INCREASING TEA PARTY PRESENCE -- MUSKEGON TEA PARTY EXAMPLE

[patriotm1]

Here is an example of a Tea Party group (Muskegon Tea Party) expanding their presence by having a booth at a local, non-Tea Party event.

Regardless of any outcome, the initiative was worthy in that it sought to:

1.) Increase awareness and inform in a local, non-Tea Party environment

2.) Bring in new participants

3.) Try new ways to expand presence, grow the organization, and generally get out and mix things up a bit.
Reaching out at a youth fair was an interesting approach from a couple of standpoint.

Picking a few choice venues may be worth a thought for other Tea Party groups in order to keep momentum rolling.

Below is a link to the Muskegon Tea Party web site and a brief recap of the event in their own words:

http://muskegonpatriots.ning.com/photo/albums/2010-fair-booth


*** Web Post ***
Comment by url"">Robert A Carr on August 1, 2010 at 8:59am

The Muskegon County Youth Fair is now over. The Muskegon Tea Party made it's pressence know over the 5 days of the Fair. Our booth featured free 5 oz. cups of Tea Partry Tea and candy for the kids.

We were set up to be inbetween the Republican and Democrat booths. We set up the nite we and most everyone else did, t...he rule book called it set up night. Guess that was too complicated for the Dems. They came 3 days late and set up across from us. Not next to us as the planners planned. LOL. Hey its a free country.

We did pretty good at the booth in my opinion. About 20 people signed and puit down their emails, and we gave out our 1/4 sheet flyers to many more. If you think that isn't many, the Republican tent in which I helped out only had 1 new signup.

I'd like to give a big Thank You from the Muskegon Tea Party to all those who volunteered to help. From set up to making tea to manning the booth. A Special thanks to the Jagers and Voights who came multiple days and multiple hours. Also volunteering their time manning the booth were Joan, Amanda, Chris, John,Dave and Jerry. Also a big thanks to Susan who helped set up the booth and organize it the first day. She also made and decorated four large display signs which made our booth an interesting place.

Thanks to Eric who had to be out of town for buying the Tent.

Regards, Bob Carr


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[patriotm1]

Perhaps there are venues beyond events to conduct an outreach/informational/recruitment effort. Would there be a couple of folks that would want to form a task force (for lack of a better term) to develop some ideas on how to expand the awareness and/or increased participation of friends, neighbors, and fellow Michiganders?

Regarding events, tag teaming with other regional and state groups is one way to defray costs and even build coalitions and relationships for future efforts.
Example: County fair with, say, five area tea party groups and affiliate groups (Americans for Prosperity, tax groups, 9/12 groups, etc.) with integrated booth sharing and messaging. Additionally, creative fund raising around the event(s) could pay for the costs. Lots of possibilities/opportunities, just need to look at a few.

[Sharon Lollio]

Just wanted to let you know I did check out a booth for the Plymouth Fall Festival - way too much money and the guidelines and rules pretty strict.
If anyone else wants to check out venues let us know. Most of the groups I talk to are in small communities where the booth space is between $100 and $200.
I have also talked to groups where the places they hold their rallies is either free or again at the $200 price range.
Sorry gang but it's a fact the area we are in comes with a high price tag to stay somewhat within our groups membership.
But it's always good for someone to be on the look out for venues to promote our group - that's for sure.

[patriotm1]

I would be willing to man an event or two this fall.
Did you have any thoughts on particular events?

[Brian & Sara Ii]

I agree with this! Coming up soon we will be having fall festivals etc. I thought it would be good to rent a space at some of these events. ~Sara