Weekly Newsletter - December 21

One year ago, the Respect Missouri Voters movement began. What started as a shared commitment to protecting the voice of the people has grown into a powerful, statewide force focused on strengthening the citizen initiative process to ensure a government of, by, and for the people. As we mark this one-year milestone, we are taking a moment to reflect on everything we have navigated together. In our first year, we proved what is possible when Missourians stand united: We launched a movement: From our very first meeting to our presence in every corner of the state, we built a foundation that cannot be ignored. We grew a community: What began as an idea has transformed into a resilient network of volunteers who refuse to be sidelined, collecting over 120,000 signatures on our way to 300K. We continue to stand firm: As politicians repeatedly threaten the rules of direct democracy, we’ve provided the education and advocacy needed to keep voters informed. To celebrate this anniversary, we want to hear from you. We’ve set up a digital recognition board—a space for us to capture the heart of this movement and everything we've achieved. We invite you to take a moment to share your thoughts and read the stories of your fellow volunteers on our Respect MO Voters RecoCard. Respect MO Voters RecoCard Not sure what to share? Here are a few prompts to get you started: What have you gained? What have you taken away from this process (new friends, new skills, or a new perspective)? What was your highlight? Share a moment from your time on the campaign that made you feel proud to be part of this team. What gives you hope? Reflect on the community we’ve built together. Looking back on the milestones of these past twelve months, we are filled with immense pride for the dedication each of you has brought to this fight. Together, we have turned obstacles into opportunities for organizing and diverse perspectives into a unified call for respect. Call to Action We have a big opportunity to double our resources! A partner organization has pledged a $50,000 donation, but only if we raise $50,000 by December 31. Every dollar you give helps unlock the match to get us the resources we need to put Respect MO Voters on the ballot.  Give or fundraise now to not only help us reach $50,000 but also qualify for our Win Big for Democracy sweepstakes!  Holiday Gatherings = Great Opportunities for Signature Gathering! Don't forget your petitions while you're out getting last-minute gifts, driving across the state to visit relatives, or hitting up holiday events! We're at 40% of our goal, but we just need a little push to reach the halfway point before we close out 2026. Here's how you can help us get 30,000 more signatures before December 31: Look for events by type and district HERE. Don't limit yourself to events or public places. Hit up your social circles and bring your petition to the holiday dinner table. Keep momentum steady: aim for at least 10-20 signatures a week. If you post it, they will come: share where you're gathering on social media to reach Missourians eager to sign. Helping Hands/Volunteer Opportunities Field Captain Support a small team of volunteers, making sure people feel prepared, connected, and confident as they gather and turn in signatures each week. Training Lead Help volunteers feel ready by creating, leading, and coordinating clear, supportive trainings that set people up to gather signatures correctly and confidently. Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator Keep our volunteer opportunities organized and up to date, managing role listings and the volunteer database so people can easily find meaningful ways to step in and help. Phone Bank Coordinator Organize and support our calling efforts, making sure volunteers have clear scripts, schedules, and encouragement so conversations feel respectful, confident, and effective. Click HERE to raise your hand to volunteer (in these positions and more) or reach out to onboarding@respectvoters.org Get reminders to any of our weekly meetings at respectmovoters.org/reminders 🎉 Volunteer Spotlight  🎉 If you've been in University City in St. Louis, chances are you've seen Lisa Hummel gathering signatures wherever she can! She has brought her petitions to family get-togethers, church, work and political events. Her favorite place to gather is at a library with a buddy. Lisa is a middle school science teacher and also volunteers for other signature gathering campaigns. Her #1 tip: don’t be afraid to ask anyone, anytime! Keep up the great work, Lisa!       Respect MO Voters is a cross-partisan, grassroots movement building a more ethical, effective government of, by, and for the people. Join our coalition to protect direct democracy from politicians who want to take away our fundamental freedom to self-government. Together, we will use the citizen ballot initiative process to repair our republic.   DONATE Paid for by Respect Missouri Voters PAC, Frederic Steinbach, Treasurer 725 Kingsland Ave., Suite 100, St. Louis, MO 63130