Off topic, but isn't it interesting that the guy who's supposedly not very sharp anymore seems to have played everybody, even while suffering from COVID?
Re: phone banking, I can't help feeling as if I would actually be a detriment to the cause. I am not a real phone person, sure, but I'm also just not great at talking about politics. I tend to have a "freeze" mentality when questioned. I have felt energized over the last week, and I still resisted that, however I did sign up for a training with Field Team 6, so we shall see. I still can't help but feel I'd do more harm than good in any "live" setting. Texting, postcards, ok. All in. But phones, eek. I will see how I feel after the training in August! I do know doing all I can has helped with anxiety.
Teresa, kudos for signing up for a phonebank training. It’s not my fave, but I do phonebank and scripts have been provided with answer prompts for each response. Actually my fave activity is just wearing a t-shirt(Biden/Harris soon to be Harris/? or GOTV message) on every grocery store run/errand and engaging with voters. I’ve been doing this since Feb (live in a red county) with only +responses and convos.
Teresa -- I too am a total introvert. But saving Democracy from the christo-fascists is too important to not help in every way I can. Did my first phone bank yesterday. My next will be on Thursday.
Good for you, Teresa! I'm a phone person with the "gift of gab"... But still, I have to keep reminding myself of the advice you'll probably get in the training: With phone banking, what ends up mattering most, and working best, is to simply ask what's most important to the person you're talking with. Let them tell their story. Then tell yours. Once there's that bond, that bit of trust from each person hearing the other's concern, then you can talk about what policies will help you most, and them.
I also question the effectiveness of phone banking. When I did it I had literally no one answer their phone. I personally don’t answer my phone to numbers I am unfamiliar with. I write postcards instead. However, the most sage truth is that canvassing is probably the most effective interaction any volunteer could offer. Actually talking face to face with our neighbors and allowing them to feel heard, is the game-changer.
I hear you about phone banking. I don't answer my phone to unknown callers either. I wondered about the effectiveness as well until hearing stories from others who, yes, had similar issues. But that they did get through to some people and had great conversations. Even just reaching a handful of people in a district can make a difference. That's what has inspired me. Canvassing I can't see ever being for me, but who knows. If I'm terrified of a phone call, face-to-face would be worse, especially when physical safety is a real concern now. For me, though, while I'm not complacent about my states' blue-ness, I don't think my energy is as effective here this election cycle as it would be working other states.
Hi, Teresa, (I was born Theresa but have been Terry since very young!) I also have resisted phone banking because I get too nervous - not about the conversations (I enjoy those) but about the technology. I'm dyslexic and I get so anxious trying to read the form and talk at the same time. That's why I do texting and post carding. I think it's ok if we each do what we feel we can. Maybe as we get closer I might try again, but for now I'm fine with what I'm doing. Take good care!
Thanks for the encouragement! I agree with you. I think part of me wants to get out of my comfort zone, but I need to get there in my own time and be gentle with myself if it's not for me. I'm already doing more than I've ever done.
Thank you so much for the Politics Girl video about Harris’s accomplishments. Her pointing out that until we had a woman in the role of VP, no one really questioned what they did, or at least didn’t move the goalpost of expectation like they have done for her. This “moving the goalpost” is the greatest indicator of gaslighting going on. They did it to Hillary in 2016, successfully suppressing the vote, giving us the worst presidential team in history: trump & pence.
With NEAZ Native Democrats, you sign up to write postcards to the Indigenous Americans, handwriting a specific message tailored to the groups they are trying to reach (matriarchs, youth, etc) and how to contact a LOCAL organizer, giving their name and phone number. These residents live sometimes hours away from any polling place and may not have wherewithall to get there. The local organizers go to meet them where they llve, talk to them about voting by mail, why elections are important, how to make sure their voices are heard. Click the link and check them out. The Attny Gen of Arizona credited NEAZ Native Democrats votes with giving her the edge and the win in the last election.
have you joined the Cardzilla part? It is going strong.ll You choose a campaign and number of postcards and then get the addresses and instructions. They will be doing this year round. Check it out! Feels good to help them, doesn't it?
Thanks, Diane! I had put the Cardzilla email in a folder and forgotten about it. All signed up.Meanwhile I have postacrds to write through Oct through the Mobilze link. Yes, feel good to help them and I like to point them out when others ask about effectivenss of Postcarding.
Jessica, this is Sally Wilson from the Red county of Pasco in Florida. I wanted to let you know about CD 15, Democrat Pat Kemp is running against the incumbent, Laurel Lee. This is a new district after gerrymandering before the last Mid-Terms. We have a very good chance to flip this district, the Pasco portion of CD 15 is turning bluer and bluer. Please check out Pat Kemp’s campaign, and see if you can help them get the word out to everyone. She is a good candidate, has been a Hillsborough County Commissioner for eight years and is popular in Tampa. Thanks for all you do and the support you give us at the grassroot level.
Thanks for posting Kamala Harris' acceptance speech. It made me cry and laugh and I'm so proud of what we can do together. This is a relay and not a sprint. Joe Biden passed the baton to Kamala Harris and she will honor that trust and move America forward.
Thanks so much for the link to the STA Zoom. I've learned so much from this group of political activists determined to preserve our democracy for the next generations. They start on time and end on time and get lots done!
I’m re-writing my comment. I hope it works. Anyway, thank you, Jessica, for your tireless efforts to save democracy. The GIF is great, and I’m thrilled with the video you shared from Politics Girl. Exactly what we need to spread the word about our fabulous candidate Kamala.
Hope Presidential Candidate Harris will open the Convention to pick her vice presidential running mate. With the quality of candidates available, some of who withdrew from opposing Kamala and in fact endorsing her. We will then have an exciting convention for delegates, TV, public, voters, all of us. We will also have a chance to arm the team with tools to End Putin's War and achieve higher quality and lower cost universal medical care. Love, Doc wish I could phone bank and make you happy
I want to thank you, Jessica for recommending Focus for Democracy many months ago. I have been contributing to the groups they recommend (much more money than I expected to contribute!) and I feel like I am really making a difference supporting the groups with proven track records. Thank you, thank you, thank you - for giving me that opportunity. :)
Off topic, but isn't it interesting that the guy who's supposedly not very sharp anymore seems to have played everybody, even while suffering from COVID?
He snatched victory from the jaws of defeat! By passing the torch! Poof, just like that. And Kamala is taking it and running with it. A new day!
Re: phone banking, I can't help feeling as if I would actually be a detriment to the cause. I am not a real phone person, sure, but I'm also just not great at talking about politics. I tend to have a "freeze" mentality when questioned. I have felt energized over the last week, and I still resisted that, however I did sign up for a training with Field Team 6, so we shall see. I still can't help but feel I'd do more harm than good in any "live" setting. Texting, postcards, ok. All in. But phones, eek. I will see how I feel after the training in August! I do know doing all I can has helped with anxiety.
Teresa, kudos for signing up for a phonebank training. It’s not my fave, but I do phonebank and scripts have been provided with answer prompts for each response. Actually my fave activity is just wearing a t-shirt(Biden/Harris soon to be Harris/? or GOTV message) on every grocery store run/errand and engaging with voters. I’ve been doing this since Feb (live in a red county) with only +responses and convos.
👕🛒
Love this. I need to get out of my comfort zone more. I really do. Strong introvert tendencies to fight against!
Teresa -- I too am a total introvert. But saving Democracy from the christo-fascists is too important to not help in every way I can. Did my first phone bank yesterday. My next will be on Thursday.
Good for you, Teresa! I'm a phone person with the "gift of gab"... But still, I have to keep reminding myself of the advice you'll probably get in the training: With phone banking, what ends up mattering most, and working best, is to simply ask what's most important to the person you're talking with. Let them tell their story. Then tell yours. Once there's that bond, that bit of trust from each person hearing the other's concern, then you can talk about what policies will help you most, and them.
I also question the effectiveness of phone banking. When I did it I had literally no one answer their phone. I personally don’t answer my phone to numbers I am unfamiliar with. I write postcards instead. However, the most sage truth is that canvassing is probably the most effective interaction any volunteer could offer. Actually talking face to face with our neighbors and allowing them to feel heard, is the game-changer.
I hear you about phone banking. I don't answer my phone to unknown callers either. I wondered about the effectiveness as well until hearing stories from others who, yes, had similar issues. But that they did get through to some people and had great conversations. Even just reaching a handful of people in a district can make a difference. That's what has inspired me. Canvassing I can't see ever being for me, but who knows. If I'm terrified of a phone call, face-to-face would be worse, especially when physical safety is a real concern now. For me, though, while I'm not complacent about my states' blue-ness, I don't think my energy is as effective here this election cycle as it would be working other states.
You're not alone, Teresa. I feel exactly as you do.
Hi, Teresa, (I was born Theresa but have been Terry since very young!) I also have resisted phone banking because I get too nervous - not about the conversations (I enjoy those) but about the technology. I'm dyslexic and I get so anxious trying to read the form and talk at the same time. That's why I do texting and post carding. I think it's ok if we each do what we feel we can. Maybe as we get closer I might try again, but for now I'm fine with what I'm doing. Take good care!
Thanks for the encouragement! I agree with you. I think part of me wants to get out of my comfort zone, but I need to get there in my own time and be gentle with myself if it's not for me. I'm already doing more than I've ever done.
Teresa, you do what you can. It's all good!
Thank you so much for the Politics Girl video about Harris’s accomplishments. Her pointing out that until we had a woman in the role of VP, no one really questioned what they did, or at least didn’t move the goalpost of expectation like they have done for her. This “moving the goalpost” is the greatest indicator of gaslighting going on. They did it to Hillary in 2016, successfully suppressing the vote, giving us the worst presidential team in history: trump & pence.
Another postcard opportunity: https://neaznativedemocrats.org/
With NEAZ Native Democrats, you sign up to write postcards to the Indigenous Americans, handwriting a specific message tailored to the groups they are trying to reach (matriarchs, youth, etc) and how to contact a LOCAL organizer, giving their name and phone number. These residents live sometimes hours away from any polling place and may not have wherewithall to get there. The local organizers go to meet them where they llve, talk to them about voting by mail, why elections are important, how to make sure their voices are heard. Click the link and check them out. The Attny Gen of Arizona credited NEAZ Native Democrats votes with giving her the edge and the win in the last election.
Hi Diane,
NEAZ Native Dems is my fave group to postcard with but I believe they are at capacity for this election cycle.
https://www.mobilize.us/aznativeorganizingcampaign/event/527542/
have you joined the Cardzilla part? It is going strong.ll You choose a campaign and number of postcards and then get the addresses and instructions. They will be doing this year round. Check it out! Feels good to help them, doesn't it?
Will someone forward the Cardzilla email to me? hijesscraven101@gmail.com?
Thanks, Diane! I had put the Cardzilla email in a folder and forgotten about it. All signed up.Meanwhile I have postacrds to write through Oct through the Mobilze link. Yes, feel good to help them and I like to point them out when others ask about effectivenss of Postcarding.
Jessica, this is Sally Wilson from the Red county of Pasco in Florida. I wanted to let you know about CD 15, Democrat Pat Kemp is running against the incumbent, Laurel Lee. This is a new district after gerrymandering before the last Mid-Terms. We have a very good chance to flip this district, the Pasco portion of CD 15 is turning bluer and bluer. Please check out Pat Kemp’s campaign, and see if you can help them get the word out to everyone. She is a good candidate, has been a Hillsborough County Commissioner for eight years and is popular in Tampa. Thanks for all you do and the support you give us at the grassroot level.
Oh please send me any GOTV stuff you have for her! Postcarding? Phonebanking? I will amplify all of that!
Thanks for posting Kamala Harris' acceptance speech. It made me cry and laugh and I'm so proud of what we can do together. This is a relay and not a sprint. Joe Biden passed the baton to Kamala Harris and she will honor that trust and move America forward.
Big Keb Mo fan and forgot all about this song that was released 5 years ago with Roseann Cash.
A long time to get here but here we are.
Put a Women in Charge - Keb Mo with Roseann Cash
Have a listen.
https://youtu.be/FciQeRGYFlw?feature=shared
Thanks so much for the link to the STA Zoom. I've learned so much from this group of political activists determined to preserve our democracy for the next generations. They start on time and end on time and get lots done!
I’m re-writing my comment. I hope it works. Anyway, thank you, Jessica, for your tireless efforts to save democracy. The GIF is great, and I’m thrilled with the video you shared from Politics Girl. Exactly what we need to spread the word about our fabulous candidate Kamala.
Thank you for your incredible service. This is such a valuable resource for all of us. LFG 💚⭐️
Hope Presidential Candidate Harris will open the Convention to pick her vice presidential running mate. With the quality of candidates available, some of who withdrew from opposing Kamala and in fact endorsing her. We will then have an exciting convention for delegates, TV, public, voters, all of us. We will also have a chance to arm the team with tools to End Putin's War and achieve higher quality and lower cost universal medical care. Love, Doc wish I could phone bank and make you happy
I want to thank you, Jessica for recommending Focus for Democracy many months ago. I have been contributing to the groups they recommend (much more money than I expected to contribute!) and I feel like I am really making a difference supporting the groups with proven track records. Thank you, thank you, thank you - for giving me that opportunity. :)