Organizing a Group

From Operation Cat Herder

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Organizing a Group

Basics of organizing

Although it might sound too formal, it is a good idea to email a meeting agenda one or two days prior to your meeting. Let everyone know that the agenda is simply a tool to help you stay on track and that it is flexible. Inform them that if there is something pressing that someone needs to add, please get contact you so that your item can be included at the meeting.

On the day of the meeting, print several copies of the agenda, including one for yourself. At the meeting, be sure to ask if there is anything else that anyone wants to address.

Have someone take the minutes of the meeting by checking off and fleshing out the response to each item on the agenda. Email the minutes to all members within 24 hours of the meeting. This allows you to correct mistakes and catch the occasional change of mind. In your email, mention that you welcome corrections of errors ASAP. If you have made a mistake about sign-ups, this allows you to reassign duties.

Attached is copy of the May agenda. I am also finishing a letter that we be sent to all member of The Central Florida Meet Up. I plan to send e-mail every two weeks to keep interest up. Emphasis should be placed on getting people registered as Republicans, so they can vote in the primary for Ron Paul. I will also point out that we should not do any thing to cause damage to the campaign. If we look organized to the media we will get better coverage.

scratchpad

seeding...

This idea may have been thought of/posted before. If so, here's my take on it: When a RPer first goes to Meetup, they either see a meetup already in their area and/or asked to sign up as "interested". IMO if a RPer sees that a meetup group is in their area, they are much more likely to take the time to register with Meetup than if there isn't a meetup. I noticed that Chicago had 16 interested for the longest time. Three days ago (5/19) someone set up a group, and now they have 56 members! The idea: Find an area in the US that has some interested RPers, but not a meetup group yet. Contact one of the "interested" encouraging them to create a group. Explain the whole "if you create it, they will join" concept. More meetups mean more members. More members mean more signs/T-shirts/RP exposure. More RP exposure means... well we all know what that means. I realize that these areas will probably eventually have meetup groups. This idea is just a way to accelerate the process. And as we all know, time is of the essence. I'm in the process of testing the theory: I went to the main "Ron Paul 2008 Meetups Everywhere" link and typed in my hometown's zip (you can also change the URL to a certain town //ronpaul.meetup.com/cities/us/il/decatur/) I emailed an "interested" member from my hometown

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We just had our first meetup yesterday here in North Carolina and one of our members (Jeff Jacobochee(sp)) had an interesting insight that I thought I'd share with you in case you find it helpful.

Jeff suggested that when we meet together as a group, that we don't just get together and discuss things. He suggested that when we meet we should *do* things for the campaign as we talk about our progress on other fronts and as we strategize for the future. I think this insight is going to have a significant impact on our meetup because our group won't just be talkers but we'll also be doers.

Another member (Rachell Mills) then suggested a free car wash meetup where we would have a chance to talk to folks about Ron Paul while serving those in the community. Another member then suggested that if anyone is interested in learning more about him, we'll be able to give them an audio cd of Ron Paul statements that they can listen to in the car on the way home. I like ideas like this because we're serving people. I also like the idea because we've earned a bit of permission to at least talk to them for a few minutes about Ron Paul since they've accepted the free car wash. We're not spamming or harassing people, we're just talking to them while there car is being washed. Plus, cars passing by will see all of the Ron Paul signs. And we'll hopefully have a YouTube video to share with the internet world.

We're also going to start having our meetings in very public places like malls where folks will start to notice how many Ron Paul supporters there are in our area. Of course, we'll be covered in Ron Paul gear for these meetings and we're hoping that folks will be curious enough to ask us what the deal is.

I also thought I'd mention that we had one person drive 60 miles to get to the meeting and another drove 120 miles to get there. We're quite excited about the Ron Paul campaign.

Duff OMelia

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Laurie wrote:

Hi,

My name is Laurie Hoppe and I started the Capital Area Ron Paul 2008 Meetup Group in Lansing, Michigan this week. We currently have 18 members and I am trying to plan for our first Meetup an the next 2 weeks.
I have absolutely no idea of what I am doing and have never worked on any type of political thing before. So I am really groping in the dark right now. I have heard that there is hopefully going to be some type of National Organizer being brought on board to help get us organized, but I am not sure when this is supposed to happen.
I am interested in this Advokit training when it is next availabe. Can someone tell me what this program is and what it is supposed to do?
Thanks, Laurie

== Laurie,

You are running a meetup group, not a campaign. Where you meet will determine the outcome of the meetup. For instance, if you are meeting at a restaurant, mainly what you will do is eat and discuss informally. If you meet in a library meeting room, you might get more done. Does the library meeting room have a vcr/dvd player/large screen TV? If so, put them to use, but don't use all of your meetup time with a video presentation. I have been there, done that. Have a sandwich shop to go to or coffee shop for AFTER the meetup. Brush up on Robert's rules of order, if you have to control a larger group. Bear in mind that about half the people who RSVP actually show, its worse if the weather is bad.

Have a table with lots of stuff for people to buy such as DVD's, buttons, lighters, etc.

I am going to suggest a lawnsign campaign to the meetup group here in Missouri.

Pete

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On June 14, Clearwater FL will have its first Meetup. Today we have 46 members with 41 yes's. The rented space has room for 60. I am going to raise the limit of yes's to 80 (?). Organizers, this is my first foray into politics. I'm looking for advice on how to handle the meeting. Those I've visited have been very loosely structured. The requests I've made for particiption prior to June 14 including 3 C.offee Meets and this coming Friday's sign waving have had little expressed interest.
I would like us to do three things to help get Ron Paul elected.

1. Increase name recognition:

a.Weekly sign waving

b.Yard signs

c.Bumper sticker

d.Flyers: "Who is Ron Paul?" "Watch for Ron Paul on…." and others.

e.Putting the question "Who is Ron Paul?" On our cars with glass markers from Party City or using a professional stencil.

f.Other?

2. Identify easily converted voters.

Many Republicans, Democrats and Independents already support Ron Paul. Many just don’t know that he is their choice. Use the "Find Your Place on the Political Chart" (theadvocates.org) to discover quickly people who need only a little education to vote for Ron Paul. Completing the questions and making the tally only takes a minute or two.

3. Include neighborhood satellites as a part of our Meetup.

Each member can choose to be certain that anyone who wants to vote in his neighborhood:

a.will be registered as Republican by December 29 (postmarked) and

b.will get to the polls on January 29, 2008; and

c.will be furnished an absentee ballot if desired.

4. Media Contacts (next meeting)

a. Broadcast

b. Print

5. Relate Ron Paul's activities/plans

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Thanks for the kind words regarding our Meetups growth. There are a number of reasons for our quick growth and I'll try not to run on too much...

1. Ron Pauls message; initially we used our small restaurant, leaving literature here and there for public reading. We now have a "Ron Paul wall" facing the entrance into the sitting area w/ a handpainted, old fashioned RP for pres. sign, poster sized copy of the Constitution, Quote from JFK about freedom, and "Rosie the Riveter - we can do it" billboard. Near the register we have bumper stickers and literature we adapted (the flyer we use is two sided, first side "official" introduction to Ron Paul, flip side is listed websites we find quick and informative, ending with our Leicester Meetup site) Our staff wear RP buttons and T-Shirts (most effective are the "Who is Ron Paul" shirt since EVERYBODY asks...our answer is "Our next President") We have a binder for RP with many of his congressional speeches in print and leave it at different tables letting people read if they want. Comment; We've gathered about 1/3 of our meetup group from this method but mostly it gets the word out and people are asking questions.
2. When we started our meetup group there was only one other group in the state and it meets in Boston. Unless you live in Mass. you might not know that Boston is a hub of their own (no harm intended) and so other RP supporters were looking to stay away from the big city. We initially had folks driving 75 miles to attend. In a nutshell this just speaks to the need of the public seeking to discuss RP with anyone! Our location is Central Mass so we are in a great place for Connecticut and western mass. A meetup has started next door in Worcester which is the 2nd largest city in New England so we will see if our growth was due to geography.
3. Our meetups; We hold meetings EVERY week...there is always an agenda to stay focused on, there are always pre-mtg task oriented reminders, and always mtg notes posted so anyone not able to attend knows what is happening. Keeping people on task and assigning these tasks is imperative to involvement. No one should walk away without a task though you can only "lead them to water". (I particularly liked a prior posting talking about member involvement and "weeding out" but do not agree with the weeding out part since people often rise to the occasion when they are ready and I'm not willing to lose one vote or one body handing out literature)
4. We had healthy meetup "debate" about "joining" forces with, for example, ACLU leading a return of Habeas Corpus rally. (We had previously discussed not using signs regarding 911 or tax issues). Ultimately we didn't view sign holding on a major intersection in the city, passing out literature as presenting Ron Paul as an ACLU supporter. We stood on the fringes, at the street presenting to passersby...asked folks if they would like RP info....and we wouldn't hesitate to have an ACLU member join our ranks as long as our meetups are strictly focused on RP.
5. We don't discuss RP issues at our mtgs...I wish we could but again, we focus on activism not education. We use our meetup SITE for group members to send RP and other info to assist in our continuing education of important issues. (I loved the posting stating that their group breaks up into two separate groups and am thinking of adding this as an "introductory" period for new members. We seek info from members on opportunities they find in their local papers, magazines, churches...
6. I think the biggest reason for our groups growth is a combination of the NEED for a voice that represents the discontented (Massachusetts is full of them!!!) and, perhaps, the meetup groups organization. People, in general, are able to follow, do small tasks, listen and provide their opinions and feedback but DO NOT KNOW HOW to take the next step...PROVIDE STRUCTURE & CONSISTENCY for them. Tell them what the options are and help them choose. The easier it is for them, the better. (One of my past jobs was finding, training, and monitoring of volunteers to advocate "Best Interest" for children involved in the court system - difficult work and painful to coordinate - so this is sort of fun and easy) You will find, within your group, some people who are more capable, more willing...help them step up to the plate...nurture them, assign larger tasks...but, ultimately, the Organizer has to be responsible for seeing tasks to fruition.
7. A last minute assignment for our group before our sign spamming event July3/4th - we found a Western Mass/Connecticut paper had written a great article about RP. One of our members (a shining star) called the paper, drove down, and picked up 500 copies. We divided what we could quickly...our cars will have at least a dozen copies at all times and we will leave them everywhere...doctors offices, gas stations, people we run into. In other words, always be prepared to tell someone who RP is...I'm in NY on vacation and have left them at 3 locations during the 8 hour trip. Will leave the rest here in NY at various locations. My family will see the fireworks on the 4th in a crowd of 50,000+ and we will all have bright blue RP t shirts on...there is an opportunity EVERYWHERE to spread the word...some newby's will become members!

Well...I lied about making this brief and my family wonders where I've gone...so sorry there is no Meetup group in Olean, NY or I'd be assisting them in whatever INDEPENDENCE activities they had. For now, thank you all for continued informative posts.
Regards, Jenny

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Hi to all,

I'm an organizer of a relatively new group (4 mtgs) which has grown from 4 to 35 members in 4 wks. I am in a small town of 11,000 in Central Massachusetts - a LIBERAL state, to say the least, since "we" don't vote for Republicans (did you follow the Amnesty bill??? We have Kennedy and Kerry) though we had a recent extremely liberal newspaper provide a front page picture and interview with our beloved Ron Paul http://www.valleyadvocate.com/ (Our restaurant has 500 copies to hand out to the public!)

I read every email from organizers, often praying for that bit of wisdom/information that converts the next person into a voting Ron Paul supporter. I am fighting an uphill battle to even get our members to put their names and info on the meetup site (we have many regular attendees who will not sign up)...they are f*#&kin' AFRAID of government here! Many are tax protesters, supporters of the Browns, and just generally not willing to be subject to more backlash from government (We have a current bill to illegalize transfats...in case you didn't know a donut was bad for you - help! Am I looking for govt. to be my parent?).

I am a business owner (small crazy "kitchen"/restaurant) who SPAMS the public with Ron Paul and taking back the govt. (aren't they OUR servants?) I have "take out" literature including his "basic" info - flip side is our "recommended" websites, ending with our Meetup group. (We have GREAT food so the spamming is tolerated!)
Here's the problem; I have accessed EVERY spot on the Organizers site...I find the MOST useful to be the files! What I need are TOOLS which are something I might not have thought of....I have group energy, I have technology (obviously) but what puts me off are emails which contain "propaganda" for issues....

I recently led a meetup at an ACLU meeting (I don't belong) which was an outcry for people to DEMAND Habeaus Corpus and an end to Guatanamo in which we (meetup members) were 1/3 of the group (with our signs and handouts) but the kicker was that there was "debate" among our meetup group regarding our attendance...again, I will take whomever agrees with an "issue" to whatever spot is necessary to promote Ron Paul.

I, as organizer, will publicize any issue Ron Paul supports (with attendees who support that particular issue) BUT here's my question/dilemma...I don't need to know that other organizers may or may not like his position on a particular issue. I am a woman who will NEVER walk with Pro-Lifers but will continue to promote him regardless of this particular issue. In a nutshell, I wish this group would send me relative, informative information without wasting my time with their agenda....(WHERE is comment from JASON the FORMIDABLE? and Nicki) I, too, am caustic and quick witted (though perhaps offensive).

In closing, I am tireless, though tired - please post MORE TOOLS like "how to's" that you have found effective (on file which I can OPEN not excel!) and PLEASE continue ALL debate...I am grateful for a group of Ron Paul LOVERS...WHAT WOULD WE BE WITHOUT HIM??? HOPELESS!
Gratefully, Jenny

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Jenny one thing I have found useful is to recruit members from other meetup groups in your area. Meetup.com will allow you to send 12 emails to other groups per day. I don't just send invites to any group, I send to the groups that are politically motivated in some way. We have a Republicans meetup, a Democrats meetup, a Libertarian meetup, an Impeach Bush meetup, and so on. I have gotten several new members this way.

Also our group is going out to our river's levee for the 4th of July celebration. There will be tons of people and it's a great opportunity for us to get out a ton of flyers.

Another thing that is very important is sign waves. Basically you pick a street corner with lots of traffic and hold up RonPaul2008.com signs and wave at the cars that pass by. In very little time you can introduce Ron's name to many many people. These are especially great because anybody can do these at anytime, you don't have to arrange a special meetup for it. Someone comes home from work decides they have an extra 1/2 hour, they go out, and several hundred new people have heard of Ron Paul.

Lastly I went to Hobby Lobby (a craft store, don't know if you have them there) and found some weather resistant window markers. Several of our members now have www.RonPaul2008.com written very largely across their windshield in red, white, and blue. This is much more easily seen than a bumpersticker and by more people.

I generally try to look for the methods in which I get the most "bang for my buck" per se. I think about how I can get Ron Paul's name out to the most people in the shortest amount of time or with the least effort.

Hope this helps, Carla (Baton Rouge, LA organizer)

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Many of "us" in our capacities have actually refused payment from HQ or the "official coordinator" titles because both encumber what you can actually do to support Ron Paul and so as to avoid potentially breaking the arbitrary and convoluted rules and regs of the FEC vis a vis McCain-Feingold. If you;ve read said rules and regs, Nathan et al, you'd know that the word "coordination" is not defined, so best avoid anything that could be interpreted as coordination in moving forward. After all, laws like this are actualy created to stifle if not altogether arrest/impede impetus to promote anyone.

We are spending copious amounts of money, time, and energy promoting Dr. Paul and have done many things including but not limited to:

-Host the most lucrative fundraising event in Congressman Paul's career (with two more on the way in July (and money is still coming in from the first because of the promotions we created and the way DZ structured it))

-Organically created a technological environment by which to operate securely, free of the inherent conflicts on meetup and other ASP sites. We've also purchased our own independent server so we can securely host data and consolidate our digital efforts into teams and repsective projects

-Weekly press releases and media advisories urging well-positioned media outlets to run Ron Paul related stories or host a Ron Paul appearance on their outlet.

-Obtained voter roles and delegate information for three States (outside of Texas): Iowa, New Hampshire, Wyoming (and fingers crossed, the Carolinas)

-Petitioned Federal authorities to investigate irregularities in other campaigns or initiatives disfavorable to RP, including but not limited to the launch of an IRS investigation into Iowans for Tax Relief

-Created strategic planning to drive traction and RP awareness

-Created one legal instrurment and one PAC to protect personal liabilities and create a legally enjoined mechanism for succession planning, so that regardless of the presidential outcome, we will always be prepared to support constitutional candidates

-Brokered and pipelined the most cost-effective RP campaign collateral on Earth.

-Planned and Executed the only phone banking and [hand]letter-writing outreach effort in the country

-Consolidated the momentum of the largest MeetUp group in the country, so that we are channeling energies rather than moderating energies.

-Established a contingency plan for the innaugural Texas Straw Poll the last weekend in August to raise awareness for Congressman Paul and actually nominate Ron Paul supported delgates to the State Convention in an effort to take the Republic back from from the Neo-cons in our home state and uplift the only true conservative candidate on Earth.

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Thanks, Jennifer! Very useful report. Here in the mountains, we have unique opportunities and obstacles. Where folks are fairly isolated in terms of meeting up with other supporters, we still have a major amount of tourists to take advantage of. Though we have a good base in Nederland, I am focusing on getting materials to “lone rangers” in the various towns along the major mountain highway of i70 (aspen, vail, Idaho Springs – where we have the FABULOUS S.Scannell) and also the outlying areas of Breckenridge and now a new member in Fraser who can work winter park and granby. The “lone rangers” may only be one here and there, but are able to accomplish a lot by going on ‘walkabout’ with their gear at local events. The highways and small towns here are flooded with tourism year round so I want to take advantage of that even where supporters are unable to organize for larger events and impact.

We will do it, won’t we? Crazy and beautiful. See you at the inauguration party! MFE

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1. I use the "Survey" listed on the files of this very group to solicit information about each member when they join. All members have filled this out so when we are planning an event I relook at it and say (to myself cause out loud would be weird)..."who would be good at this and who would be good at that???? I then "pin them down" by reminding them at the meeting that they said they were comfortable w/ that type of activity. Smiling and calling them on their chosen level of expected behavior usually helps! If I had 100 members this would be a challenge (I would enlist help from Asst. Org.) but with only 52 members, I manage.

2. I use a sign up sheet for every mtg (why should you have to remember everything, including who attended?) Every week I solicit "something" from my group....one wk. I asked (for response on paper) if anyone had "police/security" experience, another wk I asked how many Ron Paul videos they had watched since the last mtg. I always ENGAGE them; a quote of the week or comment on the bottom leading them to feel part of the process instead of just being "yakked" at. This week was a "comeback" to the typical comment - "Why bother voting for Ron Paul since he won't win anyways?" Comeback - "Doesn't stop millions of people from playing the lottery does it? Guess they have HOPE!"

3. Bring tasks TO your meetup group ie stop doing it all yourself! Want banners made? Our group does not have a fee involved but we send a "hat" around, save the money, purchase items....bring it to the group to do the tasks involved. Sometimes, the same people who seem content to sit there and listen at a meeting need to be physically handed a project...put it under their noses and get them going.

4. Next thing I have for my group....we'll pick a different person in the group and do a sign wave in THEIR town. In otherwords, find where their level playing field and go to them. You have to know THEIR agenda in order to get them motivated. Hate saying it (cuz I'm not!) but you must be THEIR cheerleader and take their lead.

5. MOST important thing I can tell you....EVERYONE has something to offer! As their fearless leader it is your job to figure out their psyche!!!! This is not to imply that everyone will begin attending all events. I was never, and expect I would hate to be, a PollyAnna. Sometimes, when you have just a few members showing to meetings (it is summer folks!) you won't be sitting alone now will you! Besides, isn't this about reaching everyone? Do you really know the impact you are having on the people who seem disengaged?

Can we all remember the power we have? Whether you reach 100 count membership, have 75% activism w/ said membership, feel fulfilled, blah blah blah...none of that matters. We are gaining strength, we are young and learning, and we have more dedication than ANY political group that I am aware of.

Mark and all others who may feel that "enough is not enough"....you are in MY heart! You have full support from this group....whether it's tactical, emotional or simply venting....BRING IT ON !

After a day in the sunshine at Hampton Beach New Hampshire - supporting my brothers and sisters in their "fight"...I'm now preparing to join my brothers/sisters in Maine to see the Bush Compound's reaction to RP supporters, Peace/AntiWar activists, etc. on the 25th.

We are all in this together creating a new history. Still in the trenches, Jenny Leicester Massachusetts (Patriots) Meetup 246

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Hi everyone!

I will be hosting my first Ron Paul meet-up on Monday. I'm very new to activism, and I am a little nervous about the meeting. I want to support and encourage those who attend to keep coming and to participate in getting Ron Paul recognized and understood here in South Carolina. I don't want to scare anyone off, and I want to be careful of the fragile "curious" attendees that may not have decided what they want to do.

Do any of you have any suggestions for me? What were some of the things you did for your first meet-up? I'm acting alone at the moment, so I don't have other people planning the meeting with me. Please remember that when you make suggestions  :)

Thanks so much for your encouragement, support, and help! Thanks so much for this forum, and THANKS so much for the wonderful flyers that were sent to me!

High Regards,

Sherri Horency

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Make sure you committ everyone to do something before the next meeting. Let them know you will be cecking back to make sure deadlines are met and to help them if they need it. Always make sure action occurs, not just talk. Doug

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The freedom philosophy message is greater than one man or one campaign--no matter how great that man is or important this campaign is.

I'd like to offer some free, unsolicited advice (for everything that's worth). Education is key. We're not only trying to educate voters to support Dr. Paul, we're leading a rEVOLution in thinking. Yes, WE are the leaders. Don't shirk that responsibility.

When I started my political activism many, many years ago as an undergraduate student, I had the great fortune of meeting and working with a brilliant LP activist. I'll share her words of wisdom to me, "Everyone else is inconsistent in their views. Our challenge is to find the issues where we agree with each person, get them understand the principle by which they came to that understanding, and urge them to apply that principle more broadly." Ponder that thought.

That appoach has made me a broad "strange bedfellows" coalition kingmaker in DC public policy circles. My first year working for Dr. Paul I organized a coalition that included drug legalizers, the Christian right, socialist privacy groups, anti-tax and anti-regulation groups, other libertarians and lots of business groups. The first meeting in Dr. Paul's office was priceless: many of them knew most of the rest but had never been on the same side before on issue fights. Unity through the constitution. Respect for everyone's rights as individuals. Human dignity comes from our Creator and not for governments to take away--nor for us to denigrate.

If we're going to win not only this race but make the rEVOLution succeed, we have a lot of education to do and a lot of converts to win over to our cause (and welcome to you newcomers!). As with most things, follow the good doctor's example. He NEVER makes personal attacks, never denigrates anyone, only sticks to the issues, stresses what unites us--what common values we share.

Yes, there is no shortage of opportunities to mock (even just pointing out the painfully obvious, I know, I know), but that's how we lose. We need converts, lots of converts. No one in Congress agrees with Dr. Paul on everything (or most even on most things!), but he is universally liked. Let that thought sink in.

Stick to policy arguments. Stick to principles. Every activity we do... Every word out of our mouths... Every move we make while driving with a bumper sticker on..., etc., you are ambassadors for the movement. Conditions for this rEVOLution are ripe. It's ours to win or lose.

Buck up and show some confidence. We're the ones who are right, remember? Cut the conspiracy-laden martyr complex crap and grow a pair if you want us to succeed. I don't care if you think 9/11 was an inside job (it wasn't) or if the polls are "rigged" (they're not) or there's a criminal conspiracy media blackout (there isn't) or they're changing electoral rules to hurt Dr. Paul (they're not), [EDIT ADD: crying over alleged CFR delusions or ballot machines], or whatever your insecurities are that you're nurturing. Cut it out, we have real work to do. Don't fall into the oppositions' traps for us.

The next few weeks and months are critical for this battle. We have a compressed and accelerated electoral calendar. No more whining. Go out and win this for the Gipper or whatever trite cheer motivates you.

YOU ARE THE LEADERS and ambassadors, act like it. We have a country to take back and a rEVOLution to lead. We owe it to the patriots before us and the generations following us. Focus on what's needed RIGHT NOW.

Thank you for your continued patronage. Back to our regularly scheduled programming.

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