At the Wild West Regional Summit held in Ashland, Nebraska, last month, a stirring rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner set the tone for an event filled with patriotism and passion.
This gathering brought together approximately 40 dedicated Convention of States activists representing all seven states in the Wild West region: Colorado (CO), North Dakota (ND), South Dakota (SD), Kansas (KS), Nebraska (NE), Montana (MT), Idaho (ID), and Wyoming (WY).
During the summit, attendees had the opportunity to come together in person to strengthen their strategy and build deeper connections within their team. The first night was highlighted by a campfire gathering, where participants enjoyed food, games, and a sense of community. The following day consisted of breakout sessions, informative presentations, and a speech delivered by Nebraska State Senator Steve Halloran.
The event spanned about two days and achieved a perfect blend of education, appreciation, smaller group discussions, and camaraderie. Laura Neimeister, the Colorado State Director, and Nebraska District Captain Steven Steinkuehler were recognized and awarded Challenge Coins for their outstanding servant leadership, driving the Convention of States movement forward.
While the summit's presentations provided valuable information and motivation, the real inspiration for many attendees came from the bonds formed with their fellow Convention of States activists. Witnessing the diverse strategies and experiences of different teams was encouraging and instrumental in advancing their own efforts.
“The presentations at the summit were informative and motivating, but what I found most inspirational was being with fellow COSA patriots. It was encouraging to see what the different teams are doing and use their experience to advance our CO team,” described Neimeister, who also praised Associate Regional Director Deanna Becket for her crucial role in organizing the event.
One of the summit's highlights was an unexpected visit from COS President Mark Meckler, whose infectious passion left a lasting impression. He offered a fresh perspective on the significance of the COS mission and encouraged everyone to persevere in the face of any obstacles encountered.
John Graboski, Colorado's legislative liaison, found two aspects of the summit particularly insightful and motivating: "One was the first-person account from State Senator Halloran of Nebraska, who attended the Simulation. The other was the 'from the heart' remarks by Mark Meckler as he reflected on the progress of COS after ten years in operation. There is no substitute for that type of testimony from your leaders."
Karla Pendleton, the Colorado Grassroots Coordinator, stressed the importance of in-person connections with leadership from other states, especially since Colorado has just recently become part of the Wild West Region. The time spent strategizing, brainstorming, and absorbing information was instrumental in strengthening the team's future endeavors.
Similar to previous regional summits, the event concluded with attendees eagerly anticipating their next in-person meeting. The summit's success exemplified the unity and strength within the Convention of States movement. Each grassroots member plays a vital role in propelling COS forward, and the Wild West Region has made impressive strides in the ongoing fight for freedom.
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