On Wednesday, 55 North Carolina Patriots showed up in Raleigh on the Halifax mall to be the voice for change.
Instead of approaching the event as a protest, volunteers set about being a welcoming committee for the law makers and visitors to the capitol. Signs showed support for the Convention of States and HJR 233, but smiles and "Good mornings" were the tone for the day.
Many people stopped to engage in discussions with the group, asking questions about COS, the possibility of reversing the downward slide our country is experiencing and how they can get involved. People pulled the website up on their phones to sign the petition there on the spot.
A few patriots met with their Senate Representatives, but many reported that they had been unable to reach their Senators at all. It is very disturbing that so many "representatives" can not be bothered to speak with their constituents.
One of the take-aways from the day is, have a visual aid. When people see a crowd they tend to avoid eye contact. Use colorful signs to encourage them to look. Then have a nice word to say, "Have a great day" or "I love your shoes."
It's all about making connections. Seek conversations, not confrontations.
