The Massachusetts Convention of States Team (MA COS) gathered for its annual strategy meeting, held on a cold and drizzly June 3 at the American Legion Hall in Sutton, Massachusetts.
State Director Michael Arnold and Regional Director Monica Sellers were on hand to lead the celebration of the year's accomplishments, enjoy fellowship, and set goals for the next 12 months.
Several action items were established, including block-walking efforts and petition collection events. District captains and volunteers set goals to collect petition signatures, identify 5-10 COS activities at which they individually excel, and make it a personal goal to take action on 3-5 of those activities.
The team was also encouraged to devise proposed constitutional amendments in order to formulate a solid amendment that can be delivered to the Massachusetts commissioners for their use at the simulated convention scheduled for early August in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Three distinguished MA COS members -- LuAnne Tribastone, Todd Costa, and Kristy Stefano (pictured from left to right with Michael Arnold) -- were the recipients of Patriot Pins in recognition of their excellent work in educating the public about COS, generating petition signers and new volunteers, and connecting with state legislators to urge support of our resolution.
On the latter note, Kristy Stefano delivered a terrific presentation in which she discussed her experiences, strategies, and thoughts about the importance of establishing communication and following through with state representatives and senators. Contacting those representatives was also a key action item from the annual meeting.
Kristy discussed the fruits of her labor, which in part resulted in a productive and informative meeting with her senator, John Velis, who co-chaired the hearing of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs in front of which MA COS testified in January 2022. Sen. Velis will likely preside during this session's testimony as well. Establishing this contact has been of mutual benefit and emphasizes the importance of educating legislators and voters alike.
Another main action item pertained to that next round of testimony. District captains have been urging and will continue to urge volunteers to commit to testifying, and to read and practice presenting the testimony that the team will utilize whenever the committee holds its hearing about our resolution, H.3541. Because the Massachusetts General Court only needs to give a 72-hour notice prior to a hearing date, the team needs to be as prepared and polished as we were the last time around.
On the whole, it was another successful day to celebrate the accomplishments of MA COS and work toward the goal of adding Massachusetts to the roll call of states that have passed the COS resolution.
