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NRL News
Overcoming Obama's Abortion Agenda by Growing the Grassroots First of all, a sincere thank you to all of the hardworking grassroots pro-lifers out there who worked unceasingly last fall. We accomplished the most possible under impossible conditions. (See Dr. David N. O'Steen's analysis on page 12.) I want you to know that your tremendous efforts and your labors are deeply appreciated. We do have our work cut out for us in the coming four years. As you are receiving this special edition of NRL News, the Abortion Establishment's favorite son is being sworn in as our 44th President. The Man with the Abortion Agenda, Barack Obama, will take office. There are many pro-abortion goals he can attain administratively. However, there will be many other pro-life victories he will attempt to undo that will require legislation. (See Douglas Johnson's story on page one.) The odds are against us, but they were in 1993 when pro-abortion Bill Clinton became President, aided and abetted by a pro-abortion Congress controlled by Democrats. We blunted many of Clinton's initiatives. That is our job again in 2009. I know you want to know the steps we can take that will save lives, that will make a difference. Our job in the coming months will be (1) to find as many pro-lifers as we can, (2) to get them organized, and (3) to welcome them on board as valued members of the National Right to Life team. Our goal is to double the number of NRLC members and increase the chapter base by the end of 2009. (See page one.) Whether they play a role in forming a local chapter (see page seven), volunteer to organize an e-mail tree or a phone tree (see page 10), or become the liaison between the Movement and their church (see page 11), they will be making a key difference. And they will be making a difference because they are part of the team. Finding and organizing pro-lifers is an ongoing job. It is not a once-completed-it's-done-forever kind of situation. If we are going to be most effective in our fight for unborn children's lives, we must continually and creatively identify others who share our opposition to the killing of unborn babies. Of all of the jobs that we must perform in this Movement, finding, organizing, and motivating pro-lifers provides the most immediate and greatest payoff. "People power" is the only way we can offset the benefits that are held by the pro-abortion groups that have more money than they know what to do with. (And don't forget the media loves them.) For the right-to-life movement ordinary men and women (and teenagers, too) are the single most important asset in this battle for life. Let's look at the most effective ways to locate and mobilize new additions to our ranks. * One of the best ways, proven over time, is to distribute the petition that states we must Stop Obama's Abortion Agenda. These petitions are free from National Right to Life, or you can download them (or sign online) at www.nrlc.org or www.stoptheabortionagenda.com The back side of the petition has numerous suggestions as to how and where to get signatures. (The petition is included on pages 14–15 of this edition.) * Run an ad in your church bulletin to find like-minded people. Host a meeting and run ads in several pro-life churches. Kick off the Stop Obama's Abortion Agenda campaign at your meeting and keep doing that in different parts of your community. Rest assured you will be surprised at how many new pro-life workers you add to the base. * Get your local pro-life high school and college students involved. They are excellent workers whose energy and enthusiasm and ability to network can really make a great difference in recruiting others to join to finish a project! (See story, page 19.) * Remember to always collect names and addresses and e-mail addresses for any activity or event where pro-lifers might be or at an event you host. And never, ever throw a name away. (See story, page 26.) Your neighbors, co-workers, fellow church members, and friends trust you because they know you. When you talk about the humanity of the unborn child, the pain of post-abortion syndrome, the failure of our government to protect its most vulnerable citizens, your claims carry added weight because you have credibility, because you are like them. So ask them to be involved. Get them on the team. You won't get everyone you identify to come to chapter meetings and be heavily involved. But you don't need to. You may be able to have them attend special events and activities that you sponsor. Remember, some of the best chapters have a core group of a half dozen strong, committed leaders who carry out the day-to-day work of the chapters. They have larger groups to call on when special occasions arise. Whichever way you decide to get involved, the important thing is to proceed and make sure you are going in the right direction. For example, be sure you are affiliated with your state organization and with National Right to Life. If you do not have the number of your state affiliate, please contact the NRLC State Development Department and we can get it for you (202-626-8800, ext. 142). Make sure you have paid your membership dues to each. While not expensive, it is vitally important. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Can we count on you for your membership contribution and to be a part of the "Stop Obama's Abortion Agenda" team? |