Needham Teens Getting Organized for 2012

This past weekend, I met with a small group of Needham teenagers who wanted to learn about how to get involved in President Obama's 2012 reelection. We talked about what a grassroots campaign means--and how important organizing your community is to not just electoral victories, but longterm legislative/policy changes we want to see in the world (the reason why we support one candidate over another, right?). They also understood that Barack Obama's success has been in large part determined by the disposition of US Congress/Senate--and that it's as important to pay attention to races further down the ticket.

Perhaps most importantly, these kids (meant in the best way!) really seemed to GET IT that elections are about long-term changes... And that the day an election ENDS is the day that the real work begins: holding our electeds--for whom we worked to bring into office--accountable to the vision and values that led us to support him/her in the first place.

These five Needham teens closed the day fired up and ready to organize. I left hearing them talk about how to get other teens engaged, ways to get their peers involved, and what they'd need from the community to get going. I can vacillate between varying degrees of hope and despair. But it's scenes like this--where young people are engaging in the process of citizenship--that ultimately keep me the pragmatic realist idealist that I am.

They are planning their inaugural CANVASS on JUNE 23, SATURDAY--the opening plan is to go to New Hampshire to knock on doors for Obama.

They need some drivers to carpool, and Obama needs more volunteers. Can you join them? Let me know.

These 5 teens, 4 of whom can't drive, are the first in Needham to get organized and take action for Obama 2012. Give them a HUGE cheer, and let's let them lead the way!

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Work on political campaigns and community organizing can count toward Needham High volunteer/community service requirements:

• See the "Politics" section of the guidelines, and see this application for CSL hours!
• Needham H.S. student Ali C. is coordinating the effort for Progressive Mass (includes Obama, Warren, Kennedy and other prog. organizing) for Needham Teens--
• Contact her: acbell5495@gmail.com
• Join the "Grassroots Teens" facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/479985782016675/

For more, from me, on Organizing and 2012 elections, click here.