Organizing for America | Posts with the tag Santa Barbara

Posts with the tag Santa Barbara

Change is Coming - Ontare Group House Party

By Geoff Conner Newlan - Dec 18th, 2008 at 1:44 am EST

Also listed in: Change is Coming - Ontare Group

Post-election organizing.

Our group host Gene and his wife Linda opened their home on a cool and cloudy Sunday (14-Dec-2008). We introduced ourselves, watched a short video, and then went around the room sharing with each other this issues that are important to us.

We decided that we wanted to take action immediately by delivering 10 pounds of food each to our local Food Bank in one week (December 21, 2008). We wanted to do something to support the Food Bank before the week of Christmas.

Since leaving the House Party we have kept in touch through email and two more people have joined the Group.

Check back here for more reports on Group activity.

Change is Coming!

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Santa Barbarian in Altoona, Pennsylvania

By Ashley - Sep 15th, 2008 at 1:54 pm EDT

Also listed in: Santa Barbarians for Barack | UCSB Student's Support Obama '08

Hello my fellow Santa Barbarians!

First, I want to say thank you for all the good work you have been doing. From phone banks to events, sounds like you have lots of enthusiasm and volunteers turning up to help out. Way to go!

The bad news is, I will not be able to work with you during the general election campaign. The good news is, I have just accepted a job in Pennsylvania as a field organizer for the Campaign for Change! Those of you I worked with during the primary know that I had the opportunity to work in Texas. The same friend who I worked with in Texas contacted me a couple weeks ago to see if I was interested in coming to PA. The catch- I had to DRIVE across country! Having a car is essential for canvassing in rural areas.

I am going to miss Santa Barbara dearly, but I am excited to be working in a key swing state. I'm living in supporter housing in Altoona where I will be in charge of Blair County. There are a few urban areas here, but most of the community is truly rural. I arrived here yesterday night after the 5-day cross country drive from Santa Barbara!!! It is only day one and I can say for sure, it is going to be an uphill battle!

Rural Pennsylvanians are still very conservative overall. Even those who are working class have been overwhelmed by rumors and the worry that Obama is going to increase their taxes. This is certainly a tough town!

I am, without a doubt, going to miss the beach. But I'm so excited to be a part of something so important to the future of our country. I hope you continue to keep up the enthusiasm in California, and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE--- if you can--- go to Nevada!!!!

If anyone happens to have relatives in the Pennsylvania area (or any interest at all in coming to visit) help is in desperate need! Otherwise, please send your thoughts and prayers our direction as we go into these last months- 50 days left! This is crunch time! If you've been waiting to participate, now is the time! =)

Thanks again to all my wonderful SB for Obama friends and staff. Your stories and efforts continue to inspire me and I will do my best to represent the energy and efforts of Santa Barbarians here in the Rust Belt.

~Ashley Putnam~

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The OBAMARAMA Party

By Duncan Westley - Aug 21st, 2008 at 7:42 pm EDT

FOR MORE INFO CLICK HERE

Working on the OBAMARAMA Party on Aug 18th, we'll be watching the historic acceptance speech, then listening to Matthew McAvene, Yogi Mango & Roy Schmeck LIVE, followed by dancing the rest of the night to DJ Bennett.

Happy Hour food specials & drinks at 6pm: $3 margaritas, $4 cocktails, $5 Signature Martini's, $44 bottles of bubbly!

Stateside Lounge, 1114 State St, Santa Barbara, CA

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=28097936253&ref=ts

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Why would a Republican desperately want Obama to be our next President?

By Christian Hunter - Feb 7th, 2008 at 2:32 am EST

Also listed in: Austinites For Obama

At the highest level it comes down to one basic paradigm that hinges on my simple belief that technology is "changing everything"; it's changing the way we work, communicate, wage war and be vulnerable to it. We are living wildly different today than we did 10 years ago, in 10 more, the differences will be even more pronounced than the last.

This dynamic, on at the most superficial, means we can watch TV on our cell phone; at the most significant, this dynamic can radically transform how well we live, and how long we live. Government is a natural extension of "us" and techonology (hardware, software, "how" we do things) WILL radically transform government. The only question is: in this dance, who will lead? Will technology be continually stifled by stodgy, stubborn, and stupid government, or will government take the lead?

Barack is the only candidate who - owing to his youth and allergy to the orthodox - can properly leverage technology to redefine how government does business; how it secures us, supports and enables us.

We're ready for change, it's long overdue, and it's happening "with or without us". Barack is a catalyst for change, and I encourage you to join me in empowering him so that he may empower us in return.

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Blue Skies In Santa Barbara For Barack!

By PaulD - Sep 11th, 2007 at 12:31 am EDT

Also listed in: 5 groups

I vividly recall my enthusiastic reaction to the e-mail last Thursday that Sen. Obama would be appearing at a rally in Santa Barbara. I had not expected a chance to attend an in-person event, and of course, I didn't have an extra $2,300 lying around to go rub elbows with Oprah. So after some coaxing of my expectant wife (four months pregnant), we decided to make a day of it. And what a momentous day it was.

After a quick dash through the local Mickey D's drive-through, we hit the road for an hourlong drive north of our home to Santa Barbara City College. We arrived at an immaculate campus, resting near the Pacific, with shimmering views of the water underneath a sunny blue sky that was flawless and surreal. My crisp, new Obama T-shirt (with his image on the front) was a cool conversation piece for a few folks there, an interesting mix of students, older folks and the coastally hip. Yes, this is a predominantly white enclave. But what else would you expect in an area with some of the priciest real estate in the country? The envy I felt for those who call this fantastic town home was overwhelming.

We queued up in one of three lines that were formed to traffic people in to a gated area in small numbers. The many volunteers at the event were friendly and personable, some students and some veteran activists alike. Some patrons chose a spot on a grassy slope (my wife), while others went for an up-close vantage point (me). I was about ten feet from the small round stage, and the excitement of Barack's coming arrival slowly rose to a fever pitch. My wife and I engaged in back-and-forth text messages comparing notes and observations. The crowd later grew to the 5,000 mark and that's when the rally got underway.

First came some brief comments from the college's president, Obama's California campaign directors (one of whom was named Buffy!) and two congressional district organizers. One of them made an interesting point: at this time in the election that Bill Clinton eventually won in 1992, he had not yet entered the race. I needed to hear that, especially after being in a bit of a foul mood over sites like DailyKos and MoveOn.org giving Hillary way too much latitude for her policy positions. And it was quite nice to see people making the Obama campaign a personal crusade, something we need a lot more of in California!

Then, Barack arrived and I felt this crashing wave of excitement roll through like the Pacific tide. The image you've seen countless times on TV right there in front of you. Though I was already familiar with the power he had to move a crowd, it hits a whole new level of clarity when you're there to witness it.

His talking points were familiar to those of us who have followed him, but I knew that the idea here was to excite those who were there to hear him speak for the first time. One older lady in a seated area near the stage collapsed due to the heat, and that's when Barack focused his attention on her need for immediate assitance. Once the paramedics rushed to her aid, someone uttered "You're a good man, Barack!", to which he replied that it's not about him, in his usual humble manner. Another person said that they wished that Homeland Security would respond as fast as the firefighters did, which got a good laugh out of Barack.

After his closing comments, he walked the perimeter of the staging area to shake hands and greet the crowd. That's when I felt the crush from the people behind me, as I tried to both position my camera against the sun's glare for some photo-ops and reach out to shake his hand. Amidst the rampant hysteria, he got close and I gave him the high-five shake, to my immense thrill. Yes, I'm a man in my late thirties who isn't the starstruck type. But at that moment, I felt like a giddy fanboy youth meeting his pop culture idol. I was walking on a cloud for the rest of the day, and nothing whatsoever could get me down.

I came to meet one of my personal heroes and get inspired, and I left with both and then some! I hope I'm not the only one who can confidentily proclaim that the Obama campaign has had a tremendous impact on my political activism and my sense of community. This marks the start of my daily involvement in his campaign. And that is a pursuit which will occupy my free time for quite awhile.

At least until my son or daughter is born. :)

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Blog 1: Obama-rama, Santa Barbara Rally

By Melissa Jenna - Sep 8th, 2007 at 11:42 pm EDT

Also listed in: San Luis Obispo Citizens For Obama

Hey all!

I just had the best Saturday of my life. I was hot. I was sweaty. I developed a nasty sunburn, but it was hands-down the best Saturday of my life thus far.

Today I had the privilege to experience Senator Obama in a way that I never had before; I (along with my district coordinator Walter Heath, and our phone-bank coordinator Molly Coleman) drove from San Luis down to Santa Barbara to listen to Senator Obama speak.

I'm telling you, people: if you haven't had the pleasure of being in his company and listening to the man speak, you, my friend, are missing out on your best Saturday of your life thus far! He is my generation's JFK, and I am just so proud to be able to support such a great, great man. Barack Obama embodies everything that I hope to be as a person, and everything that we need from a leader. He speaks from the heart and leads by example, and that is the very definition of a great man. He is IT, folks.

I supported him from well before today's rally, and I had the good fortune of meeting him back in July at the Citadel in South Carolina, but today did it. Today really solidified it for me. Never in my life have I felt such admiration and respect for someone that I don't even know personally. Barack is someone that the nation (not just the democratic party) can trust to get behind and work for. Barack is the solution for America.

But here's the catch: we are the solution for Barack (or, his victory anyway). That's why I've decided to start a chapter of Students for Barack Obama at my college, as well as volunteer my time working in California congressional district 23. Let's face it: I'm a college student with almost no disposable income; all I've really got is time and energy, but I am more than happy to give as much of that as I can muster to support the man that is going to bring this country back together into something that we can all once again be proud of.

The key to secure Barack as the leader of our nation is organization. The keys to organization are people like us- people who are willing to give of their time, and- for those of us that are able- their financial support. People who are looking for a better America for themselves and their children. People who are willing to work to drive change instead of just complaining about the state of our nation with no interest in sacrificing a little of themselves to effect that change.

"They" will not give us the change we're looking for- the change we need. We are going to have to work for it, we're going to have to organize together, meet and make friends with folks we mightn't never met before, but who share our values and hopes nonetheless. We need to get together on our own time and on our own volition to make this change happen. We are so very lucky to have each other in this effort, and I want to thank every one of your who is working with us, even though we may never meet each other, because it is us driving this change.

We are so lucky to have a leader who is brave enough and complete enough and committed enough to stand up to Old Washington and bring us with him into the unified and prosperous America that we are all working so hard for. We are so very lucky to have a man that is full of integrity, character and vitality to lead us into the America that we deserve. We are just so lucky to have a leader who is dedicated to our United States- so dedicated that he is willing to give all of his time to delivering to us the America that we know is in our grasp. Barack Obama is IT. And he needs us.

We are the Obama campaign, and we decide whether or not we get the change we need. He can't make the phone-calls for us, he can't knock on doors for us, and he can't spread our message to every one that needs to hear it. That's our job. So if you haven't already, you need to contact your congressional district coordinator and ask the question: "how can I help?" That's it. Get involved. Help Barack bring us the future we deserve. Help Barack help us. I mean, heck, it's the least we can do!

Melissa

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America is Back!

By Susan Christopher - Sep 8th, 2007 at 11:28 pm EDT

Also listed in: 4 groups

Hello Everyone!

It's me, your trusty 25th coordinator writing to bother you again! Actually, I am rather hoping to inspire you.

Today, as many of you know, Obama was in Santa Barbara and stopped by for a public, free rally. There was a huge turn out. One of the news reports I read afterward reported around 1000 people, but I would easily estimate at least 3000 people - there were people filling the entire area at SB City College. It was a beautiful setting, and Obama was very inspiring as always. He was so 'real', so hope inspiring.

Mostly, Obama was calling us to action. "We are all responsible for the change that America needs", he said. Barack reminded us that all important social movements, all needed change, has happened from the bottom up - from individuals stepping up and taking the little steps, the little risks, that made the big difference. This grass roots, organized campaign that we have begun in California is just that - it is opportunity to affect change. We have the responsibility to make it happen. Apparently, no one thinks that a one-to-one grass roots campaign is possible in California, and that we should just buy TV time and be done with it. BUT…Obama is about change. Obama is about doing things differently - on the campaign trail AND when he gets to Washington as our next President.

Today one of the coolest things for me was seeing two of our CD coordinators, Deb Dent of the 24th and Walter Heath of the 23rd, introducing Obama on stage. These CD coordinators were introduced by Buffy Wicks the California Field Director and Mitchell Schwarz, the California campaign director. They legitimized the grass roots efforts we are making. The campaign stood up today - Barack stood up today - and said to everyone there that we are all, each and every one of us, responsible for getting Barack past the primaries and into office as the President. Barack himself thanked these two CD coordinators. Individuals like these two phenomenal leaders, the campaign said today, are the only way we will get this job done. YOU are the only way we will get this job done!

We will take California for the democratic ticket, and it CAN be done. We can reach more people, one-to-one, than any other campaign will in this state. You can talk to your friends and neighbors, make a few calls with me, go the park and hand out water bottles, find an event to table at - you can take the small steps with me that will get this job done, and get Barack into office!

Today, I talked my mom into going to the rally with me just because she didn't have anything better to do. She was a staunch Hillary supporter. She heard Barack speak, saw him up close and looked him in the eye, and told me as we were leaving that she thinks he changed her mind. She said that I may have won my conversion of her after all. This, my friends, was a very small thing that I did to bring someone in my circle of influence into an opportunity to learn about Barack and let him speak for himself. And it worked! Are you willing to do the same?

I uploaded a short video onto youtube from today's rally. http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=treyhobbs456838&p=r

So, in Barack's words - are you FIRED UP?? Are you READY TO GO?? FIRED UP?? READY TO GO??

• Talk to a friend abut Obama
• Come to our countdown for change party in the park in Santa Clarita, CA on Sept. 15
• Call me and tell me how you want to be involved
• Think of events in your area that we can get out there and find volunteers and have one-to-one interactions with people to help them discover Barack for themselves
• Get on obama.com - create your own profile, invite your friends, blog.
• If you are members of other organizations and would be willing to give us names of potential volunteers, or opportunities to be at their events or meetings, please let me know!! No group is too small, no meeting too irrelevant. We must reach our like-minded friends, neighbors, and family members.

Thank you so much! Let's get this party started!

Susan

Susan Christopher, 25th CD Coordinator
Obama for America
Got Hope? (661) 904-1716

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BARACK is COMING HERE!

By Susan Christopher - Sep 5th, 2007 at 11:01 pm EDT

Also listed in: 5 groups

Yeah! Barack is coming here to Santa Barbara, and it is a public event!

Spread the word.

This Saturday, September 8th, Barack Obama will be in Santa Barbara for a special Grassroots Rally at Santa Babara City College.

Here are the details:

Grassroots Rally with Barack Obama
Saturday, September 8th
Doors open at 10:30 a.m.

Santa Barbara City College
721 Cliff Drive
Santa Barbara, CA

RSVP is encouraged but a ticket is not required to gain entry into the event. Sign up and receive an e-ticket reminder about Barack's Grassroots Rally in Santa Barbara.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/sbrally?source=eventcenter

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Content on blogs in My.BarackObama represents the opinions of community members and in no way should be interpreted as endorsed or approved by the campaign.