President's Corner

May 21, 2006

Message from the President

Be an effective activist now

The Free State Project has created many pro-freedom activists right out of thin air.  Many people who have moved to NH as a result of their participation in the FSP have indicated they were not previously active in promoting freedom, usually because they didn't think anything they did would make a difference.

There are two thoughts that come to mind as a result of that phenomenon.  First, there is both the perception and the reality that you can be more effective at increasing the level of freedom in NH than outside NH.  At first, people simply thought they could do better in NH.  Now, it's been demonstrated repeatedly.  

So while many people generally didn't think they could improve things in their former locations (and they may have been right), they do think they can make a difference in NH (and, indeed, they're right on that count also).  Moral:  you're likely to be a more effective pro-freedom activist in NH.

Second, though you might not be able to have a dramatic impact outside NH, you can still be an effective activist.  How's that, you ask?  There are two important things you can do right now that will be very effective even before
you move to NH.

You can make your best effort, despite how futile you may think it is, to improve something.  Whether you run for office, campaign for an issue, advocate via letters to the editor, or any number of other activities, you'll still benefit.  Most obviously, there's the chance that it could actually work.  And even if it doesn't, you will have learned a lot about how the process works, what to do better next time, and so on.  That education will come in very handy when you do eventually make it to NH - making you a more
effective activist.

While you're going about actively promoting freedom, you will probably run into other people who share an interest in freedom.  Odds are good they're as frustrated as you are with the rapid decline of freedom in America.  This gives you a golden opportunity to encourage them to join you someday in NH where you can work together with far greater effect.  If taking that golden opportunity leads you to recruit three more people to join the FSP and move to NH, we'll give you a Golden Porcupine!

The time to be an effective activist is right now.  Regardless of where you live, seek out opportunities to promote freedom, learn how to be a better activist, and find those people who, like you, are ready to join thousands of others in New Hampshire in the quest for freedom.

V-
 

If you have any suggestions or ideas for this feature, please feel free to send them my way.   Email me at president@freestateproject.org for the best quality response.

Recent FSP Activity  (lots of action items!)

1. First 1000 - Since its inception, Jean Alexander has been leading most of the behind-the-scenes efforts to promote the First 1000 project.  Please join me in expressing my sincerest thanks to Jean for her hard work and dedication to the project and to freedom.  Jean is ready for a break (she's been tirelessly volunteering for several years now) and is passing the baton to Sandy.  Thank you Sandy for agreeing to pick up the ball and run with it!  Please send offers of help and ideas for how to promote the First 1000 project to Sandy at spierre@freestateproject.org.
   
2. Porc Fest - The We'll Be There list continues to grow.  It's now well over the total for the 2004 Fest and there's still a month left before the Fest!  Are you going to be there?  I am!  Regardless of who or where you are, it's important that you be there!
3. Operation Politically Homeless - The Free State Project has lots of materials available to do Operation Politically Homeless (OPH) booths.  This is an excellent way to reach out to people who probably think the way we do but don't know what to call themselves yet.  They also make excellent potential FSP Participants.  Another fringe benefit is that if we operate OPH booths on behalf of the FSP and take photographs, we stand a good chance of making it onto the Advocates For Self-Government's home page!  Currently, Gardner Goldsmith is featured on the front page and the FSP gets a mention from Porc Fest '05.  Let's keep the FSP on the front page of the Advocates website!  If you're interested in doing an OPH booth for the FSP in your area, please contact Nik at volunteer@freestateproject.org.
4. Advertising - The FSP is running Ads for the First 1000 project in Reason Magazine and LP News.  These are just two examples of the FSP actively reaching out for new participants.  All of this, of course, costs money.  If you think these ads (and others) are great ways to promote the FSP, please feel free to donate so we can place more.
5. Banners - Phil Denisch has received new banners for FSP booths.  Whether you're doing an OPH booth or just handing out information, selling merchandise, and chatting up the FSP, these banners will make your booth look great.  Contact Phil at merchandise@freestateproject.org to arrange to have one shipped to you for your event.
   
6. Survey - The FSP is going to be surveying you!  Whether you've already moved to NH, are a participant, First 1000 signer, friend, or just get the FSP News because you're interested, we want to know what you think.  The questions are being prepared and an announcement should be going out soon.  Watch your email boxes.  This will be a great chance for you to shape the future of FSP outreach and let us know how we're doing and what we could be doing better.  Thank you in advance for sharing your opinions with us.
   
7. Forum Migration - Big thanks to Jon Maltz for migrating our forum over to a new host.  The FSP's IT department has been working hard to resolve some reliability problems stemming from our upgraded website.  Completing the forum migration is a giant step forward in that regard.  The remainder of the site will be moved soon.  After that, you can expect to see more positive changes to the FSP's website.
   
8. Internet Forums - One of the most cost effective ways you can help promote the FSP is through the internet.  Specifically, spreading the FSP idea through pro-freedom internet forums has proven effective at gaining new Participants and Friends.  Denis Goddard has agreed to organize lists of internet forms and an effort to make sure the FSP is well represented.  Watch for more news in a future President's Corner and check the Forums for more information.  If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help, email me at varrin@freestateproject.org.
   
9. Recent Movers - It recently occurred to me that I should report on those who have made the ultimate commitment:  moving!  The FSP's front page reports a number of people who are currently in NH.  That number relies on recent movers updating their information in the FSP's database.  Unfortunately, they don't always do that.  Fortunately, I have my super-secret insider ways of hearing about new arrivals (hey, it helps to be in NH!).  I'm aware of four recent movers (within the last few weeks, I suppose), one from North Carolina, one from San Diego, one from Austin TX, and one from KY.  Welcome to NH!  And for those of you who haven't moved yet, they're leading the way and you're missing out!  C'mon up!  The welcome is so warm you won't even notice the winter :)