When I first spoke with Lynn Ray, a dedicated grassroots activist for Convention of States (COS) in Colorado, it was clear that his passion for the movement ran deep. Over the last two years, he has taken COS’s mission to heart, reaching countless people through events, rallies, and personal outreach.
His journey into activism wasn’t just about politics, it was about preserving the wisdom of America’s Founding Fathers and ensuring that future generations understand the importance of self-governance. More than anything, Lynn is passionate about passing the torch to younger generations, making sure they are informed, engaged, and ready to carry on the fight for constitutional principles.
Lynn’s background, shaped by his military service and deep-rooted faith, fuels his approach to advocacy. As a former C-130 pilot, he understands the value of discipline, strategy, and leadership—skills that have translated seamlessly into his activism. “I believe the good Lord brought me here to Colorado to help straighten things out,” he told me.
In a state where legislative environments often lean against COS principles, he has remained steadfast. His ability to engage new volunteers comes from a mix of strategy and humor, whether it’s the now-famous “dinosaur poster” at events or his finely tuned one-minute pitch. These tools, simple yet effective, have helped him gather thousands of petition signatures and introduce hundreds of new activists to COS.
One of the most amusing and effective tools in Lynn’s outreach arsenal is his “dinosaur poster.” At events, he stops passersby and asks if they recognize the “dinosaurs” on the board—the long-time politicians who have held office for decades. “Is that Mitch McConnell? Chuck Schumer?” he asks, instantly drawing laughter.
Once people are engaged, he explains how COS is fighting for term limits and restoring power to the people. The approach is lighthearted but incredibly effective. At one event, Lynn and his team signed up 132 people in just an hour using this method. He now trains new volunteers on how to deliver the same one-minute pitch and sign-up strategy with the same energy and success.
Like any grassroots leader, Lynn has faced his fair share of challenges. Some events have outright denied COS a booth, citing political concerns. Rather than accept rejection, he and his team have found creative solutions, like setting up outreach stations on private property near major events. His perseverance, along with the team’s dedication, turned what could have been a setback into one of their biggest wins. “You just have to keep going forward,” he emphasized, sharing how even personal health struggles haven’t slowed him down.
Beyond recruitment and activism, Lynn is focused on improving COS’s grassroots structure. He sees great potential in fostering camaraderie among volunteers through regular meet-ups, much like a veterans’ group he encountered. “People want to feel like they’re part of something."
