How do you win a city?

I have dabbled in politics from time to time... whether watching friends bloody their knuckles on door to door voter registration or working in the Lt. Governor's Office in Maryland through AmeriCorps... I have been a dabbler until now.

I have thought I would love to work on a campaign. I think that work in addressing critical community needs is like getting elected, but it is about building a coalition to address issues like hunger, homelessness, and access. It is about building community support and moving forward together. There are so many connections.

I now have my campaign and my candidate, Sam Adams.

Sam originally comes from Montana, but has lived in Oregon for some time. He went to school and college in Oregon then got involved in various campaigns including working for Vera Katz, a previous mayor. As most people, Sam has a story one should listen to. Currently Sam is one of our City Commissioners in charge of transportation and is running for Mayor of Portland.

I got to have breakfast with Sam a couple of weeks ago after an event. (And by breakfast, I mean it was Sam and a few of us volunteers and his Campaign Manager, Jen. We were a small table talking about changing the world... a typical Sunday.) This I know... He believes in the power of service in schools and the community, so he has my vote. He believes in the importance of public transportation, so he has my vote. He believes in the potential of our city to live sustainably, so he has my vote. He believes in our potential... so he has MY vote. He is a gardener, too! One has to support a gardener.

I have been volunteering in the campaign office for the last month or so. From the first night I knew I was in the right place. I love the energy. There is a team of us all working towards one thing... it is a blast.

Right now we are gearing up for a large community event on February 26th. We have been making neighborhood signs for folks to hold up like a Presidential Convention. We have been making calls. We have been gearing up!

From a volunteer perspective, Sam's campaign staff, Jen and Megan, are great! There is always enough work for folks, they are constantly thanking us for our time, they feed us, and there is great music! They are activating folks to use their skills and talents. Did I mention it is fun?

So... if you are in Portland and you aren't busy, join the team with your time or money AND YOUR VOTE FOR SAM IN MAY. And come out on February 26th and see what it is like to be amongst 700 of Sam's supporters.

I am ready for the bloody knuckles!

As of 2/11/09
TOTAL VOLUNTEER HOURS SINCE 2/8/08 = 11