Behind the Scenes at ODP
By David Waks on 10/24/2011 @ 8:19 PM
We get asked all the time: who actually works at the Ohio Democratic Party?
And more importantly: why are we here?
For the first post in an ongoing series, we wanted to talk to our frontline — our field organizers. Those who inspire our volunteers, coordinate countless phone banks, and work relentlessly behind the scenes to ensure every voter across the state is informed and engaged.
We turned to Janee Bowman, a field organizer in Athens working with Coshocton, Muskingum and Guernsey counties, to tell us a bit about what motivated her to join the fight to defeat Issue 2. Like so many who work with us, she knew the potential consequences of enacting Senate Bill 5.
She’s an EMT. Her husband is a firefighter. And she only sleeps soundly at night because she knows that whether she’s in an emergency room or her husband’s at the fire station, strong employee protections ensure their safety. In her own words:
“I see firsthand the need for adequate supplies, equipment and staffing levels for our Emergency Responders. Sufficient staffing levels have made it so that he and I are able to do our jobs better. It takes 5 people to work an effective code, and usually just two EMT’s per truck. And when you work a call, you want to know you can depend on backup at the station.
“Most people don’t realize, but we rely on firefighters for more than just fighting fires: they help us move people who are sick, stabilize patients at the scenes of car accidents, and help educate the community. These things all take manpower; we depend on their help too much to not have crews in the station.
In her line of work, she’s afraid of SB5.
“Just the other day, while fighting a fire, my husband’s friend Brendan fell through the floor as a fire engulfed the ceiling. It was his safety equipment that saved him – their company only had it because a union in Columbus suggested that it was a good idea to have.”
Now, she works to defeat Issue 2. She’s moved from the back of the ambulance to an office in Athens, spending her day recruiting passionate volunteers to come in and help inform Ohioans. Her message is simple: “Every volunteer is incredibly crucial to our campaign. If everybody does a little bit, we’ll be okay. But if we do nothing, we won’t be okay.” And getting involved is easy.
“We have nineteen days,” she chirps breathlessly into the phone, “and while I know youre busy, we need your help because were trying to reach as many voters as possible to remind them to vote NO on Issue 2. Can you come for a canvass shift that starts today at 5 or one at on Saturday morning at 10?”
Everyone can play a role. Whether going door-to-door or helping on the phone — it all starts by contacting your local field office.
She depends on volunteers everyday. “There’s the young Democrats. They’ve organized students together, held voting marches, and lobbied Student Senate Meetings. I count on them.” And she counts on the families, activists, and union members who stream into her office to help. And even if you’ve never volunteered before, you’ll find it an easy, yet transformative, experience. “There’s so much energy here, it’s great.”
The inside perspective of emergency medicine changed Janee’s perspective. “By not being a patient, but being a care provider, you can see what would happened if you lost a union and what would happened. That’s why I’m fighting this bill.” And now she needs your help – will you respond to her call?
