Columbus Townhall[/size]
General Membership Meeting Summary[/size]
April 6, 2004 – McPherson Lab Room 1000 / OSU[/size]
Columbus Townhall MeetingsTonight two separate meetings took place. The monthly Townhall Meet-Up was conducted at Mozart’s Bakery Café. Two Executive Committee members attended in order to provide first timers with an orientation to Columbus Townhall, and an invitation to become more politically engaged by joining us.
The second meeting took place on the OSU campus, in McPherson Laboratory, with the remainder of Columbus Townhall. We decided this past month that the restaurant venues selected by Townhall Meet-Up were really not conducive to conducting an effective meeting, and thus reserved space at OSU.
In the coming months we will try to take control of the Townhall Meet-Up venue selection process in order to ensure that meeting sites will actually be conducive to running a meeting.
Legal IssuesWe are in the process of identifying and securing counsel from an appropriate attorney regarding what type of legal framework should be employed in formally establishing the organization. More on this as events unfold.
Committee StructureWe have established four standing committees for the launching of our activities – the Membership / Recruiting Committee, the Public Relations Committee, the Political Activism Committee, and the Political Campaign Committee. Members are encouraged to volunteer to serve on these committees and help with getting their activities solidly underway. If you are interested, please e-mail us or express your interest via a “reply” to this posting directly on the website and you will be contacted to brief you on the activities planned for that committee.
Townhall Across AmericaWe have established contact with many other groups from coast to coast who, like us, have established themselves following the inception of the Townhall Meet-Up events. We will be sharing information between organizations, benefiting from the lessons of each others’ experiences, and identifying collaborative opportunities for the future. The most important thing under discussion has to do with exploring the potential not only for collaboration between local groups, but to perhaps go well beyond that by establishing some sort of umbrella organization that is national in scope. The hope is that in so doing we can accelerate the mobilization of conservatives across the country, and provide a support structure that is accessible to the local groups to help them successfully develop a vibrant and effective organization within their communities. For example, Peter, Columbus Townhall’s website creator and administrator, will be working with the technical folks from each group to help them develop a sophisticated technical capability such as we are fortunate to enjoy with our own website. As this evolves we will keep everyone posted.
Conservative Cavalry ForaysMembers of Columbus Townhall have attended quite a few events recently that were put on by the left. While there our members have politely asked questions and made public statements that made it clear to the audiences that not everyone agrees with the rantings of the malcontents. Several different techniques have been employed in the engagements, members have handled themselves responsibly, and we have done much to reveal the fallacies in the left’s arguments to members of the audience who were present to learn about various subjects, and who may not have yet fallen under the spell of the left’s positions. All members are encouraged to attend these events, even if just to observe, as they make for an eye-opening and exhilarating experience. It has been amazing how a simple and politely posed question or challenge can serve as a catalyst for a foaming at the mouth leftist tirade. They haven’t as yet figured out who we are, but are obviously unhappy that we have injected a voice of reason into their propagandizing. Be sure to familiarize yourselves with the Conservative Cavalry Code of Conduct. We want to avoid any of our members going off like the libs do. Your vocal contributions to the debate should reflect positively upon Columbus Townhall.
Events crashed so far:January 28 – Wasserman / Fritakis event at Columbus Main Library
February 17 – MoveOn.org Bush-Bash at Columbus Main Library
February 22 – John Edwards campaign stop at OSU
March 1 – John Kerry campaign stop at OSU
March 4 – AdamSmith appearance on Ken Hamblin syndicated radio show
March 10 – Environmentalist Wacko presentation on ANWR
March 20 – Anti Iraq War Rally at Statehouse
March 24 – Central Ohioans For Peace presentation of MoveOn.org anti Iraq war film at Hilliard Library
March 27 – Central Ohioans For Peace presentation of MoveOn.org anti Iraq war film at Lane Road Library
April 3 – Central Ohioans For Peace presentation of MoveOn.org anti Iraq war film at Whetstone Library
Upcoming events:April 18 at 2:30 PM – Central Ohioans For Peace presentation of MoveOn.org anti Iraq war film at Tremont Library in little theater in downstairs area.
April 25 at 11:30 AM – NARAL Pro-Choice March
Columbus Townhall Summer PicnicThe Columbus Townhall Summer Picnic will take place Saturday, June 19, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM at Highbanks Park, which is north of Columbus on U.S. 23, just south of Powell Road. See the website’s calendar function for additional information. Members are encouraged to bring their families for an enjoyable evening together. We will also be inviting other “Townhall” groups from across the state, some of which have already expressed interest in attending.
Note: We are hoping to have Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell in attendance to speak to us. Advisor has spoken with him, and is working on the details of this. Be watching for an announcement on the website. Secretary Blackwell recently formally launched his candidacy for the Governor’s office, and we look forward to helping him emerge victorious.
Columbus Townhall / OSU Sentinel Retreat WeekendWe are looking into the possibility of scheduling a weekend retreat in the months ahead, perhaps at a Hocking Hills venue. Advisor will be posting related information on the website in the weeks ahead. Our intent is to spend a weekend with our Ohio State University student allies, relaxing, getting some work done, and simply enjoying each others’ company. More to follow. Monitor the website.
Party for the PresidentIn follow-up to a program from the Bush-Cheney Campaign, we are probably going to throw a Party for the President. Watch for details on the website as they develop.
Adopt a soldierAdvisor discussed a program available for providing material and moral support to our military deployed in the War On Terror. The only responsibility is to send a letter and a little care package to the soldier assigned to you on a monthly basis…not to much to ask considering their sacrifices on our behalf. All members are encouraged to check it out and participate if they can. Watch for information on the Columbus Townhall website, or go directly to their website at:
http://www.adoptaplatoon.org/Repeal The TaxAdvisor updated us on Secretary of State Ken Blackwell’s effort to repeal the state sales tax increase. If you haven’t yet signed a petition, contact Advisor via e-mail from one of his postings on the website.
Bush-Cheney 2004 – Precinct Chairpersons NeededGreg Lawson from the Republican party, who is responsible for coordinating the efforts of Precinct Chairs, briefed us on the state and national campaigns and candidates. The Bush-Cheney campaign is seeking volunteers to serve as Precinct Chairs for the campaign. The responsibilities are not too painful, in fact won’t hurt a bit, and you are encouraged to pitch in if you can. There is a great deal at stake in this election. Don’t assume that the efforts of others will carry the day, as the left is pulling out all the stops, and Ohio is a very uncertain battleground state. Greg signed up a few volunteers, and more are needed. If you want to discuss this with him, please, please, send him an e-mail seeking information at:
gregrlawson78@yahoo.comColumbus Townhall’s websitePeter provided an update on website features, and planned future improvements. On McPherson Lab’s A/V equipment he played an awesome video clip, set to music, to highlight many aspects of America’s economic recovery. It was really terrific. He intends to have it available on the website in the near future.
Columbus Townhall will soon have a “retail store” capability for ordering shirts, hats, books, and other gear, details yet to be determined. Watch for details.
The “National” forum in the Political section of the website has now been broken down into eleven separate sub-categories, making it much simpler to home in on areas of interest.
Peter finished up the meeting by conducting an online website navigation tutorial for members with questions about how to utilize the website to full advantage.
Columbus Townhall > Forum > General Forums > Events and Gatherings (Moderators: Peter, CTH Public Relations)
Topic: April 2004 Columbus Townhall General Meeting
