Team Maryland's first monthly newsletter launches in 2022 in the midst of the state's legislative session where the Convention of States Resolution is slated to be heard in the Senate - Education, Health & Environmental Affairs Committee and the House of Delegates - Rules and Executive Nominations Committee.

===== Breaking: Congratulations to Wisconsin, 16th State to pass the resolution! ===== ====   ==== == Learn More   Take the Survey == ==== A Message from Mike Rilee, State Director - District 19 ==== Welcome to our inaugural newsletter! I never expected to witness such a crucial point in our history as we are currently experiencing in Maryland. Reading about history and living it are vastly different experiences, but the trials and successes of the past give us strength of knowledge and hope for the present. The goal of this newsletter is to share the great work being done by our volunteers. Convention of States Action Maryland is non-partisan, non-profit, and dedicated to re-growing a culture of self-governance in our country.  We're all volunteers who have taken a look around and decided to band together to reach, teach, and activate fellow citizens to support the Constitution and the principles on which our country was founded. Take a look at our list of meetings and activities in our “COS Action Out & About” section below! As a scientist, I expected a quiet life of study and research in the lab. Yet, before getting involved with Convention of States Action I despaired of being able to do anything to support a common sense approach to governance in Maryland. With COSA-MD, I have found a real grass-roots effort comprised of 21st-century patriots who support each other, help each other learn our history and become better citizens.  I hope you will join us as we work on our civic skills to rebuild our culture and civilization and reclaim self-governance. Come out and meet us at one of our growing number of meetings across the state. Join us for our instructive webinars. Contact your legislators, and let them know you support using  an Article V Convention of States to propose amendments to rein in federal spending and overreach and to limit the terms of federal officials, including Congress. Please make the effort to be a better citizen and support our call for a Convention of States. Success is never certain, but our country and the principles it was founded on are worth it. ===== InspiredtoAction ===== We're inspired by the actions of our Maryland supporters. Since 2018, our annual support has grown from 3,536 petition signers to 6,543 in 2021. Our progress since 2018 looks like this:

YEAR

YEARLY SIGNATURES

TOTAL

2018

3,536

13,384

2019

3,580

16,964

2020

4,313

21,277

2021

6,543

27,820

2022 (YTD)

331

28,151

In July 2021, we set a goal to double our petition signers from 25,000 to 50,000 through our 50K Race to Liberty. Your support helped us achieve 6,543 signatures in 2021 - a 52% increase over 2020 and double that of 2018 & 2019. The more signatures we gather, the more our Maryland state legislators recognize the strength of our cause.   ==== Meet Robert Fischer, Veterans Coalition Director - District 3 ==== “I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic …“ I am Robert Fischer LCDR, USN (ret), COSA-MD Veteran Coalition Director. I am here to support all Veterans and active duty members to help fight the take back our government from Marxists and domestic enemies. I am counting on your help. ==== Spotlight on Team Maryland:  Meet Stephen Patten our Legislative Liaison & Grassroots Coordinator ==== Stephen Patten is the perfect example of a true Convention of States patriot: a hard worker and dedicated servant leader. Patten served as COS Maryland’s State Director for two and a half years and was a District Captain for six months prior. He's served as Grassroots Coordinator since September 2021. Like many who align themselves with the COS mission, Patten’s desire to fix the country came from a lifetime of seeing it broken. Patten signed the COS petition in 2013. He “assumed that a very blue state like Maryland was a lost cause” but soon found reasons for hope. “I talk to hundreds of people each month in the very blue state of Maryland,” Patten said. “They are worried about our nation and are curious about what COS Maryland is doing. Our Maryland team frames every conversation as one that can be resolved with a discussion. This is the way the Framers intended us to move forward through disagreements. We lose the ability to civilly disagree, we lose everything.” According to Patten, COS might be the only way to keep that civility. ===== BeCOS It Matters ===== Here are some interesting news articles from COSA Maryland, around the state and the nation that are worth reading and sharing with your circle of influence. COSA Maryland hosts first ever essay contest for students grade 6-12. Check out our Back to Basics campaign and learn about the basics of Maryland civics. The Maryland Legislative Path Understanding a Joint Resolution in the Maryland Legislature Delegates, Precincts and Districts, Oh My …meanwhile in Maryland //Montgomery County Residents Stand Up Against Vaccine Passports// Battle in Maryland State House guarantees one party rule for generations. …and elsewhere in the U.S Wisconsin Becomes the 16th State to Pass the COS Resolution Watch this VIRAL VIDEO from a "spiritually broken" citizen in Nebraska. Nebraska is on the brink of becoming the 17th state to pass the COS Resolution. ===== COS Action Maryland Out & About =====

Citizen Action Day

Zoom from Annapolis

Feb 2

9:30am

contact Mike Rilee [email protected]

COS Meeting at “Cobblers & Carpenters, W. MD.”

Tony's Pizza Hagerstown

Feb 6

6pm

contact Rick Bibbee [email protected]

COS Meeting

J2Defense Prince Frederick

Feb 8

6-7:30pm

contact Jim McQueen [email protected]

COS Meeting

Leonardtown Library

Feb 10

6-7:30pm

contact Jim McQueen [email protected]

Republican Women's Club

Mexicali Cantina Frederick

Feb 16

6:00pm

contact Mike Guerin [email protected]

Republican Women's Club

Elkton American Legion Elkton

Feb 21

6:45pm

contact Coley Brown [email protected]

COS Monthly Volunteer's Meeting

via Zoom

Feb 7

7:30pm

contact [email protected]

==== COS Action Learning Resource of the Month ==== Article V explained in this 3 minute video   ==== Convention of State Resolution Progress Map (green states have passed) ====   ==== InspiredtoAction: One More Thing ==== If you've already signed the petition - Thank You. If not, please do so and then send the link to your circle of influence.  It matters. Your support matters. Our country matters. Sign the Petition Frequently Asked Questions