cb_mirror_public:working_a_cos_event_sis_pages

Title: Working a COS Event

Original CoS Document (slug): working-a-cos-event

Created: 2023-08-05 17:22:39

Updated: 2023-08-05 17:23:34

Published: 2023-08-05 01:00:00

Converted: 2025-04-14T20:33:34.097443228

Getting citizens to sign the COS petition is the goal of almost all public events where we have a booth. The more petitions signed, the more influence “we the people” can have on our state legislators. The petitions are letting the legislators know how many of their constituents back an Article V Convention of States to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution. By signing the petition, each person is asking their Illinois Representative and Senator to vote “yes” when the resolution is brought to the floor of each Illinois chamber.

If you have never volunteered at an event, it is fine to shadow another more experienced volunteer. Watch how they approach potential petition signers and go through the process. Then try it yourself. You can also watch a video giving a demonstration of how to approach a potential signer: click here.

Review the petition form before you start. If both paper petitions and the iPad petition entry method are being used, be sure you review both, please.

Familiarize yourself with all the areas to be filled in. These are marked with an asterisk. We MUST have their physical street address, because that is how we know what IL House and IL Senate districts the signer is in. The IL politicians that represent the signer receive notification that the person has signed and wants the resolution passed.

Smile! Be friendly and respectful at all times!

Have an iPad or
A petition on a clipboard in one hand, and a pen in the other.
You may also want to have some “Tired of Big Government?” cards in a pocket or free hand.
Please note: Some of the banners have the COS QR code on them. People can use their phone to take a picture of the QR code and go right to the Convention of States website.

Be at the front of the booth, or, if allowed, in the walking aisle. (Some event locations do NOT allow us to be beyond the space we are allotted. If that is the case, do not approach people while standing in the public aisles.) Do not stand as a group at the front of the tent, looking like you are all going to “pounce” on the next passerby. That will make people avoid our tent. Take turns. Conversely, people will be turned off by volunteers all lounging in chairs and looking uninterested.

As someone approaches, greet them with “Good Morning, Afternoon, Evening” even if they are not looking at you. Offer them the petition clipboard and pen, or the iPad, while asking in an “outside” voice but not yelling:

“Would you sign our petition?” or

“Can you help me with a petition today?” or

“Would you like to sign a petition allowing us to propose term limits on federal officials?

REMEMBER COS is non-partisan.

Don’t ask if they want to get rid of democrats/liberals/lefties/crooked politicians. Even “drain the swamp” has gotten some volunteers in trouble.

DECLINERS: If they keep walking on by, ignore you, or say “NO”, “Not Interested”, etc., just say “Thank you. Enjoy your day” or “Have a nice day.” Or “Enjoy the Fair”. If they will take it, give them a “Tired of Big Government” card.

INTERESTED-Want to Sign-Want to know more

If someone asks what is the petition for, you may share the following:

We are part of a grassroots movement called “Article V Convention of States”.
Article V of the U.S. Constitution allows the states to propose amendments to the Constitution, as set in the US Constitution.
Only three subjects can be proposed in our Article V Convention of States, per our resolution:
1. Term limits on all Federal officials (elected and/or appointed)
2. Fiscal restraints on the Federal Government
3. Limiting the power and jurisdiction of the Federal Government

You then say, offering them the iPad or clipboard, “May/can I have your support today?”

IF THEY SAY “YES”: Watch as they fill out the petition; make sure they fill out as much as they are willing to give. If it seems the person needs help filling out the form, ask if they want to dictate their information to you. You fill out the form (paper or iPad).

COS must have their signature on the paper version!
We must have their name, complete street address; we would also like their phone and/or email if they are willing to share those.
Make sure they go through the check boxes.
If they are a veteran, thank them for their service. Shake their hand if possible.
You may also assure them that we do not share or sell their information.
ALWAYS THANK THE INDIVIDUAL for SIGNING THE PETITION!

IF THEY SAY “I’M NOT SURE”: Explain that we need 34 states to pass our resolution to call a convention.

19 have already passed it. We have a couple almost ready to pass. There are teams, like us, in every state collecting petition signatures, educating the grassroots, trying to get “we the people” involved.
If they are still unsure, offer them a “Tired of Big Government? card, another piece of literature, or ask them to go online and learn more about Convention of States. The website address is on the back of the card as well as CQ codes that take them to the website. Tell them the petition is on the website homepage. It can be signed and submitted from there.
Finish with “Thank you for your time and interest! I hope you will join us in the effort after learning more.”

IF THEY SAY “NO,” thank them and tell them to have a good day. Do not pressure them.

If there is a lot of activity at our booth, and all our volunteers are keeping busy, please, try not to engage in long, drawn out conversations with someone. We need to reach as many people as possible. If necessary, politely excuse yourself to assist others.

Also, think about what the booth looks like as people approach it. Keep it neat. Keep personal things at the back of the tent, under tables if possible.

Please, ENJOY your time volunteering and building support for the COS movement. We could not accomplish our goals without you as part of the team! THANK YOU!