THE PEACH STATE PATRIOT

A SEMI-MONTHLY EMAIL NEWSLETTER
 

 Georgia National Fair

A Huge Success

After a pause in 2020 due to the COVID- 19 Pandemic, the 2021 Georgia National Fair came back in full swing. A new member of the vendors at the fair was our own Convention of States Georgia booth. The fair started on October 7th and ran through October 17th. Over 300,000 people from all over the USA visited and took in the many rides and games of chance.

This year the presence of COS made a very positive impact. Almost 1,000 petitions were signed by citizens from as far away as California. The volunteers who manned our booth did an excellent job of helping visitors understand the COS mission and our three primary objectives. It was clear to all that term limits, fiscal responsibility, and control over government overreach sparked thoughtful responses and made people eager to sign the COS petition. Time after time people gravitated to the booth as volunteers loudly called out, “We Need Term Limits, Do You Agree?"

The idea for our booth was first suggested by Rob Rodman, and without he and his wife Cathy’s tremendous support and long hours in the booth, it could not have been such a success. They weren’t alone and it truly was a great team effort with over 15 other volunteers, pitching in during the long hours (10am - 10pm) of the 11-day fair.

Next year we hope to make the number of petition signers even greater, but we will need more volunteers, so please put this very worthy event on your 2022 calendar. Without you, we can’t succeed. 

By: Bill Sanders

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St Marys Seafood Festival
October 9th

COS Region 1 had a booth at the St. Marys Rock Shrimp Festival. The festival was renamed the St. Marys Seafood Festival when the price of rock shrimp climbed to $15 a pound. The Kiwanis Club of St. Marys could get the rock shrimp at that price, but customers could not have afforded it. So...improvise, adapt and overcome! Seafood vendors came to the rescue! 

COS had an excellent location in the grass next to a gazebo overlooking the St. Marys River - right where attendees went to eat after buying their food. As they currently face expulsion from the military for not taking the COVID shot, several active duty military families decided to sign the COS petition. Nurses frustrated with the science not being followed also signed the petition along with retired military and parents homeschooling their children. We had 18 new paper petition signers and at least two QR code signers. 

Several remarked that this was the first time they had seen us here. While this may have been true, it will not be the last.

By: Don Gardner

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The Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival October 15th - 17th

COS Region 1 had its booth set up in the nonprofit section, as far away as possible from the music stage. We could hear the music, but we could still converse. The Bryan County Republican Party had its booth set up three spots to the right of ours. Our booth was directly across from the Bryan County Democratic Committee. Don Gardner and Ana, Wolfgang Ziegler and Susanne, Sharon Fuhrman, and Stephanie Reik worked the booth. Wolfgang and Susanne collected 35 paper signatures. Sharon garnered 32. Stephanie got more information out of people in five minutes than any computer hacker.

Saturday afternoon Susanne found some "Let's Go Brandon" t-shirts at another booth, which she picked up. Wolfgang quickly doffed one, and we saw a major increase in traffic at our table afterward.

By: Don Gardner

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Volunteer Spotlight

This month's volunteer spotlight goes to our hard working State Grassroots Coordinator, Tony Moore. Tony has been with Convention of States since 2017 but didn’t really get involved until the beginning of this year.

Tony, a headhunter by profession, uses his talent to converse and engage daily in his role with COS. It also does not hurt that Tony loves to make people laugh and often has the team in stitches.

As the Georgia State Grassroots Coordinator, he mentors and strategizes with Regional Captains and District Captains in recruiting and training. His partnership with Jo’El Lapp, the State Director, has resulted in much needed training and procedures development and implementation. Georgia’s Grassroots success is because of Tony’s hard work and dedication.

Tony and Jo’El also participate in COS Live on Facebook twice a month. Tony has his own podcast called, "Winning at Work" that makes him very comfortable in front of a microphone.

During a State legislative strategy meeting this past weekend, Mark Meckler joined via zoom. While congratulating Georgia on its success, he awarded Tony a COS Challenge Coin, the highest honor that is given a volunteer.

Please join us in thanking Tony for his service and congratulate him on this prestigious award.

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November Events

• November 12th & 13th - Baxley Pigs & Pickin' Festival and BBQ Cookoff
  
  • Great Details
  • Sharon Fuhrman

• November 13th - Annual Sportsman's Festival in Warrenton, GA
  • Learn More
  • Joey Gibson

• November 20th - Kingsland Catfish Festival
  • Read About
  • Don Gardner

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Words of Wisdom

"We the people are the rightful masters of both the Congress and the Courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution." - Abraham Lincoln

Contributed by: Rob Rodman

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Until We Meet Again

That's a wrap for this issue of the Peach State Patriot. We hope you enjoyed it and found it informative. Please continue to reply and give us your feedback. We welcome your input.

The Georgia Content Writers Team