Obama field director Sean Schindl (right) talks strategy with volunteers
If it is true, as Woody Allen claims, that 80 percent of success is just showing up, then the Republicans should be worried. Very worried.
Sunday, Jan. 29 was a nippy winter's day more than nine months ahead of the 2012 election. But from the standing room only crowd at the Democratic Party of Evanston office, you might have thought we were a week away from casting our votes. Some 125 people--attracted by invitations from our office and the Obama campaign, showed up for our 2012 Volunteer Kick-Off.
Democratic Committeeman (and departing State Senator) Jeff Schoenberg, executive director Toni Gilpin, party board members, and Obama organizer Sean Schindl were on hand to talk about the myriad ways volunteers can go blue--from helping local campaigns with envelope stuffing, data entry and phone calls to traveling to key states for canvasing to contributing to our website. Volunteers were asked to sign up to let us know what kind of work they would be most interested in.
Though the huge turn-out occasionally made it hard to hear and even harder to find a seat, most welcomed it a a good sign that Evanston is a hotbed of activity, not apathy.
After hearing about our important Voter Protection Campaign (more information on this critical issue here), attendees shared their thoughts on the mood of the electorate and the best strategies for galvanizing other volunteers. While several people voiced concerns that the Obama administration seemed to be taking its most progressive supporters for granted, other seasoned volunteers suggested that supporters need to stay positive despite the sometimes unfortunate compromises of political reality.
Other volunteers pointed out that callers and canvasers need to be armed with good information on the issues, as in a health care fact sheet or talking points on Obama's stand on Israel. Already, the board has begun compiling a list of resources and links for volunteers, but we are also discussing other options such as issue training sessions for volunteers.
Needless to say, there's plenty to do in the months to come, so stay tuned to the website and our emails for more info about how to help. We do have some Obama campaign phone banks in our office coming up at our office, from 6 - 9 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7 and Thursday, February 9. Click here if you'd like to sign up for the Tuesday, February 7 phone bank; if you want to join us on Thursday, February 9 click here. Thanks for your support!
Heike Eghardt, who moved here from Germany 11 years ago, just received something of inestimable value--her American citizenship. In our office we're very fond of Heike, because we've often been the beneficiary of her fabulous treats (she's a professional baker.) While we always appreciate her cookies, Heike yearned to contribute more to contribute progressive change for this country, but was advised to avoid partisan activity while pursuing her citizenship. Now, though, she's about to do something for the first time that many of us take for granted (or avoid doing altogether.)
