LIBERTY is RISING in Maryland
Mark Meckler, COS President, visits the Old Line State on June 3rd
SIGN UP NOW!
Space is limited -- please carpool and bring your lawn/camp chairs!
In this issue...
- The State Director's Message
- InspiredtoAction
- Spotlight: Rick Bibbee, Regional Captain (D1-5)
- BeCOS It Matters: News and Essays from the Comms Team (including 2 Maryland volunteers featured on Rumble)
- COS Action Maryland Out & About: A calendar of upcoming events - event coordinators needed!
- COS Action Learning Resource of the Month
A Message from Mike Rilee, State Director - District 19
I often hear the question that since Maryland politics are so one-sided, why should we even try get our General Assembly to hear our Convention of States application, let alone bring it to a vote?
As I write this, the COS application is still in play in the Massachusetts legislature, having been passed out of committee and on to the floor of the Massachusetts House for a vote!
This just shows that Americans of every stripe are starting to realize that what ails our country is not being addressed by the federal government. The federal government is terribly suited for solving the entrenched problems that have been growing over decades across our vast, diverse country. More and more, it seems to me that you and I need to reacquaint ourselves with each other and our neighbors. We mustn't let social media and big tech newsfeeds tell us what we should think about each other.
Getting to know each other again won't be easy and many simply won't listen – but others will.
The COS team in Massachusetts saw how well our team prepared our committee testimony and adapted the Maryland process to their situation. With creativity, organization, hard work, and some humility, Massachusetts kept their faith in America and their neighbors, and now Massachusetts might soon get a vote on their COS Resolution.
The mission of the COS Maryland team is to empower citizens of Maryland to enact change on the national level through Article V of the U.S. Constitution. We have already inspired people throughout the country, just as the great leaders and volunteers of the COS movement throughout the country inspire and help us Marylanders become better citizens ourselves.
You can learn more about the Maryland team as former State Director Steve Patten and I were featured on COS Live: Maryland Leaders Making Moves. We're looking to organize every district in our state! If you can, please come out to see us at Liberty Rising in Prince Frederick to get inspired and learn even more.
It's been an amazing year and the next one will be even better. I invite you to join us as we relearn how to be neighbors, citizens, and 21st century patriots.
For Liberty!
Michael Rilee
State Director
michael.rilee@cosaction.com
InspiredtoAction
We're inspired by the actions of our Maryland supporters. We're on pace to surpass 32,000 petition signers in 2022. Our progress since 2018 looks like this:
| YEAR | YEARLY SIGNERS | TO DATE |
| 2018 | 3,536 | 13,315 |
| 2019 | 3,580 | 16,895 |
| 2020 | 4,313 | 21,208 |
| 2021 | 5,934 | 27,142 |
| 2022 | 1,538 | 28,680 |
The more signatures we gather, the more our Maryland state legislators recognize the strength of our cause. Your signed petition goes directly to your Maryland legislators so they know its importance to you.
Contact your legislators to let them know you support the Article V Convention of States resolution.
Spotlight on Team Maryland: Meet Rick Bibbee, Regional Captain (Districts 1-5)
YES, I am sold on COS!
My name is Rick Bibbee, and I am the Regional Captain for Western Maryland (Districts 1 through 5). I found my way to Convention of States in early May of 2020. I signed the petition, had a discussion with Steve Patten and then decided to take on the role of District Captain.
What caused my inner patriot to finally emerge, leading me to sign the COS petition in favor of Article V?
Well, it was the zoo. Through my work with Modern Woodmen of America, I was volunteering at the Tri-State Zoological Park in Cumberland. I had done a fundraiser with Bucky Covington for them and was helping them to rebuild after a fire. Then, PETA showed up in an undercover operation and took some photos that made the zoo out in a bad light. PETA launched a six-year, $1 million lawsuit against the zoo. In January of 2020, PETA showed up with sheriffs in tow, and removed 2 tigers and a lioness to a so-called rescue in Colorado.
For the first time in my life, I stood in a picket line. I asked myself, how is a 501(c)(3) charity able to take zoo owners’ personal property and claim they can be a better guardian for the big cats than the owner? It was a wake-up call! I realized that the government had turned over control of the American way of life to NGO’s (non-government organizations). The people elected to make laws had shirked their duties and gave that power to unelected groups that are daily infringing on the rights of Americans like Bob Candy at the Zoo.
I saw it as my mission to take up the cause of Convention of States to rid D.C. of the narcissistic, lifetime politicians that are allowing unelected NGOs and federal agencies to rule our lives.
In November 2020, I took the reins of District 2 as a District Captain. With only one volunteer on the books, I started calling petition signers, looking to activate volunteers with each call. It’s a good thing I sell life insurance for a living, because I made 300 calls before I got my first volunteer to sign up as a Volunteer Activist. 300 calls!
Today, we have 18 volunteers on the books in District 2, and in March of 2022, I assumed the role of Regional Captain for Districts 1 – 5. During the first three weeks I was with the People’s Convoy at the Hagerstown Speedway. The drum beat is marching our district captain team members to make calls and grow into District Captain roles. Together, we are building our grassroots army of COS supporters in Mid-Maryland.
My life philosophy is 1+1=3. The RC role allows me to utilize that philosophy to grow our grassroots volunteer army. If I help you win, I win too and so on.
Is your inner patriot ready to emerge? Do you live in District 1 through 5? Then give me a call and let’s return our nation to the People where it belongs.
BeCOS It Matters
Here are some interesting news articles from COSA Maryland, around the state and the nation that are worth reading and sharing with your circle of influence.
Twitter Chatter Wars by Andy Potts
Ministry of mis-Truth by Gayle McCowin
Uncle Sam Needs a Civices Lesson by Jake Brooks
The Sound of an American Awakening by Maria Bedard
Walking in the Footsteps of Evil by Will Zwart
...meanwhile in Maryland
WATCH: Baby Formula Shortage Hits DC Area
...and elsewhere in the U.S
while there's plenty of formula at the US Border for illegal immigrants
Perks for Congress include Peloton Subscriptions
$40 Billion for Ukraine passed by House, Held up by Senator Rand Paul
...and more Maryland volunteers featured on Rumble
COS volunteer Bob Betz featured on Rumble
COS Action Maryland Out & About
Event Coordinators needed!
COS Action Resource of the Month
Not sure which candidates are running in your district? Read on...
You’ve been waiting breathlessly for the Maryland Congressional and State Legislative redistricting maps. You’ve suffered sleepless nights following the months-long legal battle over the maps. You’ve sat on the sidelines watching the drama unfold across both sides of the aisle in Annapolis as arrows flew over the Governor’s mansion. Wait no more!
THEY’RE HERE
2022 Interactive Congressional District Map
2022 Interactive House of Delegates District Map
2022 Interactive State Senate District Map
Use these maps to discover your district and who is representing you in Washington and Annapolis. As an added bonus, we’re sending along this 2022 Primary Candidates interactive listing. Chances are, your district assignments have changed - mine did. Then...
The Gubernatorial Primary Election Day is July 19, 2022, and the Gubernatorial General Election Day is November 8, 2022. To vote in person on the election days, vote at your assigned polling place.
Civics is a social science dealing with the rights and duties of citizens.
Don’t miss this opportunity to carry out your civic duty as an engaged and responsible citizen. Educate yourself on the candidates and the districts they represent
Convention of State Resolution Progress Map
InspiredtoAction: One More Thing
If you've already signed the petition - Thank you.
If not, please do so and then send the link to your circle of influence.
It matters. Your support matters. Our country matters.
Sign the Petition
Learn to use the Telepatriot tool
Frequently Asked Questions
