On April 10, 17 and 24 Doane will be hosting an Advocacy Workshop where students can learn how to network and contact senators, lobbyists and non-profits so they can advocate for their communities to be more involved politically and socially.
“I think often it’s seen as this large project where you have to be fully involved or not at all involved and that’s not at all what it’s about. I want students to feel comfortable taking up space even when it feels uncomfortable,” Event organizer and senior Dani Avalos said. “The truth is, the legislature isn’t always the easiest to understand, but providing students with tools is what will help raise young voices forward and create changes we need to see across the US.”
Avalos hopes that this lecture will make students more aware of the politics in their lives and be more active at all levels of government. While most people vote for the president, Avalos wants students to know that some of the most important positions are at the state level. In Nebraska alone half of the legislature chairs are up for changes this election year. The workshop aims to teach students how to interact more effectively with state or local governments so young people can be more involved politically.
“Now is when young voices can make informed decisions and elect people who can speak for their districts. The truth is that being politically involved doesn’t always mean what we think it does and it can be as involved as we can be. We don’t all have to march through the streets of Lincoln to make a change. Although I do admire those voices, I think people should know that’s not all that exists,” Avalos said.
Avalos reminds students that they can control who becomes elected officials and that they can choose candidates who prioritize their future and make informed decisions for the betterment of their community. At the lecture will be senators and non-profits presenting so students can ask them directly how to be more involved politically. Students interested in these lectures should sign up for them via an RSVP link found in their email or dani.avalos@doane.edu if they have any questions.
