Stepping up to the plate...fieldhand project ideas

[kariseal]

My first thought would be voter registration. We can do it pretty much anytime, anywhere. I will find out details.

[CATHERINE]

kariseal,
Count me in! I would love to do that - unfortunately with the full time job, I can volunteer only on the weekends.

[John in Illinois]

Like Catherine, full time job somewhat limits me, plus helping my eldest prepare the new nursery, hopefully getting done before she arrives.

Anyway, I think it might be a good idea to kind of see what BO would like or needs, aprticularly in this area. Obviously, IL won't be a major problem in November, but I think that we can have an impact in WI and IN.

I also would like us to use this group, and possibly the larger forum as well, for each of us, based upon our experiences and areas of expertise, to help educate each other on policies that may well be discussed in the upcoming campaign, especially so that when we are talking with possible McCain supporters we can speak from a knowledge strength, not just an emotional one.

For example, my strengths, knowledge wise are in health insurance and mental health issues. I can answer questions people may have about those areas. I am also an avid student of history and have one son who is a history and econ teacher in HS which expands the knowledge base. And finally, my other son is career army, and I can guarantee he will vote for Obama, even though he is more of the fundamentalist Christian (I am Caholic as is the rest of the family).

Anyway, if we can work out a way to serve as a repository of knowledge for each other. Perhaps when a particular issue is being discussed we can start a specific discussion on it.

I think, in some ways, we can do more by talking to friends and family that may be wavering even than we may through other means. And when we know what we are talkign about, we do even more.

And did I ever mention I can get very wordy at times.

[kariseal]

Good, maybe we can meet up in the city on a Saturday afternoon to register voters. I will get directives from my connections with the Obama campaign regarding how/where. We should be able to do this a bunch of times. I think this is going to be great!

[Jason in Springfield]

While untenured academics don't have summers "off" in the way some people think, we do have pretty flexible schedules! So I would definately be interested.

John in Illinois brings up a good point about work perhaps being more needed in neighboring states. Here in Springfield I'm only about an hour from St. Louis.

[Land of Lincoln]

I am in Carbondale and have my summer off. Like Jason Barker, I am near Missouri (50 miles) and feel my efforts would be best utilized in a swing state. Although I am retired, I still teach part-time during the academic term; but I would still be available to assist the campaign this fall. Just need some direction as what to do.

[lucyp]

Like Jason, I'm in that academic land of flexible summer schedules, and I want to do some organizing with it this summer. Registering sounds like a good start, and I am close to the Indiana border. I think registration could help tip Indiana in a good year.

[kariseal]

I just spoke to the head of our Obama group for the NW Suburbs. He said everything is in limbo right now, they are waiting for directions. We agreed the voter registration is going to be big, so WI, IA, MO, or IN are good bets. I am going to post a link to our group on my page, and here for now. There are lots of photos of all we have done so far using the shutterfly link on the page.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/NWSuburbsofChicagoforObama

Regarding something we can all do from home. After watching that video all has up from the Organizer in Chief I read a diary on daily kos for us to send thank you notes to all the hard working people at headquarters and I think it is a great idea! If you have worked with specific people in the past, send it to them, otherwise just a generic thank you will do!

Here is the address :)

Obama for America
P.O. Box 8102
Chicago, IL 60680

[lucyp]

Some Chicago Fieldhands might be interested in the following, from the Obama site:

[link: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/485y]

Walk for Obama (Meeting)
Hi All,

So I'm inspired by Barack and think there should be a "Walk for Obama" or "Walk for CHANGE" a huge demonstration of people just peacefully walking to show support for Obama. If you're interested we'll be doing the same route the Chicago anti war protest did:

Gather at Federal Plaza (Adams & Dearborn). Route: West on Adams to Clark. Clark North to Wacker. Wacker East to Michigan Avenue. Michigan North to Oak Street. Oak Street West to Clark.
End: Washington Square Park (901 N. Clark).


Mona
Time: Sunday, June 15 at 12:00 PM
Duration: 3 hours
Host: Mona Mccormick
Location:
DOWNTOWN (CHICAGO, IL)
Associated Groups: African-Americans For Obama, Attorneys for Obama, Chicago Cubs Fans for Obama, Chicago South Loop for Obama, Chicago Young Professionals for Obama, Civil Libertarians for Obama, Columbia College Chicago for Obama, DePaul University Students for Obama, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Persons for Obama!, Hyde Parkers for Obama, Illinois High Schools, Latinos 4 Obama, Musicians and Artists for Obama, Public Transportation Users for Obama!, UIC Students & Alumni for Obama, Ukrainian village for Obama, University of Chicago Alumni for Obama, University of Chicago SSA Students for Obama, University of Chicago Students for Obama, Urban Teachers for Barack Obama, Wicker Park / Bucktown for Obama

[John Narofsky]

I think I have a universal healthcare plan that could be paid for, insure everyone, be accepted and encouraged by the private health insurance industry, and accepted and encouraged by small business owners.

What should I do with it?

[$-Money]

FieldHands Chicago Local Live Webcast Coverage on Election Night.
--FieldHands News Network

[kariseal]

Hey Guys, I have information from the campaign regarding voter registration.

In Illinois there are two ways to register, one requires a notary, and the other is Motor Voter registration. Anyone can register a voter using the form I have included here. I recommend we just print them out and have them handy. The only drawback for using this form is the voter needs to bring an appropriate photo id the first time they vote, but we don't need to be a notary!