Convention of States Action (COSA) President and Co-Founder Mark Meckler was on hand in Plymouth, Massachusetts last week to join State Director Michael Arnold in honoring Massachusetts Convention of States volunteers Bill Matheson and Steven Tribastone with COS Challenge Coins.
Bill and Steven were awarded their Challenge Coins on May 4 at the Cabby Shack restaurant in Plymouth, just steps from Plymouth Bay, prior to the National Day of Prayer event held later that afternoon.
Bill and Steven are both immediately recognizable to the whole of the Massachusetts team as outstanding and committed leaders.
Bill has trained numerous leaders and volunteers, composed and organized information packets that clearly explain the necessity of Article V and its process, and conversed with several state legislators in order to not only put our Article V resolution on the radar but to move it forward. He has done the difficult, time-consuming work of individual engagement that enables and fortifies the success of our movement.
In addition to all that, Bill is the team's "unofficial-official" historian. His talent in bringing perspective and knowledge of our state’s history is unmatched. Whether on a call or at an in-person gathering, Bill is quick with an always-relevant anecdote (or five) about a slice of Massachusetts history that few members of the team, if any, had known prior.
Bill’s historical perspective makes him one of our most unique district captains. During the course of his time with the team, he has developed several educational materials that incorporate the history of Massachusetts – and its role in the founding of our republic – to his talks at meetings and events. His presentation about the Massachusetts State Constitution is a concise yet thorough lesson borne of long and precise study that reinforces the ideals and principles of limited government and ordered liberty that the Commonwealth has championed, and with the devotion of leaders like Bill, will do so again.
Steven is a bright, engaging everyman for MA COS. He has never refused a project in which he has been asked to participate and is currently working with the National team to develop a nationwide monthly meeting agenda.
Steven is also the state video coordinator and a member of the National Videography Team. He did yeoman’s work behind the camera at the Leadership Summit in Orlando in October 2022 and will be instrumental in bringing the upcoming convention simulation to all from Williamsburg this summer.
After our experience moving our resolution through the General Court and watching it stall and die, Steven saw an opportunity to help everyone make sense of the quagmire of legislative jargon and procedure we encountered. He crafted and honed a highly-informative and easily understandable slide presentation that explains how a bill becomes a law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts – submission of legislation, sponsorship and co-sponsorship, committee referrals, multiple readings, and session expiration.
Steven has delivered his presentation at district meetings (his own and others) and even to groups not affiliated with Convention of States. He has generously shared the presentation so that others may use it in meetings. His work is crucial not only in the development of educated self-governing citizens but to our team as we work to build upon the historic progress we have made.
Because of Steven’s work, we will be better able to navigate the process and better engage our legislators on their field this time around.
In all that they do for COS, Bill Matheson and Steven Tribastone exemplify the spirit and dedication of our Massachusetts forefathers in not only spreading the word about liberty but working for it as well.
Congratulations to both for this well-deserved honor.
