Roslyn Simpson served as a Field Organizer for Susan Wild, a newly elected Democrat in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District. Hailing from Washington, D.C., Simpson wanted to get involved in the most recent midterm elections to help elect a woman to Congress. Describing herself as a technology “rookie,” Simpson was somewhat intimidated by digital tools until she started using Team:
I got on-board and now I’m addicted to it. I use [Team] when I have any downtime because I really feel like it reaches a lot of volunteers, and in turn, those volunteers are reaching a lot of people. What it has provided to volunteers is unique, and it reaches so many people who can’t physically volunteer, canvass, or phone bank.
Although I haven’t met some of my volunteers in-person, I still feel like I have a personal relationship with them. I do know the value of intimacy and having a personal relationship between the organizer and the volunteer. Hands down, Team has helped better my relationship with my volunteers.
As time went on, I started using [Team] more frequently and getting volunteers through it. What’s been most surprising to me has been the level of engagement and the excitement around it. The people that I have mobilized are younger, and they’re mostly on their phones. Team is a very effective organizing tool: the range and the amount of people that you can reach through the app is tremendous.
It’s important to understand why people want to be involved in this process, what is important to them, and to show them how much you care. I am an example of connecting with people on Team everyday. [Volunteers] are very engaged, and I feel like we’re pushing things forward and getting out the vote.