Title: NJ State Strategy Meeting Original CoS Document (slug): [[https://conventionofstates.com/nj-state-strategy-meeting|nj-state-strategy-meeting]] Login Required to view? No Created: 2023-08-31 19:36:53 Updated: 2024-01-31 19:15:25 Published: 2023-09-04 03:00:00 Converted: 2025-04-14T21:26:50.465255701 ---- On a sunny and warm Saturday in August, approximately 20 members of the New Jersey Convention of States Action team gathered at the Colts Neck Community Church for our State Strategy Meeting. COSA New Jersey has big plans for 2024, and we aim to succeed!\\ \\ {{https://content.conventionofstates.com/cosaction-prod/public/content/images/72587/72587_original.jpg?484x306}} Following the opening prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, State Co-Director Chris Garzino welcomed the participants and introduced COS President Mark Meckler, who provided words of encouragement via video. Mark told us that good ideas come from Blue States, and he urged us to keep on striving in our work towards getting the COS Resolution passed in the New Jersey Legislature.\\ \\ Next up was Steve Patten, Assistant Regional Director, who gave a summary report on the COSF [[https://www.cossimulation2023.org/|Article V Simulation]] recently held in Williamsburg, VA. The Simulation was a truncated version of what an actual convention would be like since it was just three days in duration with only one day for debate on proposed amendments. Steve said it was very encouraging to see that the convention process works. This puts to bed the fear-mongering about a runaway convention. {{https://content.conventionofstates.com/cosaction-prod/public/content/images/72588/72588_original.jpg?500x375}}\\ Currently, the New Jersey team is moving along toward its goal of 48,000 signed petitions. We show continued growth with new volunteers signing on to the mission. Goals for 2024 are:\\ \\ 1) Increase touched legislators – sponsors and co-sponsors to 100% touched, all other legislators to 85% touched. A touched legislator is defined as one who has sent back a confirmation of a conversation or an email received by them from our team regarding the COS Article V Resolution. An autogenerated confirmation of an email received does not count as a touched legislator.\\ \\ 2) Each of the five regions is to hold two meetings per month (i.e., events, presentations to groups, etc.) not to include the regular monthly volunteer meetings.\\ \\ 3) Hold a State Surge Day in Trenton with a sizeable turnout of constituents.\\ \\ Members of the leadership team briefly outlined their individual goals in support of meeting the State goals. The New Jersey team works very well together and we will help each other reach our goals.\\ \\ {{https://content.conventionofstates.com/cosaction-prod/public/content/images/72589/72589_original.png?569x712}} Following a tasty lunch of pizza, sliced watermelon, and chocolate chip chunk cookies, it was time for the Cornhole Tournament. This was a wonderful and fun team-building exercise, and the friendly competition was enjoyed by all. It’s great to learn more about the people you’re partnering with in working towards your goal, as this emphasizes the human connection on a more personal level.\\ \\ Getting back to work after the fun of the tournament, State Co-Director Jim Collinsworth gave a review of the Follow Up Team process. The meeting closed out with a Q&A period and final comments. \\ \\ If you’d like to help the New Jersey team reach our goals, please consider [[https://conventionofstates.com/|signing our petition]] and someone will be in touch to discuss the many volunteer roles available, one of which could be just right for you!