VOLUNTEERS

There are a lot of little things that have to get done in campaigns. Little things like stuffing envelopes and making copies can even get done by the candidate. The other day our candidate was the one to go to the tee shirt company and put in a new order. She has also made many trips to Office Depot. So how do you get this stuff done when there are no paid staffers? Volunteers of course. Ask everyone if they want to help (we do), the smallest amount of time one can volunteer can make a difference. One effective way we have learned to get volunteers is to farm things out for people to do on their own time, like stuffing envelopes. People are often more free to volunteer if there are no time restrictions for when they can. Campaigns are dependant on volunteers, so get involved!

To find out how you can get involved with Kathleen Thomas' campaign click on the following.

http://kathleenthomasforsenate.org/

STATE FAIR AND WHAT HAPPEND THERE

In early August I found myself standing in the republican tent at the Illinois state fair. Hot, tired and acting as though I was oozing with confidence I walked up to those wandering in and asked them if they would like to sign a petition to put a candidate on the ballot for U.S Senate. When people asked who the candidate was I would say her name, get blank stares and then explain who she was (as she was a complete unknown). I stood among a group of politicians hoping to win various spots that are up for election in 2010. They all looked like they knew what they were doing, even the politician's volunteers. I was new to this, in fact we all were. At this point in the campaign everyone involved was learning as they went along. I gathered 42 signatures that day, but that day we also learned a lot more about what had to be done to play this 'game'. We all have a hope and belief that in this country we the people can be represented by our peers and not by the career politicians that dominate Washington. As romantic as this sounds the campaign has learned it is not that easy. I hope this account enlightens people to the going-ons of campaigns, and gives some advice to those that are also starting local or grassroots campaigns so they can be a step ahead of those who make winning elections their career.