The number one thing people tell me is this: “Keep doing what you’re doing.” It’s the proverbial pat on the back, saying that we are doing amazing work that is appreciated. Whether they realize it or not, it’s also a James 2:16 opportunity. That’s where the Bible says: If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?
As a nonprofit organization, we’ve done some pretty incredible things with an extremely small staff of three people. If you missed our annual summary from a week or two ago, be sure to check it out. It’s titled: Witnessing The Transformation of Louisiana: A Success Story. In it, we review some of this year’s successes as of early November. At the time, the Berken and Knezek in BESE 7 race hadn’t quite matured. However, our work there illuminated some pretty terrible (and inaccurate) accusations being foisted upon one candidate in particular.
Yes, we are a nonprofit.
Of course, you probably know all about Citizens for a New Louisiana, our 501c4 organization that has been transforming Louisiana for the last six years. However, you may not know about the New Louisiana Foundation, which is a 501c3 created specifically to focus on civic engagement. That just means we’re finding Conservatives in local communities who want to make a difference. Then, we help to get them plugged into a local board or commission.
While the mission is simple, the logistics are more difficult. Our staff pours over meeting minutes to identify when opportunities will arise on these various parish boards. Then we have to find volunteers willing to serve. From there, we make sure their resumes are shined up, and teach the applicants the sometimes complicated process to volunteer, follow up, and ask to be appointed.
Are you ready to help? Here are some more ways you can get involved.
Who’s really working on your issues?
The truth is, in spite of our extremely limited resources, we have become the most accomplished and successful government transparency and accountability organization in the entire state. Find out more about who we are and the great things we’ve been able to accomplish for small businesses and regular citizens like you, right here in Louisiana.
Our work is important and no one else is doing it. That’s because national or state-wide punditry is easier. A large audience (the entire state) wants to hear someone repeating what they’re already thinking. Over and over, we’re filled with opinions about the many problems in Louisiana that could be fixed one day, if only someone would [fill in the blank.] However, the problems never seem to be resolved.
Changing the game
Instead, we’ve determined to focus on local-local. That means your local public library board, your gravity drainage district, and the many other tiny government boards. These public bodies run much of the day-to-day operations of government. They raise and spend tax revenues, make priority decisions about roads, bridges, drainage, economic development, and even social issues. However, most of these boards are deficient in social and fiscal conservative representation. We’ve changed all that.
Even state-wide, our legislative scorecard and senate scorecard are unprecedented accountability partnership tools for your elected representatives. We highlight important legislation they’ve authored or carried, some important committee or floor votes, and also their associations and donors. All of that is kept in a permanent record so the public can properly gauge their representatives for themselves. However, the accountability partner portion of that means that the representatives themselves can use the scorecard as a self-improvement tool.
Are you ready to help? Here are some more ways you can get involved.
Does it work?
Of course it works. You don’t even have to take my word for it; just ask the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, National Public Radio (and here, and here, and here), USA Today, NBC Nightly News, the Times Picayune, the Baton Rouge Advocate (and here), the Acadiana Advocate, I could go on and on.
So, will you help us to do more work, reach more communities, and re-establish conservatism in local and state government with our proven model? The time to hope for the best and wait and see has long passed. This is your chance to finally do something meaningful and measurable right now.
###
Who are your champions?
CFNL Board Member Jill Hines at the US Supreme Court with Liz Murrill and Jeff Landry
It's almost amusing to get emails suggesting that we're not grasping all of the implications of ongoing government censorship. Worse, we are accused of doing a disservice to our members and readers for not paying closer attention. Really!? Did you know that Citizens for a New Louisiana board member, Jill Hines, is actually a plaintiff in the famous Missouri v. Biden lawsuit about government censorship? She's also the primary plaintiff in Hines v. Stamos, where she and her attorneys at America First Legal are fighting against Kate Starbird. All of this has made countless major national news headlines.
Not only am I well apprised of this issue, but this organization is actually an active participant on the front lines by virtue of Jill Hines. Even years before that, it was Citizens for a New Louisiana that championed the Social Media Free Speech Act.
Now you'll know better the next time some flimflammer says Citizens for a New Louisiana doesn't believe the government is censoring you. Instead, please know that we can only continue this work with additional resources and support from friends like you. We don't just think Louisiana is worth saving, we're doing the work necessary to accomplish it; one little bit at a time. Are you on board? Here's your chance to prove it. Join our movement, or chip in monthly, so that this important work continues.
