Welcome to this week's volunteer newsletter. We're now only 17 days away from the day ballots begin arriving and 35 days from Election Day. As many may know, yesterday was the deadline for Contribution & Expenditure reports to be turned in by campaigns. These reports show how much money has been raised and spent, whom it came from, and where it's going. Ron Saxton's C&E report showed he brought in more than $3.5 million in contributions and spent over $2.89 million. On top of the $3.5 million were several more large donations received after the reporting cut-off, including $500,000 from the Republican Governors Association. Added in with his $800,000 remaining balance, and he still has more than a million left in the bank. The Oregon Republican Party has been putting thousands of dollars into the race, including almost $180,000 in multiple mailings to voters. But with your time and efforts, we can combat those dollars. We can go out and speak with voters at the doorstep. We can talk with voters on the phone. Together, we can make a difference. Volunteer! Volunteer! Volunteer! 1. Join Congressman Earl Blumenauer at the Kulongoski "Every Voter Counts" Canvass 2. Working for Democrats 3. Feed a volunteer 4. Iraq for Sale 5. Election Week Planning 6. Save the Date 1. 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. We have thousands of voters who need to be contacted between now and October 20th. Your help - on phones or at the doorstep - is a critical part of this effort. 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 Can't come in on Saturday? We'll also be canvassing on Sunday starting at 1 p.m. 2. Working for Democrats Every Saturday, we'll be canvassing for targeted candidates around the county. These candidates have a tough race ahead of them, and could really use our help. Saturday, October 14th, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, October 21st, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For details or to RSVP, contact Jenni Simonis at 503-248-0826 or field@multems.org Every Sunday through Thursday we'll be running phone banks at the office, 232 NE 9th. Sundays are from 1 to 9 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For details or to RSVP, contact Ellen Klaastad at 503-248-0826 or ellen@multems.org 3. Feed a volunteer 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. 4. Iraq for Sale The Democratic Party of Oregon & Rep. Earl Blumenauer invite you to a special screening and discussion of: A Robert Greenwald Film IRAQ FOR SALE The War Profiteers Monday, October 9th, 7 pm Hollywood Theater, 4122 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland Admission: $12 in advance online / $15 at the door 5. Election Week Planning With Election Day only five weeks out, now is the time to plan for time off from work to help with the Get Out The Vote efforts. We'll need a large number of volunteers in the office making calls, doing data entry, and more. Already people are making plans to take days off in the time surrounding the election, particularly in the week prior. If you can do this, please contact our volunteer line at 503-239-8646 and let us know which day(s) you can donate to the cause. 6. Save the Date For your calendars... Wednesday, Oct. 11: House District 48 Phone Bank night with Representative Mike Schaufler Thursday, Oct. 12: Monthly Mult Dems Action Meeting (7-9 p.m., Donkey Stable, 232 NE 9th) Wednesday, Oct. 18: Special event, details TBA Tuesday, Oct. 17th: Last day to register to vote Friday, Oct. 20th: Ballots begin arriving October 21-Election Day: Ballot Parties (want to host one? Contact 503-248-0826 or field@multdems.org) Monday, Oct. 23: House District 43 Phone Bank night with Representative Chip Shields Sunday, Oct. 29: Faith Caucus Phone Bank night Thanks for reading this week's volunteer newsletter. Your donation of time and money is very important as we enter this final stretch. Jenni Simonis Field Director Multnomah County Democrats