Precinct Number: 351 

When did you join Blue Action?
Joe (Gilliland) and I came to the first meeting, mainly interested in the VDR training. We attended many fun events as VDR's, like Beers for Beto, sitting outside Homeslice Pizza, that kind of thing.

What's your favorite volunteer activity?
It's definitely registering voters. I think getting people aware of the issues and registered to vote empowers them to make an impact and then they will vote. Nothing will change without that. 

I approached the Sunset Valley Farmers Market and we started registering voters there. It was pretty slow until the last few weekends before the election. Then it was crazy busy.  So I think that's been my favorite activity, Voter Registration. Joe likes to do it with me. (Side note: Katy and Joe totally spearheaded the registration efforts at Sunset Valley Farmer's Market and registered dozens of voters before the election. They're back at it this year.) 

We also block walked a lot. Some of that is enjoyable, but it's a bit exhausting sometimes. Also uncomfortable facing strangers at the door. 

The weirdest feeling in block walking was feeling like we "outed" some kids as progressives living in conservative households.  When we knocked on doors and asked to speak to specific democrats to GOTV, a couple of times a parent answered and assured us that no Dems lived in THAT household. (oops!) 

What issue spurred your involvement? 
As far as what got me involved is probably the assault on women's rights and the election of someone who seems incapable of kindness or truth. So many other issues have reared their ugly heads as this administration has continued.  

I marched against the war in VietNam. If I'd been a man, my birthday was the first picked in the draft lottery. We didn't have the vote, but could be sent to die. But then I thought everything was solved and raised my children, had a career.  It took Donald Trump to really get active again. 

Where would you like to see the club in five years?
I'd like to see people involved in the group actually running for office. Maybe getting more involved with promoting specific issues, like the environment, women's rights, etc.  I'd like to see more direct assistance to immigrants somehow. I like the volunteerism programs.  The food bank night was great!

Join Blue Action Dems today to help volunteers like Katy and Joe register voters!

Precinct Number: 339

When did you join Blue Action?
I was at the inaugural meeting but didn't join until the meeting at the new TCDP SW office. Not sure what took me so long!

What's your favorite volunteer activity?
I love hosting gatherings — postcard-writing parties or phone bank/canvassing events — whatever brings people together working for the cause. When the SW office was open, I enjoyed working shifts there, meeting people and encouraging their participation. 

What's the issue that got you involved?
Which time? Once I ended my journalism career, I was free to let my political freak flag fly. I've always been involved in education issues, sitting on a number of AISD committees over the years.

In 2007, I was so inspired by Obama that I canvassed for him for a week in New Mexico. In 2013, a friend asked me to go to a Saturday hearing about reproductive rights at the Legislature, and that snowballed into being there almost every day leading up to the Wendy Davis filibuster and cemented my desire to advocate for things important to me.

On October 1, 2017, my younger son survived the Route 91 massacre in Las Vegas, and that month I joined Moms Demand Action. Nothing like getting a phone call from your child in the midst of a mass shooting to spur you to action. Blue Action Democrats was a natural extension of the work I already was doing.

Where would you like to see the club in 5 years?
I'm a little selfish; I don't want the club to grow too much. I've seen that be the downfall of other efforts. However, I would like us to expand our reach by teaching others how to fish ... Show groups throughout the state and/or nationally how to replicate our success in their areas.
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Join Blue Action Dems today to support the work we do, from postcard parties to funding a Democratic office in Southwest Austin.