Yesterday was my first time phone banking. After donating small amounts here and there for a few months, I knew it was time to do more. Normally I do everything I can to avoid talking on the phone, but it was the only volunteer opportunity this weekend that I could do.
While I was waiting for the organizer to get my list of numbers to call, an Irish couple walked into the campaign office hoping to get a couple of buttons ("badges," as they said). They had been visiting the US and somehow found that obscure little campaign office on their way to the airport for their flight back to Ireland.
The two organizers who were in the office couldn't find any buttons, but I happened to have one. I had bought a Clinton/Kaine supporter pack several weeks ago and it came with two buttons, two stickers, and a t-shirt. This button had been on my bag along with a little plastic harmonica charm (for Tim Kaine, of course) that I found at a craft store, while the other had been sitting at home. I'd been wondering who was going to get my extra button, or whether I would just end up hoarding the spare for my small political memorabilia collection. Now I feel like I got to do something special for a couple of strangers, I got a cool story to tell, and that little button is on a global adventure.
As for the phone banking, I managed to get two people to volunteer for Democrats in the swing state of North Carolina! If I can do that in spite of my phone anxiety, then maybe I can be an example for someone else out there who might be unsure of what they can do to help. For the rest of the day I was floating.