You came, you canvassed, you conquered!



Wow.  Or maybe, zowie.

Those are the kinds of words DPOE Executive Director Toni Gilpin uses to describe the incredible turnout for Saturday's Advancing Change/Vote 2010 initiative. Despite initially inclement weather, more than 75 of you showed up and performed brilliantly -- in fact, you set some records as part of Organizing for America's nationwide kickoff.

In one day, you

• knocked on 737 doors
• made 642 phone calls
• got 316 commitments to vote in the fall
• attempted more phone calls than any other OFA group in the nation
• placed in the top five in all canvassing categories--doors knocked, people talked to, pledge cards collected
• were the only group in the country to place in the top five in both phone and canvassing results.

The event was heavily featured on the front page of www.barackobama.com, Organizing for America's website.  One story describes our kickoff; another shares thoughts from some of our participants; or you can follow the experience of one of our fabulous canvassing teams. On our site, one of our volunteers also shares a first-person account of how the day transformed her from reluctant volunteer to gung-ho canvasser.

Of course some other really important things happened too: new friendships were formed when campaign veterans and fresh recruits paired up to canvass together.  Volunteers discovered that their own stories, when reaching out to wavering or apathetic voters, are what prove really persuasive.  And people were reminded that practicing democracy is empowering and fulfilling -- and often just plain fun.

Linda, Liam, Zoila, and Alena -- and all of the volunteers who went door-to-door or made phone calls in our office -- did crucial work Saturday, explaining to voters how much their participation matters this November.  If you took part, thank you -- we are so grateful for what you did, and also pretty darned impressed by what you accomplished.

If you didn't participate, don't worry! We have more opportunities to advance change:

• We will be making calls in our office this Monday night (June 7), and every Monday night from now on, from 6 - 8:30 p.m. (bring your cell phones). 
• We'll be canvassing again this Saturday, beginning at 10:30 (meet at our office).

Call the office at (847) 494-7302 or email Toni tonigilpin.DPOE@gmail.com with questions. Your efforts can make all the difference for Democrats this November.