1.  Educate the public that we have a constitutional right to hold a Constitutional Convention anytime — and certainly before 2019.  But we must get the State Legislature to agree in order to hold one.

2.  Convince the Legislature (Senate and Assembly) to permit the public to vote for or against a 2013 People’s Convention in the November 2011 general election.

3.  Educate the public and legislators about the merits of a “people’s” convention versus one dominated by elected officials and lobbyists (the “fox in the henhouse” approach).  Under proposed bill A9157 (People’s Convention) elected representatives, party officials, and registered lobbyists could not participate.   (Senate version sponsored by Senator Dale Volker of the 59th District is S6156)

These three goals sound simple but it will take upwards of $2 million or more in advertising and PR to fight the opposition and gain widespread support. 

The opposition will say:  “It’s dangerous.”  “ The mob is unruly.”  “They may try to rewrite the constitution.”  “We could lose important rights.”  Our (insert special interest here) cause may lose out.”  ”It’s costly.”  “The last convention (1967) failed, why waste time and money?” 

To win the right to vote on holding a People’s Convention these points must be answered and countered in the media.  It will take a strong modern PR and advertising effort to make it happen.