Sharon Hughes, President of Sonoma County Eagle Forum, announced the successful launching of their new civic responsibility project, Operation Noble Eagle, created for the purpose of identifying, informing and mobilizing people of faith by working together with local churches and synagogues that will encourage their members to participate in active citizenship.

Each participating congregation assigns a Liaison who will represent them with O.N.E. and Chair their own Civic Responsibility Group, and facilitate providing opportunity one Sunday a month for members to register to vote; encourage members to vote in all elections; distribute non-partisan voter guides each election; and utilize monthly Action Alert bulletin inserts.  All with the prior approval of the pastor.
Sharon Hughes and Mary Margaret Garies, Vice President of Public Relations, met with the first local ministerial council of 15 pastors on June 4th to present O.N.E., which was met with great interest and approval.  They are currently following up with each individual congregation to implement the program according to plan.

O.N.E.’s first Action Alert bulletin insert begins in June; Voter Guides providing information on the voting records and positions on issues of state and local candidates, including school board, city council, board of supervisors, judges, etc. will begin with the 2002 General Election in November. There is a great need to provide information on local candidates who are not covered on standard national candidates guides.  Most citizens know very little about those running for local office.  Liberals have been working systematically for years to get their candidates elected to local offices, and then over time and with increased name recognition they move up the public office ladder.  O.N.E.’s objective is to help increase the number of informed voters.  Hopefully, this process will encourage more conservative, pro-family citizens to run for local office as well.

At the request of the ministerial council to provide a venue for their members and community residents to become better educated on the issues, hear candidates, and be encouraged in their civic responsibility, O.N.E. will hold it’s first Civic Responsibility Conference in September 2002.

“I am so excited to get this project implemented,” said Sharon Hughes.  “My husband ran for State Assembly in 1992 and U.S. House of Representatives in 1994 and 1996 in our district, which is known for it’s liberal registration.  Even though he did extremely well, winning the last primary race with 85% of the vote, if more of the pro-family, conservative citizenry were mobilized he could have won the general election as well, I’m sure.  He is not running again, but what we learned in those races is invaluable, and we want to do whatever we can to change the voting climate here in our country.  Getting the churches mobilized, by educating them on pro-family and religious freedom issues and legislation, as well as their responsibilities as citizens in the public square, can have a tremendous impact here in Sonoma County from the grassroots level up.  And Sonoma County Eagle Forum is willing to work to see this happen.”

Chapter Presidents are welcome to view the O.N.E. packet which is provided to the pastors by contacting Sharon Hughes at
sonomaeagles@hotmail.com.