Last week I announced that over 1,400 people had joined our campaign in just the first 14 days.
This level of support from everyday San Diegans is almost unheard of this early in a campaign. Because I am up against the government labor union bosses and their unlimited financial resources, I know that our volunteers will be key to winning this race.
I have seen the power of a strong volunteer base in my City Council office projects, and also in just the first three weeks of the campaign. It is volunteers who stuff the envelopes that the invitations go in, man the phones that invite community members to hear me speak, and provide support for the 25 events that we have put on in the first 23 days of the campaign.
Volunteers are key to a campaign’s success — and I strongly believe they will be key to San Diego’s success.
We see this already in all kinds of undertakings. Volunteers are the force behind successful bake sales, little leagues, church services, and cancer walks.
So why can’t they be part of the solution for San Diego’s city services too? They can and they will be if I am elected mayor.
I’m thrilled that we already have many San Diegans volunteering in some discrete city services areas, such as at the local library stocking books or assisting the police department with patrolling neighborhoods through RSVP.
But unfortunately there are many more areas where San Diegans can volunteer and have tried to volunteer, but have been turned away.
Yes…turned away!
Why? That is because government labor union bosses are afraid that volunteers will replace some dues paying city employees and they actively lobby the city against using volunteers. They have successfully thrown up roadblocks, even in places where volunteers would provide service enhancements, and improve the quality of life for all San Dieagans.
All that will change if I am mayor. We need creative solutions to solve the cities problems — and partnerships with non-profits and individual volunteers will be key to the solutions I champion as Mayor.
I pledge to work with the City Attorney’s office, department directors, and hire a Chief Volunteer Officer to expand opportunities for volunteerism, recruit volunteers, and to manage the volunteer process. My office will also expand partnerships with non-profits in a host of service areas designed to meet the changing needs of our neighborhoods — from education and environmental protection to services for the homeless and senior citizens.
We need to get San Diegans off the sideline and get them part of the solution. Volunteerism is a great place to start.
To hear more about my thoughts on volunteerism and my plans for getting San Diegan’s involved, please see this week’s appearance on KUSI linked below.
KUSI Volunteerism VIDEO
To sign up to be a volunteer with my campaign — and be part of the effort to Clean Up City Hall — please visit my website at www.CarlDeMaio.com