As always, we’re doing the hard work of talking to voters about marriage this month by continuing to try out new experiments. 

 VOTER PERSUASION PHONE BANK – July 6th
First, we’re getting on the phones to call voters and address their underlying concerns about allowing LGBT couples to marry.  Just like the canvasses, we’re focusing on asking questions and getting voters to share their experiences with marriage and LGBT people.  We’ve got prompts to get voters to open up and talking points to address concerns we hear consistently.  In addition, we’re bringing up the issue we know our opposition brings up during campaigns – that somehow allowing LGBT people to marry will negatively affect children.    This is our first persuasion phone bank and we need everyone on the phones helping us test how well this works.  Sign-up here!
Tuesday, July 6^th (6:30 to 9:30pm)
The Village, 1125 N. McCadden Place Hollywood 90038
(near Highland and Santa Monica)

ADVANCED VOTER PERSUASION CANVASS – July 10th
Second, we’re having our first advanced canvass in the San Fernando Valley.  At the training we’ll be showing video, training on how to better address voters’ concerns and how to respond more comprehensively to their concerns relating to kids and schools.  If you’ve attended any canvasses with VFE, we need you with us to strengthen your persuasion skills and help contribute to the training. At this canvass, we’ll be talking to predominately Latino voters in areas of the San Fernando Valley where 55-66% of voters voted yes on 8. If you’ve got an iPhone, bring it, so we can show video at the door! Sign-up here!
Saturday, July 10^th (10am to 3pm)
Christ Chapel of the Valley, 11050 Hartsook Street North Hollywood, CA 91601

VOTER PERSUASION CANVASS – July 31st
Third, we need people to join us at our general canvass at the end of July.  At this canvass, we’re focusing on giving volunteers new opportunities to take on leadership. Please check-in with staff if you’re interested in learning more.  We’re continuing to talk with predominately Latino voters in areas of the San Fernando Valley where 55-66% of voters voted yes on 8. All experience levels are welcome as a full training will be provided.  Sign-up here!
Saturday, July 31^st (10am to 3pm)
Christ Chapel of the Valley, 11050 Hartsook Street North Hollywood, CA 91601

 The research, learning and progress of our work relies on input and involvement from volunteers—that’s you—so please join us for at least one of these upcoming voter contact actions. 

 Thanks for your interest and involvement!

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On Saturday June 19th, we will be talking to voters in the San Fernando Valley to address their core concerns about marriage for LGBT people.  These conversations are crucial to learning what messages move voters on marriage and we really need YOU out there to help us!

Here are the key details:

Date and time:
Saturday, June 19^th
10am to 3pm
Please arrive before 9:30am to park before getting signed in.

Training:

• Sign-in and small group material review starts at 9:30am
• Big group training starts promptly at 10am
• We’ll be training all new volunteers and giving everyone a chance to see and practice a conversation before talking to voters.  Many of our return volunteers will be taking on leadership roles to support newer volunteers and make sure the canvass runs smoothly. 

 Meeting location:
Christ Chapel of the Valley
11050 Hartsook Street
North Hollywood, CA 91601-3803

 Directions: Here’s how I got there last time, coming from Hollywood, but there are different ways to go.

• 101 North
• 170 North
• Exit Magnolia and go East (right off the Freeway)
• Right on Lankershim Blvd
• First Left onto Hartsook Street
• The church is an adobe building on the right about halfway down the block. 

 Parking: There is a small lot on site, but most volunteers will need to find nearby street parking.

 Contact: Jay Darling (me) 323-770-3605 or jdarling@lagaycenter.org

 To get yourself excited to canvass, check out this video of a voter changing their mind about gay marriage!

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HARVEY MILK DAY CANVASS TOMORROW!!

Harvey Milk Day Canvass in the Valley!
Saturday, May 22; 10am – 3pm
Christ Chapel of the Valley
11050 Hartsook Street
North Hollywood, CA 91601 

 ”I ask for the movement to continue, for the movement to grow, because last week I got a phone call from Altoona, Pennsylvania, and my election gave somebody else, one more person, hope. And after all, that’s what this is all about. It’s not about personal gain, not about ego, not about power – it’s about giving those young people out there in the Altoona, Pennsylvanias, hope. You gotta give them hope.”  Harvey Milk

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Second Contact Voter Phone Bank
Thursday, May 20
6:30-9:30pm
The Village; 1125 N McCadden Pl, 90038

Harvey Milk Day Canvass in the Valley!
Saturday, May 22
10a – 3p
San Fernando Valley, Site TBD

Also toward the end of the month, in the spirit of Harvey Milk and in honor of Harvey Milk Day, VFE will expand our scope and impact by hosting our May 22nd canvass in a new location! As Milk said,

“I ask for the movement to continue, for the movement to grow, because last week I got a phone call from Altoona, Pennsylvania, and my election gave somebody else, one more person, hope. And after all, that’s what this is all about. It’s not about personal gain, not about ego, not about power – it’s about giving those young people out there in the Altoona, Pennsylvanias, hope. You gotta give them hope.”

So VFE will be taking our show on the road to the San Fernando Valley to give even more communities in Los Angeles hope and a chance to get involved in our work to win marriage back. No experience is necessary and a full training and lunch will be provided.  Click here to sign-up!

Hope to see you out there with us sometime soon as we continue to talk to voters and learn more about how to change their hearts and minds to be more supportive of marriage equality!

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