COS regional director and Massachusetts state co-director Michael Arnold has often asserted that the Commonwealth "is and always has been a thought and action leader when it comes to Constitutional matters."
The same can be said about the Massachusetts COS team when it comes to acquiring, obtaining, maintaining, and advancing support for an Article V convention to reduce the size and scope of the federal government.
The team's efforts resulted in being honored earlier this month as COS Team of the Year for 2024, completing an eventful journey that began quickly out of the gate.
Undeterred by bitter cold and snow, over 20 members of the team made their way to the State House in Boston on January 16 to publicly testify in support of an Article V convention of states. Those who were unable to travel testified remotely. COSA co-founder and senior advisor Michael Farris also testified via video conference.
The team educated, edified, and reasoned with great clarity and unity of purpose during their testimony, which was an innovative narrative, portions of which were divided into sections that the team members read. They explained the nonpartisan nature of Article V and outlined the important role that state legislators play in the process.
The impressive showing was borne of countless hours of diligent, weekly practice by MA COS volunteers who committed to testifying and followed through with determined dedication.
"The MA COS team took the committee hearing seriously," said regional director Haley Shaw. "They practiced every week on Sundays starting in early September 2023...that practice paid off with polished and professional testimony."
Additionally -- and just as importantly -- the team carried out various missions to encourage COS volunteers and supporters to contact their legislators on the committee via phone, email, and handwritten letters and postcards to urge passage of the resolution.
No state boasts a legislative champion as enthusiastic and committed as that of Massachusetts. Rep. Steven Xiarhos, who represents the 5th district in Barnstable, is the chief co-sponsor of the COS resolution in the General Court.
His co-sponsorship is not merely a matter of dropping the resolution in the hopper at the start of a session. He is in close touch with the team during the legislative process and has also been welcomed to several team events (here shown with MA COS leaders):
His infectious and invaluable support did not happen on a whim. It was cultivated patiently by Michael Arnold, who shadowed Xiarhos at various local events and speeches, established a professional and friendly bond with him, and met with him to explain the Article V process and why it is necessary.
That kind of grassroots engagement by so many members of the MA COS team -- not only with Xiarhos, but with state representatives and senators across the Commonwealth -- pays dividends. It yielded the historic result and further drives the team to eventually see the resolution get to the floor of the General Court for a vote.
Xiarhos -- affectionately known as The X Man in his district -- recognizes, respects, and reveres such engagement. He understands that it is the lifeblood of our representative republic. To formally congratulate the entire team for being named 2024 COS State Team of the Year, he and the General Court issued the following proclamation:
To the team itself, Xiarhos said "As the proud lead sponsor of the Massachusetts COS resolution, I am honored to stand alongside you in this important work. Well done on this truly special achievement."
In April, the team returned to Beacon Hill to hold its We the People Rally Day in Boston, organized by MA COS legislative liaison Mark Marshall. The group of 40 patriots met with legislators, delivered COS packets, heard from great speakers including Geoff Diehl, former state representative, and one of the Massachusetts commissioners at the 2023 Convention of States simulation.
The team also devised a creative way to amplify the message about COS and Article V out after finding themselves excluded from various events throughout the state. Mass COS volunteers began setting up tables outside of grocery stores to gather petition signers and explain the Article V process, which has worked wonders.
As state co-director Jane LaBorde explained, the "Shopping for Petitions" idea was borne out of discussion during a strategy meeting focusing on drawing petition signers in the Speaker of the House's district. The device was so popular and productive that it spread to other districts in Massachusetts and New England, and has now gone nationwide. MA COS leaders Bill Matheson and Dave Wilder, both of whom do an amazing amount of work for the team, are shown manning a table outside a grocery below:
The Massachusetts team has led the way in its approach to testimony, establishing and maintaining relationships with state legislators, and generating petition signers. Their ideas have motivated and inspired COS teams in every state.
As President-elect John F. Kennedy said to a joint session of the General Court a few days before traveling to Washington, D.C., to take the presidential oath of office, "For what Pericles said to the Athenians has long been true of this Commonwealth: 'We do not imitate -- for we are a model to others.'"
Truly that can be said as well of the 2024 COS State Team of the Year. Congratulations!
