Cincinnati America Votes 2008 Blog
We’ll give you updates on what’s going on with America Votes volunteers and our partners here in Cincinnati!
11.19.08
'Tis the season...to celebrate!
After months of hard work we’d like to thank you for your commitment, passion, and dedication! Please join us to celebrate our successes and look forward to the coming year. Bring your post-election cheer to our annual holiday party on Thursday evening, December 11th. Light refreshments will be served.
Holiday Party Details:
When: Thursday, December 11th
6pm – 9pm
Where: Cincinnati America Votes Office
2300 Montana Ave, Suite 110 (map)
Cincinnati, OH 45211
RSVP or questions: contact Lauren at Lauren@AmericaVotes.org or 513.481.7100
Our work is just beginning, and we are so glad that you’ve been a part of our team. We look forward to seeing you on December 11th!
p.s. Soon we'll post Get Out the Vote pictures and recaps, but here's a snapshot of the first training Saturday, Nov. 1st.
posted by Randy 11/19/08
10.10.08
Labor 08
This week we had a lot of Labor 08 folks in making calls to other union members about the issues and candidates, here are some pictures of them in action!
posted by Randy 10/10/08
10.08.08
September Supervolunteer!
This is Patty, our September Superstar Volunteer, hard at work! She came in 5 times in September and has helped us plow through epic amounts of work. To show our appreciation for her dedication she’s receiving a $40 gift certificate to Pompilio’s, a unionized restaurant in Newport.
Want to be the October Superstar Volunteer? Come on in and help us contact voters, check out all our upcoming events here or give us a call at 513.481.7100!
10.07.08
Schnauzer Watch—10/04
Saturday was a bad day for schnauzer watchers—which, mind you, is probably one of the German language’s excellent compound nouns, like fledermaus or unheimlichkeit or schadenfreude—as it was a bad day for canvassers. I guess most of Springdale was enjoying what may be our last beautiful Saturday, rather than staying home so they could be canvassed; if I were a lesser man, of a different political persuasion, I’d question their patriotism.
At any rate, the schnauzers were seemingly all at this picnic. I think I heard one schnauzer, abandoned and imprisoned by its neglectful parents for upwards of 15 minutes, behind the door of an empty house; it could have been some other breed of ratter, though.
Having given up hope, I glumly drove home only to espy on I-275, perched in the rear window of a Toyota, what was either a schnauzer puppy or a very ugly cat. It could go either way.
That’s not to say schnauzers are ugly, just that they make ugly cats.
posted by Luke 10/07/08
10.06.08
Have YOU Voted Yet?
Here’s Lauren filling out her Absentee Ballot, as you can see she’s passionate and dedicated to the process.
If you haven’t returned your Absentee Ballot yet, do it today! You can also go to your county Board of Elections office to vote early!
posted by Randy 10/06/08
10.05.08
Healthcare United
One of our partners, Healthcare United, in our office calling healthcare workers about the issues! Be aware that these images don’t fully capture the amount of energy they brought with them!
posted by Randy 10/05/08
10.03.08
Schnauzer Watch Update
Wednesday was the most successful schnauzer-watching of the cycle. Immediately after exiting my car, I met Sadie. Sadie is pictured below, preparing to eat my hand.
In actuality, Sadie was the first contented schnauzer that I’ve watched. There was almost no anger from Sadie whatsoever. I think it’s because she’s black.
So, later in the canvass I knocked on the door of Sadie’s mom’s friend Betty; Sadie and her mom, it turned out, were at Betty’s condo for dinner. Betty was funny; however, more importantly for the purposes of this blog, Betty’s chihuahua was thicker than it was tall. There is no lesson inherent in this.
Sadie is the early frontrunner for Best-Adjusted Schnauzer.
posted by Luke 10/03/08
10.02.08
Thursday Phone Bank
Here are our volunteers in action, talking to voters about important local issues!
Pat and Drew, who are now our official Bringers of Mirth, due to their awesome jokes.
Britt and Leena talking to voters!
Eileen’s trying to count all the people she talked to!
Want to see your picture here? Check out our upcoming events and join us!
posted by Randy 10/02/08
No Choice, No Voice
Miami Middletown hosted “No Choice, No Voice” to register and educate students (hey, two of our objectives!) and I attended to recruit volunteers. Since there was free pizza for registered voters, it should have been called “No Choice, No Pizza”.
There was a Mongolian band playing before the event; they featured a throat-singer. I’m going back to school to get a Masters in throat-singing.
The AFL-CIO Voter Protection Program also gave a presentation, as did the Ohio Secretary of State’s office. Pizza was eaten.
We all sat in as a Poli-Sci class debated the merits of the presidential candidate, trying to win over the undecided voters in the room. A good time was had by all, except perhaps the undecided voters (who were kind of put on the spot).
10.1.08
Schnauzer Watch 2008—Overview
My name is Luke, and I have a schnauzer. She is an angry schnauzer.
I’m also a political organizer, which means I go to a lot of houses.
Thus far in the election cycle, every canvass I’ve done has involved meeting a schnauzer.
Every schnauzer I’ve met has been angry.
08.23.08
I meet a schnauzer. She sounds just like my JoJo: angry. I think she’s angry about having not been recently groomed. She looks like a small piece of especially lengthy shag carpeting.
09.20.08
I meet another schnauzer. I’m thinking I should have brought a camera. I’ve managed to sneak up on this schnauzer, which seems to have angered him. The only other explanation for his behavior is that he’s constantly incredibly angry.
Upon further consideration, the second option is more probable.
09.24.08
Another day, another schnauzer. This time, I’m prepared. Attached is a photo of this schnauzer, who is the angriest yet, despite being the best-groomed of the bunch. For future reference, my Josephine-Josephine sports a similar ‘do and a similar ‘tude
Nobody’s home at this house, which is why the schnauzer’s mad: nobody paying her attention, except the Westie that lives with her. The Westie’s glad to see me. The neighbors don’t know why I’m photographing the house.
Why I’m Photographing The House: because I’m watching schnauzers. This is, after all, Schnauzer Watch.
posted by Luke 9/30/08
9.30.08
Introductory notes from a new organizer
This is Luke, the new guy.
I’m not only new at America Votes, I’m also new to organizing. I’ve worked in theatre in Cincinnati for around 10 years, primarily as a technician, designer, or stage manager. It turns out—at least thus far—that the non-profit statuses of theatres and political organizations make them operate pretty similarly.
I was born in Cincinnati and have never been able to get further away than MiamiUniversity (of Ohio), much to the chagrin of my displaced Texan wife. I'm thrilled to be able to help lead Southwest Ohio to the more progressive future that it deserves.
9.26.08
Ever wondered who that was at the other end of the line, calling you about upcoming volunteer events and ways to make Ohio more progressive?
Now you can put the face to the name. You can also see how incredibly inviting the door to our office looks, in the event you haven’t made it in yet.
There are plenty of opportunities to join us, but only a limited time to do it, so come in now and help make a progressive Ohio! Here are some of our upcoming events:
Canvass - Wednesday Oct. 1st, 5:30-7:30
Talk to voters door to door!
Meet at the Panera at 405 E. Kemper Road (map) and look for us in the America Votes t-shirts.
Phonebank - Thursday Oct. 2nd, 5:30-8pm
Make calls, then watch the Vice Presidential Candidate Debate!
AV Cincy Office, located at 2300 Montana Ave (map), Suite 110.
Day of Action - Saturday, October 4th, 10am-2pm
Knock on doors and talk to voters face to face about the issues! Finish up with lunch with fellow progressives.
Meet at the Panera at 405 E. Kemper Road (map) and look for us in the America Votes t-shirts.
You can also RSVP directly to me, Randy, at 513-481-7100 or mwilson@americavotes.org
posted by Randy 9/26/08
9.12.08
Strategy Meeting Action
Here are some photos from our September 4th strategy meeting, phonebank and dinner. We packed our office, saw a presentation about the local issues at stake this year in Ohio and made nearly 300 calls. A great night, and a lot of fun getting to know each other better after the work was done!
Presentation!
Getting work done!
Planned Parenthood in the house!
Dinner debrief!
posted by Lauren on 9/12/08