DOs and DON'Ts: Grassroots Involvement and 2008.

I don't need to remind you what is at stake come November 4. Sen. John McCain is as solidly pro-life as Sen. Barack Obama is firmly pro-abortion. Not to be forgotten is that it is critical that each and every pro-life citizen across the country do his or her part to help re-elect and elect pro-life members to Congress.

Make sure you and your pro-life community are up to speed. This Movement begins with you and without your enthusiastic participation we can do little. What we do, at NRLC, is to empower you to do your work on behalf of the babies in the most effective manner possible. Listed below are some DOs and DON'Ts for chapter activities.

Make sure you (and your pro-life friends, relatives, and neighbors) are registered to vote. (See story, page 23.) Contact your local or state election board to determine if there is still time and what is needed in order to register to vote. Please don't delay. If you do you may be ineligible to vote. Never, ever believe that your one vote won't make a difference!

Contact your state National Right to Life affiliate to see how you can best assist in the efforts it is planning this fall. If you do not have the number of your state affiliate, please contact the NRLC State Development Department and we can get it for you (202-626-8800, ext. 142). It is important to coordinate your activities with your state affiliate to maximize pro-life efforts. They are likely to have information that you lack. Working together always accomplishes more.

Write an article for your local pro-life newsletter or religious newspaper on how to obtain an absentee ballot for those who may be away on Election Day. Again, time is of the essence. There is always some date after which you are not eligible to cast an absentee ballot.

Volunteer your time and talents (as an individual, not as a chapter member!) in a local pro-life candidate's campaign (stuffing envelopes, ringing doorbells, raising money, assisting on position papers, staffing telephone banks, distributing yard signs and bumper stickers, etc.). There are countless things that need to be done.

Campaigns are chronically short on help. You can be that vitally important help. Also, encourage pro-life teens from your community to volunteer as well.