Shanthi Gonzales

Name:	Shanthi Gonzales
Location:	Oakland, CA

My personal volunteering highlight:

The first campaign I worked on was the No on 187 campaign in California, when I was still in high school. It was a ballot initiative that would have denied access to all public services to illegal immigrants. The initiative passed (it was later struck down by the CA Supreme Court), but in every precinct that I worked in - and that our organization worked in - it failed. That was pretty compelling evidence for me that my participation mattered, and that feeling has stayed with me through many subsequent campaigns.

More about my volunteering with DFA:

I am involved in my local chapter. We are currently volunteering for Hilary Crosby, who is running for Controller of California's Democratic Party. I am also very excited about DFA's upcoming work on getting a public option in Obama's health care reform bill and look forward to being very active on that campaign.

I also attended a recent Campaign Academy in Fresno, where I met many other California activists. I was very inspired by the Academy to become more deeply involved in DFA and am working with my local chapter leaders to figure out how to do that.

More about my volunteering with progressive organizations:

I am also a member of Moveon, and usually volunteer for whichever campaign they are workin on - right now it is green jobs.

Additionally, I have worked in the labor movement for a long time, and we generally volunteer for progressive candidates around election time.

More about my work on current campaigns and issues:

I am volunteering for Hilary Crosby, who is running for Controller of California's Democratic Party. So far I have just made calls for her, but our convention is next week, and I will be doing GOTV for her there as well.

I am also excited to work on DFA's campaign for a public option for health care reform. I am trying to find out how to become more involved.

What motivates me:

Winning is a great motivator, when it happens, like with Obama. But it is also possible to change politics without winning, as Dean's campaign did. He changed the conventional wisdom about so many aspects of politics and campaigning.

I have experienced first-hand how my involvement has led to campaign victories. I have also seen through my experience in the labor movement how political wins can change workers' lives in dramatic ways.

The other thing that motivates me is the feeling that I am doing something important, that will change our country and improve peoples' lives. That and the great people that I have met while engaged in political activism. It is always motivating to be around people who share your values.

How I try to motivate others:

There are everyday victories in any campaign, such as hitting benchmarks for fundraising, voter IDs, volunteer shifts, etc. It is important to acknowledge these victories. Building relationships with other activists is also important. If someone is a friend as well as a fellow activist, your time spent working on campaigns is fun as well as productive, and it makes it easier to motivate people.

Where I see myself in five years:

I hope to be running for public office and still working on campaigns to improve my city, county and state (and country).

Also, I have always worked for unions or progressive organizations. I also hope to still be doing that as well.

My suggested bumper sticker slogan for the Stand with Dr. Dean campaign:

Give me a choice on health care