OBJECTS & PURPOSES

Citizen Outreach, as described under “Objects and Purposes” of our Articles of Incorporation, “is a non-profit corporation organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes and any combination thereof within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.”  The objects and purposes of the organization listed in Article III of the Articles of Incorporation include:

1.)     Create, develop and promote the discussion of public policy issues

2.)     Encourage public understanding and awareness of public policy issues

3.)     Increase awareness and participation in the governmental process

4.)     Promote educational opportunities within the community and enhance the quality of education

In pursuing the charitable objectives of the organization per the IRS Code, Citizen Outreach conducts activities designed to benefit the public interest by lessening the burdens of government and defending civil rights secured by law.  We do this through all manner of mass communications on matters of public policy, especially Internet communications, print media, and radio and television.

In pursuing the educational objectives of the organization per the Code, Citizen Outreach sponsors, co-sponsors or participates in numerous panels, discussions, lectures, forums, radio and television programs and other similar programs.  In addition, the organization has provided instruction and training of individuals for the purpose of improving or developing their capabilities, as well as instruction of the public on subjects useful to individuals and beneficial to the community.

Public Affairs Meetings/Forums/Conferences

As part of our effort to increase awareness and participation in the governmental process, Citizen Outreach hosts conferences, forums, debates and panels around the country.  The meetings feature speakers, elected officials from the federal, state and local level, policymakers, business leaders, department heads, etc., discussing public policy issues in an effort to encourage public understanding of issues, as well as increase awareness of the governmental process.

Citizen Outreach also regularly attends and participates in meetings, forums, conferences, panels and discussions sponsored by similar groups around the country.

In 2007, Citizen Outreach hosted its first major national Conservative Leadership Conference.  This is expected to be an annual event.

Radio and Television Shows

As part of our effort to promote discussion and awareness of public policy issues, Citizen Outreach hosts roadio and podcast interviews featuring policy experts and elected officials discussing issues, current events and public policies.

In addition, Citizen Outreach President Chuck Muth regularly appears on radio and television programs around the country as a guest discussing public policy issues.

Mr. Muth also accepts invitations to speak at meetings, conferences, debates, training seminars and forums around the country.

Columns & Op/Eds

As part of its charitable efforts designed to benefit the public interest, Citizen Outreach regularly submits and has published public policy columns and op/eds to newspapers, magazines and its own in-house list of email subscribers promoting the benefits of lessening the burdens of government on individuals and businesses, as well defending civil rights.

Op/eds and columns have been published by the American Spectator, Human Events, the Taipei Times, San Francisco Examiner, the Las Vegas Business Press, the Nevada Appeal and Liberty Watch Magazine.  Additionally, Citizen Outreach columns and op/eds are regularly featured on Internet publications such as OpinionEditorials.com, GOPUSA.com, Cybercast News Service, TownHall.com, Newsbull.com, FreeLiberal.com, and others.

Citizen Outreach also submits or co-signs letters to elected officials and government leaders on matters of public policy.

Blogs & Internet WebSites

Using new Internet technology, Citizen Outreach has been a leader in fostering public discussions of policy issues using blogs, online forums and websites.

Citizen Outreach originally sponsors and underwrites a national blog community project called Conservablogs, which allows any individual to create, publish and maintain their own blog for free.

Citizen Outreach has sponsored or participated in non-partisan training seminars and workshops designed to improve the ability of individuals to participate in government or public policy as private citizens or candidates.  Workshop topics included instruction on blogging, websites, Internet communications, dealing with the press, fundraising, voter contact/marketing, direct mail, opposition research, message development, targeting and public speaking.

Citizen Outreach also provides funding for tuition and travel costs for individuals to attend training programs conducted in Washington, DC, by the Leadership Institute. 

LEADERSHIP

Chuck Muth is the president and CEO of Citizen Outreach.  He also is a former executive director of the American Conservative Union, a former National Chairman of the Republican Liberty Caucus, a former county GOP chairman, state party executive director, communications director, press secretary, direct mail fundraising consultant and legislative candidate.

His extensive political education background includes: The Republican National Committee’s “Campaign Management College” and “Campaign Finance School,” as well as the Leadership Institute’s “Direct Mail School,” “Grassroots Activists School,” “Public Relations School,” “Campaign Leadership School” and “Campaign Internet School.”

Mr. Muth is a professional campaign trainer and volunteers as a national field instructor for numerous groups and organizations.  He is also the publisher of various online newsletters, an author and a featured columnist who regularly appears on political TV and radio programs.

Doug Bandow is Vice President of Policy for Citizen Outreach.  He also is the Bastiat Scholar in Free Enterprise and the Competitive Enterprise Institute and the Cobden Fellow in International Economics at the Institute for Policy Innovation.  He was formerly a Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute.  Before that he served as a Special Assistant to President Ronald Reagan and as a Senior Policy Analyst in the 1980 Reagan for President campaign.

He writes the weekly column "Foreign Follies" for the leading website antiwar.com.  Previously a nationally syndicated columnist with Copley News Service and editor of the monthly political magazine Inquiry, he has been widely published in such periodicals as Time, Newsweek, Fortune, Christianity Today, Foreign Policy, Harper's, National Interest, National Review, New Republic, Orbis, and World, as well as leading newspapers including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post. 

Bandow has written and edited several books, including Leviathan Unchained:  Washington's Bipartisan Big Government Consensus (Xulon Press), Foreign Follies:  America's New Global Empire (Xulon Press), The Korean Conundrum:  America's Troubled Relations with North and South Korea (Palgrave/Macmillan, coauthor), Tripwire:  Korea and U.S. Foreign Policy in a Changed World (Cato), Perpetuating Poverty:  The World Bank, the IMF, and the Developing World (Cato, coeditor), and The Politics of Plunder:  Misgovernment in Washington (Transaction).

He has also appeared on numerous radio and television programs, including ABC Nightly News, American Interests, CBS Evening News, CNN Crossfire, CNN Larry King Live, Good Morning America, Nightline, and the Oprah Winfrey Show.  He received his B.S. in Economics from Florida State University in 1976 and his J.D. from Stanford University in 1979.

FUNDING

Citizen Outreach relies heavily on volunteers and paid consultants for special projects rather than a large permanent staff.  And since much of Citizen Outreach’s work is done via the Internet, we have avoided much of the high overhead expenses of other organizations. 

In short, our operating costs are minimal and are funded primarily through generous small dollar contributions from our members and supporters.