Rotation B
My Community Service
During my time volunteering to receive my total of ten hours for our mandatory community service project, I worked on the political trail. The first event was at parent/teacher conferences night when I participated in handing out and informing people about our flyers and registering (attempting to) people to vote in the November 2nd elections. These flyers consisted of information about the DVUSD Override and how people should vote “yes” on it to maintain school budgets instead of them taking a 15% tax-cut. I also assisted in walking around and passing out these flyers at the varsity football games and sitting at the booth with information about the Override and trying to register people at the freshman football games.. Myself, and many other students also applied our time into putting together and working the District 6 Political Panel which included Democratic politicians such as Pat Flickner and Teri Conrad and for a little while Republican politician Lori Klein.
Passing Out Flyers! 9/29/10 & 10/15/10 |
| Hannah and I passing out flyers at the freshman football game. |
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| Taking a break to stop and smile for a picture while handing out flyers. |
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| Handing out flyers at the freshman game. |
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| Standing behind Erin during the flyer distribution at the Varsity football game. I have no idea what's goin' down right now. |
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| My brother in the background of our flyer distribution. "Garcia" |
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| The informational handouts on the DVUSD override we were passing out. |
Political Panel 10/25/10
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| We just finished setting up the tables for the Political Panel and were pretty proud of our accomplishment. Lookin pretty fly for a bunch of white guys (and Hannah). |
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| Frank de la Cruz with Jessica Schildt and Ms. Duquette in the background during the panel. |
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| Vaibhov, Pg, Nayelli, and I being the "ethnic group" at the panel. |
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| The Huff, Hannah, and I checking everything out before the panel began. |
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| Duquette, Jessica and Fran discussing plans and topics to be discussed for the panel. |
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| The group who contributed in helping out with the political panel and the two democratic canidates that stayed; Teri Conrad and Pat Flickner. |
Analysis on my Political Participation
I believe that those ten hours that I put into my political participation for community service have benefitted many. Those couple of hours alone at the political panel or the couple of hours handing out flyers at the games and conferences affected those who attended and helped make in impact in influencing their decisions on the November 2nd Midterm elections.
Our goal during the flyer distribution was to inform the public about the DVUSD override. We gave as many facts and information as we could in those couple of minutes or even seconds of conversing with the parents and other adults who gave us their time. What we were trying to do was to persuade them to vote “yes” to maintain the school district’s budget and so the 2011-2012 Maintenance and Operations budget would not be cut by an additional $5.5 million each year for three years.
Due to our efforts making up a total of five hours in helping to make many aware of the override, it officially passed on November 22nd after all the votes were counted. By November 15th it was winning by 253 votes and if just those couple hundred votes took what it takes to pass an override then I feel that by us dedicating our time and energy to spreading the influence of voting “yes” at those school events had a significant impact in making such a big decision was worth every bit of it.
The 5 hours that I spent at the District Six political panel took place on the evening of October 25, 2010. I arrived there around 3:30 pm and the panel began around 6 pm. We spent the first two and a half hours carrying chairs, plants and tables from the front office to the stage of the main auditorium to set up for the panel. The politicians that stayed and gave their perspective on issues such as gay marriages and medical marijuana were Pat Flickner and Teri Conrad. These ladies gave up their time to come speak with those who showed up at the auditorium that night to discuss issues such as these and many more.
Hopefully the efforts made in conducting this event were beneficial to all of those who arrived and participated in discussion. Unfortunately, none of the Republican representatives were able to stay for discussion so we were swayed by democratic views on these topics from these running mates, but luckily the residents of northern Phoenix were able to express their concerns and hopefully they will be acknowledged by the candidates and their party.
I’m grateful to have participated in a service that is so influential and beneficial to my future and the way I see liberal views about certain matters. Being undecided in a party really made me see another point of view other than those of my Republican environment. Also, realizing how such little events like passing out flyers at games can be so critical in passing something as crucial as an override for DVUSD. These factors really contributed to my outlook on the things society does to make a difference in their community and how they can make such a big impact.
Summative on Political Participation
Political participation consists of all of the efforts made by an individual to ensure that their cause is getting noticed by the public and influencing them in their political decisions. The Oxford dictionary of politics defines political participation through an arithmetic equation by stating that it is “the number of active people multiplied by the amount of their action.” This includes voting for representatives at regular intervals, voting on policies in referenda, forming political groups, and engaging in legal or illegal protest. (Shapiro pg.4) Their efforts are hopes to have an impact on government policies.
As much help that may go into political participation does not always ensure for a positive outcome. Voting for elected representatives leaves the clear understanding of the impact made by those who participated. Different candidates are for or oppose different policies. The groups involved in political participation are there to push their ideals and for people to vote for the candidates that support them. If citizens didn’t make any efforts to be involved in big debates and issues going on in society then who would sway or support the decisions made by all candidates and representatives in the government?
People who participate in political participation gain more satisfaction by being an individual in a democracy then those who don’t participate. This is because the individuals that
participate feel like they have more of a personal connection and attachment in what is said and done in the government because they were one of many who congregated together to make sure their voices were heard in some sort of election or debate.
When individual political acts are considered, it is found that particular subgroups are especially active. (Pew) For example, those protesting SB1070 are most likely to be from a Hispanic decent and may personally know many who are affected by the new law. The group differences including gender, age, race, income, and education make a huge impact on the opinions of voters and their intentions and hopes for what acts and policies will be passed to benefit them and their loved ones.
Many Americans get involved one way another in a political or community group. In the year 2008, during the election of Barrack Obama, more than one-third Americans got involved with participating in a group that “influences public or government policies or volunteering or working for a political party or candidate.” (Pew)
Voters may not realize it, but their small efforts to fight for a big cause leads to a huge impact in not only their community, but even the nation. It’s because of those that get themselves involved in politics that congress is able to know what is best for the people and what the people want. Political participation affects everyone, even those who have never participated. When someone doesn’t participate, it’s like they are having those that do making all of their decisions for them. Therefore it is crucial to be involved in political participation for your well-being and the well-being of your society.
Works Cited:
· Rebecca, Shapiro. "Intra-American Development Bank." Political Participation and the Quality of Life. Columbia University, July 2008. Web. 2 Dec 2010. <http://www.iadb.org/res/publications/pubfiles/pubWP-638.pdf>.
· Aaron Smith, Kay Lehman Schlozman, Sidney Verba, Henry Bradt. "Pew Internet." The Internet and Civic Engagement. Pew Internet & American Life Project, Sep. 1, 2009. Web. 2 Dec 2010. <http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/15--The-Internet-and-Civic-Engagement/2--The-Current-State-of-Civic-Engagement-in-America/2--Participation.aspx>.
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