“The fight against poverty really hits home for me being that I come from a lower income family I can relate to this issue. But even on a deeper level I can appreciate the fight more since I had the chance to see it for myself firsthand.

During my service in the US Navy I was deployed to Senegal and saw how some of the people in even that modernized area had to live, and my heart went out to them. We were unable to drink the local water because it was contaminated.

Also while there, I became ill with malaria. To the locals it was an everyday occurrence but for me, it was life-threatening. I contracted the worst strand and stayed in the hospital for four days then flown to the Naval base in Rota. As a descendant of an African tribe, as a woman and as someone who truly cares, I hope that all the work ONE is doing will bring the much-needed medicines for the malaria and AIDS patients. God bless” -Shanna

“I just finished my first caucus! I feel so good to be doing something for ONE! I am a wife, a mother of four, and preschool teacher from small town Iowa. Peace and justice for everyone have always meant a lot to me. I was very active in college, but since then I haven’t done much to help move these issues forward. I had all this pent up energy to help and no outlet, until I found ONE. I would never imagine myself going to a caucus, could never imagine myself being involved in politics other than voting (just the thought was scary!!) Now, a few days later I can’t wait to do it again!” -Jenn Bergerson

“This was my very first caucus and I was completely clueless about what to expect from it. Now looking back at it, it was a lot of fun. To be able to spread something good and let others know about such a great organization was such an accomplishment. I would certainly do it again in a heartbeat!” -Nicole Mooc, high school student

“I had a great time! My daughter wore the ONE hoodie, and has worn it every day since! Caucusing for ONE is important to me because ONE these programs add stability to our world… and for national security purposes, this is extremely important!!!!” -Senator Joni Ernst, Major in the Iowa Army National Guard, ONE Vote 2012 Ambassador

“As a Catholic, I am called to share my time, talent and treasure with my neighbor. In doing so, I am not simply serving my neighbor, but God. ‘Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ [Matthew 25:40] The ability to help our brothers and sisters is easy –- all you need is your voice!” -April Young

“I left the caucus feeling grateful to live in a country where everyone has a voice. I have influence and I can make a difference! How many women across this earth would be able to do what I just did: Drive to a local school, walk in wearing my ONE shirt, sign in, and be equally counted with every other person who cared enough to show up and cast a vote to help select the nominee for president of my country.” -Teresa Dunbar

“I believe America is not just another country and we are called to do great things to protect human, dignity and life. Saving lives and aiding those in extreme poverty is our moral obligation. Please listen to your ONE volunteer and allow this plank to be added to the two party platforms.” -Dawn Pettengill

In addition to the hundreds of volunteers who caucused for ONE on Jan 3rd, many of us were also talking to the candidates in person as they crisscrossed the state. In fact, Iowa ONE members have been busy for months talking to the candidates, campaigns and party leaders on both sides about smart programs that are saving lives and asking for commitments in the fight against extreme poverty. I am so proud of our collective efforts and can’t thank our members enough for their support during a very exciting but busy year in Iowa!

The work for ONE began immediately when I landed, when Libby Crimmings, ONE’s Midwest Regional Field Director, whisked me away to an event at the Iowa Historical Building, which rests in the shadow of Iowa’s impressive State Capitol. Afterwards, the frenzy never stopped. Field Directors from the Western part of the country flew into Iowa, as well as ONE Vote 2012 Project Director, Sarah Huckabee Sanders. The ONE Field Team quickly got to work organizing ways to put the ONE message out at GOP candidates’ events, as well trying to intercept the candidates to ask for support of foreign aid programs that are directly impacting the lives of millions of people around the world. The pace at which we moved amazed even me, and we began to have huge successes.

Whether it was having ONE’s logo placed in almost every shot on Tuesday’s MSNBC’s Morning Joe, or intercepting Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal for his first introduction to ONE’s message; this Texan was running around Iowa getting work done. Yet, the most memorable moment for me was Caucus night.

I was placed with Bruceanne Phillips, Iowa ONE member, and Sarah Huckabee Sanders at the Waukee, Iowa Caucus site to give free coffee to the Caucus goers, and to inform curious Iowans as to who and/or what ONE does to help the poorest in the world. As we were giving coffee to early attendees, Texas’ Governor Rick Perry arrived at the Caucus site. Being from Texas it was a nice turn of events to be at the Caucus site that Governor Perry chose as the Caucus he would attend, and use to lobby for himself. As Governor Perry worked through the thin early crowd, I was able to intercept the Governor. Excited to have one of his constituents at the Caucus, Governor Perry was very receptive to hearing about ONE, at which Governor playfully slapped the ONE logo on my chest and said, “You full of all sorts of good stuff.” Unfortunately, there is no picture of this exchange, but it’s a memory that will hardly fade.

All in all, ONE’s Field Team had a very successful Iowa Caucus in 2012. ONE’s message was well received, ONE’s platform had little trouble passing the precinct voting process, and ONE’s logo was plastered all over a nationally syndicated morning news show for all of America to see. Iowa was very good to this Texan and to ONE.

-Joe Shehan, Field Organizer, Texas 12th District

With months of candidate engagements with every major candidate, to our December “ONE To One” campaign urging Iowan voters to use our “On The Record” microsite to inform their election choices, to our “Caucus For ONE” campaign to get ONE planks added to every Iowan caucus party platform, the excitement Iowa ONE members created around the issue of global poverty on caucus night was predictable, and yet still really exciting to see.

If you’re an Iowan ONE member who was at a caucus last week or has been involved in any way during the months leading to the caucuses, please use the comment thread below to share your story. Your actions can serve as an inspiration for ONE members across the country.

I can’t believe we’re in the middle of January already! After months of hard work and dedication ONE members across the state of Iowa showed the nation that we not only stand up for Democracy but we stand up to fight extreme poverty as well.

ONE’s Iowa caucus project proved extremely successful with almost 700 registered participants around the state. ONE members and supporters wore T-shirts, bands and stickers for visibility. They also submitted and passed planks about extreme poverty to their county platform committee in hopes of eventually getting a plank put in on the state party platform.

At my location alone there were 3 people in ONE T-shirts! At the location across the street a ONE member was nominated to be the precinct caucus secretary, which was the location CSPAN was showing live across the country! Other members reported their whole families showing up in ONE shirts!

There were thousands of media people here from all over the world, and many of them were asking about ONE and what we are doing. We had a table set up at the convention center in Des Moines where most of the media outlets called home base. Our CEO David Lane came to speak with the press during a ONE reception along with State Co-Chair Former Governor Terri Branstad.

I would like to thank everyone who was instrumental along the path to this day. For every staff member, volunteer, campaign staffer, candidate, or just ONE member- thank you for everything you have done to help. To everyone who has volunteered time, tabled at events, blogged, written Op-Eds and Letters to the Editor, asked the candidates tough questions, and supported ONE at your caucus; Thank You! When it came time for Iowa’s turn in the spotlight, we sure know how to shine!

Always remember: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a singe step.”

This is just the beginning!

-Libby Pederson

First of all, at Precinct 53 in Des Moines, as aired on C-Span repeatedly, the caucus chairperson is wearing a ONE band and the man next to her has a ONE shirt on.

Second of all, (somewhat less important) does or does not the below potato chip (found tonight) look exactly like Iowa?

-Virginia Simmons

I’ve been told that the turnout here is enormous compared to past year. In one precinct, the number of people that changed or newly registered was larger than the number of people that caucused in any one caucus over the last twenty years.



ONE’s CEO, david lane, has been in Iowa all day along with many one staff and ambassadors. David was interviewed by several major media outlets about ONE’s involvement in the campaign and we have collectively been to dozens of events in the past 24 hours reminding candidates not to forget about the world’s poor.



Pictures and stories to follow…



-Josh Lozman