Title: December-January Newsletter Original CoS Document (slug): [[https://conventionofstates.com/december-january-newsletter|december-january-newsletter]] Login Required to view? No Created: 2024-12-09 07:53:30 Updated: 2024-12-09 07:59:17 Published: 2024-12-09 03:00:00 Converted: 2025-04-14T20:39:00.589708518 ----   But this isn't the finish line... | | |\\ |||{{https://mcusercontent.com/3a21cd3d06284c105dbd92fee/images/2da71a6d-235b-ab3d-e9a9-aede29495c05.png?650x403}} ||\\ \\ ||====== Passed State #6 ====== ||\\ \\ ||====== 71,359 INDIANA STRONG! ====== || |\\ ||| ||\\ \\ ||**STATE NEWS** ||\\ \\ || ||\\ \\ ||COS INDIANA EVENTS CALENDAR ||\\ \\ || [[https://teamup.com/ksb8xvncs5t8cj1an2|{{https://mcusercontent.com/3a21cd3d06284c105dbd92fee/images/1c075053-3389-5fad-9233-fcc88156352c.png?600}}]] ||\\ \\ ||Click on the Event Calendar to go directly to Teamup for more details.\\ [[https://visitindiana.com/events?utm_term=Image%3A+festivals+and+events+header+button&utm_source=delivra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=072121%20August%20Festivals%20and%20Events&utm_id=3060773|Events & Festivals | Visit Indiana]] – A great resource to schedule and host a COS booth! ||\\ \\ || ||\\ \\ || [[https://youtu.be/jccNoxn1HoU?si=vYcT7JRC_H0ZaTdJ|{{https://mcusercontent.com/3a21cd3d06284c105dbd92fee/images/5d2fc6db-660b-afce-7bca-856cedcbb6bd.png?528}}]] |\\ | {{https://mcusercontent.com/3a21cd3d06284c105dbd92fee/images/96a94fe1-ad1a-bdb5-f734-f0d533d7ec38.png?600x35}}\\ \\ **HAPPY NEW YEAR 2025!** ||\\ \\ || [[https://teamup.com/ksb8xvncs5t8cj1an2|{{https://mcusercontent.com/3a21cd3d06284c105dbd92fee/images/42509f79-27c5-d7a4-69c4-6430b0443753.png?600}}]] ||\\ \\ || ||\\ \\ ||**MARENGO MIKE** ||\\ \\ || ||\\ \\ || [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_ls4LT6F1w|{{https://mcusercontent.com/3a21cd3d06284c105dbd92fee/video_thumbnails_new/fa4219c2be721d9e34aedca1025c3ac4.png?528}}]] |\\ | Marengo Mike is created by COS Indiana State Comms Director Ken Kashuba ||\\ \\ || ||\\ \\ ||**COMING EVENTS** ||\\ \\ || |||\\ ||| **COS TODAY – LIVE BROADCASTS**\\ With Host Dale Parrish and Co-Host Ken Kashuba\\ {{https://mcusercontent.com/3a21cd3d06284c105dbd92fee/images/f7720dca-41e3-4404-84d7-b631ddf9d508.png?220x125}} {{https://mcusercontent.com/3a21cd3d06284c105dbd92fee/images/77775e54-1ff1-c1da-0158-dd0003387171.png?228x125}}\\ Dale's broadcast is live-streamed on [[https://www.facebook.com/COSProjectIN/?ref=page_internal|Facebook]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdFJqgt5FYi8qW5D5sso-Hg/videos|Youtube]]\\ **Every Monday at 7:00 PM Eastern Time**\\ \\ TUNE IN FOR ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS!\\ **(4th Mondays – Special Topics)**\\ **December 23, 2024 and January 27, 2025** || |\\ \\ || ||\\ \\ ||PROMOTE YOUR EVENTS HERE!\\ \\ \\ Be sure to post dates/times/details of your event on the Teamup Calendar, and after the event please share your pictures in the Events channel on Slack and include some details about your event and the great volunteers who helped make it a success. You all just might be featured in the next newsletter! ||\\ \\ || ||\\ \\ ||**PAST EVENT HIGHLIGHTS** ||\\ \\ || ||\\ \\ ||\\ {{https://mcusercontent.com/3a21cd3d06284c105dbd92fee/images/1a300c21-8d10-6fda-bc50-662ed06e2f02.png?600x531}}\\ \\ Nov. 23–Indiana Patriots at Westfield Pancake House! ||\\ \\ || ||\\ \\ ||\\ {{https://mcusercontent.com/3a21cd3d06284c105dbd92fee/images/e8ebd784-1e14-bdae-6042-f50bd9200afb.png?600x478}}\\ \\ Great conversation at 11-09-24 meeting of IN HD19 COS Team. Special thanks to special guest HD19 State Rep Julie Olthoff. Topics included responding to COS opposition, and 34 Ready. It was emphasized that the legacy of a favorable election may only be temporary without the long-term structural change that only an Article V convention can provide - now is not the time to relax; if anything, now's the time to double down! Thanks to Nancy and Rhonda for refreshments! ||\\ \\ || ||\\ \\ ||**THE DIRECTOR'S CUT** ||\\ \\ || ||\\ \\ || {{https://mcusercontent.com/3a21cd3d06284c105dbd92fee/images/b37d1f40-747b-099b-1c30-f0c897451734.png?504}} || | | || **DALE TIPTON – COS Indiana State Director**\\ \\ \\ **The State Director's Summary Report: **This is the summary report for COS Indiana for the month of **November 2024**. Action reports totaled 167 (-63). Our past high was recorded in March 2023 (309)**. Vickie Moring’s **Region 5 continued to lead the way statistically. Individual volunteer standouts across the state include** David Nally, Gary Speelman, and Robert Aronson.**\\ \\ – We currently list 67,494 petition signers (+248). We have 71,358 total supporters (+262). Active district captains’ number 19 (NC). Active region captains’ number 8 (NC).\\ \\ – **Stacey Garrett** stepped down as our state events director. I want to thank Stacey for her diligent work during her time as EC, looking for our next volunteer to step up here. Folks we have an open position on the state leadership team. Contact me if you have an interest in filling Stacey's former role with COS Indiana.\\ \\ \\ – Social media efforts are built around **Dale Parrish and Ken Kashuba’s **production of **Convention of States Today** with short videos then being produced by **Charlie Myers **and distributed on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok. Hits on all these platforms combined totaled 502,105 (+324,331)**.** **//This is a new record//**. Social media followers/subscribers are: 16,923 (+3,359)\\ \\ – I have asked **Paul Phillips** to conduct a new Servant Leader class for the state of Indiana volunteers to begin in the new year. This course will use the newly developed workbooks which are more specific to Convention of States team members. If you have taken the course previously, don’t hesitate to take it again as we learn something new each time. Contact Paul to enroll. The new class will begin February 3, 2025.\\ \\ **GOALS FOR 2025 COMMENCING 11/1/2024 TO 10/31/2025.**\\ **GRASSROOTS**\\ \\            Increase Indiana supporters to 73,000 (Currently 71,358)\\            Information table at Indiana State Fair (In process)\\            300 action reports documenting Attended a COS Training Session (Currently 39)\\ **LEGISLATIVE**\\            Amend 34 Ready legislation in 2025 session (In process)\\            Identify 4 COS champions (Currently 2)\\            175 action reports documenting legislator contact. (Currently 18)\\ **COMMS**\\            Increase social media followers to 16,000 (Currently 16,923)\\            Increase social content writers to 6 (Currently 5)\\            Increase COS Today contributors to 7 (Currently 6)\\            250,000 COS Today social media views (Currently 502,105) || | || || ||**IDEALS OF SELF-GOVERNANCE** || || || ||While we settle into the holiday season, spending time with friends and family, it is important to remember that we are the UNITED States of America.  It is easy to focus on our differences as Americans, particularly with the state of the world and the mainstream media, but I’m here to remind you that we are not enemies.\\ \\ We are called to love our neighbors, not cancel them because they have a different yard sign. Let us use this time during the holidays not to focus on what divides us, but to be grateful for what brings us together as Americans. We are incredibly privileged to live in this country, and what better time to show thanks and gratitude for America than during this Thanksgiving season?\\ \\ One thing that makes America the greatest country on earth is our unique history and the incredible foresight of our Founding Fathers. – Dr. Ben Carson || || || ||{{https://mcusercontent.com/3a21cd3d06284c105dbd92fee/images/16faf63e-936c-56f6-5f33-e17adcda19f5.png?600x480}} || || || ||"Remember, upon the conduct of each depends the fate of all."\\ \\ **– Alexander the Great** || || || ||**PATRIOT VOLUNTEERS** || || || ||//**COS Indiana Vision:**\\ To build a strong, engaged army of self-governing activists.// || || [[https://conventionofstates.com/news/tucker-carlson-and-mark-meckler-chat-about-article-v-and-cos|{{https://mcusercontent.com/3a21cd3d06284c105dbd92fee/images/88268682-cc1c-c6ef-54f2-2cd8437e1df1.png?600x340}}]]\\ Mark Meckler and Tucker Carlson Today\\ Click on the image to view the video and read the article.\\ \\ //"Duty is ours, the results belong to God."// – John Quincy Adams || || || || SHARE THE PETITION\\ \\ These are critical times! 2024 has been a historic year!\\ ...and 2025 looks to be even more historic!\\ \\ The battles we fought this year have shown us how high the stakes truly are.\\ The forces working to erode free speech, undermine our republic,\\ and silence dissent won’t stop. And neither can we.\\ \\ \\ **THIS ISN'T THE FINISH LINE,\\ IT'S JUST THE BEGINNING**\\ Share the COS Project with everyone you know!\\ Get them to sign the petition. It's the least you can do!\\ {{https://mcusercontent.com/3a21cd3d06284c105dbd92fee/images/10df6019-dff8-a170-554f-8388b576f9ef.png?100x100}}\\ **2025 GOAL:** **73,000** **SUPPORTERS!**\\ www.conventionofstates.com\\ \\ \\ When signing the petition, go to the volunteer page to see the service options! || || || ||**ONE NATION UNDER GOD** || || || ||//Aspirational Goal: To bring a Political and Spiritual Awakening to America.// || || [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6wbwyQ443o|{{https://mcusercontent.com/3a21cd3d06284c105dbd92fee/video_thumbnails_new/c6cd6bf5cf6170559f3caf15bd0a5e05.png?528}}]] |\\ | //The Christmas Candle// – Featuring Susan Boyle || || || || {{https://mcusercontent.com/3a21cd3d06284c105dbd92fee/images/a3caf1f7-fc6c-04a8-3679-126e255c506b.png?600x335}}\\ \\ **GRATITUDE FOR ELECTION RESULTS**// //\\ Tim Heidenreich – COS Indiana Prayer Contact\\ \\  \\ \\ The recent election caused many people to pray to God, and difficult times caused many more Christians to actually vote this year. There seems to be an awakening happening now across our country, with people realizing the levels of corruption, greed for power, and lack of concern for the citizens that our current government has displayed. People have seen the volume of fentanyl deaths, millions of abortions, failure of leaders to follow our laws, worshipping of false gods in schools and other places, and craziness about genders. All these things have troubled us, but God has now provided new leaders who say they will resolve these concerns.\\  \\ This is what we know about our God: “He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.” Daniel 2:21 (English Standard Version.)\\  \\ I suggest that we remember to thank Him repeatedly for these changes. It would not have happened if He did not agree to it. We can change over to policies that honor God if we continue to stand up and speak out as citizens. That means locally (comments to judges and school boards and county commissioners and news media), in our states (messages and meetings with governors and representatives and senators) and in our federal government (social media, COS, contact with leaders, etc.) And remember to continue praying for our leaders, as they will face pushback from many places. It won’t be easy, and they will be persecuted.  Their families also face these things.   \\  \\ This is what Scripture says is best for us, and this is what we should want:  “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”  2 Timothy 1:1-2   That’s what I want for us.\\  \\ \\ Thank you for partnering with us in prayer. We know the Lord hears us and will answer according to His perfect will.\\ \\  \\ \\ Please feel free to email Tim with your prayer requests...\\ \\ [[mailto:mailto:tim.heidenreich@cosaction.com|PRAYER REQUESTS]]\\ \\ //Spiritual battles cannot be fought without prayer...// || || || ||**OPINION / EDITORIALS** || || || ||//Opinions expressed in the following articles are solely the expressed views of the authors.// || ||{{https://mcusercontent.com/3a21cd3d06284c105dbd92fee/images/6080a030-fed1-19da-f2e5-0c49b44951cc.png?600x381}}\\ GRATITUDE\\ //By An Ordinary American | November 2024//\\ \\  \\ \\ It is November. \\ \\ It is Thanksgiving, and I am filled with gratitude for my life, my family, my friends, my faith, and – at last – my optimism for our country. \\ \\ First off, I am not (at heart) a Republican or a Democrat. I register and (usually) vote as a Republican because I value smaller government and the Republicans seem to be my only chance to steer us in that direction. Bottom line: I trust that the problem-solving ability of the individual is far preferable to the always amazing ineptitude of the federal government. \\ \\ That being said, I am grateful and relieved beyond belief that the voters elected Donald Trump…not only in the Electoral College, but also by the popular vote. I believe that made the election a decisive victory for the Republicans, and a devastating (though well deserved) loss for the Democrats. It truly was too big to rig. \\ \\ That’s good news. But there’s better yet and I think we can all rejoice in it as a result of the activities leading up to the election and some of the activity since. So, while you’re busy carving turkey, and eating pie, here are a few things to give thanks for.\\ \\ ● Return to common sense\\ \\ ● New ideas and new blood\\ \\ ● Republican Ground Game and improved strategy\\ \\ ● The Democrat party (Yep, you read that right.)\\ \\ ● The man himself \\ \\ Let’s take a look at each one. \\ \\ The re-emergence of common sense. \\ \\ The application of common sense seems to be on the increase – at least in the majority of the voting public. People woke up and voted accordingly, They looked at the precipice on which our country currently stands and (in my mind) correctly sided with those who could help us step back from it, and against those who would push us over the edge. \\ \\ **New ideas and new blood. **\\ \\ This campaign was energized by the inclusion of new ideas, and new perspectives embodied in people like. RFK Jr., Tulsi Gabbard, Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, and JD Vance among others. It’s way past time to recognize that good ideas are not the sole purview of any one group in this country. To truly make America great again, we need a coalition of people from various segments of our society. Members of that coalition must be willing to fight for changes that benefit all our citizens yet also restrict the activities of those who would use public resources for private gain. This will not be easy, but in keeping with the Trumpian work ethic, the job has already begun. \\ \\ **The Ground Game and Strategic Tactics **\\ \\ This is actually major, with many pieces. Finally, the MAGA team was able to help the Republican party get its ground game and strategy in gear on time. Some of the targeted strategic tactics included these.\\ \\ ● Get out the vote!\\ \\ ● Engage with Gen Z\\ \\ ● Grow the number of rallies\\ \\ ● Amp up the advertising\\ \\ ● Refocus the Republican convention\\ \\ ● //Get out the vote!// About a month before the election, Scott Pressler (from Early Vote Action) was interviewed by Megyn Kelly. In that segment, Scott pointed out that his team of 50 full timers focused solely on Pennsylvania. Working with local teams, they were able to register thousands of first-time voters including one notable group, the Pennsylvania Amish. Those efforts were a major contributor to Trump’s Pennsylvania win.\\ \\ ● //Engage with Gen Z//. Charlie Kirk and company, crisscrossed the country speaking to and challenging college students, Their efforts were filmed and placed on social media primarily in the form of shorts. Charlie and his team were able to educate college students who often appeared to be woefully uninformed and sadly unable to debate because their opinions were not based on fact. Early estimates were that 42% of eligible Gen Z (Zoomers) voted. Of that group, 56% of men and 40% of women voted for Trump.\\ \\ ● //Keep the rallies going!// Launching from the Republican convention until Election Day, the Trump team conducted a plethora of well-attended and videoed rallies (sometimes several a day). Speakers stayed on point, comparing the effects of the Biden-Harris legacy with Trump’s proposed changes. The size of the rallies was visible proof that Trump’s agenda resonated favorably.\\ \\ ● Amp up the Advertising. A profusion of well-produced, hard-hitting media ads were released, increasingly often as the election drew nearer.\\ \\ ● //Refocus the Republican Convention//. The Republican Convention was well planned and unique in its choice of speakers. Rather than presenting a parade of celebrities the convention focused mostly on ordinary people whose lives had been impacted by the actions and decisions of the current administration. By featuring ordinary lives in this way, the message was clear: The Republican party is the party of every man and every woman, not the party of the elites. This message was extremely important because it fundamentally changed the image of the party. In essence the Republican party image changed from being the party of the rich to that of the party of the working man and woman. And those working men and women voted team Trump by the millions. \\ \\ There were other things, too…but the upshot of this strategic approach pounded the message home repeatedly. This country is in a heck of a fix, and no one is better poised than Donald Trump to right the ship. \\ \\ **The Democrat Party **\\ \\ This is unusual, but hear me out. We owe that party a huge debt of gratitude. By placing Joe Biden in the position of Commander in Chief, the party leadership, in their infinite arrogance, revealed their absolute disdain for the American people and for our form of government. \\ \\ By giving us the dubious grace of an open border, rising crime, runaway inflation, censorship, unemployment, and visibly increasing senility, they gave us a clear picture of Life A (with Trump) and Life B (with Biden). Not being stupid, we voted for a rerun to Life A. \\ \\ **The Man Himself **\\ \\ No matter how you look at it, love him or hate him, the man is legendary. Whether we consider his real estate acumen, his media presence on the Apprentice, his success as an author, that trip down the escalator, or his performance as 45 – he stands head and shoulders above everyone else. Certainly above every politician since the Founders. \\ \\ Who else do you know that could withstand the onslaught of lies, politically driven indictments, media slander, and FBI raids and still deliver an economy that was one of the best in history, record employment for minorities, energy independence, and low inflation. \\ \\ Yet those challenges, though daunting, don’t have near the impact of two failed attempts at assassination…one of which failed miraculously. I have to respect someone who, when shot in the ear and with blood streaming down his face, raises his fist in the air and says “Fight, fight, fight.” In pointing at that chart, he dodged the bullet and by electing him, we dodged one, too. We can all be grateful for that!\\ \\ //An Ordinary American is a regular contributor to COS Indiana newsletter, The Finish Line. // || || || ||\\ {{https://mcusercontent.com/3a21cd3d06284c105dbd92fee/images/fd154fb5-f19a-7c78-3d68-01a76f4725a4.png?600x714}}\\   || || || ||**DONATE / SUPPORT COS** || || || || ===== www.conventionofstates.org =====\\ \\ \\ [[https://secure.anedot.com/convention-of-states-action-cosaction/2020-donatebutton|Donate Here]]\\ \\ WE HAVE A SOLUTION AS BIG AS THE PROBLEM! || || || ||**COS TRAINING** || || || ||**WE'VE GOT A COUNTRY TO SAVE!**\\ {{https://mcusercontent.com/3a21cd3d06284c105dbd92fee/images/5dadd5bb-f7f9-befc-462d-19de7f93de38.png?300x175}}\\ Training matters!\\ Let's make sure we are well-trained!\\ \\ [[https://cosuniversity.com|**Convention of States University**]] || || || ||**SERVANT LEADERSHIP TRAINING**\\ \\ Training matters!\\ Let's make sure we are well-trained!\\  \\ \\ **Paul Phillips – Legislative Associate says:**\\ For those of you interested in joining our Indiana Servant Leadership training, here is the new registration form. Be sure to pick the February 3 at 7:00 pm ET class as both option one and option two and write in the “Other Information You’d Like to Share” to state you are on the Indiana team going through the class with Paul Phillips: \\ \\ \\ **[[https://forms.gle/eomMoM7bXHBBqhmg9|Register for Servant Leadership]]** || || **DALE TIPTON**\\ **COS Indiana State Director**\\ \\ {{https://mcusercontent.com/3a21cd3d06284c105dbd92fee/images/a480e7c6-4c9e-eb97-cb17-485b91145a73.png?150x148}}   //{{https://mcusercontent.com/3a21cd3d06284c105dbd92fee/images/83c2d5f3-c7de-b959-a453-4b4b8390fa4c.png?148x148}}//\\ **Ken Kashuba** – COS Indiana Communications Director\\ **Susan Lyon** – Editor COS Indiana Newsletter\\ \\ Content Writers:\\ Please submit your articles for review to the  by the 28th each month.\\ \\ //Copyright © 2024 *|LIST:COMPANY|*,\\ All rights reserved.//\\ \\ \\ Want to change how you receive these emails?\\ You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.\\ \\ ||