SARATOGA GRASSROOTS ACTIVIST TRAINING

On Saturday, February 23rd Upstate Conservative Coalition hosted Saratoga Grassroots Activist Training at the Malta Community Center for 40 patriot attendees. The event was sponsored and underwritten in a very large part by the national Tea Party Patriots organization, with professional conservative speakers from the Leadership Institute. The all day program focused on grassroots lobbying, building coalitions, recruiting and motivating volunteers, the role of social media in online activism, and developing & promoting a conservative message.

The Leadership Institute speakers had all worked in previous Republican campaigns and brought their knowledge and experiences to the group. The team was led by LI Director of Grassroots Coalitions Paulo Sibaja who was Deputy Coalitions Director for Mitt Romney’s Colorado campaign and New Mexico Director of Hispanic Outreach for the Republican National Committee. Paulo was joined by New Hampshire’s GOP Victory Director Brennan Ward as well as Rick Santorum’s sole Iowa Field Director Jake Braunger. All brought their political insights and campaign stories to their presentations.

The event was also attended by Tea Party Patriots eastern and central regional coordinators Diana Reimer and Gregg Cummings, respectively. Diana spoke briefly to group; thanking everyone for sharing their time in support of the conservative movement and explained the efforts and support the national TPP organization offers local groups. The Tea Party Patriots mission is to attract, educate, organize and mobilize citizens to secure public policy for fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited government and free markets. TPP funded all expenses of the Leadership Institute.

While most attendees traveled from the greater Capital District, Michael Marriam traveled the four hours from Rochester. He commented, “I appreciate your hospitality and the work everyone did to put on the training. You are fortunate to have the community center in Malta. Everyone I met was very friendly and passionate about their causes. I look forward to working with UCC and Tea Party Patriots to do what it takes to restore our civil rights and bring government under control in NYS.”

Michael was no alone in his event approval, Lorraine Morano of Clintondale said, “I enjoyed the food, the information, the other attendees as well as the trainers. Thank you again for making it a fantastic experience.” Attendee David Buchyn of Wilton added, “Everything was fine. Of course all day sitting down listening to lectures can get a little tiring. Location was great for me. Centrally located in Saratoga County. Food and refreshments were more than we deserved. All three speakers were professional and interesting.”

UCC members Wilma Koss and Stacey Fenton handled the daylong refreshments and luncheon for all the attendees. Lorraine shared her feeling of the event hospitality, “Good hosts? That’s an understatement. I was recently an attendee at the Association of Towns in NYC. While there, we were invited back to the hospitality suite for lunch. They could NOT compare to what your people put out.” This sentiment was echoed by Ghent resident Lois Dysard, “You were wonderful hosts. The breakfast choices were very nice and lunch was good; it was your own fault if you were hungry.”

The event team was headed by Rick Gutheil and Reimund Manneck, Teddi Smith handled the registration, and Wilma & Stacey were responsible for the food arrangements. The attendees are all looking to put their new knowledge to work for the conservative cause.
IMG_6180