Quandaries, sore feet, and door knockin’

Phewf. First official campaign day and what a whirlwind it was.

CGC hosted a Seed Saving Workshop at the Mercury Theatre so that was my main commitment today. But luckily for me, the staff is so amazing that they were totally on the ball by the time I showed up at 830am and things were already almost ready to go. They organized the whole event, and I just did the introduction to the day to the eager ‘seedy saving’ audience and was freed up to be in another few places for the rest of the day.

So next was a quick jaunt over to Charles Hoey Park, for “Occupy Duncan.” It was inspiring to stand alongside some of my friends and running mates, singing and clapping and feeling hopeful. It was a gorgeous, sunny fall day and the group of about 150 people gathered there and others were gathering all over the world in solidarity of eliciting change and it was quite powerful.

My elation did turn to deep sadness later today when I read of folks getting killed in Yemen where they were gathering also hoping to elicit change and instead faced violence and many were killed.

It reminded me once again to be grateful for where I’m so fortunate to be living and to work even harder to keep us strong and connected as a community.

After hanging out at the Park, I went with one of my running mates to an event at SunFm. Unfortunately it was not very well attended, but in my continued quest to be sign/paper free and relying on my ‘face’, it was funny to be immediately greeted with a very loud … JUDY FOR CITY COUNCIL!

I had to laugh, when a supporter jumped up and bestowed a big hug.

Who needs signs with enthusiastic, loud people like that?

But later, while door knocking I realized how tough this commitment to a paper-free campaign was going to be. We only covered about four or five streets – I lost count – and it isn’t the door opening and chatting to folks that is making me question, yet again, my decision. In fact, it’s the doors that don’t open that is.

All those doors that were not opened then, did also not receive any contact from me. So really, if I think about it, without leaving any flyer, I have wasted an opportunity to ‘connect’ with those folks.

So the quandary continues.

I keep thinking of my own house and if I come home and get a flyer stuck in my door it does NOT help me to decide on whom to vote for.

BUT as one other person reminded me today – it takes 7 touches to make a real connection with someone, so the flyer/pamphlet might be the first, then maybe they’ll to go to my website, etc tetc.

It’s a tough choice … do I stand on my principles and risk not getting elected? Or do I say, you know I’m about change and doing things differently and this is just one way to hold onto my integrity.

BUT as another person said – it’s a means to an end and if I don’t get elected because not enough people know me, then all is for naught.

AND while door knocking today I did not meet ONE person who I knew, or who knew me.

… I sure have my work cut out for me.

Category : Blog