So I was all set to begin the brainstorming work of organizing in rural communities, but the national priority at this time is not rural organizing. Health care reform is driving the work, and what is needed now is something called a "Rapid Response" team, i.e. a team of volunteers who can mobilize into a phonebank at a moment's notice.
But this goal fits nicely into what I envision for a rural "team." We are by nature kind of spread out over the geography, so a technological approach is warranted, and a phonebank suits that need perfectly. We come together across the miles to join our efforts in the same project. So while we aren't building a rural orgnization per se, we are in affect setting one up via this Rapid Response team, and we can build from there.
On Sunday, August 9, in West Chester, PA, OFA will do a phone bank and canvass for the President's health care reform principles.
Please join me and the rest of Chester County OFA in West Chester on Sunday. I’ll probably be canvassing (unless we have rains like last Sunday’s). But others will phone bank. Your choice.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/search_simple?source=topnav
The Pickens Plan: For those who would like to become an active participant in a solution for our nations energy needs I urge you to join with T.Boone Pickens in his quest for a cleaner planet through alternative energy.
Also see Green Wave Energy: Green Wave was founded by Mark Holmes and was formulated for viable alternative energy solutions. Green Wave Energy is promoting state-of-the-art energy-saving products and services throughout the country.
Green Wave Energy understands alternative energy technology will become “main stream” when
Call 949.645.1701 for information on how Green Wave Energy can help you save the planet.
Alternative EnergySource: David Apperson
url: http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/tag/alternative-energy
Calling for Obama on election day...
http://pictures.match.com/pictures/11/14/61114I.jpeg
Are you not from Ohio and want to help the state go blue? ARE from Ohio and want to reach some fellow Buckeyes so you can be proud on Election Night? Then call Ohio voters now! Just click the button below:
Reaching out to still undecided voters one of the best things you can do right now, during this get-out-the-vote effort. Many of the people you call will already be supporters--they just need a reminder to go and vote! If you click the button above, you'll get directions and a list of people to call--the campaign makes everything very easy and unintimidating for you.
This movement has always been about neighbors talking to neighbors about what they see in Barack Obama, and it's going to end that way too--right now hundreds of thousands of people across the United States are organizing and going door to door and calling voters. Now is your final chance to get involved. Don't let this moment pass you by.
Call Ohio now. It's waiting to hear from you.
Right now, tens of thousands of volunteers are getting out the vote for Barack Obama, in this final stage of the Election. Their work is crucial--now more than ever--so in honor of them, the Ohio Campaign for Change takes a look at some of the people who make this campaign the powerhouse that it is.
Marion is practically a celebrity in the world of Obama volunteers. She recently had a whole article written about her and her dedication to volunteering in the Dayton Daily News, entitled "Fairborn Grandmother Hits the Streets for Obama." Hers is a special story--she got involved in the campaign shortly after her husband Lanny died from cancer, after losing his job and being left without health insurance. She's featured in two YouTube videos hugging Barack at rallies in the Dayton area, but more importantly, she makes an appearance as a Neighborhood Team Leader in this video from the campaign. She's the one who makes the joke about the conservative politics of Greene County, where she lives:
(It's not too late to be a leader in your neighborhood-- sign up to get out the vote right now).
Many an Ohio Field Organizer sings the praises of his or her best volunteers. Here's some appreciation from Tommy:
Sherill, one of my NTL's, tore something in her foot (doctors think it might be a stressed ligament or something) while canvassing earlier this week. That shift she got something like 85 doors. When she called me this evening, I was expecting her to cancel her shift tomorrow to go door to door, but instead she called to tell me that if she wrapped her foot in an Ace bandage and wore the right shoes, she could walk on the foot. She said that we only had a few days until the election and that she didn’t have time to not be on the doors. And so, with a wrapped foot, she’s going to lead a canvass tomorrow of 12 volunteers. Not a story from today’s work, but worth noting nonetheless.
Here's a picture of Mr. Hanna--as his Field Organizer Seth describes him: "86 years old, fired up and making calls."
Richard in Scioto County recounts a day of activity amongst his volunteers:
Volunteers traveled out to the home of Christina, our Western Scioto Neighborhood Team Leader who already had their maps, clipboards and sign-in sheets prepared. Christina gave an inspiring training, explaining to the students why she supports Obama and then allowing them to share as well. They knocked on doors, and found a stray dog that they promptly named “Scioto.” They took the dog and themselves out to the Scioto County Sorghum Festival, where they helped us sign up supporters at the Democratic Party booth. They and their new dog “Scioto” are now sitting fat and happy, bellies full of sorghum molasses, making phone calls here in the office.
And finally, Graham in Lawrence County swears by his tough guy volunteer, Sparky:
Sparky -- Charles if you look him up in the voter file -- is seen here posing in front of his truck, with the Lawrence County Democratic Headquarters and the Lawrence County Courthouse in the backdrop. Sparky makes sure that everyone in Lawrence County is properly registered to vote and makes sure that people are voting for Sen. Obama. Sparky doesn't understand how we are spending ten BILLION dollars each month in Iraq paving roads, building hospitals, and improving infrastructure in Iraq when there is no hospital in Lawrence County and people worry when they drive over the Ironton-Russell bridge because of its dilapidated condition. Sparky doesn't understand why the people in the upper echelons of society are relishing in the Bush tax cuts when people who depend on fixed incomes are spending a large fraction of it on soaring health care costs. Sparky doesn't understand these things because it is hard to understand that these things are happening in America. What Sparky does understand is that in America, we can do better. Sparky works everyday telling people he talks to in Lawrence County that in order for us to do better as a nation, they need to vote for Sen. Obama and that Sen. Obama is not going to take away his guns. Sparky knows that Sen. Obama is a supporter of the 2nd Amendment as he is. That is why he has two GUN OWNER for Obama stickers on his truck.
Are you a volunteer--a part of the backbone of this campaign? Give us your story in the comments section below.
Oct.24
(from the Huffington Post)
Nearly five hundred Democrats gathered at Staunton, Virginia's Frontier Culture Museum, Saturday evening for barbeque and speeches by candidates for office and leaders in the Democratic Party, one of the largest such rallies in Virginia ever and a first for the Shenandoah Valley.
The enthusiastic crowd gathered partially to support local candidates Sam Rasoul (Sixth District), who is challenging Bob Goodlatte, a Republican congressman who has remained unchallenged for the past ten years (according to the Rockbridge Weekly, Rasoul is the first Democratic challenger to receive district side support since 1992); and to see rising star and former governor Mark Warner, who this past week was named keynote speaker for the upcoming Democratic Convention. Warner is running for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by long-time Senator John Warner (no relation), whom he lost to in 1996. With a bi-partisan agenda and a business background, Mark Warner turned the state around, gaining one of only two A- ratings by the Pew Charitable trust, which helped Warner declare Virginia "the best managed state in the nation."
Warner, however, had to speak to the crowd by cell phone from the University of Virginia Hospital. Warner had been slated to open the Waynesboro, Virginia, Democratic headquarters and then head to the rally, until he fell victim to teenage speed and muscle. Speaking to Saturday night's crowd, Warner said that, at 53, he should know better than "to play basketball with nineteen year olds."According to Mitch Stewart, Virginia campaign director for Barack Obama for President, the Dems signed up 200,000 new voters from January 1 to July 31 of this year, 65 percent of them 35 years old or younger.Virginia has shaped up to be a key battleground state this year and for that reason 44 offices have been opened around the state manned by thousands of volunteers. The consensus among party heads is that if Virginia goes for Obama, there is "no way Obama won't be the next president of the United States." If Virginia does go Democratic, it will be the first time in 44 years.
Obama plans a visit to several cities and town around the state this coming week.
Sad circumstances may have brought Michelle Obama to the Buckeye State today (she was filling in for Barack, who is visiting his ailing grandmother in Hawaii), but for the people in Ohio it was nothing but an absolute pleasure to see the woman they hope will be the next First Lady.
At rallies in Columbus and Akron, crowds packed gyms to hear her speak about who her husband is, and why this is so important. She had special guests at each, with Senator Sherrod Brown on hand in Columbus, and actress Jurnee Smollett amongst the crowd in Akron. There, local volunteer Gail took the stage to introduce Michelle. Gail spoke about how she had lost her job, and became a victim of predatory lending, to the point where her home was foreclosed. She nearly teared up as she talked about how it is to drive by the old family home now. But she fervently urged the crowd to get involved volunteering, and to cast their vote early.
I hate politics. This is the first time in my life that I've ever been involved whatsoever...I do whatever I can do. Because when you don't have a job... you have a lot of time!I have voted early, and I brought my mother. If you're wondering if voting early is complicated--trust me, it's not!
I hate politics. This is the first time in my life that I've ever been involved whatsoever...
I do whatever I can do. Because when you don't have a job... you have a lot of time!
I have voted early, and I brought my mother. If you're wondering if voting early is complicated--trust me, it's not!
Here are some pictures from the events:
At her rallies, Michelle talked about Barack as only she could. In her own passionate way, she riled the crowd by imparting to them just why her husband is running for president, and exactly what is at stake. Even more than at a Barack rally, she traded jokes and back-and-forth conversations with people in the crowd. At one moment she stopped because something caught her eye. "Ooo, it's an Obama mask! I forgot it was Halloween!"
With Michelle, there is never a shortage of great sound bites, but she was best when talking simply about how...
Barack gets it. There's something that happens to you when you grow up regular.Don't we deserve a leader who knows what it's like to carry a little loan debt?
Barack gets it.
There's something that happens to you when you grow up regular.
Don't we deserve a leader who knows what it's like to carry a little loan debt?
And that is what she drove home: that Barack will work for working people, because it's in him. He knows what it's like to pay off debt, work two jobs, and sacrifice some daily expenses for others when money is tight.
Between events, Michelle made phone calls with volunteers at the Summit County Headquarters, and at the Akron rally she mentioned one woman she had talked to:
This woman had gone blind, her husband had left her, and her son had gone off to war. And she was praying for Barack's grandmother. That's America.
Michelle also did a stellar job of making everyone in the crowd feel the importance of doing their part--volunteering, and voting early. Not only did they hear her, but they were fired up and ready to do it. As she said:
Barack can bring us 85% of the way there. But it's on us--we have to provide the last 15%.Don't wait until Election Day to vote! You might have a flat tire! You might not have gas!
Barack can bring us 85% of the way there. But it's on us--we have to provide the last 15%.
Don't wait until Election Day to vote! You might have a flat tire! You might not have gas!
Do your part.
Volunteer in these last 11 days.
And vote early.
This weekend, the Obama campaign held four ginormous super phonebanks in the Los Angeles area. Harnessing the amazing enthusiasm here in the final weeks of the Presidential campaign, these phonebanks are full of great energy, dedication, and cell phone waves (oh, and yummy snacks). In my neck of the woods, our Hollywood-Los Feliz-Silver Lake phonebanks joined forces at the fabled Sunset-Gower Studios, located at the corner of Sunset Blvd. and Gower St. (This intersection was once known as "Gower Gulch" - silver-screen cowboys used to gather there looking for work as extras on western films.) Last weekend, this particular phonebank drew 200 volunteers who made 13,000 calls to battleground states and, in phonebanks throughout California, over 500,000 voters were called! This weekend our goal was higher - the campaign has challenged California volunteers to reach at least 625,000 voters - the Last Call For Change! Former home of Columbia Pictures ("It Happened One Night", "Funny Girl" and "The Caine Mutiny") and current home to such TV shows as Dexter and Heroes, Sunset-Gower houses many independent film and television production companies. It was also the former home of one of my all-time personal favorites: Six Feet Under. (You can read more about the studio's history here.) Last weekend, entering data from calls to Colorado, I was really heartened by the number of voters solidly in the Obama camp, versus the ones for McCain. The polls there are bearing this out. This weekend, we're over halfway toward beating last week's totals - 111 volunteers on Saturday, making nearly 9,000 calls! Sunday will surely rock. Thanks to the incredible volunteer coordinators who are making this phonebank happen every weekend. Your dedication is inspiring. And of course, the roomful of volunteers who didn't want to leave. Folks, if you haven't tried it yet, it's not too late - get thee to CA.BarackObama.com and find the nearest phonebank. You can make calls, enter data, sell swag, bring snacks - the possibilities are endless. You won't regret it!
Just wanted to get in a few words here about the "neighbor to neighbor" tool available here on barackobama.com.
I am consistently impressed by the ingenuity of the Obama campaign. What we have here is a well-oiled machine that enables you to call swing voters from the comfort of your living room! You sign in. You use the simple, intuitive web interface to make your calls and input the responses. Rinse, repeat.
It can be amazingly rewarding. Depending upon which state you choose to call, you could either be calling supporters to make sure they vote and provide them with early voting info. Or you could be calling undecided voters to help convince them to support our cause. It's a little more work, but pays off in a much bigger way.
I would encourage all of you who are struggling with how to get involved to utilize this tool and connect with other voters. Yes, you'll be nervy for the first call or two. But believe me--if I can do it, then YOU CAN DO IT. You'll find yourself relaxing in no time. And when it goes well it can give you some serious warm fuzzies!
Make phone calls. Be an ambassador for Barack to undecided or McCain supporting friends and family. Make sure your friends and family who support Barack show up and vote. Encourage them to vote early, if they're in a state that provides for it. THESE are the biggest ways you can have a postiive impact on this election.
What are you waiting for? It's going to be a tough 21 days ahead. Victory is within grasp. But we cannot get complacent or lazy.
With 23 days left until Election Day, there’s no better time than now to get involved in the most important election of our lifetimes! With over fifty offices open across Michigan, from Sault Ste. Marie to Monroe, there’s a Campaign for Change office near you to get involved. From phone banking to canvassing, if every Michigander steps up for Barack, we can ensure that Barack and Democrats up and down the ticket win.Contact your local Obama office today to learn more about how you can get involved in your neighborhood. As Barack says, “This election is not about me… it’s about you.” So, get involved today!
You can:
Volunteer in Your Neighborhood - Talk to undecided voters, help out in our offices and more.
Become a Neighborhood Team Leader - Take a leadership role in the campaign in your neighborhood.
Raise Money - Help fund our Campaign for Change
Intern with The Campaign - Join one of our campaign's departments and get school credit and great experience
Join a Policy Advisory Committee - Help guide the campaign's message of change on critical issues in Michigan
Report a Smear - Get the facts, and report any smears
Camp Obama Express
We are having training for all those that are canvassing in PA or phone banking to PA by an Obama Campaign Representative. No conribution needed.Camp Obama Training: For Canvassing in PA Date and Time:October 7th (Tuesday night) 5pm to 7pmLocation:Morton Memorial Library and Community HouseRhinecliff NYLibrary website:http://morton.rhinecliff.lib.ny.us/rsvp for training to m.whaley@verizon.net
Debate Parties Tuesday, October 7th:
New Paltz, NY - Please join us Tuesday October 7th at the Gilded Otter in New Paltz, NY for a Presidential Debate Watch Party, 8-11pm (debate begins at 9pm). Happy Hour prices on bar drinks, beer & wine. Learn how you can get involved in this historic Campaign for Change! Hosted by MariAnn & Jonathan Sennett, New Paltz & Vicinity for Obama and Hudson Valley for Obama.
Rhinecliff, NY -$25 at the Rhinecliff Hotel. Bountiful hor d'oeuvres and cash bar. Limited to first 80 people. rsvp for debate party to buckley@buckleypell.com
Saugerties, NY - Come to Saugerties Tuesday night to watch Barack clean McCain's clock.Where: Stella's Station, Partition Street, Saugerties.What: Free Buffet( wings, poppers, fries, calamari), other food items available for sale. Cash Bar. 5 TVs, Surround sound, High powered heaters if needed, wonderful friends. This is not a fund raiser! This is a party for everyone supporting Obama and the Democratic ticket in Ulster County and the United States.RSVP to erinralph so I can give the cook(Victor) an idea about food requirements. The bartender(Josh) will have everything you want!
... And if you already live here, GET YOUR FRIENDS HERE.
A huge influx of out-of-state volunteers can make the difference. Share this video with your friends, and then get them to sign up to come to Ohio at http://oh.barackobama.com/cometoohio
The campaign will give you everything you or your friends need: a resources page, a ride board, and free housing. All anyone has to do is sign up.
And did I mention the opportunity to make history? Your friends can tell you that other states are important too, but the fact remains that if Barack wins Ohio, he almost certainly wins the election.
Enough messing around. Let's win this thing.
Looking for something to snack on in between phone calls at the St. Paul Obama headquarters?
Treat yourself to an Obama cookie:
If you're using the campaign's Neighbor-to-Neighbor tool to reach out to undecided voters in your neighborhood, you might consider making some of your own!
My reccomendation? Try making some of Michelle Obama's Shortbread Cookies. They're delicious.
I just had one of those calls with a (semi)-undecided voter that makes your day. I called and asked for "John". The lady who answered said he was deceased. I said "I'm sorry to hear that". Then she asked if I was talking about the "John" is his 60s, and I said, no the 25 year old John. Apparently, this was her son, and he doesn't live there any more.
I redesigned the script for calling Ohio. I was getting ready to make calls and realized I was finding it tough to know which section to go to next on the fly. So, I decided to put the script in a format to give a better idea of the flow of conversation and to let me know which part to go to next. And I figured it might be useful to other people, too.
If you spot any errors or any changes you think need to be made to it to make it more useful, please let me know.
Download here
