Title: Volunteering makes a difference for our country
Original CoS Document (slug): volunteering-makes-a-difference-for-our-country
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Created: 2021-04-12 20:13:41
Updated: 2025-02-18 23:59:30
Published: 2021-04-15 00:00:00
Converted: 2025-04-14T21:10:46.116757518
“We in America do not have a government by the majority—we have a government by the majority who participate. All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.” -Thomas Jefferson
Becoming active participants in our government is exactly what Convention of States volunteers work towards.
Three new COS volunteers set up a booth over the weekend at a flea market at the Belle Fourche Community Center and collected signatures for the first time. Robin Wilkins, Dawn Laskowski, and Paula Gregg (all of Belle Fourche) spent Saturday speaking with people in their community about the power of Article V as the best solution for stopping our runaway federal government.
”My very first event in Belle Fourche was a wonderful experience,” said Wilkins. “Our team of three spoke with many people who were feeling disillusioned and disappointed in the direction our nation is headed.“
While some have known about Convention of States for a while, these ladies just recently became actively involved with the COS movement this year. Without any official training, but a passion for liberty, they decided to go ahead and set up a booth to share information and educate people on the Constitution.
The ladies said once they committed to set up their table, things were easy.
“What a joy and privilege it was to share the COS vision with our friends and neighbors and see a glimmer of hope sparkle in their eyes,” said Wilkins.
Getting involved can seem overwhelming, but when we come together and each person takes on little steps, then our grassroots army becomes a powerful force. Every new petition signed can turn into another volunteer and show the growth in our state.
”The morning of the event, I prayed the Lord would grant us 20 petition signatures, as Harvey Fitzgerald, Regional Captain, had told us getting that amount would mean a successful day,” said Wilkins. “We left with 39 signatures, one of which is a new volunteer!”
What does it take to set up a vendor space? Just finding potential events in your area and making the calls to get a space set up.
“Dawn had been checking around town for local events we might participate in, and she texted us Wednesday that this flea market was coming up on Saturday with a very reasonable table rate of $15,” said Wilkins. “I thought it was very short notice. But after I spoke with fellow COS warriors in our state, we decided to go for it!”
It didn't take a lot of fancy equipment for a successful day, just a simple tablecloth a few display items, pens to sign the petitions, and passionate patriots.
“I'd completely forgotten to pick up clipboards,” said Wilkins. “So I ran to the Dollar Store and found two 11×14 'artist canvas panel boards' and some red and blue chip clips, which worked great. I also got some little American flags, some patriotic pennant flags, and confetti stars that we just sprinkled all over the table. Those little touches, along with Dawn's candy in cute red, white, and blue buckets, just made it look great.”
The group is already looking forward to other opportunities in the area to share information on the Convention of States with more South Dakotans.
If you're interested in joining the grassroots team and spreading the positive message of COS, click the information below.
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