President's Corner

May 13, 2006

Message from the President

The Porcupine Freedom Festival is happening next month.  This is the largest gathering of Free State Project participants each year.  Last year, we think it was the largest gathering of pro-freedom activists in the nation (maybe the whole world).  We're hoping for a repeat this year.

But why is it so important that you come?  The answer, I suppose, depends on who you are.

Are you considering joining the FSP but haven't made your mind up yet?  There is no better time to visit New Hampshire with an eye towards moving here than the Porc Fest.  You'll be able to sample a wide variety of things that go on year around in NH.  If you carve out some free time to tour around the state, you might find a spot that you just can't resist calling home. 

Have you Joined the FSP but don't know when you're moving yet?  The Porc Fest has inspired many people who had no specific time frame in mind to move sooner.  You'll meet countless activists 'on the ground' and get a better sense for the community that has developed over the last few years.  Maybe you'll decide it's time to move now and join the hundreds of others who have
taken the First 1000 pledge.

Are you moving soon, but haven't quite done it yet, or don't have all the details figured out?  That's the situation I was in at Porc Fest 2004.  Not only did I get some great exposure to the way things work in New Hampshire, I also had time to spend with my builder, and was able to make other moving arrangements.  I hope you've also joined the First 1000 project already. 

Have you already made the move?  Then you need to be there to be a part of the warmest prickly welcome there ever was!  (psst, you also need to make sure you've signed the First 1000 pledge if you moved after 10/1/03)  As relatively new residents of New Hampshire, we know first hand that we need more help right away, and we also know what it takes to make the move. 
Making our soon-to-be neighbors feel welcome and offering our very best assistance to them in getting their move underway can be the difference that gets more pro-freedom activists to move sooner. 

Are you a New Hampshire native or long-time resident?  If so, you're in a unique position to share first hand knowledge of how New Hampshire works.  You have the sense of culture and history that needs to be understood by all of us who wish to join you in keeping New Hampshire the freest state in the nation.

Regardless of where you are or what your plans are, the Porcupine Freedom Festival is the very best place for freedom lovers to be this year.  Come join us and see first hand the place over 7,000 Free State Project Participants have committed to calling home.

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 - As I reported last week, the First 1000 mailing has reached mailboxes and the signup rate has gone through the roof!  In addition to the online signups we've received, there were several new signers who returned their pledges in the mail.  We still have a lot of work to do to find the rest of the signers.  I can't stress enough how important this is to the future of the Free State Project and freedom itself.  If you've signed the pledge, thank you!  If not, please consider doing so today and make sure to encouage your freedom-loving friends to follow your lead!
2. Porc Fest - The schedule has been updated with lots of exciting stuff.  New additions include the Liberty Ladies Cook-off and more information on who's speaking at the fest.  Check out the schedule and, if you haven't already done so, get your name on the We'll Be There List.  It's gonna be a great time!
   
3. Fund Raising - Cary March has started a pledge at pledge bank to help raise money for the FSP.  He says he'll donate $50 per month for 6 months (July 2006 - December 2006) if 39 other people will do the same!  I've signed the pledge, and would encourage you to do so also.  If we meet the pledge, your $50 per month will be multipled 40 times, giving the FSP $2000 per month to promote the project.  With that money, we can recruit more people for the First 1000 pledge and for the FSP's Statement of Intent, bringing us closer to our goal of 20,000 pro-freedom activists in NH.  Go to http://www.pledgebank.com/fspdonate to sign up!
4. Direct Mail - Our Direct Mail department (led by Cary March) has been working on the first of what we hope will be a string of Direct Mailings for outreach purposes.  We ran a successful test last year and are going to be repeating it and improving on it.  We expect this to bring more new participants to the FSP as the last one did.  If you'd like to support our Direct Mail efforts, feel free to send us a donation.
   
5. Local Groups - We have yet another new Local Group forming in Northwest Florida.  Thanks to Marty for getting it started.  For questions about local groups, please email Nik at volunteer@freestateproject.org.
6. Volunteering - Have you thought about volunteering to help the Free State Project?  There's no better time than right now to get on board.  If you're not sure what needs to be done, email Nik at volunteer@freestateproject.org and he can give you some ideas.  Already know what you'd love to do???  We're ready to have your help!