1). Allow local Obama supporters to meet, get acquainted, and network.
2). Urge attendees to host their own Unite for Change House Party in the coming weeks.
3). Strategize ways to individually and collectively support the campaign. Now many of you may think...what can I do? New York is totally blue. It will carry Obama in the General Election. How on earth could I make a difference beyond voting in November?
Actions you can take now:
The campaign is asking its supporters to invite their friends, neighbors, co-workers, and and acquaintances to help build support by hosing your own house party. It can be anything between a simple gathering of a few friends to a house full. Either way, please check http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/actionguide for details on setting up an event, and to make contact with the official campaign for additional assistance. Another crucial component is voter registration.
Ithaca for Obama supporters will be organizing voter registration tables at various upcoming events in order to increase participation in our democracy. More details on specifics will be forthcoming, but volunteers interested in assisting at the following events should respond to this e-mail with your interest in getting involved, or check the blog at http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/group/IthacaforObama/. Suggestions are welcome for additional events to register voters, but the short list so far includes Fireworks at Ithaca College (4th of July weekend), Ithaca Farmers Market, various Cornell events, and the Trumansburg grassroots festival ( http://www.grassrootsfest.org/festival/). As Armand Galan noted during the meeting, much can be gained by working with Cornell students in registering them to vote, and equally importantly, in getting information on how they cast absentee ballots, since many will cast their vote in "swing states."
Fundraising is another key element of the campaign. And as Deborah Lewis (et al.) demonstrated by netting $1000 from a bake sale at the Ithaca Festival (way to go!), fundraising can go beyond just writing a check, though that is welcome too. With that in mind, attendees at the Unite for Change House Party are planning on purchasing various Obama campaign items (t-shirts, yard signs, buttons, etc.), and selling them at such events, with proceeds going to the campaign. If you are interested in helping at these events, donating toward the purchase of these items, or would like to volunteer in any other way, please respond. BTW - we are looking to design and buy 200 shirts for sale, with a peace sign for the "O" in Obama ;)
Lastly, we heard about future efforts for phone banking, outreach, and even volunteer trips to PA - stay tuned for more on that.
Collectively, these grassroots efforts, multiplied over our glorious 50 states, will yield a resounding success come November, and the first step in change that we all recognize is needed so desperately.
ITHACANS - YES WE CAN!
For those of you who have not yet networked with me, befriend me at http://my.barackobama.com/page/dashboard/public/CttP Todd B. (Office of Citizen)
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