• What is WST-R?
• What are the goals of WST-R?
• Are you non-partisan?
• "We Surround Them" -- what does this mean?
• What is a "9/12er" and what is "The 9/12 Project"?
• What are "The 9 Principles" and "12 Values"?
• What does the "Unite, or Die" Snake Flag Mean?
• How is WST-R structured?
• Where does WST-R get it's funding?
• Why do we need to do fund raising?

What is WST-R?

We are ordinary Americans who believe in the Constitution and the eternal principles and values that made this country the greatest nation on Earth. Our group of patriots is dedicated to helping our neighbors educate themselves and become active participants in their government at the local, state and federal levels. Our goal is to gather like-minded patriots who believe in America and its Constitution. We want commonsense and accountability brought back to government and the power brought back to the people. We believe that many politicians -- both Democrat and Republican -- are making decisions that have more to do with their agenda rather then 'what's right' for the nation. Like you, we want our elected leaders to return to those fundamental beliefs OR we want them thrown out of office!

Our History
WST-R is an all-volunteer organization. It was founded in March 2009 after hundreds of Richmonders turned out to watch The Glenn Beck Show as he revealed the details of "The 9/12 Project." When we saw how many people wanted to get involved with "The 9/12 Project" we decided that we needed to become formally organized so that we could accept donations and raise money to fund the group's activities. To that end in May 2009 we became incorporated as a not-for-profit organization (We Surround Them - Richmond, Inc.) with a charter granted by the Commonwealth of Virginia. This provides us with a legal structure as well as providing our officers and members with a layer of legal protection from lawsuits against the group. The incorporation was also necessary to receive a Taxpayer Identification Number which is required to open a bank account. Finally, this demonstrates that we are a serious organization focused on serious matters.

What are the goals of WST-R?

The best explanation of what "We Surround Them – Richmond, Inc." represents is that we are an “educational organization focused on fostering a better understanding of the Constitution and the democratic underpinnings of our American form of government.” To that end, its all about ordinary, patriotic citizens taking actions to have a say in the direction of our nation.

We hope to help ourselves and our neighbors to "get informed" and "get involved." Based on feedback from members we've learned:

1. Action: Our members overwhelmingly feel a need to act before it is too late.
2. Involvement: Individuals want to get involved, but are not sure what role they can play.
3. Results: People want to be involved with things that make a tangible difference.

The focus of our activities includes:

• events to support and celebrate our nation and it's Constitution
• town hall type events with our representatives
• book clubs
• educational forums
• recruiting events
• action alerts - activating members to contact representatives to voice their opinion
• protests and rallies

Are you nonpartisan?

In the spirit of "The 9/12 Project," our organization is nonpartisan. We are a principles-based organization who's mission is to provide Virginians with opportunities to learn more about what is going on in the political arenas (at the federal, state and local levels) so that they can make informed decisions and have a say in influencing the policies of our Commonwealth and the nation.

Generally, we believe in smaller government, greater freedom and the original intentions of the Constitution. At times, our principles may align more with one party than another. We are focused on the specific details of a policy (or candidate) as it relates to our principles. In the words of "The 9/12 Project:"  This is a non-political movement. The 9/12 Project is designed to bring us all back to the place we were on September 12, 2001. The day after America was attacked we were not obsessed with Red States, Blue States or political parties. We were united as Americans, standing together to protect the greatest nation ever created." (the912project.com)

"We Surround Them" -- what does this mean?

"We The People" have felt that their leaders were taking the country off track and there was little they could do to stop it. Many of these people also felt "alone" -- as if they were the only people concerned about the direction our nation. "We The People" see our country drifting further and further away from the Constitution and the principles of our Founding Fathers. It is suggested that while 15% of the population might lean to the far-left and another 15% might lean to the far-right, 70% of us live our lives somewhere in the middle. With these encouraging statistics Glenn Beck argued that "we are not alone," but rather "WE surround them." He believes that many people share the same concerns as well as certain common values. Beck further argues that while many special interest groups have lobbyists in Washington, there is no lobbying group that represents "The American People." Beck urged Americans to lobby for themselves and in an effort to unite like-minded people, Beck developed "The 9/12 Project."

What is a "9/12er" and what is "The 9/12 Project"?

9/12ers are individuals who believe in "The 9/12 Project." "The 9/12 Project" was unveiled in a special March 13th episode of The Glenn Beck Show. To help us to feel less alone he recommended that we gather in groups to watch the show and to celebrate our shared faith in America and the Constitution. According to the 9/12 website, "This is a non-political movement. The 9/12 Project is designed to bring us all back to the place we were on 9/12/2001. The day after America was attacked we were not obsessed with Red States, Blue States or political parties. We were united as Americans, standing together to protect the greatest nation ever created." WST-R group grew out of that patriotic celebration.

What are "The 9 Principles" and "12 Values"?

Beck continues to remind us, it's not about the parties, it's about principles. He urges Americans to return to basic principles and to use the "9 Principles" and "12 Values" to evaluate our leaders and proposed legislation. He proposed that most Americans share the following principles and values:

The 9 Principles

1. America is good.
2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.
3. I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.
4. The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.
5. If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
6. I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.
7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.
8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.
9. The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me.

The 12 Values

1. Honesty 2. Reverence 3. Hope 4. Thrift 5. Humility 6. Charity

7. Sincerity 8. Moderation 9. Hard Work 7. Courage 8. Personal Responsibility 9. Friendship

What does the "Unite, or Die" Snake Flag Mean?

Please see the "Unite, or Die" Cartoon page.

How is WST-R structured?

The organization is still in the formative stages. Currently, the five founding members head up a "steering committee" which review and approve proposed activities and events. We are in the process of organizing our members to work on a variety of committees to help to identify and plan events; monitor our leaders and legislation; and assist in growing the group's membership.  Because we are an all-volunteer organization it is critical that members play an active role in the organization.

Where does WST-R get it's funding?

The organization has received donations from members, requests $5 donations at events* and has raised money through fund raising by selling t-shirts, books and bumper stickers. A bank account was established for the organization and is currently administered by our Treasurer. Currently we "pay as we go" -- funds raised at one event help to pay for the next. As we get better organized we would like to establish a Finance Committee to provide for wise stewardship of these funds and to assure our members that it is well accounted for. Currently the "oversight team" (5 founding members) reviews and approves all requests for funding.

* when possible since not all venues allow fund raising.

Why do we need to do fund raising?

WST-R hosts speaking events, organizational meetings and recruiting/informational events. We have to cover the cost of the facility rental, printing costs, speakers. Being an all-volunteer organization we do request that our members help contribute toward these activities and volunteer to assist in staffing them; we can't expect the same few people to front all of the bills for the entire group. We appreciate any all and all contributions of time or money no matter how big or small. All funds go back into the organization.