Our first Rolling Tea Party is done.  We had at least a dozen vehicles that we know of circle Raleigh.  During our root, we got many horn honks and thumbs up in support.  Of course, we also got some bewildered looks.  We also stormed the Mexican embassy, but that’s another story.

Halfway through the route, we took a pit stop and discussed any event and talked about things we had learned so far about doing a Roling Tea Party.  Here is our bullet pointed list:

1. Have a Starting Point
   We had two starting points, which were last minute decisions.  Having one starting point so that everyone can help out decorate and feel a little more easy about driving around with slogans on their car is probably the best idea.
2. Pre-Event Flag Flying/attaching/rigging Lessons
   Since not everyone is familiar with how to attach a flag to their vehicle, some lessons before the event would be helpful.
3. Pre-Event Signs Made for Inside Vehicles
   It was decided that pre-made printed signs on the inside of the vehicle were the most easily read and didn’t run when it rained.
4. Honk For Support Signs
   To let people not in the Rolling Tea Party know what they are supposed to do, some “Honk if you support us” signs would also be helpful.
5. Video Vehicle
   Since it is hard to take pictures of the caravan while driving, it would be good to have one car drive ahead and let a camera person setup to take pictures of video of the group rolling.
6. Stop for Food and Bathroom Break
   While it would be preferred that everything be taken care of before hand, it probably is a good idea to have a middle stop at a gas station or a parking lot close to a place for food and bathroom breaks
7. Avoid Stop Light Cameras
   Because of the nature of the Rolling Tea Party, there is a habit of running lights.  It would probably be best not to have the route go through any intersections with red light cameras
8. Lead Fast Through Stoplights, Then Slow Down
   To help avoid cutting the group off at a stop light, vehicles should move through stoplights quickly and then slow down after going down the next street to allow others to catch up through the light.
9. Avoid Consturction Areas
   This is only to prevent any rerouting that might split up the group or get an individual vehicle lost.
10. Lead, Middle and End Vehicles Need Communications
    If all attempts to keep the group together fail, there should be some sort of communication between the lead, middle and end vehicles to help coordinate efforts to bring the group back together.  CB or Walkie Talkies are probably the best devices to have.

Of course, the most important point is to get even more people to show up.

The group reviewed the action item from the last meeting.  The letters were sent out to all of the School Board Candidates, but none were returned with answered questions. One of the members volunteered to hand out NC Freedom fliers at his polling place on Tuesday.

We discussed the upcoming 2010 elections and agreed that we would work towards vetting and supporting candidates running for Congress.

The Rolling Tea Party event for Oct. 10th was discussed.  The focus was on the starting point of the event and if it would be possible to gather before the event to decorate vehicles for the event.  We decided that it might cause an issue if the gathering was deemed as an “organized rally” to the property owners.  We decided to discuss this more at the next meeting.

We discussed Operation: Can You Hear Us Now and how that would work.  More discussion on that will be had at the next meeting.