Firman Allah Taala: Dan Kami pecah-pecahkan mereka (kaum Yahudi itu) berpuak-puak (yang bertaburan di merata-rata) dunia ini. Di antara mereka ada yang soleh dan di antaranya juga yang tidak demikian. Dan kami uji mereka dengan nikmat pemberian yang baik-baik dan bala bencana yang buruk, supaya mereka kembali (bertaubat). (7: 168) (God Almighty says in the Holy Quran: And We divided them (Jews) throughout the earth into nations. Of them some were righteous, and of them some were otherwise. And We tested them with good (times) and bad that perhaps they would return (to obedience) (QS Al Araf '7: verse 168)
OFACommunityWORKS NEWS Site/hamdenbolly@yahoo.co.uk
Firman Allah Taala: Dan Kami pecah-pecahkan mereka (kaum Yahudi itu) berpuak-puak (yang bertaburan di merata-rata) dunia ini. Di antara mereka ada yang soleh dan di antaranya juga yang tidak demikian. Dan kami uji mereka dengan nikmat pemberian yang baik-baik dan bala bencana yang buruk, supaya mereka kembali (bertaubat). (7: 168) (God Almighty says in the Holy Quran: And We divided them (Jews) throughout the earth into nations. Of them some were righteous, and of them some were otherwise. And We tested them with good (times) and bad that perhaps they would return (to obedience) (QS Al Araf '7: verse 168)
OFACommunityWORKS NEWS Site/hamdenbolly@yahoo.co.uk
Firman Allah Taala: Dan Kami pecah-pecahkan mereka (kaum Yahudi itu) berpuak-puak (yang bertaburan di merata-rata) dunia ini. Di antara mereka ada yang soleh dan di antaranya juga yang tidak demikian. Dan kami uji mereka dengan nikmat pemberian yang baik-baik dan bala bencana yang buruk, supaya mereka kembali (bertaubat). (7: 168) (God Almighty says in the Holy Quran: And We divided them (Jews) throughout the earth into nations. Of them some were righteous, and of them some were otherwise. And We tested them with good (times) and bad that perhaps they would return (to obedience) (QS Al Araf '7: verse 168)
Firman Allah Taala: Dan Kami pecah-pecahkan mereka (kaum Yahudi itu) berpuak-puak (yang bertaburan di merata-rata) dunia ini. Di antara mereka ada yang soleh dan di antaranya juga yang tidak demikian. Dan kami uji mereka dengan nikmat pemberian yang baik-baik dan bala bencana yang buruk, supaya mereka kembali (bertaubat). (7: 168) (God Almighty says in the Holy Quran: And We divided them (Jews) throughout the earth into nations. Of them some were righteous, and of them some were otherwise. And We tested them with good (times) and bad that perhaps they would return (to obedience) (QS Al Araf '7: verse 168)
OFACommunityWORKS NEWS Site/hamdenbolly@yahoo.co.uk
For Henry, a summer organizer from Philadelphia, this summer’s greatest lessons were also the smallest. Through conversations with volunteers and supporters, he came to understand the value of grassroots organizing—wherever it took him.
Over the July 4th weekend, I knocked on a door to a house missing all of the windows on the bottom floor. There was a step missing leading up to the porch, but there was a baby shower happening inside. A woman came to the door, and she glared at me.
“What do you want? Can’t you see we’re having a party here?”
“Hi, I’m Henry, with Organizing for America. Can the President count on you to support him this year and the next?”
“The President?” she said, beginning to smile. “I’ll sign one of those cards. You got any others? I’ll take ‘em inside, there are a few ladies in there too.”
She took about 10 cards inside and came back out to the porch asking for more. Fifteen minutes later, she had gotten 50 women, all new volunteers, signed up inside her house. She asked me why I was standing there in the 95-degree heat on a holiday weekend and exactly what it was I did.
“I find people like you,” I said. “We knock on doors and talk to folks on the street looking for people to spread the word.”
“They’re here, don’t worry about that,” she said. “They just need to know that you’re out here.”
This is the final post in our summer organizer series, but it isn’t the last you’ll hear from the 2011 class of hardworking activists. Congratulations to this summer’s graduates—we’re proud to know that you’re out there.
Victoria never doubted the issues at stake in the upcoming presidential election—that’s why she made time for the campaign in addition to her long work hours and family commitments. Along the way, Victoria learned some valuable lessons in organizing—which she shared with President Obama atlunch on Wednesday.
Lesson One: Time Management
I accepted this opportunity knowing I would still need to figure out how to financially support my family. My priority has been getting President Obama re-elected in 2012. As a result, I have learned to maximize my time and live off of very little sleep. I eat, sleep, and breathe this campaign.
Lesson Two: Flexibility
The thing I love about organizing is that every day is different. You can schedule, plan, and confirm everything perfectly and something can still go awry. It keeps me on my toes, which drives me and keeps me excited about waking up each day. I have learned that they key is being flexible.
Lesson Three: Genuine Engagement
My success as an organizer has been my ability to truly build relationships with volunteers. If you know your volunteers and know how well they can adapt, you have an advantage over whatever situation you find yourself in. From the moment I speak with someone, I show that I care, that I’m listening, and that what they say and contribute matter to the bigger picture. In their stories, I can always find a place where our lives and personal experiences intersect.
We are fighting for a cause, but more importantly, we are fighting for our country. I’m proud to be on the battlefield. I’m proud to be an organizer.
Keep an eye out for more reflections from our summer organizers.
At the age of 16, Nora found herself homeless—facing a situation no high school student should have to deal with. Today, Nora says she will never forget her family’s strength and persistence or the government programs that helped them get back on their feet and allowed her to finish high school. Nora spent this summer connecting with other supporters of the President by sharing their stories.
Eight months ago, I sat in the packed auditorium of my high school. I was acutely aware that I was the only one in the room having difficulty with possibly the easiest question on the form. There is no “check here if you prefer not to respond” for your address.
Experiencing homelessness has shaped my life in a way nothing else has. Watching my personal story empower others and giving a face to the very real things that are at stake in this election has been nothing short of amazing. I have watched the power of all our personal stories to create relationships between complete strangers. The other day I sat in a nursing home with a 67-year-old Muslim woman. We talked for nearly two hours, connecting on a level that transcends the conversations I’ve had with some of my closest friends.
This summer, I’ve learned that telling our unique stories allows us to build relationships that can turn apathy into activism. I have no doubt that the people I have worked with this summer will continue connecting with their neighbors and re-elect President Obama, and that I will keep sharing my story.
Watch this space for more stories from our summer organizers.
- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. will spend $100 million on wetlands restoration in the North Everglades. Secretary Vilsack called the initiative “an economic driver,” saying that every $1 invested in conservation results in $4 of economic activity such as tourism.
- President Obama met with business leaders from across the country today to discuss job creation and innovation in their respective industries, including renewable energy, sustainable construction, and green computing.
- Chrysler is planning to add more than 1,100 jobs at its Toledo plant before 2013. "The new jobs would bring the total of future manufacturing jobs announced this year by General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler to more than 11,100,” reports the Detroit Free Press.
- And finally, why are some summer organizers back in the office already? In Seattle, recent graduates of the program are in the officelooking for their fall replacements—and we’re looking forward to meeting our new fall fellows!
Six summer organizers had lunch with President Obama on Wednesday. We're sharing their stories, experiences, and lessons learned.
Oscar didn’t let the fact that he wasn't old enough to vote stop him from getting involved with the 2008 campaign. Inspired by the President’s message, Oscar overcame his shyness to make phone calls to supporters across the country. For Oscar, organizing is all about empowerment.
I organize because I know what needs to get done. As someone who will be a first-time voter in 2012, I see far too many of my peers unengaged, unmotivated, and unregistered, in no small part because they feel their vote won’t count. Yet, I know potential lies with those who are yearning to be motivated and want to do something, but don’t know exactly what or how.
Being a summer organizer has been the single most illuminating experience I have had. I have learned about my community, the people in it, and myself. I’ve heard their stories, their hopes and grievances, their frustrations and dreams. But above all, I’ve learned the power of a people—the power of an organized people.
For more on Oscar’s whirlwind summer, read his account of a recent grassroots planning session in the San Fernando Valley, California—and stay tuned for more stories from our summer organizers.
Mentions of corporations, reality shows, and being "anti-chicken"? Lots.
Mentions of the middle class? Zero.
Check out our infographic breaking down what the Republican presidential candidates have said in the GOP debates so far—and make sure to share it with anyone who cares about strengthening the middle class.
Speaking in Michigan yesterday, President Obama called on Congress to act on a number of measures to create jobs and grow our economy:
“[T]here are more steps that we can take to help this economy [grow] faster. There are things we can do right now that will put more money in your pockets; will help businesses sell more products around the world; will put people to work in Michigan and across the country. And to get these things done, we do need Congress.“They’re common-sense ideas that have been supported in the past by Democrats and Republicans… The only thing keeping us back is our politics. The only thing preventing these bills from being passed is the refusal of some folks in Congress to put the country ahead of party. There are some in Congress right now who would rather see their opponents lose than see America win.“And that has to stop. It’s got to stop. We’re supposed to all be on the same team, especially when we’re going through tough times. We can’t afford to play games—not right now, not when the stakes are so high for our economy.”
At the top of the President’s agenda are extending the payroll tax cut for middle-class families; passing a construction bill so that workers can start building roads, bridges, airports and seaports again; and passing a trade deal so companies can sell more goods that are “Made in America” to countries around the world.
You can find out more about the measures the President has proposed here.
President Obama highlighted the difference that investing in innovative technologies will make to the American auto industry, our economy, and ultimately our environment during a visit yesterday to Johnson Controls, an advanced battery manufacturing plant in Holland, Michigan. The facility is the first in the United States to produce complete lithium-ion battery cells and systems for hybrid and electric vehicles—helping automakers meet the historic new fuel economy standards the administration announced last month.
Speaking to employees after a tour of the plant, the President said:
“Look at this factory. Look what’s happening in Holland, Michigan. Every day, hundreds of people are going to work on the technologies that are helping us to fight our way out of this recession. Every day, you’re building high-tech batteries so that we lead the world in manufacturing the best cars and the best trucks. And that just doesn’t mean jobs in Michigan. You’re buying equipment and parts from suppliers in Florida and New Mexico and Ohio and Wisconsin and all across America.“So let’s think about it—what made this possible? The most important part is you: your drive, your work ethic, your ingenuity, your management. The grit and optimism that says, ‘We’ve got an idea for a new battery technology or a new manufacturing process, and we’re going to take that leap and we’re going to make an investment. And we’re going to hire some folks and we’re going to see it through.’ That’s what made it possible.“But what also made this possible are the actions that we took together, as a nation, through our government—the fact that we were willing to invest in the research and the technology that holds so much promise for jobs and growth; the fact that we helped create together the conditions where businesses like this can prosper.”
You can read the President’s remarks in full here and find out more about how investments in innovative technologies are helping to create jobs and support the American auto industry here.
OFACommunityWORKS NEWS Site/hamdenbolly@yahoo.co.uk
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