August 3, 2021
When an issue arises in the Michigan Legislature that threatens our democracy, Dial For Democracy (DFD) volunteers answer the call to contact their elected officials. One of VNP’s most reliable Dial for Democracy (DFD) volunteers, Karen Agacinski, found not only an opportunity to take action safely during a pandemic, but a talent that she never realized she had.
Karen originally helped out by knocking doors in 2018 for redistricting reform, and returned to volunteering with VNP in August of 2020. In the midst of the pandemic, many people struggled with how they could make a difference safely, and phone banking provided volunteers like Karen an opportunity to take action.
“Initially, phone banking seemed like a great way to do something meaningful to help people figure out how and where to vote with so much of the country locked down and on edge because of COVID-19, and it was all from the safety of my home.”
Karen started out phone banking for the VoteSafe campaign, the VNP program that advocated for policies to protect voters in the fall of 2020 and educated voters on how to cast their ballot safely. Once that campaign ended, Karen stayed on as a DFD volunteer to challenge the anti-voter package under consideration in the Michigan Legislature.
“People were confused about where to vote, how to get absentee ballots, where to drop off their ballots, and even if they were registered. VNP offered so much good information to address that confusion. I was happy to be a part of sharing that information. Now, we must do everything we can to combat voter suppression laws and ensure that everyone who is eligible to vote can.”
Karen is a woman of many talents. She had not one, but two careers, as an occupational therapist and attorney. Now retired, she trains her three Belgian sheepdogs and competes with them in American Kennel Club Agility, Obedience and Rally. When the day camps closed during the pandemic, she and her husband Bob started a “Camp Gran” for their five grandchildren where they teach the kids everything from juggling to woodworking. Somewhere in between training sheepdogs and teaching her grandkids, she finds time to train for the Detroit Half Marathon in October.
Of all Karen’s many skills, phone banking was not one of them until she started making calls with VNP. Karen found not only a hidden talent, but an opportunity to connect with other Michiganders who care about our state.
“Much to my surprise, I am good at making ‘cold calls’ and engaging with the person on the other end of the line. Much to my edification, I have been regularly reminded that there are many people dedicated to the welfare and health of our system of government and committed to helping people find and use their voices.”
To many people, phone banking can be intimidating. Karen encourages her friends to step out of their comfort zone and try something new, especially those activities that are in service of improving our society.
Among my friends, I have gotten the comment, “Oh, I could never phonebank.” My response is, “If you think that something needs to be done, try it. You might discover that you are good at it. I did. Opportunities for personal growth that help make the world a better place are all around.”
