Check out March's Volunteer of the Month!

Happy March!

Beginning this month, we are highlighting volunteers so that Colorado can see what’s happening within Convention of States. A problem with organizations is that the very existence of it creates an illusion that there’s some elitist suits running the show.

We’re proud at Convention of States that we are citizens and Coloradans and the only requirement to get involved is that you love your nation and your liberty and your ability to self-govern rather than be ruled by some elitist suits being paid by our tax dollars.

We come from different backgrounds, different interpretations of our beliefs, different lifestyles and different reasons for being here at Convention of States. Usually we come together with the same attitude of “Don’t Tread on Me!” but how we get here is always a different story.

I’m happy to present to you our first Convention of States Volunteer of the Month! Sal Celauro is our volunteer for the month of March.

The reason is simple. He has stepped up to be counted in his own way and the leadership at COS took notice. We are not leaders at COS for any other reason except that we stepped up and filled the need and found the space that we could help in the best way.  This is also what Sal has done.


He joined Convention of States in November of 2022, just under four months ago. He got involved immediately by responding to invites within his district and showed up to meet other volunteers who have the same attitude I wrote about earlier.  

When he checked out our website before showing up, he signed the petition which got him on the contact list and his District Captain gave him a call and he responded.

He has found his niche. In January, he went to the State Capitol multiple times with our Legislative Liaison John Graboski. He is attending legislative sessions, he’s representing Convention of States in the Capitol building with his COS t-shirt (which is a big deal). He has handed out a newsletter to the offices of State Senators and State Representatives that educate them on our mission and why as constituents in our state, we want them to represent us and he's supporting other volunteers when they visit. He is also involved in volunteer followups.

He has helped by taking pictures of events at the Capitol and at his own district meeting, which helps me tell the story.  

He is helping the rest of us, but also, it’s cathartic to serve in ways that we are gifted to serve.

I hope you understand that you have gifts and can do things easily that the rest of us find difficult. We need you to help us in the ways that we struggle to accomplish grassroots. Sal is understanding this and that’s why he is a blessing to Convention of States.

Here’s Sal's interview:

What motivated you to get more involved and keep showing up?

I like the idea of what Convention of States wants to do: to add amendments to reign in the federal government. They’ve gone too far and we the people aren’t doing what it takes to stop it. I’ve been involved personally with defending my own rights against the government and I know how important it is to protect the people’s rights from the power of the government. We’re so overpowered by the will of the government if they want to put us on our knees, they can do it so easily. It’s not supposed to be that way.

What part of volunteering has been difficult and why?

No issues. I enjoy the people. Meeting new people, getting involved with people who believe the same thing that I do. It’s good to meet people who have similar feelings about what’s going on.

What are you witnessing when you’re meeting up with other interested people and volunteers?

The new people seem interested and I’m hoping to see them again. I like seeing new people coming and getting involved. It’s not easy to get people involved. It’s not easy trying to educate people. They have to “see” what’s going on for themselves.

What do you want to tell other people in Colorado who want a Convention of States but aren’t sure about getting involved?

Get involved in some way. Meeting with the legislators is a good way because you’re not going to change things by staying home. The legislators need to see you.  

Do you see the State Capitol as overwhelming?  

It’s a beautiful structure. I don’t find it that way. I have no fear. I go out and do things and get things done. It’s about getting out there and doing it.

Tell me about being a followup team member.  What is that about?

I look for people who need followup after they’ve signed up to volunteer. I do SGC profiles, followups for people who don’t have a District Captain in their region. I send them an email to welcome and thank them, send them information on their representatives to contact, send them some education videos to get them started.
 
Convention of States is a goal that requires citizen engagement.  How do we convince the thousands of supporters across Colorado that their presence is powerful and the key to success?

The people set up the government and it’s our responsibility to maintain the government. It’s our duty to be involved and maintain our own nation as The People. We’ve been taught wrong. We’ve been passive. The people need to step up and get involved.

What does grassroots mean to you?

To me it means “The People”.