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In this issue...
- National Voter Registration Day
- How to Contact your Representatives
- Sign up for the Wilks Leadership Certificate Program
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New year, new address!
Don't forget to update your voter registration if you have moved! You can find instructions on how to update your Ohio Voter Registration on Ohio’s online voter registration system. For other voting resources, please visit Miami University's My Vote Everywhere page.
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National Voter Registration Day
Tuesday, September 22, 2020 is National Voter Registration Day! National Voter Registration Day is a nonpartisan civic holiday celebrating our democracy.
Sign up to help register voters at Miami!
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Follow @RedHawksCount on Instagram and The HubRedhawks Count is dedicated to civic engagement and nonpartisan action on campus and is associated with the Wilks Leadership Institute and the Andrew Goodman Foundation Ambassadors.
Redhawks Count provides opportunities to increase voter engagement, pushes for nonpartisan collaboration, and creates community projects that expand student’s understanding of their rights. We strive to unite partners in the Oxford and Miami community in order to work towards promoting civics on Miami’s campus.
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How to Contact Your Representatives About Issues You Care For
By Sarah Carrier
Make A list of issues and bills you care about:Research your issues, and decide what you want to advocate for. Most members of congress have assistants who listen to phone calls from constituents, and make a list of what people call in support about. They then share it with their congress member once a week or so.
Decide what politicians you should focus on: It could be your three members of congress: Two Senators and One Representative. Or it could be your local and state politicians.
Contact your chosen politicians:
Email and call your politicians in support of key bills regarding your issue. Their office numbers and email addresses can be found on their websites
Lobby: You do not have to be in politics to schedule meetings with Representatives. Most congress member’s websites have a link to send a meeting request. If you send in a request, more often than not a member of their staff will reach out and talk to you.
Mobilize: Organize a group of 5 friends or more to all email your chosen politician at once in support of your issue/ bill. The more people who reach out, the more they are willing to listen.
Utilize Social Media: Tweet at your chosen politician or tag them in stories regarding your issue.
Common Questions And Answers to Help you Advocate:
What is a cosponsor? When a leader ‘cosponsors’ a bill they are essentially endorsing it. Most of your advocacy and lobbying will focus on asking your leaders to cosponsor key bills.
How do I know if my Congressional leader has cosponsored these bills or issues already? Can look at bills and who has cosponsored them at govtrack.us
Is my leader on a key Committee or Target Group? Do your research on your chosen politician. If they are a member of a congressional committee that focuses on one of the issues you want to talk about, make sure to call them.
How does my 30-second phone call or email to my Congressional leaders help pass legislation? Congressional offices tally every issue that people in their district contact them about. It’s not uncommon for a leader to support a bill after multiple constituents contact them in support of it.
Other Helpful Tips/ Information
- S. vs. H.R. – When a bill is introduced in the Senate, the bill number begins with an ‘S’. “HR” is when a bill in introduced in the House of Representatives
- Bill Number – The bill number represents the order in which it was introduced in that two-year session of Congress. For example, the first bill introduced in the Senate would be S.1, the second S.2, etc.
- CBO Score – An amazing resource for Congress and citizens alike is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). It is the nonpartisan government agency tasked with determining how much various pieces of legislation could cost if enacted as law. Not all bills have CBO scores but for those that do, this information is extremely useful.
- Online Resources – Make use of the Library of Congress website and GovTrack to learn glossary terms and track key legislation.
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Food Drive!
Support Oxford! Support Talawanda Oxford Pantry and Social Services!
September 23 through 30th, donate to Miami’s annual Food Drive supporting Talawanda Oxford Pantry and Social Services. Donation Drop Off Boxes will be located on the first and second floors of Armstrong Student Center.
To meet TOPSS’ needs, suggested donations include: Tuna, peanut butter cold cereal, canned vegetables, beans, pasta, canned fruit, toothpaste, body wash, shampoo
The Wilks Institute can arrange for early drop off or student org collection as needed. Email the Wilks email (or mine - redelmke@miamioh.edu) with questions.
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Join LCP!The Leadership Certificate Program is an educational experience that challenges you to examine leadership from diverse perspectives and encourages reflection into your own leadership skills, strengths and beliefs.
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Spotlight on Miami University's Leaders
The Wilks Institute celebrated Miami's Black leaders during Black August by sharing their stories via Instagram. You can still check out the leadership stories of Jannie, Vada, and Erin on the the Wilks Insitute's Leadership Highlights.
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Jannie KamaraHow Jannie Identifies as a Leader:- Major: Black World Studies and Diversity in Leadership
- Black Queer Activist
Jannie's leadership journey started before college with a youth and government program at the YMCA, as well as volunteering for a governor's campaign, and participating in Model UN in highschool. Jannie says, "Something I really value [is] community work and ensuring that those doing and affected by this work feel like they belong in the community.” To Jannie, leadership can look a lot of ways, but one way to celebrate leadership is appreciating what Black people are in what leadership positions around campus. When asked about the celebration of Black August, Jannie said it was good to take a look back and to see the ways people worked towards resistance and liberation. Jannie added that, "Freedom is two parts- freedom to be and freedom to do."
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Vada StephensHow Vada Identifies as a Leader:
- Black
- Major: English Professional Writing & Vocal Performance
- Person of faith
- Activist and advocate
- Man of many hats -but authentic in each
Vada says that initially, he wasn't looking to be a leader at Miami. He wanted to find a place he could fit in. This led Vada to find ASG (safety and diversity and inclusion committee), the Gospel Singers, and campus ministry. Vada says, “Never place limits on yourself or new opportunities to connect with others around you." As a Black leader on Miami's campus, Vada says that representation matters and is an important part of celebration. When asked about Black August's focus on liberation and resistance, Vada said, "Liberation is a constant battle, a back and forth, something that has to be demanded everyday, because there is always going to be something trying to restrict you."
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Erin PierceHow Erin Identifies as a Leader:- Wilks Institute Service and Leadership Coordinator (Leadership Certificate Program)
- SEAL Ambassador
- Chick Evans Scholar
As a third year student, Erin has been exploring ways to grow in leadership. Most often, she finds herself exploring leadership through learning and community engagement. After a year leading community engagement events with the Wilks Institute, Erin has transitioned the the Leaderhip Certificate Program, designing workshops and learning experiences for future students. Erin says, "I'm out there to try to better myself but also to better the student experience around me."
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Do you or your organization have a leadership or service opportunity you'd like to have advertised? Email us & it could be featured here!
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