I'm applying for Camp Obama today. Anyone care to share their stories?

[writes3000]

I've been sitting here in California feeling like I want to do more.

So I'm doing it. I'm willing to go to battleground state and work like hell.

Has anyone else gone through Camp Obama?

[Happyhippychick]

1. Never heard of it. Do they serve s'mores?

[writes3000]

2. It's training to become a Deputy Field Organizer.

But I doubt they serves s'mores. I'll ask though, LOL.

[Happyhippychick]

3. I would definitely do it (even if they don't serve s'mores). sounds fun!

[NYC_SKP]

4. I attended two weeks ago in Tracy, CA...

Pretty conservative territory, formerly Richard Pombo's district, now Jerry McNerney. (yeaaaaaah!!!)

It was held at a Safeway (supermarket) employee break room, we had permission but on the day of the event they said we couldn't wear pins, or use the LCD projector if it displayed anything political, so we went without it.

We covered the strategies for voter registration, canvassing, and phonebanking.

The most important thing, I think, was learning how to "tell your story" about why you support Obama (without bashing other candidates) and how to respond to questions when you don't have specific answers about policies, for example.

Have fun, and thanks for going, it will be fun!

:hi:

[writes3000]

6. Thanks for the details and the encouragement.

May I ask if you've been assigned to something specific since then?

[NYC_SKP]

7. We all signed up on a form telling what we were able and willing to do.

But I haven't been asked yet to do any specific thing.

I've said I might be able to travel to Nevada, but would definitely phone bank, (I did it during the primaries--it's weird at first but then becomes fun).

I also offered to host phone-banking parties at any wireless hotspot, I'll bring 6 wireless laptops.

Follow-up on these things can't become the burden of local campaign leaders (who are volunteers themselves).

So, we have a meeting on Monday and again Wednesday, I attend when I can.

Do the best you can but don't expect to be hand-held through it (I've heard people complain that they didn't hear back and so dropped out).

Thanks again!

[writes3000]

8. Once again, really, really valuable advice.

I'm actually able to spend quite a bit of time in another state if asked.

But it's good to know that I'll have to lead the charge rather than wait on someone to lead me.

I really want to do more than just donate and hand-wring online, LOL.

The phone call thing intimidates me but I'll get over it fast.

[NYC_SKP]

9. On Phone Banking...

In my job I present to large groups of perfect strangers, but I was still nervous about the prospect of calling strangers in another state on a Saturday afternoon.

The website makes it easy, provides a script and a series of questions and how to proceed depending upon the response.

I was calling Indiana during the primaries, out of 46 calls I only got one "no thanks" hang-up.

Others told me fun stories about how they were voting Dem for the first time, or about their kids in Iraq. It was a really good feeling to talk to these folks!

You don't have to follow the script verbatim, try to find your own words, be sincere, and remember why (in positive terms) you support Obama.

Have the Obama 800 number for QandA handy for folks who don't have internet, and refer others to the website for details on policy and position.

Here's a letter I got yesterday from my local leadership:

Hello.

Larry Whitted asked me to let you know that you can phone from home into the "battleground" state of Nevada. We will soon be assigned our own district in Nevada to focus our efforts there and in collaboration with the local team on the ground.

To do phonebanking from home:

- Go to http://california.barackobama.com/page/content/cahome

- Click on "MAKE THE CALL" on the right side column of the page

- Follow instructions.

It's as easy as that!!

[writes3000]

10. Thank you, thank you. Really appreciate it.

I can't wait to get started.

[NYC_SKP]

5. I got to meet our delegate, here's her blog:

http://www.leaslagniappe.blogspot.com/

Everyone had an interesting story to tell at Camp Obama!

And phone banking or traveling to swing states will win this thing!