Organizing for Action. OFA

[MrYikes]

I thought maybe we should have a place to discuss various events and activities or even thought processes that would (will) help us move forward.
What are your thoughts?

[Awknid]

1. I'm signed up

But there is not much info yet. I'm ready to start doing something.

[Filibuster Harry]

2. haven't signed up yet but intend to.

[OneGrassRoot]

3. I signed up but replied to Jon Carson's email:

I realize you likely won't see this, Jon, but I wanted to respond nevertheless.

While I am very excited about continuing to work with those of like mind to move things forward, I want to share something MANY others feel.

As you all well know, more and more Americans are struggling every single day. I would say the vast majority of people signed up with Obama's grassroots organization struggle tremendously, living paycheck to paycheck.

The incessant requests for donations have become offensive, and I see it continues. Like everything else in this country, it seems to all come down to money. That to do ANYTHING, you must have or give money.

One of the main things most of us are working toward is to remove money from the political process. President Obama and now Organizing for Action can lead the way, by example, in changing this about our system and our society.

[MrYikes]

4. I had the same experience

and was a little put off, but then I got over it, assuming it was just me, but now seeing others feel the same way, this is a point of action.

What are the costs of operating a grass roots program?

[OneGrassRoot]

5. I was also thinking...

that they could include an "opt out" approach regarding donations.

For people who are able to contribute, or think they may be able to contribute at some point and want to be reminded, they can get the emails w/reminders.

For those who opt out, we get the update emails w/o the donation verbiage and donation-focused email reminders.

They have the technical ability to do that without a lot of grief. If something changes and we come into money and want to donate, it's easy enough to find how to do that.

Personally, I go back and forth between feeling like shit because I don't have money and would want to help many worthy causes if I did, and being agitated that there isn't more of a stance to do things WITHOUT money.

Social media is leveling the playing field as far as communication, outreach, planning, etc. I'd love to see this group take the lead once again by helping grassroots outreach evolve beyond the laser focus on fundraising.

I don't believe we're alone in feeling this way.