Renting a house in Iowa for a grassroots base of operations

[The Dark Knight]

check out this place:
http://www.rentals.com/Iowa/Ames/r1212509/

 

[BrendenR]

Just throwing my hat in the ring as a volunteer. If this takes off, I might be able to take a week off work to go campaign in Iowa.

 

[Eric21ND]

too far away from Ames, but it is a nice place.
There should be plenty of homes available in Ames for a good price in the summer since most of the students are gone......

I agree its a nice looking place, and certainly able to support a small army of volunteers, but its too remote being in northeast Iowa. Definitely need something in Ames or Des Moines.

 

[RonPaul507]

I'm in Southern MN. I would definitely be on board for this idea!!

 

[thehighwaymanq]

BUMP! That house looks huge! How much?

And how are we paying for this? Chip-in?

 

[thehighwaymanq]

Ok so do we change the letter or send it out to the different Facebook groups / organizations?

Also, we must send it out to all the C4L members in Iowa.

Whenever we finalize the letter, I will go on a sending binge and hit as many people as possible in that area with it.

 

[TrueStrengthTurnsTheCheek]

I pledge my full support for w.e. is decided time is no object for me only finance

 

[thehighwaymanq]

Dear friends in Liberty,

Several Ron Paul supporters from Ron Paul Forums have proposed renting a house in Iowa to serve as a base of operations this summer. The goal is to keep this house filled with enthusiastic supporters who want to make a difference in Iowa, coming from across the nation to stay as long as they can. It would be nice to be able to instantly plug in to an ongoing volunteer effort and do something that directly impacts the outcome of the 2012 election! There are many people interested, but your close proximity to this crucial early state puts you in a unique position to help. Can you provide resources to assist your fellow lovers of liberty?
Groups from Iowa and surrounding states are being contacted to help get things started. The first priority is to find a large house or apartment with plenty of room but reasonable rent, in a central location. Then volunteers will work on setting up events, making signs, calling voters, distributing materials, canvassing, and more --- all from this central location. If this works, other states can follow the "Liberty House" model and maintain the momentum throughout the primaries.

Please join us at www.ronpaulforums.com to get involved and join the conversation on how to win in Iowa, or view our thread at http://tinyurl.com/3dzk24e to see how you can help with the Liberty House! Also, please send this to any other Liberty lovers who would be interested.

Thank you,
Ron Paul Forums

Anything else?

Also, if we have a lot of students going i'm sure they are cool with just sleeping on the floor! We don't need to spend money on a bunch of cots- blankets and sleeping bags would do!

 

[thehighwaymanq]

BUMP!

Can we move this topic? It needs more interest! This is important and we need to start working at it now!

 

[thehighwaymanq]

Ok. I started sending that letter out to members of C4L in Iowa.

 

[Mallory]

I second the sleeping bag thing. If I can make it to this (which I've talked to some people about it, am testing the waters, no guarantees at this point but I'm trying to make it happen), I'm totally down for sleeping on the floor. I sleep over at friends' places all the time (I'm 19) so it's nothing new.

How much would each person pay?

 

[Badger Paul]

This sounds like a really cool idea, make it a base for all RP grassroots activities in Iowa.

 

[thehighwaymanq]

I sent it out to C4L members, emailed some organizations, and sent out Facebook messages. But Facebook stopped me and told me I was sending too many messages. URGGG!

Going back to sending out emails now!

 

[Qdog]

Im down. Ill bring my sleeping bag. I can come up for a month. Its Iowa or nothing!!!

 

[ForLibertyFight]

My girlfriend and I are definitely interested in flying out to Iowa for a week to volunteer if we have a place to stay.

 

[thehighwaymanq]

Ok I just reached out to a bunch of people. Sent a total of about 30 messages / emails to people all over the state, and once Facebook allows me to message again I need to hit the members of some other Facebook YAL groups.

 

[MelissaWV]

So it sounds like there is a great deal of interest. Now for the logistics.

Things to consider, other than the obvious one of trying to find a place:

What dates will it be rented?

What "house rules" will there be? (Like it or not, there will need to be a few, not the least of which are reinforced by the lease)

How will you maintain a presence at the house throughout the season?

What are the most important dates for which you absolutely need the house to be packed?

Who will arrange for things like phones and office supplies in order to conduct business at the location?

etc.

 

[thehighwaymanq]

What dates will it be rented?

Well, by looking at this link of Iowa events we need a strong presence through Mid-August, but possible through the year.

How will you maintain a presence at the house throughout the season?

We set an early schedule of people coming- maybe the first two weeks. And then let the thing play itself out. We would need a "House Leader." But once people see photos, videos, and the progress were making more people are going to want to come. The kids will be off of school and we will totally have a strong youth participation!

What are the most important dates for which you absolutely need the house to be packed?

Again, refer to this thread. I would say July 20-August 20 is the most important time to stack the house!

 

[thehighwaymanq]

We need to push and work on this more! Ron went to Iowa today, we need to start setting this up seriously!

 

[thehighwaymanq]

Some thoughts:

We need one "House Leader"

We need separate groups of people accomplishing different things. Such as one group making signs, one group canvassing the local area, one group making phone calls, one group organizing events, and maybe a group setting up a house somewhere else.

I don't think we are taking into consideration how important this is. First, Iowa is such an important state! A good showing in Iowa sets the pace for the entire race! Also, people flock to what works. Once people see the Liberty House, its political positiveness as well as its social benefits connecting people in the movement, more people will want to join and make their own! LETS DO ITTTT!