"Our state has already passed the Convention of States resolution, so what is there to do now?"
That is a question we hear frequently when speaking with new petition signers.
The battle is not won. In fact we are just at the beginning.
When Arkansas passed the COS resolution, our State Director said it was only by divine intervention. Regional Captain Randall Tyson believes the founding of our country was also divine intervention.
Since 2015 Randy has worked in different roles within COS to help Arkansas move forward towards a convention.
"It's no accident you are all here tonight," he said, as he held up pictures of his two young grandsons. "This is why I do what I do on a Friday night or Saturday morning."
at a COS meet-and-greet.
Every month on the last weekend he hosts a meet-and-greet with local petition signers in his region. He found a niche that works for him and his community at local restaurants.
He sends out an email invite four weeks in advance and a reminder email two weeks out. The week before, he texts petition signers who live closest to the meeting place.
Folks showed up early for the scrumptious piled high custom pizzas and salad bar Friday night at Doc's Pizza. It was an opportunity to talk and get to know one another.
Frank Gilbert--a Libertarian candidate for U.S. Congress in the 4th District of Arkansas--came to greet old friends and make new ones.
Saturday morning at Newk's Eatery got started with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Soon, Randy was passionately explaining how we risk losing financial freedom and the impact it would have on his grandsons. He inspired everyone to instead imagine the opportunities ahead if we can get things turned in the right direction.
"You all had things to do, but you chose to be here. This is how we change things," Randy said. He then explained the process for a Convention of States.
He focused on the Commerce and General Welfare Clauses, holding up a pocket Constitution.
Simultaneously, State Director Jacque Martin showed a picture of what the Constitution looks like today, over 3,200 pages in length.
"COS is the unifying organization that will actually make the difference," she said.
Air Force Veteran David Hicks admitted that members of his church property team have differing political opinions, but they all agree that something in government is broken. He sees Article V as the solution.
Jim Stamps, another Air Force veteran, said he was impressed that Randy just kept asking him to come.
"He didn't ask for money, so I decided to finally come check it out," Jim said.
Both veterans have agreed to help re-activate our Veterans Coalition and recruit other veterans across the state.
Carolyn Smith has known Randy for a long time but something always came up to keep her from coming to a meeting. She decided nothing would stop her this time and has agreed to help COS as a Social Media Warrior.
"I'm on Facebook a lot with my grandchildren, so it will be easy for me," she said, "and something I will enjoy."
It was no accident we were all gathered there for the first time, each of us passionate about saving our country.
Randy's call to action recruited several new volunteers for our state team:
"What kind of country will my grandsons inherit?"
Answer your calling. Volunteer today.
