Welcome to this week's volunteer newsletter. We're now only 24 days away from the day ballots begin arriving and 42 days from Election Day. There's a lot to get done in the next 24 days, and with your help we can get it done. A new poll shows Governor Ted Kulongoski and Ron Saxton in a dead heat at 38% each, with 16% undecided. Unlike previous polls, this one was of likely voters, which is a better indicator of how an election may turn out. With people in the office making calls, and at the doorsteps talking to voters, we can change those numbers. Volunteer! Volunteer! Volunteer! 1. Keeping the Senate and Governor's Office Democratic 2. Join Congressman Earl Blumenauer at the Kulongoski "Every Voter Counts" Canvass 3. Keep Oregon Blue 4. Support our volunteer efforts 5. Data entry volunteers needed 6. What's coming up 1. Keeping the Senate and Governor's Office Democratic The State and National Republican Parties and affiliated organizations are working hard to take back the state senate and win the governor's race. They're pouring millions into the governor's race, including a recent $500k donation from the Republican Governors Association. In total, Governor Kulongoski is being outspent 8 to 1. However, with volunteers out knocking on doors and calling voters, we can counter that influx of national funds. Saturday, September 30th We'll be out in eastern Multnomah County to canvass for State Senator Rick Metsger. The Oregon Republican Party has targeted Metsger as one of the Democrats they want to defeat in order to win back control of the Senate. They're spending large amounts of money in the area, including in the popular local papers. Time: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Location: Mount Tabor Park, SE 60th and Salmon Street. Meet at Salmon Street gate. (Take Division exit off of I-205) RSVP: Contact Jenni Simonis at 503-248-0826 or field@multdems.org You can also sign up online at http://ga6.org/multdems/events/sept30/details.tcl Sunday, October 1st Every Sunday we head out to targeted precincts in the county to speak with voters. This work is very important since Multnomah County carried the state four years ago for the governor. Time: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Location: 232 NE 9th, Portland RSVP: Contact Jenni Simonis at 503-248-0826 or field@multems.org You can also sign up online at http://ga6.org/multdems/events/oct1/details.tcl House Districts 47, 48 & 50 We're also in need of volunteers to do voter contact in House Districts 47, 48, and 50. Contact Jenni for more information. 2. Join Congressman Earl Blumenauer at the Kulongoski "Every Voter Counts" Canvass Earl Blumenauer will be kicking off our Kulongoski "Every Voter Counts" Get Out the Vote Canvass. Come get your Earl Blumenauer and Ted Kulongoski lawn signs, learn about the DNC's 2006 Voter Protection System and - most importantly - canvass for Governor Ted Kulongoski. Come do what is right and needed for Oregon while having a great time. Time: begins at noon Location: 232 NE 9th, Portland RSVP: Contact Jenni Simonis at 503-248-0826 or field@multems.org You can also sign up online at: http://ga6.org/multdems/events/oct7/details.tcl 3. Keep Oregon Blue Oregon may go RED on a local level if we can't increase voter contact. We are not hitting our voter ID numbers because we do not have enough voter contact volunteer shifts filled. What do we need? Minimally, we need: 75 canvassers each Sat/Sun 10 canvassers Mon & Wed from 6 to 8:30 p.m. 25 phone bankers Sun-Thur 5-9 p.m. 15 phone bankers Mon-Fri 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sat 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sun 2 to 5 p.m. We are also in need of phone bank captains or co-captains on Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Contact Ellen Klaastad at 503-248-0826 or ellen@multdems.org 4. Support our volunteer efforts With campaign season now in high gear, we are in need of items to stock the office and to nourish all the wonderful volunteers who are coming in to work. These help to make our volunteers and staff more efficient and keeps them from having to run out to get food and drinks. Items we can use include: * Copy paper * Bottled water, soda (diet & regular), and juice * Sandwiches * Bagels * Jerky * Coffee * Hot cocoa * Fruit * Cereal/breakfast bars We could especially use help in getting our warehouse space prepared as a canvass staging area. Since the area is not heated, and not set up for heavy electrical use, we are in need of: * a (volunteer) licensed electrician to do some wiring * donations towards work in the warehouse to pay for materials to build shelves and do other necessary work * heaters to help warm the space Contact Jenni Simonis at 503-28-0826 or field@multdems.org or Blaine Palmer at 503-248-0826 or operations@multdems.org. You can also drop by the office at 232 NE 9th, Portland. 5. Data entry volunteers needed With the amount of data we are collecting during phone banks and canvasses, we are in need of people who can do data entry. Work can be done Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Contact Blaine Palmer at 503-248-0826 or operations@multdems.org. 6. What's coming up Sunday-Thursday: Phone banks Saturdays: Targeted candidate canvasses Sundays: Neighborhood canvass for Governor Kulongoski Saturday, Oct. 7th: Canvass for Democrats-- Rob Brading, Canvass for Governor Kulongoski Sunday, Oct. 8th: Canvass for Democrats-- Governor Kulongoski Thursday, Oct. 12th: Monthly action meeting of the Multnomah County Democrats Tuesday, Oct. 17th: Last day to register to vote Friday, Oct. 20th: Ballots begin arriving P.S. Don't forget about our Every Vote Counts kick off with Congressman Blumenauer on Oct. 7. We'll also have Kulongoski lawn signs beginning Sept. 28th at the office.