Tim wasn't involved in politics at all before Barack Obama came along, and if anything, he leaned Republican. "I have never been involved in politics in any way, shape, or form" before this campaign, he said.
Living in Kansas and South Dakota, Tim always imagined that was a Republican. "I was surprised to find myself supporting a Democrat. I'd always figured myself to be a Republican just because my family was." When a friend told him about Barack's message of change, though, Tim knew that he had to get involved.
I went to the first group parties that he had in June and was blessed in that I met some fantastic human beings who were really excited about getting to work. We've done voter registration booths, canvassing, and phonebanking. Hosting a watch party seemed like the next step.
Tim has gone all out in the planning of the event - it's going to be held in a local pizzeria, will feature several politicians running for local office, and is expecting over 100 people. How did Tim plan such a successful event? By using the tools made available to him on My.BarackObama.com, and by promoting his event via e-mail, Facebook, and other social networks.
He's also focused on making sure that all the people who attend his watch party get involved. He'll be collecting all their e-mail addresses, and encouraging them to join him on trips to other states to register voters and canvass. Tim has formed a group, Wichitans Working to Win (W3), in order to make sure that everyone stays connected.
W3 is a way for us to keep track of each other and e-mail each other and encourage other people to come and do the same. We've been meeting for quite some time without as much organization, but we're doing this in an attempt to attract more folks.
Tim doesn't expect there to be any shortage of people eager to help elect Barack - Wichita has been hit hard by outsourcing and the awarding of the military's new tanker aircraft contract to a European firm.
We are so bound by the aircraft industry...Boeing, Learjet, and Raytheon are all here. And when Boeing lost the contract for the new tankers, that was a huge loss for Wichita. That would have been a lot of jobs; now it's money out of people's pockets.
That's why Tim and his friends in W3 are organizing to bring about change. The convention proceedings are already underway, but it's not too late to find a party near you. You can also sign up to participate in one of the thousands of Working for Change events this weekend. So don't let this weekend pass you by without lending a hand to the campaign - find a way to participate now.
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