PANELIST WORKSHOP FACILITATOR:

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1 Launching New Dimensions of Service Sorors Take A.C.T.I.O.N. and Be the VOICE Workshop Facilitator: Soror Sylvia Blackmon Roberts, International Connection Chairman Presenters: Members of the International Connection Committee Soror Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson, Supreme Basileus PANELIST WORKSHOP FACILITATOR: Soror Sylvia Blackmon Roberts, International Connection Committee Chairman Deidra Albritton Bundick North Atlantic Representative AńJou C. Johnson Mid Atlantic Representative Bakahia Madison Central Representative Twyla Woods Buford Mid Western Representative A call to A.C.T.I.O.N GOALS and OBJECTIVES of the International Connection Committee Develop a multi-faceted strategic Connection program with a focus on civil rights, social justice, and voter education, registration, mobilization, and participation; Galvanize our diverse membership to become a united force for change through the Take A.C.T.I.O.N. Program (Advocate, Communicate, Train, Influence, Organize and Network) and our Voter Awareness Program, Be The VOICE; Offer leadership development opportunities that educate sorors on how to seek appointments and be elected to public offices; and Increase Black voter participation rates in the 2016 election to mirror or exceed 2012 voter turnout percentages. 1

2 Launching New Dimension of Service, Take Action and Be the Voice "Be the VOICE" is Alpha Kappa Alpha's voter awareness program addressing education, registration, mobilization and participation: OBJECTIVES Decrease trepidation about the upcoming 2016 Presidential, State, & Local elections Objective #1 INCREASE CIVIL LEADERSHIP: Increase the leadership and organizing capacity within Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. by equipping our leaders with the tools necessary to engage our chapters & communities in successful Voter Participation, Registration, Education, and Mobilization. Objective #2 To galvanize and educate on the importance of voting; empower with data, facts, figures and strategies for preparation and planning for community voting engagement for local, state and federal elections. OUTCOMES Sorors ability to develop Connection Plans addressing voters registration, education, mobilization and participation resulting in local, state and federal black voters turnout that mirrors turnout rates of the 2012 Presidential election. 2

3 Why voting is important for black America? CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965 AND 2007 POWER OF THE BLACK VOTE CIVIL RIGHTS/SOCIAL JUSTICE The International Connection Committee Approach Take A.C.T.I.O.N. and Be The Voice Voter Education Voter Registration Voter Mobilization Voter Participation HOW CAN MY CHAPTER MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE VOTING PROCESS 3

4 CONNECTION PLANNING CALENDAR January March Voter education and Voter registration. Most electoral activity is over by January/February/March (with the exception of run offs), so we should focus on educating communities and getting eligible voters registered in January/February/March. April - June Voter mobilization and Voter participation. Special elections, primaries and caucuses (excluding Super Tuesday which takes place in March) take place in April/May/June. Activities should focus on getting voters out to vote. Please refer to: presidential-primary-schedule-calendar/ and July September Voter education and Voter registration. Additionally, some deadlines for voter registration to participate in November elections appear to be, on average, 30 days before the election (early October), so we should focus on ensuring our efforts to educate and register people run through the summer, i.e. July/August/September. Please refer to: October - December Voter Mobilization and Voter Participation. It seems that early voting, voting and run off elections take place in October, November and December. VOTER EDUCATION Forums Workshops Council Meetings Tool Kits VOTER EDUCATION Pi Xi Omega Chapter (North Atlantic Region Paterson, NJ) had a Soror who was running for the local Board of Education. The chapter contacted the three (3) High Schools in their city and made arrangements through the History Department of each High School and come in and conduct a voter education workshop and voter registration drive for all of the 12 th grade History classes. This activity allowed Pi Xi Omega chapter to register over 300 eighteen (18) year old students. Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter (South Atlantic Region Miami, FL) Hosted Pump, Pearls and Politics. A voter education forum to educate the community on the upcoming elections and on candidates seeking particular elected positions. The event was held in conjunction with the NAACP, League of Women of Voters and other women organizations. There were over 250 residents in attendance at the forum. In the Central Region, Indiana Chapters created the Indiana Connection Toolkit, and distributed to them to their local Chapters. The toolkit consisted of everything you needed to know about elections in Indiana. Federal, State and City candidates were listed with their contact information. Deadline for Voter Registration and Early Voting are included in the Connection Toolkit. In partnership with Rho Tau Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the NAACP Baltimore City Branch, Rho Xi Omega chapter (North Atlantic Region Baltimore, MD) co Hosted a Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates' Forum. The event was attended by the three frontrunning candidates for Governor in MD: Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, Attorney General Douglas Ganzler, and State Legislator Heather Mizeur. Over 150 participants were in attendance. 4

5 VOTER REGISTRATION VOTER REGISTRATION Chi Psi Omega Chapter (South Atlantic Region Coral Springs, FL) identified six Saturdays in the last few months in June/July as voter registration drive dates. The Connection Chairman approached several businesses in the African American Community that received a lot of traffic on the weekends to enter into a partnership. The businesses allowed the chapter to have designated space either inside the business or outside to set up a tent, tables and voter information. The chapter registered over 225 voters in the month of June/July Omega Omega Chapter (North Atlantic Region Pennsylvania, PA) distributed over 150 Voter registration applications and 25 absentee applications. The forms were distributed at a variety of venues; including chapter meetings and programs. Sorors also worked from their homes and workplaces to recruit and/or renew registrations In the Central Region, Illinois Chapters requested county clerks to train Sorors as deputy voter registrars in order for chapters to register year round and conduct voter registration drives with other organizations such as the NAACP, the Urban League and other civic minded organizations. In the Far Western Region, the undergraduates waged successful voter registration drives with other Pan Hellenic fraternities and sororities on college campuses. VOTER MOBILIZATION Social Media Rallies / Meetings Call and walk lists 5

6 VOTER MOBILIZATION Pi Xi Omega chapter (North Atlantic Region Paterson, NJ) worked in conjunction with other civic and Greek organizations and sponsored a Free Line Dancing Party in their community to mobilize voters. During the party all of the local candidates were formally introduced to the attendees. Each candidate was provided with an opportunity to address the crowd for two (2) minutes. In addition, all candidates were allowed to distribute their campaign items: including Lawn Signs, Bumper Stickers, Buttons, Pamphlets, etc. Healthy snacks and bottled were provided to all in attendance GAMMA EPSILON, (North Atlantic Region Philadelphia City Chapter) shared an interactive website on their Facebook Page prior to election day to help individuals find polling locations that were near to them. As college students, there is normally a great deal of confusion finding a polling location in an unfamiliar city. As a result of their post, individuals were able to enter their zip code and find the polling location that they were assigned to. Total number of participants that logged ontotheir page was 988. In the Mid Western Region, One chapter hosted a pep type rally where everyone gathered and walked to the local poll to vote in mass. Most chapters held some sort of a take them to the polls event. They provided rides for people. Many were held in conjunction with other organizations. Phone trees to remind people to cast their absentee votes. Several chapters in the Far Western Region set up van service to transport elderly voters and those without transportation. VOTER PARTICIPATION VOTER PARTICIPATION Upsilon Mu Omega Chapter (Central Region Wisconsin) adopted a polling site in the city of Milwaukee. Our chapter has created a relationship with the City of Milwaukee Election Commission and the constituents. Pi Pi Omega Chapter (North Atlantic Region Westbury, NY) participates in the Night Out Against Crime, event which is an annual community activity. During the event the chapter sets up a booth and conducts their annual voter registration drive. In the Mid Western Region, chapters Increased use of social media, engaged high school students in door to door canvassing, literature drop offs and using twitter accounts. In the Central Region (Illinois) that developed a program entitled, Souls to the Polls: networking with various churches, temples and Masjid, labor organizations and other civic minded organizations to get members to the polls the Sunday before the election. 6

7 CONNECTION PLANNING CALENDAR January March Voter education and Voter registration. Most electoral activity is over by January/February/March (with the exception of run offs), so we should focus on educating communities and getting eligible voters registered in January/February/March. April - June Voter mobilization and Voter participation. Special elections, primaries and caucuses (excluding Super Tuesday which takes place in March) take place in April/May/June. Activities should focus on getting voters out to vote. Please refer to: presidential-primary-schedule-calendar/ and July September Voter education and Voter registration. Additionally, some deadlines for voter registration to participate in November elections appear to be, on average, 30 days before the election (early October), so we should focus on ensuring our efforts to educate and register people run through the summer, i.e. July/August/September. Please refer to: October - December Voter Mobilization and Voter Participation. It seems that early voting, voting and run off elections take place in October, November and December PRIMARY AND CAUCUS SCHEDULE FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE March 1 (Super Tuesday) February 1 April 5 May 3 June 5 Alabama Iowa Caucus (Dem) Maryland Indiana Puerto Rico (Dem) Arkansas February 2 Colorado caucuses Washington, DC Georgia Wisconsin May 10 June 7 Iowa Caucus (Rep) Nebraska California Massachusetts February 9 Minnesota caucuses April 26 West Virginia Tuesday Montana New Hampshire North Carolina Connecticut New Jersey May 17 Oklahoma Delaware New Mexico Kentucky February 20 Tennessee Pennsylvania South Dakota Oregon J South Carolina Texas Rhode Island Vermont February 23 Virginia Nevada Caucus March 5 Louisiana March 8 Hawaii Caucus (GOP) Mississippi Michigan March 13 Puerto Rico (GOP) March 15 Ohio Florida Illinois Missouri March 22 Arizona Utah *Several states are waiting to have their dates finalized. March 26 Hawaii caucus (Dems) 2016 POLITICAL CONFERENCES Republican Convention Cleveland, OH Monday 18 July Thursday 21 July st Republican National Convention Democratic Convention Philadelphia, PA Monday 25 July Thursday 28 July th Democratic National Convention 7

8 THANK YOU FOR BEING THE VOICE AT YOUR AKA DAYS at THE CAPITOL AKA DAYS AT THE CAPITOL IOWA Sorors with their Governor WISCONSIN Attendees of NEW YORK AKA Day TEXAS AKA at the Capitol St. CROIX, USVI Attendees of OKLAHOMA AKA Day PENNSYLVANIA AKA Day At the Capitol Ohio State Representative addressing the attendees at the OHIO Attendees of DELAWARE AKA Day ARKANSAS Sorors with their Governor NASSAU, BAHAMAS AKA DAYS AT THE CAPITOL VIRGINIA BERMUDA S MASSACHUSETTS Representative Alice Peisch, with Undergraduate Sorors from Lambda Epsilon Chapter CONNECTICUT NORTH CAROLINA GEORGIA INDIANA Maryland Senate President Mike Miller with sorors from Washington, DC and Maryland on the steps of the Capitol. RHODE ISLAND 8

9 INTERNATIONAL CONNECTION COMMITTEE Regional Representatives to the International Connection Committee Deidra Albritton Bundick North Atlantic AńJou C. Johnson Mid-Atlantic Tiffany Moore Russell South Atlantic Nancy Quarles Great Lakes Bakahia Madison Central Myra McKenzie Harris South Central Twyla Woods Buford Mid Western Gail Atley Far Western Sylvia Blackmon-Roberts, International Connection Chairman C. Denise Wright South Eastern JoyAnne Archer International Chantelle Atkins Barbour Resource INTERNATIONAL CONNECTION COMMITTEE Contact Information Sylvia Blackmon Roberts International Connection Chairman Deidra Albritton Bundick North Atlantic Representative Gail Atley Far Western Representative Joyanne Archer International Representative Chantelle Atkins Barbour Committee Resource AńJou C. Johnson Mid Atlantic Representative Bakahia Madison Central Representative Myra McKenzie Harris South Central Representative Tiffany Moore Russell South Atlantic Representative Nancy Quarles Great Lakes Representative Twyla Woods Buford Mid Western Representative C. Denise Wright South Eastern Representative Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Be 9