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Diverse backgrounds, but united by democratic values
Meet your Heroes PEF’s full-time ‘Heroes’ part of national political campaign

By SHERRY HALBROOK
The small band of PEF political activists headed for New Hampshire take with them diverse experiences, skills and political perspectives, and at least one thing in common: a conviction that America’s democracy works when its individual citizens make it work.

They share a sense that they will make a difference in the future of this country by helping more Americans to participate thoughtfully and vigorously in the democratic process that will culminate in the November 2nd election of the next U.S. president.

Four of them — Grace Lamachia, Norman Parrish, Neil Tallon and Natalie Williams received a weekend of intensive training in March provided by a PEF international affiliate, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) in conjunction with Camp Wellstone. In late April, Lynne Tillotson took the training. They are part of the first wave of 400 “Heroes” SEIU is sending out to work full-time in other states. Dennis Anderson expects to join them in September.

Nearly 100 more PEF activists are hoping to take part in a second wave of Heroes to be deployed in July, or in the third wave in September or, at least pitch in over the weekends to help register and inform voters, mainly other SEIU members, about election issues. 

SEIU also may decide to temporarily deploy some Heroes who are teachers and available to work full-time on the campaign only in the summer while school is out.

PEF putting ‘feet on the ground’ in NH 
By SHERRY HALBROOK
The first PEF “Heroes” of Campaign 2004 are trained and hitting the ground in New Hampshire. 
The challenge and opportunity facing PEF as it strives to make a real difference in this year’s national presidential election is even greater than anyone anticipated.
“PEF has adopted New Hampshire,” said Stacey Millman, eastern regional political director of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) which is conducting this national political campaign to build voter participation in the 2004 presidential election. 
“PEF is the only SEIU affiliate (from another state) that will be sending Heroes into New Hampshire,” Millman said.
So far, approximately 100 PEF members and retirees have stepped forward to say they are interested in working on this campaign. Nearly two-thirds say they want to work full-time if they can arrange to be available for such a long time. Those who can’t work as full-time Heroes want to help with the campaign as weekend “Warriors.”

Time for action
Now, the campaign is shifting from the recruitment and planning stages into putting trained campaigners on the ground, with the first group from PEF heading to New Hampshire in mid-April. 
“We are breaking new ground by sending our activists off to work full-time on political organizing in another state for up to seven months,” said PEF President Roger Benson. 
“Our members have been steadily building their political participation and skills for years, and now we are ready to move to the next step and take on the biggest political challenge we have ever had. 

“We will be responsible for delivering New Hampshire in November, and we can do that by focusing our members’ commitment and skills on registering our SEIU counterparts there to vote, and encouraging them to learn about and take an active role in deciding the vital issues at stake for all of us in this election,” Benson said. 

Why New Hampshire?
Of SEIU’s approximately 10,000 NH members, about 8,000 belong to Local 1984 — the State Employees Association (SEA) of NH.
“Since SEA is calling for a ‘no-confidence’ vote against Gov. Craig Benson and is involved in contract and privatization fights with him, the union can’t pull its members off their state jobs for this political campaign,” Millman said. “So, we think this will be a great match up of New York state employees with New Hampshire state employees.”
The SEIU campaign is using face-to-face, member-to-member campaign techniques developed by the late Senator Paul Wellstone of Minnesota.
SEIU expects to deploy approximately 15 full-time PEF Heroes to the New Hampshire campaign between now and the November election, plus a substantial number of PEF weekend “Warriors.” 
The Heroes are going out mainly in three waves, with the second group deployment in July and the third set for September. Once they are in the field, they will continue working through the election on November 2.
Millman said other PEF Heroes may be sent to Maine, Ohio, Michigan or Pennsylvania.

Part of bigger picture
SEIU is waging its campaign of member political activism in 12 battleground or “swing” states where the effort is expected to have the best chance of tipping the scales on election night. 
PEF’s Heroes are among 400 SEIU fielded nationwide in April.
“We are really looking forward to the experience of our New Hampshire members working with your 
members,” said Jay Ward, SEIU political director for New Hampshire. “PEF members are doing something special 
here. I am truly amazed by their experience, their skills and their dedication.”
Millman said SEIU is confident that it can begin the campaign in that state with this first small group of PEF members because “your people are exceptionally talented and dedicated.”