A very interactive group of 20 visitors attended the last NE NJ Regional Meeting for 2024 on November 20. First topic interest was the History of Veterans' Day. Thanks to SCW Lisa Wiggins, who created Power Point slides to share this information.
RC Bob Nordin shared facts about the National-World-War-I-Memorial-completed-Sept-2024 in Washington DC based on the connection of Armistice Day of WWI becoming Veterans' Day.
NEWS on Convention of States (COS) is always a key component at our NE Regional meetings so we viewed a segment of post election analysis by Rita Peters, Senior VP for Legislative Affairs, who stated she was "laser focused on the election of State Legislators" on November 5, 2024. Ms. Peters' segment runs from minutes 2:10-14:22 in this video COS at Home 11.6.24 Post Election Analysis ** from the COS YouTube channel.
As it is our NJ State Legislators who will vote to pass an Article V Resolution, the connection was made that ALL our NJ Assembly seats will be up for election in 2025 as well as that of the NJ Governor. Candidates will be at community events or even at our doors soliciting votes during their campaigns so the chances of meeting them is increased next year. They will be more likely to speak to to we the people as potential voters. It was clearly realized we can vet them on their stance on Article V granting the States power to call an amending convention and question them on issues that matter to us. The need to be informed voters was stressed.
Election results for Federal House and Senate positions were discussed. People had information from varied Legislative Districts and their Towns. Those who did canvassing on behalf of school board candidates in 2024 reported on their efforts. In this context a visitor shared a need for grassroot activists to run for offices in NJ. Varied positions were considered. We the people can run for School Board, a Voting Ward, Town Council or Mayor, County Commissioners to NJ Assembly & Senate or even to run for Governor. Challenging us to consider the heart of the strategy in running for offices; mainly the hard work of outreach to the people by going door to door! We learned that for state level positions a letter of intent must be filed by Jan 1, 2025. This writer has a sample letter for anyone so inclined. If you need same, please contact Francesca.Nordin@cosaction.com.
In NJ, with the 2024 General Election behind us, what is our role now? Bob Nordin asked us to discuss strategy to move forward with COS in 2025 specifically from the point of view post Nov 5. Many people spoke. The consensus is the work demands a greater focus on educating the public and NJ Legislators on an Article V based state call for an amending convention because there will be people taking office in 2025 known to be favorable to our work. Our more seasoned COS volunteers believe the opposition to COSA will increase related to the political landscape as we move into the next few years. Therefore the need to strengthen our own knowledge base will be important with a strong COS elevator speech and a well-prepared longer COS testimony as well.
Save the date and join us for Wreathes Across America on 12/14; what it is and how it honors veterans was explained by Francesca Nordin, DC/SCW.
We closed by reporting that our next Regional meeting is not until 1/29/25 so requested that district meetings be arranged for early January. Bob and his sidekick to the NE Region gave a heartfelt invite to our COS NJ Holiday Party, with wishes for a meaningful holiday season and new year to close our evening.
Thank you for reading our report. Watch for our emails with the dates and locations for all future COS events because we hope you can visit with us in 2025.
**President Mark Meckler and Senior Advisor Senator (retired) Rick Santorum also share their election insights along with Ms. Rita Peters, so enjoy the entire recording. Please subscribe to our COS channel and hit the like icon for this on YouTube.
