Community Organizers are the foundation of Organizing for America, not only around the country but here in Alaska too. These people fill a vital role within OFA’s structure by building and expanding volunteer leadership and activities in their part of town to support President Obama’s policy agenda.This week I got to sit down with Karolina Bednarska, a 25 year-old from Anchorage, to get her thoughts on why she got involved in OFA and then decided to sign-up to be a Community Organizer.First, Karolina, tell me a little bit about yourself.
I work for a small, local business here in Anchorage, primarily in the field of marketing and database analysis. I would describe myself as a quirky, passionate, and intelligent young female who is interested now – more than ever – how I can contribute to my community on both large and small scales.
What are some of the issues that matter most to you and why?
Right now, health insurance reform is the most important issue for me, as it is with many Americans. The more I get involved and become more educated about the issue, the more determined I am that we need major changes in our current health care system. It's not a system that benefits everyone, but only those that seem privileged enough to afford it. I don't believe at all that this is a fair system.
Can you give me a sense about how long have you been involved in something Obama-related – whether with the Obama campaign in 2008 or OFA-Alaska?
Does reading about President Obama a lot count? (At this point, Karolina laughs.)Seriously though, I just recently became involved with OFA on a committed-volunteer basis – I guess it’s been about two months now. I followed the Obama campaign closely but never really thought about volunteering. Watch Karolina talk about volunteering with OFA.For me, going from not really knowing about OFA, to volunteering with you all, to being a Community Organizer went something like this:After Alex (a mutual friend) introduced us and we chatted about some current political issues and grassroots organizing, I really felt like I needed to find out more about OFA. So I decided to “friend” OFA-Alaska on Facebook. About a week later, I saw you guys were having a training on health insurance reform and decided to go. I guess that training is ultimately what sold me on getting involved in a large-scale capacity.
Does reading about President Obama a lot count? (At this point, Karolina laughs.)
Seriously though, I just recently became involved with OFA on a committed-volunteer basis – I guess it’s been about two months now. I followed the Obama campaign closely but never really thought about volunteering. Watch Karolina talk about volunteering with OFA.
For me, going from not really knowing about OFA, to volunteering with you all, to being a Community Organizer went something like this:
After Alex (a mutual friend) introduced us and we chatted about some current political issues and grassroots organizing, I really felt like I needed to find out more about OFA. So I decided to “friend” OFA-Alaska on Facebook. About a week later, I saw you guys were having a training on health insurance reform and decided to go. I guess that training is ultimately what sold me on getting involved in a large-scale capacity.
Sometimes people who want to get involved with OFA feel like they don’t know much about volunteering or worry that they don’t know how to talk to other Alaskans about political issues. What would you say to them and what tips have you gotten that make your efforts successful?
I really like the way OFA focuses on individual neighborhoods. It makes it easier to talk to people because you are talking to people who live near you. Somehow that just makes it feel more comfortable. Then, as I meet other individuals from my part of town who support President Obama and his goals, it feels like together we can contribute to and work on the changes that need to take place if we are going to get health insurance reform – and also if we are going to stand up for President Obama's vision for change for the US.OFA really gives people an outlet where they can have a voice on issues. If you want to be heard, volunteering with OFA is the best way to go. They suggest things you can do to make your voice heard and help you feel prepared to talk to other Alaskans – whether they are neighbors or our members of Congress – about health insurance reform.
Karolina has a message for you: Click here to hear what she has to say!
Are you ready to join Karolina as a volunteer for OFA? Your voice – and thousands of other Alaskans – will make a difference.
