Title: Vision for COS Action 2022
Original CoS Document (slug): vision-for-cos-action-2022
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Created: 2022-07-11 18:53:23
Updated: 2022-07-20 03:00:00
Published: 2022-07-13 02:00:00
Converted: 2025-04-14T21:18:21.718701972
An interview with Susan Scott Ooms –
I recently met Susan, a District Captain with COS Action, in Tangipahoa Parish’s District 86. We discussed her involvement in COS Action, how, and why she got involved. What caused her to go looking for answers, and how she landed on COS Action.
She told me that as a flight attendant, her company had offered voluntary leave to their employees due to Covid conditions during the pandemic shutdown. She took the leave and used her free time educating herself on how and why America seems to be losing its liberty.
She looked into many patriotic organizations, searching for opportunities to get involved. COS was the first to capitalize on her thirst for an opportunity for involvement. The day after she signed the petition and made inquiry, JC Harmon called her and vetted her.
She was a little surprised at first. Why was she to be vetted? But she soon realized that this was a good thing. It was an indication of seriousness. This organization was not out to simply collect dues, they were trying to accomplish something. Something that she wanted to be a part of, and there were no dues needed.
She jumped in 100% and hasn’t looked back since. She binged the COSU (Convention of States University) courses in one week.
What do you enjoy most about being a District Captain?
She said that she loves the fellowship with like-minded Americans, helping those that want to become involved get started, while working together to achieve the goal of constitutional restoration.
I asked what she believed to be her biggest challenge?
She sees the biggest challenge is getting people involved or locating those that recognize the need to be involved.
Everyone is so busy. Many see that something must be done, but are unable or don't know what can be done. Not knowing what they can do, people are compelled to expect someone else to “do something.”
As the guiding force behind the COS booth at the Hammond air show, what can you tell me about that event?
She related the air show back to enjoying the air shows of the 80’s. She attended the reinstitution of the Hammond Air Show in 2019, where she had volunteered and worked.
Once she got involved with COS Action, she realized that the huge volume of attendance might be an excellent opportunity for exposing people to the Convention of States organization and its objectives.
She was somewhat disappointed with the results, because with the attendance of around seventy thousand people over the weekend, only about 170 people signed the petition. Those who found their way to the COS table were often excited with the prospects and some positive involvement has occurred, but she had hoped for greater exposure. She said, “almost everyone was looking up.”
I asked about her opinion of Advocacy Day at the state capital?
Susan believes that Advocacy Day, or surge day, as it is called in some states, is an excellent idea. It gives volunteers the opportunity to meet legislators, citizens, and tourists. She sees interaction with the legislators as a vital opportunity. COS is able to inform them of petition signers in their districts, bolstering the clout of the COS Action organization.
The legislators have become more mindful of the popularity of convention of states objectives as a result of Advocacy Day and other efforts.
Sitting in on hearings, volunteers find that legislators are more attentive to the fact of their presence. They recognize the force of COS attendance.
“Just what is a District Captain,” I asked?
A goal of COS Action is to have a presence in every congressional House District in America, headed up by a captain. “District Captain” represents a role that many ordinary Americans can fulfill.
District Captains are in tune with members within their district and can relate legislative activities to those citizens. With 105 districts in Louisiana and around 20 District Captains, we are a little short of adequate coverage.
Many states experience similar participation, though District Captains innovate on ways to maximize their efforts through collaborating in activities.
As captain of District 86, she teams up with Jeanine Gautreaux of District 77, and Gary Cook of District 89, and they invite 11 districts to monthly meetings on the first Thursday of every month.
I asked about her hopes for COS LA in the next year?
She hopes to fill in some of the District Captain gaps.
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I believe that we can all agree with her on this.
Thanks and God bless you,
Dave