Posted by LittleLightShining on 11/19/08 04:17 AM Last updated 01/15/09 06:18 AM [Newer: Action Items-- Geithner appointment and the American Freedom Agenda Act]

From Deb Wells, Director of Membership:

Posted by Deb Wells on 11/04/08 07:46 AM
Last updated 11/04/08 08:50 AM

The Precinct Leader plants seeds in the neighborhood garden, cultivates and nurtures them, and watches them grow. The Precinct Leader is a good neighbor.

A Precinct Leader makes the largest impact by simply connecting with neighbors. Meet a neighbor while out raking leaves, walking the dog, getting the mail, shoveling snow or mowing the lawn. Bring up something that affects the neighborhood and let them talk about it and you'll have an idea where they stand and what is important to them. Knowing about specific legislation that affects your neighborhood and keeping up with current events in your area is critical. That way, the Precinct Leader can match the neighbor's concern with current and upcoming legislation.

"Hey, did you know the city council just approved an increase in what we pay for trash collection? They're nickel and diming us to death." Listen to the neighbor's response and take note of it. If they are a hard-nosed tax and spender or don't want to talk about it, it's time to meet another neighbor. Listening to your neighbors is the key to good planting practices.

Attending city or town council meetings is a great way to cultivate your garden. When you listen to what people have to say and watch their reaction to certain things being said, you will know who might be a good person or persons to approach after the meeting and talk a little further to plant a seed. "I can't believe they just approved that." Let the neighbor talk. "I live off of McGee Street. Where are you?" If they're in your precinct, they'll remember you when you do your door-to-door survey and other activities. In fact, they may offer to help you. They will recognize your name when they read your Letter to the Editor in the news.

Precinct Leaders are instrumental in keeping tabs on what area representatives are doing, watching them closely, building a "file" on them and calling them out on their infractions. Letters to the Editor, radio call-ins and "tattling" to neighbors is effective and can even be fun. The whole point is to nurture, protect and cultivate your neighborhood garden.

Before you know it, you'll be the person that neighbors come to when they want to talk about issues. They'll come to you because they know you care, that you listen to them, that you're knowledgeable and that you will take action to protect your neighborhood. You will be the person that neighbors come to when they learn of a new piece of legislation and wonder how it may affect them. They will want to know your thoughts on upcoming election issues and candidates. Your influence will be felt in the community and you may be asked to become a member of a board or even run for office.

As a team, Precinct Leaders will come together at county- and district-wide meetings and in the state capitol for legislative sessions. Nationwide strategies will be employed. The more voices, the greater the impact. New faces and large crowds will keep local government on their toes. They are used to having people attend meetings near election time, but they are not used to us being there asking thoughtful questions between elections, where harmful legislation is many times passed virtually unnoticed.

After this election, our neighbors will begin to realize that nothing has changed. They'll continue to complain. We'll continue to listen and plant our seeds, water them and feed them, and with time and patience, reap the rewards as we stand proudly together in our lush neighborhood gardens across the world.

Posted 01/30/09 05:33 AM Matthew E Hayward Olympia, WA

That sounds a little optimistic but it is worth a try. It is true that our influence will be felt in the community and being asked to become a member of a board or even run for office is almost guaranteed. "Eternal Vigilance is the Price of Liberty" Wendell Phillips

Posted 06/13/09 12:00 AM BunnyRamey packwood, WA

Together we can make a difference! Thanks for the sharing the proof we can make a difference!