Old North State FReepers: Where do we go next?

Constitution Day ^ | August 28, 2002 | Constitution Day

[Constitution Day]

 

POST-MEETING REPORT:

The first meeting of the newly re-organized NC chapter took place at Howlin's house on Saturday, 08/24/2002.

This chapter, called the "Old North State Freepers", has over 35 members.

The following Freepers attended:

Constitution Day
mykdsmom
Howlin
Overtaxed
ncweaver
RightOnline
RightOnlinesWife
Future Snake Eater
lafroste

Also attending were:
lafroste's wife
Howlin's husband & mother
Future Snake Eater's girlfriend

On the evening of Saturday, August 24, 2002, we all met at Howlin's house in Raleigh.

I primarily intended this to be a meeting where we could all get acquainted with one another. Everyone brought an appetizer to eat, and everything was delicious! Some of us brought beer or wine, some did not, but we all had a great time discussing politics & the news in Howlin's kitchen and on her deck.

Since I am new at this, I did not really have a set agenda for the meeting except for a general discussion of future goals and direction of the chapter. We talked about the fact that callisto, our Piedmont Triad Chapter Leader, has reserved a web page for us. Further discussion ensued about page content, using it as a clearinghouse for NC legislative contact information and media links.

For possible inclusion on a future web page, I would like for you all to post:

• Media links & contacts (North Carolina TV, newspapers online).
• Legislative contacts.
• Information about your districts and if you think we can make a difference there.
• Links to candidate and voting district information.
• Your thoughts about the future direction of this chapter... be honest!
• Any other information you think pertinent.

I thank you in advance for your time, and apologize for taking a few days to post the report. In fact, I am staying a bit later at work just so I can type this thread.

NC FReepers, I want to actually try and effect a change in NC politics, not just talk about it. I know that sounds ambitious, but I believe if we work within our strengths and target our energies effectively, we CAN and WILL make a difference.

Election Day is just around the corner. The recent redistricting has afforded us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Let's make something of it!

 

FRegards,

Constitution Day

 

[Constitution Day]

You guys can do what I am going to do. Volunteer time at the local GOP office to make calls, put out signs, or do what I can. I plan to volunteer the last 4 weeks hopefully every night during the week.

A lot of people think that Free Republic is some kind of magic position, where republicans will win more seats the more you post. It doesn't work that way. Everyone needs to get out and volunteer, for the GOP or your local county GOP office.

jern,

I'm disappointed that you think we are wasting our time.
I disagree.
Yes, volunteering is important too!
In fact, at the meeting, Howlin, ncweaver and I discussed volunteering at the GOP booth at the State Fair.

I am certainly under no illusions about a mystical correlation between the number of my FR posts and the number of Republicans elected.
I don't think anyone in our group is naive enough to believe that either.

What I do believe is that Free Republic is the nonpareil site for conservative activism.
While not an end in itself, I see our chapter working as an adjunct to the more mainstream organizations.
I said as much at the meeting.
I know we are just a small group, but sometimes small groups can make a difference.

I think of the FR Network and its chapters as 'force multipliers' for the GOP.
Would you be interested in joining us at the State Fair GOP booth? Let me or ncweaver know.

Thanks,
CD

[diotima]

Your chapter can decide to do anything it wants. When I was in Chicago, we would go to GOP events and had members that worked for the GOP. Sometimes we would do things with the Libertarians.

There really isn't anything that says you can't do FR things and GOP things. Sometimes issues the chapter believes are important will overlap, sometimes they won't. There are many good conservative groups working on issues and chapters can get involved and partner with them and contribute to the effort. Or they can do their own thing, if no one else seems to paying attention on an important issue.

In any case, I am proud of the NC chapter for stepping up to the plate and looking to make a difference. GREAT WORK GUYS!

[Constitution Day]

Thanks dio! I appreciate your encouragement.

[Howlin]

Here are some pictures from Saturday night (none of the garage, though, sorry!); sorry this took so long; helping a friend with a wedding and went to Wilmington.

[TheRightGuy]

When I was in Chicago, we would go to GOP events and had members that worked for the GOP

Seems to me like free beer was the prime motivator for going to the GOP picnic ;^)

[TheRightGuy]

When I was in Chicago, we would go to GOP events and had members that worked for the GOP

Seems to me like free beer was the prime motivator for going to the GOP picnic ;^)

[TheRightGuy]

oooppps! reiterative mouse-finger

[Windom Earle]

Well said.

I'm interested in seeing how the group decides to focus its energies. You will not change the state, by yourselves, but adding your strength in certain areas, can make a difference. Remember that this is an ongoing struggle. David Horowitz points our that liberals take the long view and plan 30 years out. We need to do the same thing.

CSE is a good organization that is effective. I'm sure Jonathan Hill would be happy to have more soldiers over there.

The GOP has got a little bit of everything in it, and I'm not necessarily referring to philosophy, although that is true to some extent. What I mean is that there are people who are very effective operatives, and there are people who are clueless and who would rather fight a Republican than fight the real opponent.

While I hope some of you will lend your efforts, I'd recommend that you watch for those things.

Try not to bite off more than you can chew. You're a small group now. Find something you can do well, and you'll be surprised at how fast you grow. Success breeds success.

Good luck, always.

WE

[Constitution Day]

Great pictures!

I was wondering what happened to you... thought maybe you got lost in your garage!

[jern]

I didn't mean posting on FR is a waste of time. FR is the best news site in the world. It is only a waste of time is if your efforts of the "conversative cause" is only posting or reading FR ONLY. It takes a lot more than that...

[Howlin]

*Sneer*

[Howlin]

Well, don't tell the armchair strategists that. It will made their whole lives devoid of meaning. :-)

[Constitution Day]

Well, I am new to the activism end of things.
It's worth remembering that many others are also new to it.

Personally, I may never have gotten involved if I hadn't found FR.

[Constitution Day]

Heh heh...

[jern]

You are right. I would have never have thought to volunteer if it wasn't for FR. I worked in the local Wake GOP office at night making calls for W in 2000. I really enjoyed it, and I look forward to doing it again this year.

[dubyagee]

I don't know why I can't get the link to work, but this is a conservative paper in
> Greensboro and Charlotte. I suppose copy and paste will get you there too. ; * )

http://rhinotimes.com

[dubyagee]

Well, I am new to the activism end of things. It's worth remembering that many others are also new to it.

'Ditto' bump.

[Constitution Day]

'Thanks for the link' bump!

[Angelwood]

Great looking group of FReepers. I enjoyed your report and the pictures. FReep On!

[RightOnline]

Well, ya know, there ya go.............I've been working out five days a week (HARD) for seven months, etc., etc., and your camera goes and adds another 15 -20 pounds to me anyway. I give up. Pass the donuts....................:)