New Structure

There is a greater focus now than ever within KY9/12, as well as a strategic vision of what we all want to accomplish. Not surprisingly, it revolves around the same things that started this movement two years ago. It is a common idea based on principles and values, an understanding of the importance of education and an informed electorate, an empowerment to act on your own, and a support group and network of like-minded patriots.

As much as things remain the same, this is a new day; we are organized now and carry a renewed sense of enduring purpose. Because of this we determined that reorganizing as a social welfare organization under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code would best fit the organization. While our purchases may not be tax-exempt and donations made to us may not be tax-deductible, it is still a not-for-profit status that carries a lot less regulations making it perfect for social movements like ours. And we know if people are going to donate to the group, it will not be out of desire for an IRS deduction but because they believe in the mission and want to help in what we are doing. We will remain non-partisan and a-political under this status, but it does still give us the liberty to advocate for issues that the group deems appropriate.

By signing official articles of incorporation, we were taking the next step together. As members, we had always felt a solemn responsibility for what we were doing, but now we will also have defined accountability. On the other side, though, we will be limiting our liabilities and create a new umbrella organization that was capable of bigger and better things. We will have new freedoms to raise needed funds instead of going from event-to-event just trying to cover our costs.

The purpose and spirit of the people involved has not changed though, and you all have been and will continue to be the driving force. This remains a truly grassroots movement rooted in nine principles and twelve values focused on rediscovering who we are and teaching others the heritage of what makes this nation great.

We were not changing to a top-down organization as KY9/12 would always exist to support the bottom-up grassroots needs. Our goal is to create a structure that combines the best of both worlds. We would encourage personal responsibility and an organic grassroots nature to allow for the freedom needed to grow and develop. We would also provide the protection and organization that could help development and provide focus. We would not control or dictate to the local groups, but would maintain a subservient role to them. We had seen that with the right arrangement an idea could come from an individual in Owensboro, be expanded upon by others in Lexington, be communicated through a network to everyone in Kentucky, and then be circulated nationwide to 9/12 groups in every state. We do not want this to change.

Thank You,
Kentucky 9/12 Board

Eric, Lydia, Lisa, Jim, Nikki, Jeff, Lisa, Jim, Suzanne, Justen, & Anne

THE 9-12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

There are many stories and traditions around Christmas. One special one revolves around the "The Twelve Days of Christmas", which for the record and so we’re all on the same page, starts on December 25th and ends January 6th (Three Kings Day, or Feast of the Epiphany when the Wise Men arrived in Nazareth).

"The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written in England as one of the catechism songs to help young Catholics learn their faith. It was a tool to help people learn the basics of their faith. Each of the gifts mentioned in the song have hidden meanings to the teachings of the faith.

The "true love" doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, but to God Himself. The gifts mentioned in the song are gifts from God. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ. Many of the other items are symbols as well.

Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
Calling Birds = the Four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John
Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch"
Geese A-laying = the six days of creation
Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes
Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments
Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed

There is obviously great symbolism and meaning behind the 12 Days Of Christmas, but I would also encourage the members of the 9-12 Project to add one of the 12 Values to each day. You can take one of the Values listed below and starting on Christmas Day, make it a priority in your life and the lives of your family. Meditate on the daily value and remind yourself and your loved ones what that value means to you.

THE 9-12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS


Honesty - The foundation for all of our communication with God and each other must start and end with honesty. If we cannot be honest with God and ourselves, then nothing else matters.


Reverence - Reverence is rooted in deep respect. We cannot be respected by others if we do not show respect in our daily lives. Respect yourself first and then show respect and reverence to others around you who deserve it.


Hope - Following Honesty and Reverence, Hope is a powerful Value that gives us energy to face difficult challenges. Hope is an engine, fired by faith, which drives us through the most troubling times.


Thrift - Who among us could not benefit from the value of Thrift? The “mom-ism” Waste not, want not, comes to mind. Being thrifty may not be cool, but I have never met a person who said, “Gee, I wish I had spent more.”


Humility - Perhaps the most rare of personal qualities in our ego-filled, celebrity-driven world is Humility. Putting the needs of others ahead of our own may seem difficult at first, but once made a habit, it is the most rewarding thing one can do. And being humble requires very little effort, just the occasional, “Thank you.”


Charity - Charity is a Value and also one the great Virtues – Charity is something that can and should be taught at all stages of life. So often in good times we forget to be charitable. Oh sure, when someone is hoping to win the lottery they always make a hollow promise that a chunk of the jackpot will be given to needy people and causes. Teaching charity to children is vital to continuing charitable behavior in later years.


Moderation – Is there a better, more perfectly suited Value for New Years Eve than Moderation? It would seem to most people that success in our world often focuses around the extremes… the fastest, the biggest, the loudest, etc. When in fact, it is still the lesson of Tortoise and the Hare that shows us the benefit of “slow and steady.”


Sincerity – Not too far removed from the first value of Honesty, Sincerity is a foundation of all lasting relationships. From the Latin word sincerus, we often think of those who are sincere as genuine, honest, open, and pure. For hundreds of years we were taught to sign our personal letters with the simple phrase “Sincerely yours.” The next time you close a letter with Sincerely yours, you might reflect on whether you really are.


Hard Work – The dignity afforded all people from an honest day’s work is incalculable. Hard work is just that, hard, but it is through difficult tasks and the completion of such that we learn the real value of such work.


Courage – Courage is a value that is often confused with false values like Pride and Bravado. Courage is something very different. Courage is a force within driven by knowledge and an understanding of what is right and should be protected and defended. Courage often swims against the stream of what is popular.


Personal Responsibility – Perhaps the most comforting of all Values is this one. To be truly personally responsible for yourself and to freely accept that responsibility allows for you to grow in so many ways, but also allows others to grow as well. When you accept responsibility, that makes you less of a burden on others.


Gratitude – The ability to be thankful is a Value unto itself, and yet it is also a combination of so many of the values that came before it. Without a full understanding of the previous eleven Values, can one truly be grateful for all of the blessings and lessons this life offers? A simple exercise might be to start and end every day by thanking God for all of the gifts you have been given. Say thank you when you rise and before you close your eyes.

Second Chance to Give

I want to thank everyone once again that helped out and gave during the month on November to KY9/12 Operation Homefront campaign. We know there were some of you that missed that opportunity and we have had people contact us this month asking if it was too late or what they could still do. THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO STILL SUPPORT THIS CAUSE.

Leland Conway (Lexington’s local voice of conservatism) is taking over the radio station 630 WLAP today from 6am to 6pm to raise money for Operation Homefront. This organization provides emergency assistance for military families in need.

There are three ways you can donate
Internet: http://www.wlap.com/pages/pulse.html to make a donation

Phone: Call 1-866-457-2093 beginning at 10am this morning

Mail: Just mail a check to News Radio 630 WLAP at the following address:

Operation Homefront
c/o News Radio 630 WLAP
2601 Nicholasville Rd.
Lexington, KY 40503

10% of your donations to Operation Homefront through News Radio 630 WLAP will go to help a Lexington police officer and Army National Guardsman Chris Eden who was injured by an IED in Afghanistan on October 30th. Eden's later received a Purple Heart for his service.

America's First Christmas

Attaboy, Clarence…..

I would like to invite everyone to join us in Bedford Falls I mean Wilmington, Ohio Wednesday December 15th. Spend the day with us and join in on all the fun, festive activities, and peanut brittle this tiny town has to offer! Make your plans, if you can. Come with the kids because Santa's going to be there and there's lots of surprises. It's going to be one of hopefully another mini 8/28 and give you that feeling again. And this time, this is I believe that this will be a Christmas, a Christmas event that will set your feet on the right path for Christmas and your kids, too. There are many of us making the trip and you may be able to car pool to and from. I hope you can make it and we see you there

Events, activities, and things to do from 9:00am to 8:00pm

9:00am – 12:00 Live Broadcast of Glenn Beck Radio (there will most likely be a cost to be part of this and details have not yet been released but all proceeds will go to local charities)

1:00pm Booksigning at Books n More
28 W. Main Street
Wilmington, OH 45177
937-383-7323
http://booksnmore.org/

Cost $29.99 and you must purchase a copy of Broke ahead of time to receive a line number. Limited number and you can only pick up book at signing and they will not ship the book before or after the event.

5:00pm Live Television program

8:00pm show at Murphy Theater (SOLD OUT)

In addition the city has planned a day full of events and festive activities to entertain and fill you with the Christmas Spirit. A main stage will be set up next to the Theater with various things going on through out the day. In addition where else can you buy peanut brittle. No matter when you make it or how long you stay it will be a remarkable day.

KY9/12 Provides A Lot of Christmas Cheer

I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want. The government cannot force me to be charitable.

The Kentucky 9/12 Project has been fortunate enough to team up with Operation Homefront a local nonprofit organization that helps Military Families that are left behind, care packages for the moral of those deployed, and services for wounded warriors when they return. For the Thanksgiving and Christmas Season KY9/12 participated in a special care package collection, adopting and entire field artillery unit hoping to provide to them a little Christmas cheer while serving apart from their families. Some members of this unit are serving their first tour, have taken unscathed direct fire at their barracks, and have also recently endured a loss of a fellow comrade. It was our deepest desire to use this time and our resources during the Thanks / Giving season and make a small sacrifice for those that sacrifice for us.

What happened through this process was KY 9/12 was touched and learned a valuable lesson about ourselves. Faith – Be honest I sent out blanket e-mails not sure who was at the other end and not sure if anybody reads them much less if anyone would respond. This was the hope of things on the evidence of things yet to be seen. Hope – Was the pride as people responded and joy that the wishes of these soldiers would be fulfilled. Learned that faith can be rewarded and 9/12ers should never be underestimated. Charity - KY 9/12 Project learned through this project is how charity can be accomplished the good ole fashion way through the spirit of giving freely without dictation of who is most deserving.

As a statewide initiative, we spent the entire month of November and sent out e-mails and made a call to action to all 9/12 groups in Kentucky not really sure of the response we would receive. We were truly touched by the hearts and desire of 9/12ers to give. Businesses stepped up and offered their places as drop off sites. People came out and gave bags and bags of donations and Christmas gifts. One family gave an entire new circular saw when the troop was only requesting a new saw blade. Shannon Buzard, the KY9/12 coordinator for this donation drive, ended up taking an SUV full of items and drove four hours to the military base and had the honor and humble responsibility of presenting these generous donations directly to wife’s and families of the military troop KY9/12 had adopted.

There are no words to express the gratitude of knowing KY9/12 were able to serve and give back to those who sacrifice greatly not just for our country, but also for others. Special thanks to Shannon for putting this together and thank you to all that gave; and thank you for the personal lesson in faith, hope, and charity.