My Journey with Bernie

LET’S GO TO IOWA

“'They've all come to look for America'”

—Simon and Garfunkel⁵⁰

It is January 1, 2016, the first day of the New Year.

I am now one hundred percent committed to Bernie Sanders and am ready to do everything possible to help the campaign. I continue to post news and share actions for volunteers on my NorCal4Bernie Facebook community and search for news on Twitter channels to support the campaign. But, I want to do more than just sit at my computer and curate web content. I need to do more.

As I browse the Internet and sign up to join new social media communities and follow new channels, I click on a Twitter feed, with a cool graphic and name, “The Revolution Starts with Us,”

“Looking for volunteers across the country to come to Iowa and turn out the vote for the caucus. #LetsGoToIowa.”⁵¹⁵²

I think, “this looks interesting.” I click on the link, fill in my contact information on the form, and join the group. The next thing I know my phone is ringing and I answer it.

“Hello, Kacey my name is Stacey. Thanks for volunteering to go to Iowa to support Bernie's campaign in the first caucus.” I listen and think to myself “go to Iowa.” I realize that this web page is more than just an online social media site.

Stacey, the national lead for this volunteer grassroots initiative continues, “can I ask you to lead a group of volunteers from California?” Stacey lives in Florida and leads the national effort but needs volunteers to organize in other states. “Will you be able to help organize and lead a group from California?”

I listen and wonder what it would take to “lead” a group of volunteers from California to go to Iowa. Go, strongly implies taking a road trip to Iowa. As Stacey is talking about the details, I realize that this commitment requires much more than just clicking on my computer on a link on the Internet.

Wow! I wonder if this is what I have been looking for to help Bernie. But, can I do this? What about my work schedule? I have a business trip scheduled around the same time.

As I listen to Stacey, I think about how I felt meeting Bernie in person at the rally in Reno when he asked me to do more.

“Ok,” I tell Stacey, “yes, I will go to Iowa, but I am not sure if I can lead all the California volunteers by myself. California is a big state.”

“No problem,” Stacey tells me, “I have another volunteer from southern California, Jason, who can team up with you. How about if you lead NorCal and he leads SoCal, and you both work together?”

“Ok,” I agree, “let's do it!”