The Convention of States Maryland team met recently to plan its strategy for the 2021 General Assembly, focusing on ways to maintain momentum gained earlier this year when members testified in support of HJ0011, which is the Convention of States resolution for Maryland.
Strategy Session Lays Groundwork for 2021 Legislative Session
The Maryland legislature shut down early in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is struggling with how to safely convene for 2021. While Zoom was used for several committee hearings over the summer, there has been no word yet on whether lobbyists will be allowed into the State House for the next 2021 session, which begins January 13.
Mission Achievable
The Maryland team met under the mandate of its new mission statement, adopted earlier this year to help refine and clarify the role of COS Maryland within the context of the larger COS movement:
The mission of COS Maryland is to empower Maryland citizens with the ability to enact change on a national level using the powers granted in Article V of the U.S. Constitution.
It was agreed that while passing the COS resolution in Maryland is the primary goal of the chapter, spreading the message of self-governance is also an important part of the chapter’s mission.
Attendees emphasized that Maryland and the country as a whole are at a point where it’s imperative that the COS movement make a difference on both local and national levels.
Mark Makes an Appearance 
The Maryland team was excited to have COS co-founder Mark Meckler join the meeting via videoconference. He expressed his appreciation for the team’s efforts and said he was very impressed with the chapter’s progress, enthusiasm, and accomplishments. Mark noted that the largest growth in the national COS movement is in the “blue” states like Maryland.
Mark also emphasized that while COS National has the “big picture” of what’s happening across the country, local chapters like Maryland can have a national impact by getting involved in town councils and other regional bodies.
He was also impressed with how the Maryland team is building relationships with legislators and suggested the “Point of Relationship” approach. If you meet someone such as a legislator in their office, look around briefly and see what is important to them. Talk about that before talking about the COS. He also counseled that real grassroots activism is about building relationships.
Finally, Mark observed that he has been researching the writings of the Founding Fathers regarding voting. He observed that there are almost no sources, because they took it for granted that people would vote. It was just obvious to them.
Challenge Coins Awarded
After his opening presentation, Mark awarded Convention of States Challenge Coins to Legislative Liaison Ce Harrison (pictured center left) and Grassroots Coordinator/State Information Analyst Bob Betz (pictured center right).
Also pictured below are Regional Director Monica Sellers and Maryland State Director Steve Patten.
Only 300 of these coins were made, and then the mold was destroyed. They are awarded with a certificate signed by both COS founders which can’t be recreated because Michael Farris is now working on non-COS projects.
The Challenge Coin award recognizes Ce’s and Bob’s efforts within COS and as chapter leaders. These are the same awards Steve Patten and David Sellers received at last year’s Leadership Summit.
New Theme: Get Smaller
The rest of the day was devoted to various team discussions, as well as a “year in review” segment.
State Director Steve Patten recognized past recipients of the Patriot Pins. Bob Betz, Ce Harrison, Julie Mason, and Kevin Wiegmann all received Patriot Pins for their efforts with the team leading up to and during the 2019 legislative session.
Additionally, Matthew Rehberg, Dennis Thomas, and Thomas Caruso were recognized for their efforts with the team leading up to and during the 2020 legislative session. Most recently, Michael Rilee was awarded a Patriot Pin for his efforts as State Communications Coordinator.
The team wrapped up the session with a discussion on shifting emphasis towards promoting education and growing grassroots support in addition to seeking support among legislators for the COS initiative.
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, 2020 was a successful year for COS Action, Maryland. The team looks forward to gathering more support for a COS resolution in Maryland during the 2021 legislative session, as well as launching new initiatives promoting constitutional education and grassroots participation in the COS movement statewide.
The COS Maryland team is always looking to welcome new members to the team. All patriots are always welcome (click here and explore the opportunities).
