PredFan, Community Organizer.

[PredFan]

I have been thinking that it's time to stop bitching and start doing something. In my case it's doing something against the left's push against the 2nd Amendment.

I'm thinking about becoming a Community Organizer for gun rights.

It's just that I don't know where or how to start. I'm thinking maybe I get a petition going to urge the Governor of Florida and our representatives to defy Obama's executive orders. Maybe stand out there at the next Gun Show and get people to sign it. That would be a start I suppose but I eventually want to do more than that.

Anyone have knowledge or experience at this?

Do you have Gun and Hunt Clubs down there? Target ranges? There will be interested people there.

Yes and in February there is a gun show.

 

[PredFan]

I imagine I should get permission from the gun show organizers.

Anyone ever do petitions before?

 

[pillars]

Seriously, what do you think petitions accomplish? What would be your goal?

 

[PredFan]

Seriously, what do you think petitions accomplish? What would be your goal?

We have a republican Governor who has in the past threatened to defy Obama and the fed. Enough signatures sent to him would possibly convince him that he needs to do so on these EOs.

Politicians listen to polls and petitions.

 

[BULLDOG]

Seriously, what do you think petitions accomplish? What would be your goal?

We have a republican Governor who has in the past threatened to defy Obama and the fed. Enough signatures sent to him would possibly convince him that he needs to do so on these EOs.

Politicians listen to polls and petitions.

Sure, but you said he was a republican.Are you sure he would be able to read the petition? I still think you would have more success with the tinfoil hat and cammo.

 

[CremeBrulee]

Seriously, what do you think petitions accomplish? What would be your goal?

We have a republican Governor who has in the past threatened to defy Obama and the fed. Enough signatures sent to him would possibly convince him that he needs to do so on these EOs.

Politicians listen to polls and petitions.

I would suggest reading Saul Alinsky's Rules For Radicals. It's basically a manual for grassroots organizing.

Didn't mean for that to be a reply to those posts. Sorry.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

I have been thinking that it's time to stop bitching and start doing something. In my case it's doing something against the left's push against the 2nd Amendment.

I'm thinking about becoming a Community Organizer for gun rights.

It's just that I don't know where or how to start. I'm thinking maybe I get a petition going to urge the Governor of Florida and our representatives to defy Obama's executive orders. Maybe stand out there at the next Gun Show and get people to sign it. That would be a start I suppose but I eventually want to do more than that.

Anyone have knowledge or experience at this?

That's not organizing, that's political theater. Petitions don't mean anything.

If you want to start from scratch, you'd have to start your own "Gun rights" organization - file the paperwork, raise the money, get the membership, and then you can start to lobby politicians.

Or you can volunteer for any number of existing "gun rights" organization, or any specific campaigns in which guns come into play.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

Seriously, what do you think petitions accomplish? What would be your goal?

We have a republican Governor who has in the past threatened to defy Obama and the fed. Enough signatures sent to him would possibly convince him that he needs to do so on these EOs.

Politicians listen to polls and petitions.

I would suggest reading Saul Alinsky's Rules For Radicals. It's basically a manual for grassroots organizing.

No, it's really not. He makes some good general points, but he's not big on the day-to-day.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

Seriously, what do you think petitions accomplish? What would be your goal?

We have a republican Governor who has in the past threatened to defy Obama and the fed. Enough signatures sent to him would possibly convince him that he needs to do so on these EOs.

Politicians listen to polls and petitions.

Here's your first lesson in organizing:

Politicians do not listen to petitions. Politicians listen to money.

 

[CremeBrulee]

Seriously, what do you think petitions accomplish? What would be your goal?

We have a republican Governor who has in the past threatened to defy Obama and the fed. Enough signatures sent to him would possibly convince him that he needs to do so on these EOs.

Politicians listen to polls and petitions.

I would suggest reading Saul Alinsky's Rules For Radicals. It's basically a manual for grassroots organizing.

No, it's really not. He makes some good general points, but he's not big on the day-to-day.

It is a good place to start for someone that has no idea what they are doing. It's ideas have been used successfully by political campaigns and various organizations.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

Seriously, what do you think petitions accomplish? What would be your goal?

We have a republican Governor who has in the past threatened to defy Obama and the fed. Enough signatures sent to him would possibly convince him that he needs to do so on these EOs.

Politicians listen to polls and petitions.

I would suggest reading Saul Alinsky's Rules For Radicals. It's basically a manual for grassroots organizing.

No, it's really not. He makes some good general points, but he's not big on the day-to-day.

It is a good place to start for someone that has no idea what they are doing. It's ideas have been used successfully by political campaigns and various organizations.

Of course. As I said, it's got the general principles.

 

[pillars]

Seriously, what do you think petitions accomplish? What would be your goal?

We have a republican Governor who has in the past threatened to defy Obama and the fed. Enough signatures sent to him would possibly convince him that he needs to do so on these EOs.

Politicians listen to polls and petitions.

Politicians don't give a **** about petitions. Now, organize a letter writing campaign, or people calling the governor and expressing their support/disapproval, and that can make them shift their position.

 

[pillars]

Seriously, what do you think petitions accomplish? What would be your goal?

We have a republican Governor who has in the past threatened to defy Obama and the fed. Enough signatures sent to him would possibly convince him that he needs to do so on these EOs.

Politicians listen to polls and petitions.

I would suggest reading Saul Alinsky's Rules For Radicals. It's basically a manual for grassroots organizing.

Didn't mean for that to be a reply to those posts. Sorry.

Petitions are the least effective form of grassroots political advocacy. Sorry to burst anyone's bubble.

Most effective is money in their reelection coffers. Moderately effective is possible voter support or the thread of being unelected (as expressed by voters getting peeved enough to write or call). Petitions are way down the list.

I've done a shit ton of lobbying with zero dollars, and petitions are useless.

 

[Arianrhod]

Anybody have anything helpful to say?

Cultivate a sense of humor?

First, say something funny.

I wasn't referring to my own posts.

 

[LoneLaugher]

Your first step is to consider what you mean by "gun rights". In the period since this president became a community organizer, you have seen your "gun rights" expanded. Since he's been president, you've seen no change in these "gun rights". Maybe you should hire him as your spokesperson.

Ya delusional dumb shit, ya.

 

[PredFan]

I have been thinking that it's time to stop bitching and start doing something. In my case it's doing something against the left's push against the 2nd Amendment.

I'm thinking about becoming a Community Organizer for gun rights.

It's just that I don't know where or how to start. I'm thinking maybe I get a petition going to urge the Governor of Florida and our representatives to defy Obama's executive orders. Maybe stand out there at the next Gun Show and get people to sign it. That would be a start I suppose but I eventually want to do more than that.

Anyone have knowledge or experience at this?

That's not organizing, that's political theater. Petitions don't mean anything.

If you want to start from scratch, you'd have to start your own "Gun rights" organization - file the paperwork, raise the money, get the membership, and then you can start to lobby politicians.

Or you can volunteer for any number of existing "gun rights" organization, or any specific campaigns in which guns come into play.

But, I'm not opposing what the existing lobbyists are already doing. I can let them do their thing while I do mine. Though, I'm not quite sure yet why my thing will be. A petition was just a possible idea. I'm not sure I agree with you that they don't mean anything.

 

[PredFan]

Seriously, what do you think petitions accomplish? What would be your goal?

We have a republican Governor who has in the past threatened to defy Obama and the fed. Enough signatures sent to him would possibly convince him that he needs to do so on these EOs.

Politicians listen to polls and petitions.

Politicians don't give a **** about petitions. Now, organize a letter writing campaign, or people calling the governor and expressing their support/disapproval, and that can make them shift their position.

That's an idea.

 

[PredFan]

Your first step is to consider what you mean by "gun rights". In the period since this president became a community organizer, you have seen your "gun rights" expanded. Since he's been president, you've seen no change in these "gun rights". Maybe you should hire him as your spokesperson.

Ya delusional dumb shit, ya.

It's encouraging that you idiots have posted here. Means you are concerned, and it means I might be on the right track.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

I have been thinking that it's time to stop bitching and start doing something. In my case it's doing something against the left's push against the 2nd Amendment.

I'm thinking about becoming a Community Organizer for gun rights.

It's just that I don't know where or how to start. I'm thinking maybe I get a petition going to urge the Governor of Florida and our representatives to defy Obama's executive orders. Maybe stand out there at the next Gun Show and get people to sign it. That would be a start I suppose but I eventually want to do more than that.

Anyone have knowledge or experience at this?

That's not organizing, that's political theater. Petitions don't mean anything.

If you want to start from scratch, you'd have to start your own "Gun rights" organization - file the paperwork, raise the money, get the membership, and then you can start to lobby politicians.

Or you can volunteer for any number of existing "gun rights" organization, or any specific campaigns in which guns come into play.

But, I'm not opposing what the existing lobbyists are already doing. I can let them do their thing while I do mine. Though, I'm not quite sure yet why my thing will be. A petition was just a possible idea. I'm not sure I agree with you that they don't mean anything.

I'm speaking from experience, as a professional "community organizer". "Petitions" mean nothing at all to politicians, they're well aware how easy it is to convince someone to sign, and how little thought the average signer puts into it.

You could try to organize a letter-writing campaign, that's a good starting point.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

Politicians respond to the effort involved, for the most part.

100 petition signatures = 10 letters or phone calls = 1 office lobby.

When I say "lobby", I don't mean become a registered lobbyist - I mean get a bunch of people together, and go to your rep's office in the capital, and tell them what you think. If you live near your state's capital or can organize a trip, that's what makes the strongest impression, other than writing checks.