year anniversary of the election of Barack Obama by viewing HBO’s “By The People: The Election of Barack Obama”.
The documentary is telling the inside story of the historic presidential campaign of 2008.
The event is free and open to the public. Please invite your friends and family.
Food will be available for purchase.
Will you join us?
To sign up in Reno visit: http://bit.ly/3yRwCz.
To sign up in Las Vegas visit: http://bit.ly/4FYgvX.
If you can’t make it on November 3, please join volunteers in Las Vegas on Thursday, November 5 from 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM for another viewing party: http://bit.ly/3Jqh1I.
I sent this email earlier today:
Friend --This Halloween, Organizing for America is asking Nevadans who support health reform to stay home on Halloween night as part of a Healthy Halloween Reverse Canvass.Instead of going door to door, let people come to you, and give them a flier about President Obama's plan for health reform and a "Health Insurance Reform Now" sticker. With the full Congress about to consider health insurance reform, it's critical for us to get the word out now and build support in Nevada.Click here to sign up.When you sign up, include a phone number we can reach you at -- then we'll follow up to arrange a convenient time for you to pick up materials at our local OFA office.It's easy. All you need to do is stay home on Halloween night (this Saturday, October 31st), give trick-or-treaters information about the President's plan, and ask them to get involved. Together, we can make sure that this Halloween the only scary things Nevadans encounter are witches, ghosts, and goblins...and not big insurance companies who promise treats and only give you tricks.Sign up today:http://nv.barackobama.com/HalloweenNVHappy Halloween,JenniferJennifer LopezNevada State DirectorOrganizing for America
On Saturday, Organizing for America- Nevada launched its “Serve Nevada” program with community service events across the Silver State.
In Carson City, Reno, and Sparks, staff and volunteers collected over 500 jackets, blankets, hats, mittens, and sweaters for the less fortunate. OFA-NV, in conjunction with Capital City Democrats of Carson City, collected warm articles of clothing for the Good Shepherd Clothes Closet, Rural Center for Independent Living, and Do Drop In. These outstanding volunteers are helping keep Nevadans warm for the winter.
At Double Diamond Elementary School in Reno, volunteers re-painted the ground arrows to ensure that directional arrows are bright and visible to improve safety for students.
Homeless and needy families in Reno and Sparks will enjoy turkey with traditional holiday side dishes this season. OFA collected over 800 lbs of food and helped purchase turkeys for Evelyn Mount's Community Outreach Thanksgiving Dinner.
Volunteers for the Henderson Health Care Canvass went door to door to collect urgently needed goods, including water, toothpaste, and toothbrushes to benefit The Shade Tree Shelter. These goods would help support women, children, and pets in crisis who turn to Shade Tree Shelter for help. Not far away, in Las Vegas, the Canvass and Call for a Cause helped educate Nevadans about health insurance reform while highlighting domestic violence and breast cancer awareness.
OFA – NV thanks the many Nevadan’s who helped organize or participate in a service event. Your generous support is helping make the Silver State a better place. To get involved in the next community service event email us at: OFANevada@dnc.org.
Nevada Organizing for America (OFA), a grassroots project of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) dedicated to supporting President Obama’s agenda for change, is launching its “Serve Nevada” program this Saturday, October 24 with community service events and activities across the Silver State. “Serve Nevada” will provide Nevadans with the tools they need to organize service events to help their communities.
This weekends service events coincide with national “Make a Difference Day,” an initiative started by USA Weekend Magazine. “Make a Difference Day” is an annual event that takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October. It is one of the most widely recognized days of service and has become a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors.
OFA is committed to building on and strengthening the historic grassroots network created during them 2008 presidential campaign. Since last June, OFA has been building grassroots support for health insurance reform. On June 27, OFA coordinated a national day of service with over a thousand health reform service events in all 50 states. In Nevada, events included blood drives and healthy canned food drives. In recent weeks, Nevada OFA has been hosting events with doctors and health care professionals who have highlighted their personal experience with America’s broken health care system. OFA has held nearly 20,000 events in all 50 states and every congressional district encouraging support for President Obama's plan for health insurance reform.
For more information or to get involved check out this email sent earlier today:
Friend -- President Obama has said, "no force for change is more powerful than that of Americans who are making a difference in their communities." So this Saturday, Organizing for America supporters in Nevada are hosting service events throughout the state. Whether you have volunteered many times before, done so for the first time recently, or never had the chance to, this is a great opportunity to help your neighbors and meet new friends. I'd love for you to come out and lend a hand. There's a service event near you this Saturday -- please RSVP today. All over the state, we'll be cleaning up schools, helping to collect warm coats and food for those who need them, and making a real difference. With all the media focus on Washington, we remember that there is work to be done at home too. So while we push toward real health insurance reform, I hope that we can all take some time to serve our community. Please attend a service event near you: http://my.barackobama.com/NVservice Thanks, Jennifer Jennifer Lopez Nevada State Director Organizing for America
Gail said:
“We owe a lot to these men and women. This visit was nice to show veterans that we appreciate all they have done for our country and for us.”
Gail invited a group of OFA super volunteers, as well as Nevada State Democratic Party staff and Washoe County Democratic Party Chair, Chip Evans to help brighten the day for over 100 veterans.
OFA NV Deputy Field Director Dave Osolnick said:
“It was really amazing to see how much of an impact Gail’s event had on each of the veterans we met with. It was even more special to know that democratic groups like OFA are able to exist because of the sacrifices of our veterans.”
This event was part of OFA – NV’s “Serve Nevada” program, which aims to improve Nevada by organizing regular community service events. The official launch of the program is set for, Saturday, October 24, 2009, which is also Make a Difference Day.
To find a service event near you, visit: http://bit.ly/32VRKk.
Women, seniors, students, and others calling on their neighbors to ask them to tell their Member of Congress that it's time to deliver on health reform.
Join your fellow Nevadans now. There’s still time. Can't join us in the office but want to help? Go HERE.
On Friday OFA volunteer Janice Adams delivered health insurance reform declarations to the Las Vegas office of Congresswoman Shelley Berkley.
At the meeting, Janice, who lives in Nevada’s Congressional District 1, delivered declarations to Congresswoman Berkley and spoke about what reform would mean to her. She also thanked Congresswoman Berkley for her support as she headed back to Washington.
Janice, who was accompanied by Nevada State Director Jennifer Lopez and Regional Field Director Leisa Moseley, highlighted the strong support throughout Nevada for health insurance reform now and stressed the importance of passing legislation this year.
Join Janice in reaching out to your Congressional leader and let them know you too want health insurance reform this year: CLICK HERE
“Walk for Health Insurance Reform” in Las Vegas a Huge Success
This past Saturday, Organizing for America in Nevada brought together volunteers and staff to take part in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. Team OFA – NV walkers gathered in the early morning at the JW Marriott in Las Vegas for the event. Team members carried Standing Together for Health Insurance Reform signs and passed out Health Insurance Reform Now stickers and literature to other walkers.
Leisa Moseley, Regional Field Director, who was inspired to help form the team after one of her close friends lost her life to breast cancer, said:
"Hope starts with belief in the cause. It was great to see so many Nevadans come together to fight against breast cancer. Hope starts with one walker at a time. Hope starts with OFA Team Nevada”.
This serves as another example of how Organizing for America – Nevada staff and volunteers are committed to serving their communities and directly involving themselves in the process.
The group, organized by Juan Ortega, Regional Field Director, wore specially designed OFA breast cancer awareness shirts. The black shirts read “HOPE” with the top of the pink breast cancer awareness ribbon serving as the “O”. The words “Organizing for America” are sprawled down the right side of the ribbon.
Tell Your Representative to Support President Obama's Plan for Reform: CLICK HERE
Recently, OFA Nevada Field Director Evan Sutton sent out the following invitation to OFA supporters:
You're invited to join Organizing for America as we help train Nevada's next generation of community organizers. Passing the President's bold agenda for change on major issues like health care, energy, and education will require the same kind of grassroots support that helped us win the election. Camp OFA is specially designed to give you the skills you need to help build that support in your area. This is the perfect chance to take your local efforts to the next level and make a huge difference. Camp OFA will be taking place all day on Saturday, October 10th. Please register right now to reserve your spot. Here are the details:What: Camp OFA Nevada -- Las Vegas Where: Nevada State Party Office 1210 South Valley View Boulevard, Suite 114 Las Vegas, NV 89102 When: Saturday, October 10th 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. http://nv.barackobama.com/NVCampOFA I hope you can make it, Evan Evan Sutton Nevada Field Director Organizing for America
You're invited to join Organizing for America as we help train Nevada's next generation of community organizers. Passing the President's bold agenda for change on major issues like health care, energy, and education will require the same kind of grassroots support that helped us win the election. Camp OFA is specially designed to give you the skills you need to help build that support in your area. This is the perfect chance to take your local efforts to the next level and make a huge difference. Camp OFA will be taking place all day on Saturday, October 10th. Please register right now to reserve your spot. Here are the details:
What: Camp OFA Nevada -- Las Vegas Where: Nevada State Party Office 1210 South Valley View Boulevard, Suite 114 Las Vegas, NV 89102 When: Saturday, October 10th 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. http://nv.barackobama.com/NVCampOFA
I hope you can make it, Evan Evan Sutton Nevada Field Director Organizing for America
Please join the President and Senator Reid on May 26 at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The event will feature performances by Sheryl Crow and Bette Midler. Tickets are available to the public for purchase through Ticketmaster.
For more information, and to purchase tickets, click the invitation below:
“President-elect Obama was clear throughout the campaign that elected officials in Washington alone aren’t going to bring change. And whether it’s by working to expand the Democratic majority or building grass-roots support for the administration’s agenda, the power to bring the change we need lies in the hands of Americans who are engaging their communities.” - Obama campaign spokesman Ben LaBolt
Two weeks ago, campaign manager David Plouffe announced plans for a series of coordinated house meetings, to be held on December 13th and 14th, in which supporters could meet and help plan the future of this grassroots movement. Since then, over 4,000 events have been planned in communities across the country.
In Nevada, the Las Vegas Sun recently reported:
Nearly two dozen gatherings are scheduled throughout the Las Vegas Valley, and the postelection enthusiasm is still hot. Yvette Williams, who hosted candidate Obama at a house party in August 2007 and became a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, had to cut off her Sunday party at 75 activists. Likewise, Fred and Suzie McKay, who held more than 40 events for Obama throughout the course of the campaign, will host 22 people, a full house. ...“He can’t do it by himself. He’s always said that. He’s gonna need our help. That means working with members of Congress, including Republicans,” Williams said.
The article also explained that grassroots supporters are focusing their attention on local as well as national issues:
... Nevadans should pay particular attention to this fact: The Obama organization is also creating a state and local agenda. As Williams put it: “It’s not enough to change politics in Washington if we’re not changing them here locally. It’s good and great if it’s changing in D.C, but if it’s not affecting us in our local community, it’s not doing us any good at all.” At the weekend events, volunteer leaders will poll participants on chief priorities and find out who among them has particular expertise or relationships with legislators and other key players. And, they’ll strategize about a plan for the coming months.
Along with the recent postelection surveys, these house meetings are a way for supporters to share their input and help determine what comes next for this movement, both locally and nationally.
As David Plouffe explained in a video message yesterday:
This grassroots organization has always been about more than an election. It's about transforming our country -- and we've only just begun.
There is still time to find a house meeting near you, or sign up to host your own. If you've already made plans to host or attend a meeting, let us know in the comments below where you'll be and what your goals are moving forward.
Today David Plouffe sent out the following message to supporters, inviting them to attend one the many grassroots house meetings taking place throughout the country later this month:
Exactly one month ago, you made history by giving all Americans a real opportunity for change. Now it's time to start preparing and working for change in our communities. On December 13th and 14th, supporters are coming together in every part of the country to reflect on what we've accomplished and plan the future of this movement. Your ideas and feedback will be collected and used to guide this movement in the months and years ahead. Join your friends and neighbors -- sign up to host or attend a Change is Coming house meeting near you. Since the election, the challenges we face -- and our responsibility to take action -- have only gotten more urgent. You can connect with fellow supporters, make progress on the issues you care about, and help shape the future of your community and our country. Learn what you can do now to support President-elect Obama's agenda for change and continue to make a difference in your community. Take the first important step by hosting or attending a Change is Coming house meeting. Sign up right now. To get our country back on track, it will take all of us working together. Barack and Joe have a clear agenda and an unprecedented opportunity for change. But they can't do it alone. Will you join us at a house meeting and help plan the next steps for this movement? Thanks, David David Plouffe Campaign Manager Obama for America
"I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to – it belongs to you." - Barack Obama, Election Night 2008
Read the full speech, as prepared for delivery . . .
Join fellow Democrats and Barack supporters at an election watch party. Let's enjoy the evening together as the results come in. The parties all begin after the polls close at 7pm.
Here are the details:
Las Vegas Rio Hotel Brasilia Ballroom 3700 W. Flamingo Las Vegas, NV
Reno Grand Sierra Resort Nevada Room 2500 E. 2nd Street Reno, NV
Elko Elko Red Lion Humboldt Room 2065 Idaho St. Elko, NV
Pahrump Our Bar 3720 W. Bell Vista Pahrump, NV
Election Day is here. Find your polling location and go vote if you haven't already. And be sure to watch the short video below so you know your rights before heading to the polls.
Already voted? Take two hours of your time and help get out the vote in your neighborhood. It's not too late to knock on doors, drive neighbors to the polls, and make a difference in your community.
The course of this nation will be set today. Remember Barack's words: This is our moment. This is our time. Now let's go change the world.
Tomorrow is election day. Be sure to know when, where, and how to vote.
Watch this short video below to make sure you know your rights as a Nevada voter.
The main takeaways from this video are:
This weekend volunteers across the state knocked on doors for Barack Obama. The young people pictured here are part of Obama's citizens' brigade, working to get out the vote this Tuesday.
Time is running out to participate in this extraordinary election. Become a foot soldier for the Obama campaign. Help us get out the vote in the last days of the campaign.
