Posts with the tag Grassroots Inaugural Ball 2009

The MYBO "Neighborhood" Inaugural Ball and Celebration! -- January 19, Washington DC

Jacqueline from Mousseaux sur Seine — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 13:23:12 EST

At last, after many weeks in the planning and development stage, our very own Mybarackobama.com (MYBO) inaugural celebration event has finally found its form, nature and place, and we are thrilled and proud to announce the...

MYBO Grassroots Inaugural Ball 2009, the Social!

http://grassrootsball2009social.eventbrite.com/

We've come full circle, right back where we were supposed to be!

Initially intended to be held in a Capitol Hill church social hall -- and always imagined as an "alternative" ball --, the event grew rapidly in the early flush of euphoria and excitement of our victory in the days following the election, but through the worries and the vagaries of fundraising and just exactly how crowded Washington, DC would be for this historic occasion that we all want to witness and celebrate in a financial environment that encouraged anything but confidence, the MYBO alternative ball's future in the balance, we find ourselves welcomed by the Universalist National Memorial Church, "a liberal Christian church in the heart of the city."

The MYBO Grassroots Inaugural Ball 2009, the Social is intended, as one of our fundraising volunteers put it, to be a ball:

“that will celebrate Obama's election, and celebrate the hard work we did to get to this point – and provide a space to network with fellow Obama supporters to get "fired up" for real change, going forward.

There are tons of official and unofficial inaugural balls, but the difference is this one will be affordable (hence the need for sponsorship) and Obama volunteers will have the first crack at tickets (rather than the tickets just going to the highest bidder.)”

Universalist National Memorial Church provides us an ideal space in the community at a price that allows us to accomplish our mission -- tickets priced so that everyone who would like to attend to meet so many people with whom they have exchanged on MYBO and want to meet after all these months can afford to attend.

For tickets -- $26 per person!! -- http://grassrootsball2009social.eventbrite.com/

BYOC, or bring your own champagne! The event will include food and a bar featuring wine and beer, an assortment of non-alcoholic beverages, but if you would like to raise a toast to Obama with bubbly, please feel free to bring your own bottle, or one to contribute to the bar. You may also help us off-set bar costs by contributing a bottle of white -- the church asks for no red in their furnished parlor, sorry! --, and the caterer will accept for refund any unopened bottles they provide and we do not need to consume.

There will also be music with performances by local and home-grown MYBO talent.

Attire is cocktail or semi-formal, but please wear what makes you feel comforable. If you need to come directly from another event that doesn't permit you to dress for the evening, such as the Day of Service at the MLK Memorial Library, please feel welcome to come as you are.

Sponsors needed! Help make the MYBO Grassroots Inaugural Ball 2009, the Social a success -- become a sponsor at any level you can. Your non tax deductible donation will help with food, bar and entertainment for the evening. It's simple. The more those of you who can afford to give something more, the better the evening for all. It's The Obama Tax Plan at work, so let's put our money where our mouths are! Click here to make your donation. It's easy and fast with Google Check-out.

DC for Obama and Mayor Fenty Office's MLK Day of Service Activity (9 am to 4 pm).

The MYBO Grassroots Inaugural Ball 2009, the Social is joining together with DC for Obama, which will be collaborating with Mayor Fenty's Day of Service events and will be sponsoring supporting those in need through serving food at the MLK Memorial Library throughout the day. Please join us and take a step towards supporting others who may have less.

We will be providing further information on how you can become a part of this important day of community service and hope that you will be able to join us in taking this step to fulfil President-elect Barack Obama's call to community service.

Then, join us for a memorable evening getting to know in person so many of the people with whom you have worked, and with whom you have become friends, on MYBO.

Thank you!

Mary Ritter Jacqueline Ashton de Floris
The Organizing Committee

Please note, all ticket sales are final and non-refundable. In the event that you cannot attend, please let the organizers know so we can release additional tickets for sale. http://grassrootsball2009social.eventbrite.com/

The MYBO "Neighborhood" Inaugural Ball and Celebration! -- January 19, Washington DC

Jacqueline from Mousseaux sur Seine — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 13:21:21 EST

MYBO Grassroots Inaugural Ball 2009, the Social!

http://grassrootsball2009social.eventbrite.com/

We've come full circle, right back where we were supposed to be!

The MYBO Grassroots Inaugural Ball 2009, the Social is intended, as one of our fundraising volunteers put it, to be a ball:

For tickets -- http://grassrootsball2009social.eventbrite.com/

There will also be music with performances by local and home-grown MYBO talent.

DC for Obama and Mayor Fenty Office's MLK Day of Service Activity (9 am to 4 pm).

We will be providing further information on how you can become a part of this important day of community service and hope that you will be able to join us in taking this step to fulfill President-elect Barack Obama's call to community service.

Then, join us for a memorable evening getting to know in person so many of the people with whom you have worked, and with whom you have become friends, on MYBO.

Thank you!
Mary Ritter Jacqueline Ashton de Floris
The Organizing Committee

The MYBO "Neighborhood" Inaugural Ball and Celebration! -- January 19, Washington DC

Jacqueline from Mousseaux sur Seine — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 13:19:26 EST

MYBO Grassroots Inaugural Ball 2009, the Social!

http://grassrootsball2009social.eventbrite.com/

We've come full circle, right back where we were supposed to be!

The MYBO Grassroots Inaugural Ball 2009, the Social is intended, as one of our fundraising volunteers put it, to be a ball:

For tickets -- only $26.00!! -- http://grassrootsball2009social.eventbrite.com/

There will also be music with performances by local and home-grown MYBO talent.

DC for Obama and Mayor Fenty Office's MLK Day of Service Activity (9 am to 4 pm).

Then, join us for a memorable evening getting to know in person so many of the people with whom you have worked, and with whom you have become friends, on MYBO.

Thank you!

Mary Ritter Jacqueline Ashton de Floris
The Organizing Committee

The MYBO "Neighborhood" Inaugural Ball and Celebration! -- January 19, Washington DC

Jacqueline from Mousseaux sur Seine — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 13:14:52 EST

MYBO Grassroots Inaugural Ball 2009, the Social!

http://grassrootsball2009social.eventbrite.com/

We've come full circle, right back where we were supposed to be!

The MYBO Grassroots Inaugural Ball 2009, the Social is intended, as one of our fundraising volunteers put it, to be a ball:

For tickets -- $26 per person!! -- http://grassrootsball2009social.eventbrite.com/

There will also be music with performances by local and home-grown MYBO talent.

DC for Obama and Mayor Fenty Office's MLK Day of Service Activity (9 am to 4 pm).

Then, join us for a memorable evening getting to know in person so many of the people with whom you have worked, and with whom you have become friends, on MYBO.

Thank you!

Mary Ritter Jacqueline Ashton de Floris
The Organizing Committee

The Grassroots Ball

Gayle — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 12:26:41 EST

From: "Jacqueline | Organizing Committee | Grassroots Ball DC 2009"
Date: Sat, 6 Dec 2008 17:15:12 +0100
To: <jacqueline@grassrootsballdc2009.com>
Subject: Grassroots Ball 2009 - Update Dec 6

Hello everyone,

We know that several days have passed without further news of the ball proceedings, and those of us who are working on organizing, fund-raising and the like want to let you all know where we stand.

After a flurry of early activity to take requests for information, get everyone's names on our emailing list, get a functional website up and available, conduct a search for an available space in Washington capable of accommodating at least 2,000 people, set fund-raising in motion to work to guaranty a deposit on that space and help to off-set the event's costs for ticket prices, and send out preliminary calls for help with graphic design and entertainment, things have shifted gears as we have entered the contract stage. The quiet on the outside might look like nothing is happening, but we are working on a contract with the Reagan Building people and getting the finances in order.

We're also paying close attention to word that the Inaugural Committee is considering grassroots events, and we have had conversations with people close to the campaign that may open the possibility of coordination and cooperation. Their own plans are only just beginning to formulate, and we want to be sure to take all information into consideration as we move through our deliberations.

Please bear with us, if you can but just a little bit longer, and we will be in touch with everyone with further word.

Also, if any of us has neglected to reply to an email (I am afraid that I have let a couple requests for information slip), we apologize. This project has generated a significant number of emails from people with questions and looking to see where we are, and while we try to reply to each and every one, I know I miss the occasional email.

Concerning sponsors, we'd like to send out the appeal one more time. If anyone can sponsor the event at either the $500, $1,000 or $2,000 level, or knows of anyone who might be able to, please bein touch with us. Every sponsor helps to bring the ticket prices down in keeping with a "grassroots" event. We'd be happy to get you the sponsorship benefits information. A couple of you mentioned people you know who might be interested. We'd be happy to get a copy of our sponsor solicitation letter to you for them. Thanks again, on behalf of all of us, to those of you who have become sponsors.

Thanks for your patience.

Best,

The Grassroots Inauguration Ball 2009 Organizing Committee
Mary Ritter, Russell Miller, Jacqueline Ashton de Floris

Grassroots Inaugural Ball 2009 -- We're getting there, Yes we are!

Jacqueline from Mousseaux sur Seine — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 23:11:36 EST

Hello MYBO people!

It's time for another update on the Grassroots Inaugural Ball 2009! Some of you would say past-due...

A number of people have been working very hard, and there is some big news to announce to you.
....

Where's it going to be? When's it going to be?

The date and location of the ball have been decided!

Our very first Grassroots Inaugural Ball 2009 will be on January 19, the night before the inauguration, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on Pennsylvania Avenue. That's right on the Inaugural Parade route, between the Capital and the White House. The plan is that after the Ball ends, people will be able to go right out in large groups and stake out space on the parade route, or over on the National Mall where there will be giant TVs -- a night vigil, awaiting the Inauguration. This is not only symbolic, but also practical, since 4 million people are expected to descend on Washington Tuesday morning to see the Inauguration. We'll have a head start. The space can accommodate around 2000 people, and we expect to sell out quickly.

(By the way, Monday night is a traditional inaugural ball night--we'll be one of many such events, and we're hoping we can get the President-elect and Mrs. Obama to drop by and greet the folks who worked so hard throughout the last 18 months.)
....

Sponsors and Underwriters

The only thing holding us back is making the deposit on the Reagan Building. We are still hoping for those among you who feel that you can to step forward and help sponsor the event. Your sponsorship assures us and everyone attending the ball of two things:

First, that we can make the $52,000 deposit on the Reagan Building. We are getting close, thanks to those who have stepped up to sponsor and underwrite the event (and we will get the list of underwriters and sponsors onto the website), but we need more of you to get us all the way there. To date, we have some $45,000 in pledged monies. Not bad! It's starting to come in too, now that... wait, that's for later.
Second, lower ticket prices. Every penny (those still exist, right?) of sponsor and underwriting money will go to one ultimate goal: bring the ticket prices for the event as low as we can.

Just to be 100% clear: a couple people have asked if non-sponsors will be able to purchase tickets, and the answer is yes! The whole point of sponsorship and underwriting is to make sure that a certain number of tickets will be able to be offered at a lower price in general sale.

What does your sponsorship get you again?

At the $2,000 level: 4 free tickets to the event, publicity space in our program and on the website, and a very special sponsor gift.

At the $1,000 level: 2 free tickets (Surprise! The holidays have come early! Yes, the is retroactive to those of you who have already sponsored. That was fun!), publicity space in our program and on the website, and a very special sponsor gift.

At the $500 level: 1 free ticket to the event (Yes, you, too!), publicity space in our program and on the website, and a very special sponsor gift.

Below $500 level: Pre-sale ticket access, mention in our program and on the website, and a sponsor gift.

Disclaimer: Your donation is not tax-deductible. We apologize, but it takes the IRS up to a year to review new non-profit applications, and they can always refuse you. Since we don't have the luxury of that kind of time, we've had to just proceed with non-profit status.

We'd also to thank Corinne Carson for spear-heading the "high-roller Obama donor" research project. Corinne and a group of MYBO volunteers have taken on the job of using public information on the largest Obama campaign donors to help us identify additional individuals to contact to solicit sponsorship help for our event. The team includes (and I hope I have missed no one) Deborah Burke, Georgina Osorio, Giovanni Sce, Jessie Bochert, Kim Roberts, Mark Habeeb, Marlene Smith, Mary Hicks, Maxine Sears, Pam Jarvis, and Vickie Togans.

If you can give some of your time to help us out on this, please reply to this email, and we'll get you in touch with Corinne and set-up. We need to get as much done as quickly as possible to help us get the sponsorship and underwriting in. The faster we can do this, the faster we can make our projections for total budget off-set from contributions, establish our ticket prices and get them up for sale for y'all.
You betcha'!

If you or someone, or a business or organization you know would like to be an underwriter?

We would be glad to offer our underwriters the opportunity for publicity during the event, including signage, a space named for themselves or their company or organization, distribution of informational materials, and prominent recognition of your underwriting in all Grassroots Ball publicity materials, in addition to publicity on our website.

We will work with each underwriter to develop a publicity package tailored to the level of your underwriting support and publicity needs.
....

And, la pièce de résistance! (It's okay, French is okay again, we're friends!)

When can we get onto the website?

Now! Just click on this link, or cut and paste the following url into your web browser address line: http://www.grassrootsballdc2009.com/

That means that for those of you who have sponsored, but hated the thought of ordering a bank wire transfer of funds (we don't blame you), PayPal is up and working!

For those of you who might be tempted once you are on the website, please, please do! It will be so greatly appreciated. We will know who you are from the PayPal documents emailed to us, but feel free to let us know so we can tell you how much we appreciate your donation on behalf of everyone, and then thank you again later, once the paperwork is forwarded to us.

Please be sure to register so that you can participate in the Forum as soon as it is up and running, too.

There is also a link to Change.gov, right in the comfort of our own website!

Adrienne Williams, our volunteer web manager, has put in a lot of time and effort to make this happen, along with Karen, who contributed the graphics. A big thank you to Adrienne and Karen!

Mary, Russell and I promise to get our photos and bios up on the About Us page, just as soon as we find a few spare moments!
....

Calling all graphic designers!

Please reply to this email if you can volunteer your skills to help us with:

a logo design competition (we have some criteria for the logo, logo-type and colors that we will share with you. The logo will be put out to everyone for their vote, but the Organizing Committee retains a majority vote!),
help with signage design for the event, program layout and design, buttons and bumper stickers, and
the coordination of logo-merchandising for us to offer as sponsor gifts and to make available to everyone for sale to further off-set the cost of the event. We have some MYBO volunteers offering their assistance and some contacts to give you.

For this last, we have to hit the ground running Monda to allow for order, production and delivery time.

Please submit samples of your work with your reply. Thank you!
....

One last thing...

Calling all singers, bands, folk, blues, and jazz artists!

Our very own first Grassroots Inaugural Ball 2009 wants to build the base of its ball entertainment on you. Our base was solid enough to get Obama elected, so... please reply to this email with samples of you performing (video, music file, etc.).

The Reagan Building space allows as a range of different venues, from the 600-seat amphitheater for larger performance and multi-media and image/video presentation -- like Meredith Wheeler's Bridge Project, and we are looking for additional submissions to run during the night -- to a dance floor with raised stage, the monumental amphitheater foyer, and several more intimate spaces for quieter cabaret-style performance and conversation.

We're getting started now reviewing submissions -- no promises made -- but we will listen/watch and get back to you as soon as we can.

We'll also be looking into some local artists and possibly some big names (don't get your hopes up too high now) for your enjoyment.
....

And now, we turn you over to the website: http://grassrootsballdc2009.com!

Thanks for all your interest, support, encouragement, help and your donations -- we are the ones we have been waiting for, and without you, this wouldn't be happening. We need you.

Yes We Can!

The Grassroots Inaugural Ball 2009 Organizing Committee
Mary Ritter, Russell Miller, Jacqueline Ashton de Floris

Grassroots Inaugural Ball 2009 -- We're getting there, Yes we are!

Jacqueline from Mousseaux sur Seine — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 23:07:33 EST

First, that we can make the $52,000 deposit on the Reagan Building. We are getting close, thanks to those who have stepped up to sponsor and underwrite the event (and we will get the list of underwriters and sponsors onto the website), but we need more of you to get us all the way there. To date, we have some $45,000 in pledged monies. Not bad! It's starting to come in too, now that... wait, that's for later.
Second, lower ticket prices. Every penny (those still exist, right?) of sponsor and underwriting money will go to one ultimate goal: bring the ticket prices for the event as low as we can.

a logo design competition (we have some criteria for the logo, logo-type and colors that we will share with you. The logo will be put out to everyone for their vote, but the Organizing Committee retains a majority vote!),
help with signage design for the event, program layout and design, buttons and bumper stickers, and
the coordination of logo-merchandising for us to offer as sponsor gifts and to make available to everyone for sale to further off-set the cost of the event. We have some MYBO volunteers offering their assistance and some contacts to give you.

Grassroots Inaugural Ball 2009 -- We're getting there, Yes we are!

Jacqueline from Mousseaux sur Seine — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 23:05:38 EST

First, that we can make the $52,000 deposit on the Reagan Building. We are getting close, thanks to those who have stepped up to sponsor and underwrite the event (and we will get the list of underwriters and sponsors onto the website), but we need more of you to get us all the way there. To date, we have some $45,000 in pledged monies. Not bad! It's starting to come in too, now that... wait, that's for later.
Second, lower ticket prices. Every penny (those still exist, right?) of sponsor and underwriting money will go to one ultimate goal: bring the ticket prices for the event as low as we can.

a logo design competition (we have some criteria for the logo, logo-type and colors that we will share with you. The logo will be put out to everyone for their vote, but the Organizing Committee retains a majority vote!),
help with signage design for the event, program layout and design, buttons and bumper stickers, and
the coordination of logo-merchandising for us to offer as sponsor gifts and to make available to everyone for sale to further off-set the cost of the event. We have some MYBO volunteers offering their assistance and some contacts to give you.

Grassroots Inaugural Ball 2009 -- We're getting there, Yes we are!

Jacqueline from Mousseaux sur Seine — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 22:58:00 EST

First, that we can make the $52,000 deposit on the Reagan Building. We are getting close, thanks to those who have stepped up to sponsor and underwrite the event (and we will get the list of underwriters and sponsors onto the website), but we need more of you to get us all the way there. To date, we have some $45,000 in pledged monies. Not bad! It's starting to come in too, now that... wait, that's for later.
Second, lower ticket prices. Every penny (those still exist, right?) of sponsor and underwriting money will go to one ultimate goal: bring the ticket prices for the event as low as we can.

a logo design competition (we have some criteria for the logo, logo-type and colors that we will share with you. The logo will be put out to everyone for their vote, but the Organizing Committee retains a majority vote!),
help with signage design for the event, program layout and design, buttons and bumper stickers, and
the coordination of logo-merchandising for us to offer as sponsor gifts and to make available to everyone for sale to further off-set the cost of the event. We have some MYBO volunteers offering their assistance and some contacts to give you.

Grassroots Inaugural Ball 2009 -- Help us make it happen, Yes we can!

Jacqueline from Mousseaux sur Seine — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:41:57 EST

Hello MYBO People,

The very first Grassroots Inaugural Ball 2009 -- originating right here in MYBO -- has a challenge for 40 people in our network of campaign volunteers.

We are trying to secure a venue in Washington that is convenient, on the Metro with space for more than 1000 people, and we are trying to do this for what is regarded as the inauguration that will be the most widely attended in our nation's history. Everybody wants to be there to witness this historic event and celebrate, and maybe nobody more so than those of us here on the MYBO listservs. Obama's Internet Army soldiers.

It's really, really hard to get space in Washington right now, and MYBO has done it. Almost.

So, The Challenge.

We are on the verge of signing a contract for a venue, and to do it we need 40 people to kick in $1,000 so that we can be ready with our check for the down payment before someone else beats us to it.

Your underwriting of the down payment not only assures us the space to hold our very own Grassroots Inaugural Ball 2009, it will cover $40,000 of our total budget. Think of yourselves as part of Barack's tax plan. That top 5% that will help to reduce ticket prices and make our ball more affordable for everyone--most especially for the 95% of MYBO who need a break after all the donating to the campaign!

What else will you get? You will receive:

assurance of the purchase of two tickets -- yes, the guarantee that there will be two tickets reserved for you to purchase and use or give away -- to what is shaping up to be the most sought-after party in Washington for our candidate's installation in the office of The President of The United States of America [we can all shout for joy right here, right now before going on],
mention on our website and advertising or publicity space in an eventual program,
a very special sponsor gift, and
a once in a lifetime chance to show Washington what MYBO is and what it means to American politics.

The Electronic Republic is here, and it works. You betcha'!

What else, you ask?

The undying thanks and devotion of everyone who wants this ball to happen. You can also choose one of our sponsor gifts, once we figure out what they will be.

We need this as quickly as possible. Don't think it over. Reply right away to Russell Miller, our treasurer, at Russell@grassrootsballdc2009, and we go to contract to have a ball!

You don't have $1,000? That's okay.

If you have $500 to help us underwrite the ball, we can guarantee you:

1 ticket to purchase,
mention on our website and in an eventual program,
and a sponsor gift.

And If you don't have five hundred dollars to get the ball rolling, don't worry. We'll be rolling out other sponsor levels, and tickets will be available shortly at a range of prices that make sense for every working American. (We revere the Constitution, but we're breaking the law of supply and demand.)

This ball is going to be for EVERYONE—or at least as many as the fire codes allow.

Thank you!

Jacqueline Ashton de Floris, Mary Ritter, Russell Miller

Members, Organizing Committee

PS: Money Where Our Mouth Is Department—All three of us are already in as sponsors. It's lonely out here, but we know it won't be for long. Join us!

PPS for shy folks: You can be anonymous sponsors if you like!

PPS: Your sponsorship is not tax deductible.

Grassroots Inaugural Ball 2009 -- Help us make it happen, Yes we can!

Jacqueline from Mousseaux sur Seine — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:36:17 EST

Hello MYBO People,

The very first Grassroots Inaugural Ball 2009 -- originating right here in MYBO -- has a challenge for 40 people in our network of campaign volunteers.

It's really, really hard to get space in Washington right now, and MYBO has done it. Almost.

So, The Challenge.

What else will you get? You will receive:

assurance of the purchase of two tickets -- yes, the guarantee that there will be two tickets reserved for you to purchase and use or give away -- to what is shaping up to be the most sought-after party in Washington for our candidate's installation in the office of The President of The United States of America [we can all shout for joy right here, right now before going on],
mention on our website and advertising or publicity space in an eventual program,
a very special sponsor gift, and
a once in a lifetime chance to show Washington what MYBO is and what it means to American politics.

The Electronic Republic is here, and it works. You betcha'!

What else, you ask?

The undying thanks and devotion of everyone who wants this ball to happen. You can also choose one of our sponsor gifts, once we figure out what they will be.

We need this as quickly as possible. Don't think it over. Reply right away to Russell Miller, our treasurer, at Russell@grassrootsballdc2009, and we go to contract to have a ball!

You don't have $1,000? That's okay.

If you have $500 to help us underwrite the ball, we can guarantee you:

1 ticket to purchase,
mention on our website and in an eventual program,
and a sponsor gift.

This ball is going to be for EVERYONE—or at least as many as the fire codes allow.

Thank you!

Jacqueline Ashton de Floris, Mary Ritter, Russell Miller

Members, Organizing Committee

PS: Money Where Our Mouth Is Department—All three of us are already in as sponsors. It's lonely out here, but we know it won't be for long. Join us!

PPS for shy folks: You can be anonymous sponsors if you like!

Grassroots Inaugural Ball 2009 -- Help us make it happen, Yes we can!

Jacqueline from Mousseaux sur Seine — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:33:35 EST

Hello MYBO People,

The very first Grassroots Inaugural Ball 2009 -- originating right here in MYBO -- has a challenge for 40 people in our network of campaign volunteers.

It's really, really hard to get space in Washington right now, and MYBO has done it. Almost.

So, The Challenge.

What else will you get? You will receive:

assurance of the purchase of two tickets -- yes, the guarantee that there will be two tickets reserved for you to purchase and use or give away -- to what is shaping up to be the most sought-after party in Washington for our candidate's installation in the office of The President of The United States of America [we can all shout for joy right here, right now before going on],
mention on our website and advertising or publicity space in an eventual program,
a very special sponsor gift, and
a once in a lifetime chance to show Washington what MYBO is and what it means to American politics.

The Electronic Republic is here, and it works. You betcha'!

What else, you ask?

The undying thanks and devotion of everyone who wants this ball to happen. You can also choose one of our sponsor gifts, once we figure out what they will be.

We need this as quickly as possible. Don't think it over. Reply right away to Russell Miller, our treasurer, at Russell@grassrootsballdc2009, and we go to contract to have a ball!

You don't have $1,000? That's okay.

If you have $500 to help us underwrite the ball, we can guarantee you:

1 ticket to purchase,
mention on our website and in an eventual program,
and a sponsor gift.

This ball is going to be for EVERYONE—or at least as many as the fire codes allow.

Thank you!

Jacqueline Ashton de Floris, Mary Ritter, Russell Miller

Members, Organizing Committee

PS: Money Where Our Mouth Is Department—All three of us are already in as sponsors. It's lonely out here, but we know it won't be for long. Join us!

PPS for shy folks: You can be anonymous sponsors if you like!

Grassroots Inaugural Ball 2009 -- Help us make it happen, Yes we can!

Jacqueline from Mousseaux sur Seine — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:17:24 EST

Hello MYBO People,

The very first Grassroots Inaugural Ball 2009 -- originating right here in MYBO -- has a challenge for 40 people in our network of campaign volunteers.

It's really, really hard to get space in Washington right now, and MYBO has done it. Almost.

So, The Challenge.

Your underwriting of the down payment not only assures us the space to hold our very own Grassroots Inaugural Ball 2009, it will cover $40,000 of our total budget. Think of yourselves as part of Barack's tax plan. That top 5% that will help to reduce ticket prices and make our ball more affordable for everyone--most especially for the 95% of MYBO who need a break after all the donating to the campaign! What else will you get?

You will receive:

assurance of the purchase of two tickets -- yes, the guarantee that there will be two tickets reserved for you to purchase and use or give away -- to what is shaping up to be the most sought-after party in Washington for our candidate's installation in the office of The President of The United States of America [we can all shout for joy right here, right now before going on],
mention on our website and advertising or publicity space in an eventual program,
a very special sponsor gift, and
a once in a lifetime chance to show Washington what MYBO is and what it means to American politics.

The Electronic Republic is here, and it works. You betcha'!

What else, you ask?

The undying thanks and devotion of everyone who wants this ball to happen. You can also choose one of our sponsor gifts, once we figure out what they will be.

We need this as quickly as possible. Don't think it over. Reply right away to Russell Miller, our treasurer, at Russell@grassrootsballdc2009, and we go to contract to have a ball!

You don't have $1,000? That's okay.

If you have $500 to help us underwrite the ball, we can guarantee you:

1 ticket to purchase,
mention on our website and in an eventual program,
and a sponsor gift.

This ball is going to be for EVERYONE—or at least as many as the fire codes allow.

Thank you!

Jacqueline Ashton de Floris, Mary Ritter, Russell Miller

Members, Organizing Committee

PS: Money Where Our Mouth Is Department—All three of us are already in as sponsors. It's lonely out here, but we know it won't be for long. Join us!

PPS for shy folks: You can be anonymous sponsors if you like!

Our Grassroots Inauguration Ball 2009 -- Update

Jacqueline from Mousseaux sur Seine — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:46:36 EST

Dear MYBO volunteers,

This is to let you know that a core organizing committee has formed and has been working round the clock since Friday to get our Grassroots Ball 2009 off the ground .

We have chosen a URL for the event, the website is being developed and will be ready to go soon, we are negotiating with venues and are working to solicit sponsors and underwriters to help keep the ticket price as low as we can make it.

This last is an urgent need, and anyone interested in sponsoring, purchasing advertising in the program, underwriting, or investing to help us raise the down payment on the venue should get in touch with one of us right away.

We need to rasie $40,000 before the end of next week to secure our venue big enough for a couple of thousand Obama-supporter volunteers to celebrate the fruits of our hard work, and, for many, finally meet face to face. That may sond like a lot, but remember, it was all our little donations that put Barack over the top!

If you are a fundraiser or have experience as a volunteer doing fundraising for a charitable organization, have the time right now and want to take this on, please let us hear from you! We can help put together a team to assist you.

We have been approached by a promoter who wants to take the event on with total control and financial backing, but our concern was that the event be divested of it "grassroots" significance. Like we have said throughout the campaign, we can do it, Yes.We.Can!

Reponse for this event has been staggering. Our goal is to accommodate as many wishing to attend as possible, but we can see that demand will outstrip the capacity of any facility we can find. There are as many wishing to come as worked so hard throughout the year, and we have replies from all over the country.

A group is organizing satellite The People's Balls throughout the United States. They seem to be organizing from Maryland for Obama on MYBO, for anyone interested in checking that out and organizing something in your area. We will try to get an AV set-up to watch simutanous events in DC and elsewhere from our own, and broadcast ours on live streaming video.

Anyone who has specific skills to volunteer -- particularly people in the DC area -- who can be "on the ground" and has the time, grit and flexibilty to jump on this, please be in touch. We need to move very, very quickly to make this happen. Make it clear in your subject line that you are offering help and with what.

Once the website is up, we will put the word out so you can check it for information and the announce date for ticket sales. We can no longer accept any requests for reservations by email.

Please contact one of us if you are a volunteer field organizer for the campaign.

Thank you!

Jacqueline Ashton de Floris, Mary Ritter, Russell Miller

Members, Organizing Committee