NEWS BULLETIN – JULY 24, 2009

www.Oregon912Project.org

TRAINING DATES FOR
REFERENDUM PETITIONERS

Oregon AFP Director Jeff Kropf had the rapt attention of over 100 members at our July 11 meeting as he explained the absolute folly of the Oregon State Legislature raising taxes on businesses and individuals in this economic climate, especially since the surplus of $4.5 from the 07-09 biennial budget could be used in lieu of the new taxes. He gave us an overview of the Referendum process, a Constitutional right to refer tax bills to the voters. Normally, we would have 90 days to complete the process of securing approximately 70,000 valid signatures, but the Governor exercised his right to take 30 days to sign the bills which effectively reduced our time to 60 days. As well, the Secretary of State has added all manner of new restrictions and qualifications to the process in an attempt to thwart the will of the people. This has only fueled our resolve to get the job done!

Everything you need to know can be found on the Clackamas AFP website, including downloadable copies of the two bills up for referendum. It is a great one-step resource.

AFP and the Oregon Republican Party are conducting trainings to insure that the majority of the signatures we collect will pass muster and not be rejected by the Secretary of State. An additional training has just been added in our area, in addition to others listed below.

Saturday, August 1, 2009 - 10:00am to 12:00noon
Crowne Plaza, 14811 Kruse Oaks Drive, Lake Oswego
Click Here to RSVP ON LINE
 http://tinyurl.com/PetitionCirculatorTraining
Or Call 503-595-8881; or Email PollyatORGOP.org

Additional trainings are in Salem, 7/28; Eugene, 7/29;
Medford, 7/30; The Dalles, 8/5; Bend, 8/6.

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OUR 200th MEMBER!! 

On July 29, Joe Shaddix became the 200th Oregon 912 Project member on our Meet Up website; his wife Vicki is number 201. We had hoped to honor our 200th member at the August 15 meeting, but Joe and family will be away on vacation. Joe accepted our invitation to share why he signed on with us:

I joined this group after attending the meeting last Saturday with Kurt Schrader at Canby Thriftway (he was confronted politely, but firmly). I was pleasantly surprised to see how articulate, well informed and passionate the attendees were and I thought "this isn't a fringe group; people are really concerned and mad like I am". I believe the pressure we put on Congress over the last few days derailed the premature vote on the government health care bill, and it worked on the immigration deal awhile back too. I want to work with like minded people to bend the politicians to our will, we the people who pay all the bills.

Welcome aboard, Joe. We’ll catch you at another meeting!

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KUDOS FROM AN ANONYMOUS ATTENDEE AT JULY 11 MEETING

Below are excerpts from a posting on Sean Hannity’s interactive website by a first-time attendee at our July 11 meeting.

This Saturday, July 11th, was my first visit to a 912 Project meeting. I took the advice of some customers - ones I’ve done tree care for at their home, business, and local Rotary Club. The meeting was for the local Oregon 912 Project, held in Lake Oswego. . . .this meeting was one of the best functions I’ve been to in the past 10 years.

The group is non-partisan. The goal is to help move the country back in a more responsible direction, aligning with liberties stated in the United States Constitution. . .From start to finish, the meeting was not an “anti-Obama” gathering, or pro-Republican. It pretty much was all about government for the people and by the people.

This bunch of hard working folks is a group worth checking out if you agree that the “business as usual” in our government not effective for a great America like you would like to see.

 To read his full comments, go to: http://forums.hannity.com/showthread.php?t=1548301

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GETTING ORGANIZED FOR ACTION 

As our numbers continue to grow and our mission becomes increasingly urgent, it is imperative that we become better organized for action. We have reason to be proud of what we’ve accomplished in just 4 months: Four informative general meetings, participation in the Portland Tax Day Tea Party, organization of a Memorial Day celebration and program, participation in AFP’s daylong Defending the American Dream Summit, marching with other patriot organizations in the 4th of July Parade in Hillsboro, funding and presentation of the John Adams series, sponsorship of the Making of America Seminar, start-up of book groups, promoting our organization at the Rose City Gun Show, organizing a steering committee and board, developing sales items, developing a website, and keeping members informed on legislative information and action alerts! Thank you to everyone for your love for our country and your dedication to preserving our unique heritage!

We are now preparing to move our organization to the next level as committees are organized to focus on specific tasks. If you have indicated your willingness to serve in some capacity, you will be contacted in the near future or be alerted to committees that are being formed and given contact information to sign on. If you want to be proactive about finding a niche, contact:

ANNE BROWN - lobrowns at comcast.net – She has offered to help match volunteer desires and skills to organization needs.

Below are a few Committees looking for volunteers.

MARKETING –
We are pleased that COY VASQUEZ has agreed to head up Marketing, the lifeblood of any organization. Anyone who has experience or interest in any aspect of Marketing and Sales (Design and development of sales items, Event organization, Member recruitment, Public Relations, Advertising, Graphic Arts, Fundraising, Posters, Fliers)—Please contact Coy ASAP at 503-778-0017 or coyvsq at aol.com.

LEGISLATION INFORMATION–
Researchers needed to put together information to post on our website for those who don’t have time to do all the digging. Information should be verifiable. Carol Tebo has put together information and links to great articles and summaries on Healthcare that will be up on our website by mid-week. Would love to have someone do the same on Cap and Trade.

Contact our Webmaster:
ANN AGENT agentfamily at gmail.com

LEGISLATIVE ALERTS:
 – MARK TABER has been handling these; please funnel action alerts to Mark (mark.taber62 at gmail.com) so we only have one going out. Soon this will only be done through our website email server. Mark sends a HUGE shout out to EVERYONE for the calls and emails on Health Care and Cap and Trade and encourages you to CONTINUE everyday and to enlist others to call.  They are now recording who calls, name, address, phone number, and zip. If the same people keep calling it won’t be as effective, we need new blood! **See Legislative Alert below.

TOWN HALL MEETINGS and
VISITS to CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES:
DIANE SCHENDEL has offered to form a team of people to organize regular visits to legislators on a rotating basis so the same few people aren’t always showing up. She will also be the go-to person for Town Hall meeting information and organized response. Please funnel all Town Hall meeting information to Diane and/or let her know if you are willing to be on the “visitation team”. allschendel at aol.com

 2010 ELECTIONS –
Candidate Farming – TINA HANSEN and SUE HEWSON have joined forces to head up candidate recruiting for the 2010 elections.  They are working to secure PCPs (Precinct Committee Persons) within the local GOP and need lots of help with research and finding candidates. They encourage people to secure PCP positions in the Democrat party, as well.  Leaders who are fiscally responsible and respect our Constitution can be found in both parties. The power belongs to We the People!

All interested parties contact Tina and Sue. Though their focus is Clackamas County, the goal is to link up with folks leading the efforts in Washington and Multnomah counties. 

Tina - tinahansen123 at yahoo.com and
Sue - theRanchTrading at bctonline.com.

MEMBER RESOURCES –
CAROL TEBO heads up Member Resources. One of our big responsibilities is setting up at our monthly meetings, signing in attendees, greeting new attendees with an information packet and bumper sticker and doing all we can to facilitate a positive experience for everyone. We can always use more hands, as well as ideas on how to improve. Carol sends a follow-up letter to all people who sign in at any event for the first time. Follow-ups need to be made to get these people engaged. We also welcome ideas for recruiting new members!

This News Bulletin is also a vital aspect of our outreach to members. Please direct any ideas or information you would like to see included to Carol: lctebo at tebotales.com

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HEALTHCARE ACTION ALERT

Follow the link below to the national 912 Project website where you will find complete contact information for all the House Blue Dog Democrats who are helping to put the brakes on the race to pass a massive, government-centered Healthcare plan.

http://www.the912project.us/page/blue-dog-democrats

If you want to send one email to the Blue Dog group at large, address it to

BlueDogs at mail.house.gov

The number below is a handy way to reach any legislator. It is a toll free line to the White House Switchboard. Simply ask for the legislator you wish to speak with.

1-877-762-8762

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FIRST STUDY GROUP A SUCCESS
NEWCOMERS WELCOME TO JOIN IN

The book The 5000 Year Leap proved to be a springboard for lively and thoughtful conversation at the first meeting of the Lake Oswego-centered study group. The discussion dealt with  the difference between Left & Right vs Tyranny and Anarchy, the three-headed eagle and the founders’ homage to the Anglo-Saxons and Israelites regarding their "People's Law" structure of government. Everyone contributed with wonderful ideas and comments.

The study group meets on the 4th Thursday of each month at 7pm in the Mt. Park Community Center in Tigard. The August 27th study will cover Principles 1 - 5 in The 5000 Year Leap. People are welcome to join the group at any time.

Check our website for updates or contact Joe Harper at contactjoeharper at gmail.com 

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JOHN ADAMS HBO SERIES A HIT WITH VIEWERS
START TIME – 8PM 

Series continues on Tuesday nights through August 18

Part 4 airs Tuesday, July 28. It’s not too late to join us for this very special event as our Founding Fathers begin the arduous task of forming a nation of the people, by the people and for the people.

Pre-show special presentation by 912 member, Irina Kogan.

Irina came to the United States in 1978 as a refugee from Russia. Unlike us, Irina knows the harsh realities of living in a country that does not allow the personal freedoms we consider our birthright.

Thanks to Sheri and Kirk McDowell, there are homemade cookies, drinks and popcorn available. 65-plus people have attended every viewing, a number of whom have become 912 members. What better way to enjoy a summer evening than sitting beneath the stars with like-minded people, reliving the birth of our country?!
 

DONATIONS ARE STILL NEEDED TO FUND THIS OUTSTANDING EDUCATIONAL EVENT
(Click Here to Donate)

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ORDER YOUR PERSONALIZED NAME BADGE

 Thank you to Frank Martin for contributing his graphic arts skills to design a name badge for regular attendees, in lieu of paper name tags. The badge will have your name and position in Oregon 912, i.e. Hospitality, Sales, Elections, etc. Or you can say Member or Volunteer—even Patriot. That part is up to you.

Order your personalized badge by emailing Lauri Hein, who makes all our buttons and badges. You can pick your badge up at the August 15 meeting. Cost is $1.00. lhpropertiesATcomcast.net

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CHARLIE COMPANY UPDATE

Sue Hewson thanks everyone who baked cookies, donated other items requested by the troops, and contributed money for postage and purchase of items. Thanks to your generosity, Sue shipped off 10 boxes to our unit! A special Thank You to Rosie Gagnon and her Sunday school children who provided two huge boxes of items, including beautiful handmade cards and notes from the children.

Sue will update the soldiers’ requests on the website after she hears from Sabrina. The most important thing to remember is to under-bake cookies by about a minute. Check out Sabrina’s blog on the website, as well.

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HEALTHCARE THE FOCUS OF
AUGUST 15 GENERAL MEETING

DR. ERIC FRUITS, Featured Speaker
Topic: The Economics of Proposed Healthcare Reform Legislation

Dr. Fruits is an economic researcher and President of his company, Economics International Corporation, www.econinternational.com  He is also an adjunct Professor at Portland State University. Among the courses he teaches is State and Local Finance.

Just prior to speaking at our August 15th meeting, Dr. Fruits will be attending an emergency meeting at the Cato Institute (www.cato.org) in Washington D.C. to address economic concerns about the Healthcare reform plans being considered by Congress.

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