National Constitution and Citizenship Day Tag

September 3, 2019 In Activism By fodemocracy

National #DayOfAction Events

Every year on September 17th, National Constitution and Citizenship Day goes largely unnoticed in this country. Feed Our Democracy wants to change that by turning that day into a national #DayofAction.

Around the country — in Austin, NY, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Denver, Portland, and Seattle – we’re partnering with The Riveter, Mom 2.0 and TueNight, to host events that celebrate National Constitution and Citizenship Day, getting people involved in celebrating our country. Below are events around the country that we have already scheduled. (Space is limited so please RSVP today.)

Austin

Get Active 101: Citizen Roundtables & Activation Stations. (RSVP here) We want to be active and help others, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to start? Let’s start together! Join us from 11 am – 2 pm for an inspiring day of citizenship and action in service of increasing voter turnout and helping immigrant families at the border. Drop-in, learn, meet new friends, and activate. Register2Vote and Blue Action Democrats will help us learn how to energize our communities to increase voter registration. Learn from Waking Giants and Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls how you can help immigrant families at the border passing through the Val Verde Border Humanitarian Coalition Center. Light snacks and drinks will be provided. RSVP through this link.

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Denver

Voter Registration Training Workshop. (RSVP here) Join us from 11:30-1:00pm, and enjoy a light lunch, while the nonpartisan League of Women Voters provides training on how to register voters in the State of Colorado. You’ll leave empowered with the tools you need to register voters, start your own voter registration drive and feed our democracy. RSVP through this link.

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Los Angeles

Voter Registration Training Workshop. (RSVP here) Join us from 11:45am -1:15pm, and enjoy a light lunch, while the nonpartisan League of Women Voters provides training on how to register voters in the State of California. You’ll leave empowered with the tools you need to register voters, start your own voter registration drive and feed our democracy. RSVP through this link.

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Brooklyn

TueNight Live #DayOfAction. (RSVP here) TueNight and Feed Our Democracy will co-host an inspiring evening of storytelling and action. Storytellers will share refugee, immigration and citizenship stories and those in attendance will write welcome cards to help welcome recently resettled refugee families. Proceeds from the event will go to Hello Neighbor, whose mission is to support recently resettled refugee and immigrant families through mentorship. RSVP through this link.

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Portland (OR)

‘Choose Your Party’ Party: Networking for Excited Oregon Primary Voters! (RSVP here) Join us from 6pm to 8pm for mingling and networking. Hey, independent and non-affiliated Oregon voters! In the post-debate hubbub, we’re all excited to choose our candidate. The Oregon primary election in May 2020 can’t come soon enough! But, WAIT. Did you know you must choose a political party to vote in that party’s primary? It’s easy and takes seconds online, and we’ll show you how. Hosted by The Democracy Club. RSVP through this link.

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Seattle

Voter Registration Training Workshop (RSVP required here) Join us from 11:45am-1:15pm and enjoy a light lunch while the nonpartisan League of Women Voters provides training on how to register voters in the State of Washington. You’ll leave empowered with the tools you need to register voters and start your own voter registration drive. (Sign Up link here)

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Minneapolis

Backpack Service Project for Newly-Released Immigrants (ALL SPOTS RESERVED) Join us for lunch from 11:45am to 1:15pm for an inspiring service project. We will be assembling backpacks with essential personal items for immigrants just released from detention centers so that they can reach their post-release destination with safety and dignity. The nonprofit, Conversations with Friends MN, which will distribute these backpacks, tells us that the responses from people receiving these backpacks would bring tears to your eyes.

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Host your own #DayOfAction event

If you cannot make it to one of these events, why not host your own? You can make it as big or small as you like. Here, Feed Our Democracy shows you how you can host your own events for #DayOfAction centered around Voter Registration Training, Welcoming Immigrants & Refugees, or Writing Postcards to Your Representatives and to GOTV.

NOTE: Before you host your own event, please read and agree to our FoD Code of Conduct.

September 3, 2019 In Activism By fodemocracy

#DayofAction: Refugees Welcome Activation Kit

ACTIVATION KIT

Ready to observe National Constitution & Citizenship Day? We’re so glad! Your event, big or small, will be part of a larger, national #DayofAction on September 17th, promoting an active citizenry and celebrating our country’s values.

This Tool Kit is here to help you join our #DayofAction and to #MeetEatActivate on September 17!

What’s a #RefugeesWelcome Event?

America is a country of immigrants. From our diversity comes our strength. Every day, thousands of people from around the globe seek to join our great democracy. One of our greatest American ideals is that we are a land of opportunity, open to new people, and new ideas. A #RefugeesWelcome Party helps make refugees and other immigrants feel welcome to this country, and helps them get started on their new American life with hope.

Inviting Guests

You can copy and paste this graphic for your invitation. We like to use Paperless Post’s free invitation flier, simply add your own date/time/place for the party to the invitation. Make sure your invite is set to private and share the invitation link with your guests.

Your Event

Choose one of the following #DayofAction activities to make a difference in the lives of recent immigrants and refugees.

Write welcome notes to families. The Multifaith Alliance has a ready-to-go postcard writing kit for Syrian refugees you can sign up for here. A great activation for all ages.
Write your Representative to demand action on the immigration crisis. PostCards for Peace has downloadable postcards already addressed to your representative
Create Welcome Kits with necessary items to help recent immigrants and refugees settle into their new homes. Your guests can bring items with them, and you can create the packages at your event.

These organizations all accept donations of various items – from hygiene kits to snack boxes. Contact them directly to see what they might need. Or contact your local Immigrant or Refugee center to see what they need. World Relief, an official partner of the Department of State for over 40 years, partners with 5,000 organizations around the globe. Find one of their offices near you here. Or try one of these:

Supplies

Download some nifty Feed Our Democracy and #DayofAction printable event decor here. We’ve got designs you can use for tabletoppers, cupcake toppers , stickers or buttons to help make your event feel pulled together (and look awesome on social media!)

The Ask

Writing notes or collecting supplies is a fantastic way to show your support. But should you and your guests want to offer financial support as well, you might consider asking them to donate to the organizations you’re serving.

The Details

Register your event -By registering your gathering, you help us all keep track of the impact we’re making together, one #FeedOurDemocracy event at a time.

Read and agree to our Code of Conduct.
Use the hashtags #DayofAction and #feedourdemocracy and tag @feedourdemocracy on social media.

HAVE FUN and BE PROUD OF YOURSELF

You’re participating in the democratic process and making a difference!

September 3, 2019 In Activism By fodemocracy

#DayofAction: Potluck & Postcards Party

ACTIVATION KIT

This Tool Kit is here to help you join our #DayofAction and to #MeetEatActivate on September 17!

What’s a Potluck & Postcard Writing Party?

The name of this party says it all: gather people together to either write postcards to their lawmakers about a cause or upcoming vote that’s important to them. or write to remind people to GOTV: get out the vote.

Why the Potluck? Well, it’s supposed to be easy! And what’s easier than having friends bring food and drink to share?

Inviting Guests

You can copy and one of these graphics for your invitation. We like Paperless Post’s free invitation flier, simply add your own date/time/place for the party to the invitation. Make sure your invite is set to private and share the invitation link with your guests.

Get Out the Vote

Write Postcards to Elected Officials

Where to get Postcards

Many online graphic designers and artists have created and shared postcards themed specifically to oppose the Trump administration that you can send to your representatives. Just download, print on cardstock, write your own message and send to your government representative. They’re free!
Online #Resistance postcard resources:

If you’re doing a GOTV event, Postcards to Voters is a great place for one-stop shopping! They provide everything from guidelines, to postcard templates, to verified voter addresses from campaigns that need your help.

Need an issue to write to your representative about? How about doing more to ease the refugee crisis? Postcards for Peace has a downloadable postcard to help you do just that.

Supplies

Pre-printed postcards (select from above) for your guests to choose from
Pens (optional: different colors)
Notepads for drafting your postcards
Stamps
Your Congressional representatives’ addresses pre-printed on paper for your guests. (Find their office addresses here: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials)
Download some nifty Feed Our Democracy and #DayofAction printable event decor here. We’ve got designs you can use for tabletoppers, cupcake toppers , stickers or buttons to help make your event feel pulled together (and look awesome on social media!)

IMPORTANT NOTE: Federal Election Commission regulations set the limit a private individual may spend on supplies for a partisan event at $1000 per host. Please make sure you are in compliance with these regulations if you plan to host a GOTV (Get out the Vote) event for a particular candidate.

If your guests ask how they can help prepare, ask them to bring their own stamps and supplies to help you defray costs.

The Party

A Potluck & Postcard Writing party is super casual. Buy a few pizzas, and ask people to bring other, shareable dishes, drinks or desserts. (Think about creating a sign-up sheet so you don’t end up with three lasagnas!)

Have a few postcards already written, and print out a few suggested messages to inspire your attendees. Consider having a few talking points written out ahead of time, if you can, so people will get ideas. Spread out your supplies so people can get to work right away.

Keep speechifying to a minimum. Just introduce the event, say a bit about why you’ve decided to host this #DayofAction event. You’re there to Meet, Eat and Activate!

The Ask

Writing your representatives and keeping the pressure on elected officials is important work, as is getting out the vote. But should you and your guests want to offer financial support as well, you might consider asking them to donate to organizations that support voter registration drives, or fair voting practices.

The Details

Register your event – We’re building a virtual and real-life community of active citizens. By registering your gathering, you help us keep track of the impact we’re making together, one #FeedOurDemocracy event at a time.

Read and agree to our Code of Conduct.
Use the hashtags #DayofAction and #feedourdemocracy and tag @feedourdemocracy on Instagram and Facebook and @meeteatactivate on Twitter