Shaking Off Winter
March marks the start of a busy season for Monmouth County libertarians.
As noted elsewhere on this site, we have a talk by Ned Kelley, "The Tao of Liberty," scheduled for March 14 at the Manalapan headquarters of the Monmouth County Library. Ned, a martial arts expert, will present the similarities between traditional Asian philosophical concepts and libertarianism.
March 24 is the annual NJLP State Convention at the Ramada Inn in East Windsor. Those who feel isolated politically yet haven't been able to make it to county meetings or events should definitely attend: the sight and sounds of an auditorium filled with libertarians is energizing.
Remember the business session, which will start at 9 a.m., will be free, plus this is when we'll elect new state and county officers. You'll find details elsewhere on this and the state site www.njlp.org. The National Convention Center at the Ramada is conveniently located off of Rt. 33 outside Hightstown.
After that it gets busier quicker. We'll have our annual outreach efforts, such as leafleting last minute income tax filers at selected post offices and the Ocean Grove Flea Market, plus new events. For example Evan Nappen, the noted gun rights attorney, will talk under our sponsorship on May 29 at the county library in Shrewsbury.
But something else happens in March, something which makes all this effort possible. In the mail you'll receive the annual Monmouth fundraising appeal letter.
Most of what we do is thanks to the volunteer efforts of our members. And volunteering of your time and talent is in fact the best donation you can make to the Libertarian Party in Monmouth County. If you want to volunteer just send me an E-mail PDB10752@aol.com and we'll discuss the best way you can help.
But much of what we do requires money. We need money, for instance, to rent space at the flea market and County Fair, or to pay for the insurance we have to carry to be part of the Fair and for the literature we distribute. Even a simple talk such as Ned's, when both the speaker and space are free, requires money to publicize via press releases and a special mailing.
Recently we took out a classified ad in the "TriCity News" for one month to advertise our county website in front of a likely sympathetic audience. We can do more of this sort of thing. We can have bigger and more frequent ads. We could advertise things such as Ned's talk.
We could ... if we had the money.
So when you get your appeal, please do what you can to help. There is no such thing as a token donation. Every dollar is needed, and every dollar goes to building the party here in Monmouth County. If it's more convenient, you can even donate via credit card on line click here.
However you do it, please give what you can. Let's keep moving forward.
Pat Bontempo
County Chair