This is my first diary, so bear with me if it sucks. Some background info so this all makes sense: I just graduated from high school, and am starting at Tufts University in a few weeks (shit is it already that soon?). In my glory days in high school, I was el presidente of our Young Dems chapter, and was also de facto commander of our Students for Obama group. I used organizing techniques I picked up spending more than half of last summer volunteering 35 hours a week at the national headquarters of John Edwards for Prez, so my operation was very facebook-obsessed high schooler friendly. I organized massive voter registration efforts in the months before the NC primary, and I think all told we registered about 150 people at my school, mostly 17 year olds who would be 18 by November who didn't know they were qualified to vote. I organized a senior skip half-day when the Arcade Fire played a rally in town, and even a few teachers showed up. I like to think that I did my part in helping deliver NC for Obama. But this is all past, and now I lead you to the real meat of first ever diary, after the jump!
So, I'm leaving in a few weeks (shit!). With no clear successor in place, but several pretenders to the throne I began a search for new recruits via facebook to take up the mantle next year. After settling on a group of 3 people I know are responsible (2 seniors and a junior), I set about writing my instructions for what they should do next year. It was long and rambling, but it hit on some good things that I think are universal to people who can't vote (kids) who want to help in elections. The main problem, from my few years of experience in working with politically active youths, is that it's very easy to lose track of why you care in the face of all the stressors of high school, especially if at the end you are not being rewarded with the chance to vote. So, if you're trying to keep these people interested, you've got to make it a social experience. Debate watching parties work pretty well, especially if people get worked up about it. Having voter registration contests are good ways to keep people interested past the first hour.
So what can we as the active voting public do to help the youth help us help Obama to help America? If you see a highschooler at your local meeting, go out of your way to include them, but not in a creepy "hey there little boy" way. Try to run voter registration drives at high schools, or work with the clubs in the school to do it, they will be glad to help. Also, don't talk down to the younger people you volunteer with. Adults do it without meaning to, and it makes us not want to help.
Also if you wanted to buy us a beer, that'd be great.
Overall, there are a lot of motivated kids.
Not really sure how to end a diary, so I'm just gonna keep writing.
and now I'm done