Commitment and positive energy were on full display at the recent Connecticut COS Annual Strategy Meeting which was attended by 20 volunteer activists, including our new Regional Director Haley Shaw, and a special Zoom appearance from Mark Meckler, President of Convention of States Action.
Gratitude set the tone of the meeting with an opening prayer by Volunteer Activist Cheri Rizio who acknowledged God’s power and our need for His help to achieve our goals. The purpose of the meeting was to review last year’s goals and set new ones for the 2023-2024 year ahead.
Petitions reach 2.5 million nationwide
Review of last year’s goals showed a 10 percent increase in signed petitions, bringing the total number of petitions to over 18,000. Our petitions contributed to the recent announcement that the Convention of States topped 2.5 million petition signers hitting an unprecedented milestone in the Article V movement.
The Connecticut team also added 15 new team members. Additional success was noted in other activist categories including town hall events, legislative meetings, letter-writing campaigns, phone calls, Meet and Greets, and participation at several local fairs and gun shows across the state.
CT team's hard work is applauded
“We had meaningful growth last year and we are aiming for greater success in the months ahead,” said Maureen Zollo, State Director of COS-CT. “We have an excellent team of committed individuals who care deeply about our country’s future.” Zollo further applauded the team for their ongoing work to file the COS Resolution with the Connecticut State Legislature.
When Mark Meckler joined the meeting via Zoom, he acknowledged the team’s hard work. “It’s not easy to get our resolution through state legislative committees and that’s by design,” said Meckler. “Our forefathers safeguarded our Constitution with a process to create change through consensus.” Meckler also said he is encouraged by Connecticut’s successful rally that was held in Hartford last February.
Volunteer Activist Brenda Hamilton had this to say about why she is a COS volunteer: “Being a part of COS continually reminds me of the power and voice granted to ‘We the American People’ by our founders. Attending COS meetings fuels me with the collective energy of like-minded people to do what I can to help plant seeds of change in the quest to save our nation.”
Call to action for more volunteers!
“We have a lot of work ahead and we need more volunteers,” said Zollo. “We encourage petition signers to seek out activities that appeal to them. This can include making phone calls or writing letters. District Captains, for example, are building teams of people in their local areas who can network together.”
Looking ahead, the Connecticut team will continue to reach across the state to educate and gain greater public awareness about COS. Our goal is to get more petitions signed, recruit more volunteers, and continue to dialogue with our state legislators as a means to gain greater support for passing the Convention of States Resolution.
Another way to contribute is to join the Connecticut COS Prayer Team. For more information, please contact Lisa Jolley, State Grassroots Coordinator, at lisa.jolley@cosaction.com.
Outstanding volunteers are honored.
Special recognition was given to several volunteers, including:
• MJ and Bill Guiffredo -- Volunteer Couple of the Year
• Karen Hesse -- District Captain of the Year
• Marion Pierce -- MVP (Most Valued Person) of the Year
Telepatriot Awards were also given to those who made 250 or more phone calls. Recipients include:
• Julie Van Elswyk -- (823 calls)
• Marion Pierce -- (548 calls)
• Lisa Jolley -- (536 calls)
• Nancy Eaton – (389 calls)
• Jerry Cincotta – (279 calls)
In closing, Haley Shaw, our new Regional Director, expressed her gratitude for the work that’s being done in Connecticut to support the Convention of States. She also spoke about the serious role that the COS grassroots army is playing to help bring states together and restore power back to the American people.
Check out Article V Simulation.
This meeting followed the recent Convention of States Simulation where 49 states gathered to propose potential constitutional amendments and passed six amendment proposals. This was an educational endeavor to show how a real Article V Convention of States would work. Connecticut was represented by former Senator Joe Markley. Click here to see highlights of the simulation.
To join the Connecticut COS team, please go to cosaction.com and click on “Join a Volunteer Team” or “Become a Leader.”
