public:cb_mirror:cos_new_jersey_team_expresses_thanksgiving_for_leadership_txt_blogposts_11048
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COS New Jersey team expresses thanksgiving for leadership
The founding fathers of our Convention of States New Jersey grassroots movement are taking a new path in their journey.
| The founding fathers of our Convention of States New Jersey grassroots movement are taking a new path in their journey. Former Grassroots Coordinator Bill Boniface is retiring, and Jonathan Viaud (former State Director) was called to a staff position to be the Regional Director for the 15 states that have passed the COS application. Both men’s journeys takes them to Florida. As our New Jersey Team recovered a bit from the shock of losing two pillars of our team, we also experience joy and anticipation that our former mentors will continue to apply their talents and love of America towards furthering freedom and self-governance with COS.  Bill and Jonathan lead a COS New Jersey meeting in November of 2019. In the summer of 2020 Bill notified us of his retirement and that he will move to Florida to live close to his family. Bill had helped all of us to grow in our COS efforts and instilled in us that personal relationships are the heart of our growth in an effective grassroots movement. Simultaneously we are glad for Bill, because he will now have more time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. Jonathan Viaud is our COS brother who partnered with Bill for the longest time. Bill was his rock from the fledgling years of COS New Jersey through the exponential growth in our state team over the past two and a half years. Jonathan created a laser-engraved crystal award to acknowledge Bill’s six years of service.  It reads “Light for Liberty Honoree, Bill Boniface, Grassroots Coordinator, COS New Jersey 2014- 2020.” We presented it to Bill at our statewide strategy meeting on October 24, 2020. Bill also had a message for us when he received the award: Bill Boniface Acceptance Speech 10.24.2020. A Statewide Strategy Meeting was our ruse to get our outgoing leaders to our event. We credit the “secret” channels on SLACK where we did all our planning. To be sure, we did utilize our time together to develop our goals going into 2021: - Plan Trenton State House visit April 2021 and prepare legislative packets and an outline for Simulated Committee Hearing for Article V, - Update our email templates, - Define areas for educating our newest volunteers, - Continue outreach efforts, grow in our relationships, and increase the grassroots army.  COS New Jersey members gave testimonials on the various methods utilized by Bill and Jonathan to grow the grassroots army. They honored us with varied action positions in COS, because they knew we could fulfill those roles. As a surprise to all of us, our new State Director Seth Essendrop and Regional Director Monica Sellers facilitated a video call with COS President Mark Meckler to give his commendation to our departing leaders: message from Mark Meckler 10.24.2020. At this point Jonathan thought the meeting was over. We instead went into Recognition Phase Two. Mr. Viaud. also has six years of service to the COS movement in New Jersey. We have known him as a steadfast and resolute leader, possessing wisdom far beyond his years.  Based on both men’s years of service to team, incoming Grassroots Coordinator Susan Beckett-Jones had two United States flags flown over USS New Jersey Navy Battleship on October 12, 2020, dedicated to Bill and Jonathan. To complete that honorarium, the set includes authentic Steel Deck Bolts from the Carrier and a USS NJ Battleship pin. We also acknowledge that both Bill and Jonathan have women in their lives who stand by them in their work for our county through COS. We gave Debbie Boniface and Sarah Viaud Fibonacci Flag bracelets of red, white, and blue stones in honor of their love, support, and patriotism.  To close our time together, we shared a meal together. Jonathan and Bill upheld their commitment to be servant leaders by serving us farewell cake.  Both men have an ability to see the potential in others, giving them greater levels of responsibility. In April 2018 there were six people with active roles in COS New Jersey. Now we have five Regional Captains (all former DCs), 20 Follow Up Team (FUT) members, nine District Captains (all former FUT), one Grassroots Coordinator, two Coalition Directors, 29 on the TelePatriot team (14 with other roles also), three Content Writers, one State Director, a Media Liaison, a Legislative Liaison, and a State Videographer. All of us are infused with a sense of purpose, joy in the work, and increased skills in activism. These people are the fruit of the seeds planted by Bill and Jonathan, watered and tended for many years. They invested their time and brought out the best in us. The COS New Jersey family shares our celebration of Bill and Jonathan with hearts full of thanksgiving. |
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| Created: | 2020-11-24 04:03 GMT |
| Updated: | 2020-12-01 08:00 GMT |
| Published: | 2020-11-24 05:00 GMT |
| Converted: | 2025-11-11 11:57 GMT |
| Change Author: | Francesca Nordin |
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