A fusillade of actions on tap as healthcare reform battle continues in August

Earlier today, Organizing for America sent out the following message from President Obama:

This is the moment our movement was built for.

For one month, the fight for health insurance reform leaves the backrooms of Washington, D.C., and returns to communities across America. Throughout August, members of Congress are back home, where the hands they shake and the voices they hear will not belong to lobbyists, but to people like you.

Home is where we're strongest. We didn't win last year's election together at a committee hearing in D.C. We won it on the doorsteps and the phone lines, at the softball games and the town meetings, and in every part of this great country where people gather to talk about what matters most. And if you're willing to step up once again, that's exactly where we're going to win this historic campaign for the guaranteed, affordable health insurance that every American deserves.

We've got to get out there, fight lies with truth, and set the record straight.

So throughout this 'battle month' of August, Volunteers For Change-Fresno is doing our part, strongly encouraging our members will step up and join us in this fight. This month, we'll be coordinating our efforts with organizations like Health Access and Organizing For America, all with the goal of winning this most critical of fights.

Here are some of the actions we'll be taking this month in support of meaningful healthcare reform, including a strong public option. And we need your help with each of them:

• Canvassing: On Aug. 8 and Aug. 22, we'll be joining Health Access and Organizing For America in canvassing, going door-to-door to encourage others in our community to take action supporting healthcare reform.

• Phonebanking: As we did in July, we'll be coordinating efforts with Organizing for America, making calls to encourage our fellow citizens to support healthcare reform;

• Phonebanking to V4CF members: Also, we'll be trying to reach each of our Volunteers For Change by telephone, encouraging them to call their representatives and urge their support;

• Tabling: V4CF members may staff booths and tables at community events, educating attendees about the importance of this healthcare reform effort;

• Coordinated Congressional Visits: Also in conjunction with Health Access and OFA, we're looking for members who want to participate in visits to the office of our congressional representatives, especially the office of Rep. Jim Costa; and

• Costa Send-Off Event: Finally, we're looking for members who want to participate in creating a send-off event for Rep. Costa, an event designed to ensure he does not forget our voices when he returns to Washington D.C. in September.

These events are the biggest, most important Calls To Action we've planned since our group's inception. And we need help from everybody to win this fight. Stay tuned to our Action Blog to find out how you can be involved.