Thank you again for linking us to the text banking training/session yesterday!! It was so easy and fun once we got through literally overloading TextOut!! So easy, in fact, that my dad and fiance are seriously considering signing up with me for future sessions! Enthusiasm is contagious, y'all, and watching both of these people in my life (and other friends, too) become more interested in being involved just because they see how excited I am is so encouraging! We all have always had service minded hearts, but without you, Jess, we still wouldn't really know where to start 💜💜💜
So according to some FT6 volunteers that were answering questions in the slack chat, they won't have true data on whether the people we texted actually registered right away, as it takes some time for those records to update.
But, according to the in house research they shared based on their midterms 2022 outreach, they said they have about a 30% conversion rate for these text banks, which is very high considering the rate of text spam these days!
Yay!! Trust me that the actual text banking is pretty easy, but SO many people yesterday were interested in training that the zoom was full and it was a little chaotic. But just pay attention to how they're explaining when to use which answers with people and wait for the links and you'll be good!! See you next Saturday!! 🥰
Wow, as someone who's been reading these every week for a long time even I was shocked at the amount of good news this week. Two comments:
1. The public rejection of Trump by Republicans is unprecedented and way underreported. And it's not just mealy-mouthed statements about not voting or writing in a candidate; they're explicitly voting for Harris and encouraging others to do the same. If this were happening on our side it would be the top story every day until the election.
2. I think the Twitch thing is kind of a big deal. One of the not-stupid things Trump is doing is trying to engage with young men on these kind of platforms. We can't cede that ground, and as someone who enjoys video games I hate that it's often associated with right-wing toxic masculinity. The Harris campaign can play in these spaces in a way the Biden campaign probably couldn't have pulled off.
Just donated to all 3 organizations! This week, at the progressive public health organization I work for (in a blue state) we're having an open forum on taking action for the election. I created a cheat sheet of ways to get involved which features many of the organizations I've learned about from here with credit (and many links) to your newsletter. I've updated the links for donating strategically to be the ones with the match.
P.S. I had a text thread with my friends during Kamala's speech and there were many comments about the balloon drop so I just shared that article with them. Also, I was on a phone bank for Kamala on Friday and there were many new volunteers who had never phone banked before who had joined to "Do Something!"
Heartwarming story about the balloon drop, but also heartbreaking that Tommy DeLorenzo is battling Stage 4 cancer and will be, as a last resort, having stem cell transplant surgery with his sister as donor.
I did wonder whether it was a new kind of material, because latex will degrade on its own after a few years, but now I wonder if that's what they're referring to in the story. Regardless, whenever those get out into oceans and forests, wildlife is impacted negatively - birds, fish, turtles and other animals ingest the pieces and then die from malnutrition because their bellies are filled and they are unable to consume actual food. Balloons released on ribbons entangle wildlife and strangle or incapacitate as well. The US Fish and Wildlife website has some horrific heartbreaking images of such examples.
I have listened to your interview with Scott Dworkin several times…including while falling asleep last night. So inspiring. I’ve saved it for the next time those feelings of dread hit me in the pit of my stomach. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
thanks for this very educational link! I had started with the USFWS site first but am glad to see there are independent advocates out there for the animals.
Phenomenal list of celebrations! Coming on top of the incredible convention week, it makes momentum absolutely roar! Jess, cannot thank you enough for listing all these positive changes and happenings.
Jessica, would you please shine your amazing spotlight on this organization, that is working to register high school students? https://www.thecivicscenter.org/hsvrw
Amusing to read this from TokyoSand about Kamala's "tan suit":
"People, of course noticed that Kamala Harris wore a tan suit the first day of the convention, a nod, perhaps to the great controversy of Obama‘s presidency – him wearing a tan suit. But I had to raise a glass when I learned that the color of her Chloe suit was “coconut brown.”"
Full issue here along with some very amusing political cartoons:
But actually this is probably the best place to ask since this is where I found the link. Has anyone here written letters for Working America in the past? I bought stamps weeks ago and emailed Working America weeks ago with this question but haven't heard back...
Q: I can see the script and where I'm supposed to put my personal story in. Is the *whole* letter supposed to be hand written or just the personal story, name, and signature??
I have been dealing with a family situation these last couple weeks which has put me a few days behind on my large postcard stack, so I don't want to sign up for more letters than I can handle!
Thanks SO much in advance to whoever can answer this!! 💜💜
I am almost positive. The whole letter is not supposed to be handwritten or it never was when I did them. There should be a letter you print and then you just add your personal note to the middle of it.
I do know a person who can answer this question for you so if you want, you can email me at HijessCraven101@gmail.com and I will put you on an email with her
Hi Pam! I just heard back and you indeed do *not* need to hand write the whole letter, just the parts that you need to add such as the name, personal message, and signature! :) :)
Not sure if anyone else had made note of this, but I want to share that the AP headline, shared in this FABULOUS list of good news, is not accurate. The Supreme Court only partially denied Arizona's effort to block 41,000+ from voting. I had just dug into this a day or so earlier and actually downloaded the document that outlines acceptable documents required to prove citizenship for those registering to vote in AZ. All of them are likely difficult for young, first time voters to get their hands on. Here's the list: "Arizona drivers license (students from other states likely don't have), photocopy of birth certificate (I imagine most people don't have that easily on hand), photocopy of US Passport (too many people, especially young ones, don't even has a passport), photocopy of US Naturalization docs or Alien Registration Number, or Bureau of Indian Affairs card number, Tribal Treaty Card Number, or Tribal Enrollment Number." In short... we have work to do in AZ!
Another lovely long list of accomplishments!!
Thank you again for linking us to the text banking training/session yesterday!! It was so easy and fun once we got through literally overloading TextOut!! So easy, in fact, that my dad and fiance are seriously considering signing up with me for future sessions! Enthusiasm is contagious, y'all, and watching both of these people in my life (and other friends, too) become more interested in being involved just because they see how excited I am is so encouraging! We all have always had service minded hearts, but without you, Jess, we still wouldn't really know where to start 💜💜💜
Thank you so much for signing up to do that! My husband was there too! Do you have any idea if any voters registered?
So according to some FT6 volunteers that were answering questions in the slack chat, they won't have true data on whether the people we texted actually registered right away, as it takes some time for those records to update.
But, according to the in house research they shared based on their midterms 2022 outreach, they said they have about a 30% conversion rate for these text banks, which is very high considering the rate of text spam these days!
What is this please? Do you have a link? Thank you!
Let me know if this link works for you!
https://www.mobilize.us/theunion/event/643009/?referring_vol=6996539&rname=Julia×lot=4378418&referring_participation=29138254&referring_data_signature=v1-699610c031f9a6c0&share_medium=sms_copy_link&share_context=sms_registration
All signed up! Grateful!!
Yay!! Trust me that the actual text banking is pretty easy, but SO many people yesterday were interested in training that the zoom was full and it was a little chaotic. But just pay attention to how they're explaining when to use which answers with people and wait for the links and you'll be good!! See you next Saturday!! 🥰
Thanks so much Julie taking a look!
Wow, as someone who's been reading these every week for a long time even I was shocked at the amount of good news this week. Two comments:
1. The public rejection of Trump by Republicans is unprecedented and way underreported. And it's not just mealy-mouthed statements about not voting or writing in a candidate; they're explicitly voting for Harris and encouraging others to do the same. If this were happening on our side it would be the top story every day until the election.
2. I think the Twitch thing is kind of a big deal. One of the not-stupid things Trump is doing is trying to engage with young men on these kind of platforms. We can't cede that ground, and as someone who enjoys video games I hate that it's often associated with right-wing toxic masculinity. The Harris campaign can play in these spaces in a way the Biden campaign probably couldn't have pulled off.
I completely agree. I hardly understand what twitch is, but I know it’s a big deal that they are on it.
👍💙
Just donated to all 3 organizations! This week, at the progressive public health organization I work for (in a blue state) we're having an open forum on taking action for the election. I created a cheat sheet of ways to get involved which features many of the organizations I've learned about from here with credit (and many links) to your newsletter. I've updated the links for donating strategically to be the ones with the match.
P.S. I had a text thread with my friends during Kamala's speech and there were many comments about the balloon drop so I just shared that article with them. Also, I was on a phone bank for Kamala on Friday and there were many new volunteers who had never phone banked before who had joined to "Do Something!"
Love this and thank you!
Heartwarming story about the balloon drop, but also heartbreaking that Tommy DeLorenzo is battling Stage 4 cancer and will be, as a last resort, having stem cell transplant surgery with his sister as donor.
His modest GoFundMe is https://gofund.me/908ed837
Thank you for posting this!
The story of the balloons is heartwarming. However, even latex balloons are not biodegradable.
https://www.sbck.org/the-deflating-reality-of-balloons/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3P8LNLuA_4z8I1xi4IM_mF4TtjXT_es5r-x8TiGoo1QQ1hiNkB0bSn05o_aem_J4H90eYze55q8Y4YNvtqaQ
Aw I wondered. Too bad! But still a nice story.
Yes, but we must please admit that there must be alternatives to balloons.
0 100% I never use them
I did wonder whether it was a new kind of material, because latex will degrade on its own after a few years, but now I wonder if that's what they're referring to in the story. Regardless, whenever those get out into oceans and forests, wildlife is impacted negatively - birds, fish, turtles and other animals ingest the pieces and then die from malnutrition because their bellies are filled and they are unable to consume actual food. Balloons released on ribbons entangle wildlife and strangle or incapacitate as well. The US Fish and Wildlife website has some horrific heartbreaking images of such examples.
Thanks for that additional information.
I have listened to your interview with Scott Dworkin several times…including while falling asleep last night. So inspiring. I’ve saved it for the next time those feelings of dread hit me in the pit of my stomach. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
I’m so glad you found it helpful!
Also:
https://balloonsblow.org/impacts-on-wildlife-and-environment/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2nOlUIbd-2_ninwZWA3_DbvZufa7tHNXX4jxCEfFKH1yZh2q1mBmsbLZo_aem_9M2_cQooKZl1RE-4I2hq9w
I’ll put this in the newsletter.
thanks for this very educational link! I had started with the USFWS site first but am glad to see there are independent advocates out there for the animals.
Phenomenal list of celebrations! Coming on top of the incredible convention week, it makes momentum absolutely roar! Jess, cannot thank you enough for listing all these positive changes and happenings.
Always happy to do so, Freda!
No yelling, no threatening-just the facts. The video shows us how to handle the "challenges" of conservatism gone haywire.
Love the video. Go Kamala.
Jessica, would you please shine your amazing spotlight on this organization, that is working to register high school students? https://www.thecivicscenter.org/hsvrw
Oh I’ve highlighted their work many times! And will again!
Another great list Jess!
Can you please provide a link for the last video here, of Kamala questioning these questionable types? I'd like to share it. Thanks!
How about Instagram? https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-85iSHubmm/?igsh=MWQ1ZGUxMzBkMA==
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNTfxdbx/
Thanks! I wonder if there's a YouTube version.
I think of you go to @kamalaHQ on YouTube it’s likely there
I don't see one. I thought they might also be posting the tiktoks on YouTube but it doesn't appear that way
I bet there is, let me look real quick
Amusing to read this from TokyoSand about Kamala's "tan suit":
"People, of course noticed that Kamala Harris wore a tan suit the first day of the convention, a nod, perhaps to the great controversy of Obama‘s presidency – him wearing a tan suit. But I had to raise a glass when I learned that the color of her Chloe suit was “coconut brown.”"
Full issue here along with some very amusing political cartoons:
https://politicalcharge.org/2024/08/25/weekly-recap-8-25-the-joyful-dnc/
Great cartoons! 💙 the last one.
But actually this is probably the best place to ask since this is where I found the link. Has anyone here written letters for Working America in the past? I bought stamps weeks ago and emailed Working America weeks ago with this question but haven't heard back...
Q: I can see the script and where I'm supposed to put my personal story in. Is the *whole* letter supposed to be hand written or just the personal story, name, and signature??
I have been dealing with a family situation these last couple weeks which has put me a few days behind on my large postcard stack, so I don't want to sign up for more letters than I can handle!
Thanks SO much in advance to whoever can answer this!! 💜💜
I am almost positive. The whole letter is not supposed to be handwritten or it never was when I did them. There should be a letter you print and then you just add your personal note to the middle of it.
I do know a person who can answer this question for you so if you want, you can email me at HijessCraven101@gmail.com and I will put you on an email with her
Thank you! Sent! 🥰
Following- I have stamps too ready too go!
Hi Pam! I just heard back and you indeed do *not* need to hand write the whole letter, just the parts that you need to add such as the name, personal message, and signature! :) :)
Not sure if anyone else had made note of this, but I want to share that the AP headline, shared in this FABULOUS list of good news, is not accurate. The Supreme Court only partially denied Arizona's effort to block 41,000+ from voting. I had just dug into this a day or so earlier and actually downloaded the document that outlines acceptable documents required to prove citizenship for those registering to vote in AZ. All of them are likely difficult for young, first time voters to get their hands on. Here's the list: "Arizona drivers license (students from other states likely don't have), photocopy of birth certificate (I imagine most people don't have that easily on hand), photocopy of US Passport (too many people, especially young ones, don't even has a passport), photocopy of US Naturalization docs or Alien Registration Number, or Bureau of Indian Affairs card number, Tribal Treaty Card Number, or Tribal Enrollment Number." In short... we have work to do in AZ!
The link to the last video doesn’t work for me. It looks like Harris questioning what’s-his-name for Supreme Court. Could you help with this?