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Hello, True Texans!
You guys are amazing. This week Fran and I had a budget meeting. There was good news and bad news -- it's always that way, isn't it? Well, the good news was that this time last year, I had learned we were really short on what we needed for our 2024 budget. In fact, it looked like we'd have to close up shop by March of this year! I asked y'all to step up... and you did. I just got the final numbers for 2024, and apparently you guys beat the norm for individual donors for a grassroots nonprofit. We have a very healthy number of individuals giving monthly support. That's fantastic! I am so proud of you because you put your money where your mouth is.
Of course, then the bad news hit: it's not enough. Alas, it never is. So while we have high numbers of individuals signed up for recurring donations, the actual dollar amount of those donations is statistically well below average. And while we had been (and still are) excited about our progress in getting so many of you engaged at any amount, when we learned at the beginning of the year that our 2nd highest donor backed out of politics altogether, it was a big hit we are still trying to recover from.
So here's my plea... if you are not yet donating monthly, please set something up by clicking here. And if you are donating monthly, please consider increasing your amount by replying to this email so we can walk you through it. If we cannot bridge the gap we have, we'll be forced to start making cuts. That just kills me. Fran and I will be meeting later this month to figure out what to ax. [Sigh.]
This is a good time to let you know that we are pursuing sponsorships for our annual gala, Texas Tough. Contrary to the rumors put out by the Left (and by those supposedly on the Right who are jealous of our success), no, we do not get the majority of our support from rich West TX oilmen. Yes, we get some and I am ever-so-grateful and will never see a need to apologize for that (why would I?), but it is the smaller contributions from so many individuals and small businesses that add up like drops of rain and sustain us. If you know a small business that would like an audience with 600 very loyal patriots at Texas Tough, please have them reach out to me at [email protected]. Likewise, if you have contacts that would like Fran and I to sit down with them to talk about how to support the great work our activists do, help us set that up. It's our favorite subject!
In other words, we need you to partner with us to get this fundraising done. Help us network! That's how non-profits work, and there's just no way around it.
But there's more good news!
I'm a cheerleader by nature, so I can't share that tough news and end there! The truth is, True Texas Project does incredible work, and this week was no exception. Check this out:
We had nearly 50 activists at the Capitol on Tuesday. That's great, and we're just getting started! We'll be there every week. That is why TTP has such a powerful reputation. While many clubs talk about problems, we SHOW UP to promote solutions. I shared a story on Facebook about how my own State Rep literally trembles in my presence. Not kidding! You can read it here. If your Rep is as bad as mine, make it your goal to elicit the same response! On the other hand, check out this response from one of our "good guys." What a contrast, huh? We got a lot of those kind of messages from the Reps we worked so hard to elect! You don't always see them, but I get thank yous from electeds and from activists all the time for the work TTP does. Keep it up!
We had TWO new TTP@Home groups start this week, and both were raving successes! Thank you to Carole and Linda for hosting them. I truly believe the home groups are the future of building the True Texas army because it builds community at the local level where we can strategize to make the biggest difference. Both of them already had elected officials participate, as have our other home groups. Isn't this incredible???
Some of the ladies from our new Cross Plains home group
Several candidates approached me this week asking for interviews! Why is this so significant? It tells me two things... For starters, people who align with us are stepping up to run for office. That's a win! But whether they align with us or not, they clearly recognize the power behind the True Texas army of voters, and they want to earn our support. When we put out our voting recommendations, people who are otherwise never involved snatch them up and use them. We have an 80% win rate! That's nothing to sneeze at. The filing deadline is Friday for local elections, so we'll start posting our recommendations soon.
While lots of people talk about reaching the next generation, we are actually doing it! It has long been my dream to start a youth group alongside our "adult" meetings, and that starts Monday night in Tarrant! Plus, we've got groups asking for us to bring our Certified True Texan Youth training to them. Sa-weet! That's all planned for later this year.
There is no other group like True Texas Project. We educate, we train, we act - both at election time AND during sessions/meetings. The impact is huge. It's why we are attacked so ruthlessly, and we wear that as a badge of honor. Just watch... having told you that we need funds or we'll have to cut down on our work, cue the fake news telling you about our demise in 3... 2... 1... What they don't know is that y'all have stepped up for 16 years now, and we aren't going away. I'm confident God will provide what is needed through His people. ❤️
ICYMI (in case you missed it)
Texas Tough tickets are now on sale - and they WILL sell out! It's our biggest event every year, and this year we've added MORE: dinner, drinks, keynote by actor Kevin Sorbo, live music, dancing, fireworks, cannons, cards, dominoes, and "gun fights"! Plus, see below for 5 FREE dance lessons and get them on your calendar! The 1st is this week for an early Valentine's get-together!
(Note the request for an rsvp on the Valentine's one).
DON'T MISS OUT:
Capitol Engagement
Remember, everyTuesdaywe are at the Capitol! If you bring a carpool, we'll pay for your gas! Coming up, we have:
If you have plans to join us in Austin on any Tuesday, email [email protected].
True Texas Project Events... FEBRUARY CALENDAR!
Our onlinecalendar is always kept up to date with upcoming meetings and events. Check out the February calendar graphic below! SO many ways to get involved in your local community or at the capitol! Click to save and enlarge it.
Monthly TTP@Home groups... TTP@Home Florence now meets on the second Tuesday- 2/11 TTP@Home North Richland Hills meets on Monday 2/17 TTP@Home Lubbock meets on Monday 2/17 TTP@Home Burleson meets on Tuesday 2/18 TTP@Home Ennis now meets on the fourth Saturday - 2/22 TTP@Home Denison meets on Saturday 3/1 TTP@Home Weatherford meets on Monday 3/3 TTP@Home Cross Plains meets on Saturday 3/8
Clickhere for more information about our TTP@Home groups. These groups are spreading like wildfire! Let us know if you want to start one in your area by replying to this email.
Monthly TTP podcasts
Our TTP@Home podcast is offered on the 1st Friday of every month specifically for those who cannot get to an in-person meeting, but of course it's great content for all activists. Check out our February interview with Meg Basham on her book Shepherds for Hire... any other shows you may have missed!
The next one drops March 7 to talk about expanded gambling in Texas.
CONTACTS: Reach out to the directors listed below to get more info on a meeting near you, or with any other question or comment about True Texas Project, activism, or politics. If they don't know the answer, they will help you find it!
True Texas Project works hard to train and engage activists. Can you help? We are 100% donation-based. Click here to donate to our movement. TrueTexasProject.com NOTE: TTP does NOT pay a fee to WinRed for using their donation site. We only pay a processing fee to the credit card company (and you have the option to cover it).
To update your profile with a new email address, satellite location, or other details, or to adjust your recurring donations, please click here. BONUS TIP: remove the "unsubscribe" line at the bottom of your email before you forward it! Otherwise the recipient may unsubscribe YOU!
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What a contrast, huh? We got a lot of those kind of messages from the Reps we worked so hard to elect! You don't always see them, but I get thank yous from electeds and from activists all the time for the work TTP does. Keep it up!
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