Last summer, I had the good fortune of being accepted to the OFA-Missouri Summer Organizing Fellows program. After seeing an advertisement for the program online, I decided it would be a great way to spend my summer. The Fellows program offered me an opportunity to become more involved in my community while helping Barack Obama, a man I greatly admire, spread his message and win the election.

At the end of my fellowship, I felt as though I had grown tremendously as a person and that I had contributed something of value to my community. In addition, the program provided me with many life skills that I continue to use, and will value going forward. The OFA-MO Summer Organizing Fellowship was a life-changing experience, especially for a student still in high school. I would whole-heartedly recommend this program to anyone who is interested in politics and motivated to help President Obama and other Democrats win in 2012.

Just like Adam, you could spend your summer helping with the Obama 2012 campaign organizing within your community. Apply for the Summer Organizing Fellows Program.

Last summer, high school student Quin R. participated in OFA-Missouri’s summer organizer program. He shares his thoughts on the experience.

Q. What inspired you to apply for the summer organizing fellows program?

I've always been really passionate about politics, and I was concerned about the direction the country was headed. So, when the opportunity to join OFA came along, I had to jump on board. With all the progress the President and the Democrats in Congress had made, I knew I couldn't sit by as it was being threatened.

Q. At the end of the summer, what did you take away from your organizing fellowship experience?

I feel like I was a part of something larger than myself and I was still empowered to make a difference in my community. It's clear to me now that OFA is dedicated not only to its goals, but also to its organizers. Throughout the entire program, the OFA staff regularly checked in with me to make sure that I had the tools to succeed, and were never hesitant to answer any of my questions.. Furthermore, it was truly inspiring to help people register to vote so they could participate in the democratic process and make their voices heard.

Q. Would you recommend this program?

Absolutely! Being a Summer Organizer is definitely on my list of most exciting things that I have ever done! I got a rush knowing that I was helping to elect a president and candidates up and down the ballot who supported my values. Also, getting to work with others who shared those same values further added to the experience. Anyone who is concerned about our nation's future, supports what the Democrats have accomplished over the past four years, and wants to get involved should consider joining OFA. It would be a mistake not to!

Apply for the OFA-Missouri Summer Organizer Program.

Sherie and Will go over their canvass route prior to heading out to register voters on Saturday.

This weekend in South St. Louis, volunteers participated in the kick-off for the National Weekend of Action Voter Registration Drive. Two of those spending their Saturday morning canvassing were Will B. and Sherrie S., seasoned volunteers from 2008.

Will and Sherie met during the 2008 campaign and, as Sherie puts it, “just sort of bonded. So here we are again working together for President Obama’s re-election.”

Both Sherie and Will believe it’s important to register voters because it is key to a good outcome in November. Will says “If you’re not registered you can’t vote. And if you don’t vote, you don’t have a voice.”Sherie adds, “Voting is the way we can be heard. It’s the way we can bring about change. It’s the way we speak up for the issues we are concerned about.”

Sherie is volunteering today because she appreciates President Obama’s support of the LGBT community and his continuing efforts for healthcare and the economy.

“I know first-hand how important it is to support President Obama. I’m a member of the LGBT community, a breast cancer survivor, and I lost my job in the economic downturn. It doesn’t get any more personal than that. Going forward, the candidate that best serves my interests and concerns is Barack Obama.”

Will said he was participating in the day’s voter registration canvass because the “President isn’t finished and I’m not either.”

“I helped him get elected in 2008 and I certainly want to get him re-elected. I think he is doing a great job. Keeping us on the path that we are on is so important. As a labor person, and a union member, I want to work to elect someone who supports labor, and that is definitely President Obama.”

In order for President Obama to win in November, supporters need to cast their ballots for him in November. That won’t happen if they are not registered to vote. Sherie and Will are canvassing for voter registration today because they know the importance of every vote.

Join the effort: Volunteer today!