Don't forget: REGISTER TO VOTE! Monday, July 26, 2004 Also: read the latest STAND news in WAND's Bi-Weekly News Bulletin.

Hey Ya'll,

Things are gearing up this week on the political scene as the Democratic Convention gets started in Boston.  Though it's hard to imagine that the summer is drawing to a close, it's true. Soon school will be back in full swing, and probably many of you will be involved in political action on your campus, maybe even related to the election. 

Please let us know if there are events on your campus, in your local area, or on a national level taking place that we haven’t covered in the Holler. We'd be glad to include your ideas and activities. Write to us at stand@wand.org and let us know your ideas. We are also organizing Vote 2004! activities on several campuses to educate, register, and mobilize young voters. Let us know if you are interested in or already doing any of the above voter-related organizing, and we can provide you with materials, tools, and advice to strengthen your efforts. 

Now on to the news...

Conferences and Educational Opportunities

1. Young Women's Leadership Conference, Boston (7/26-29) & New York (9/2)
2. Campaign Institute (8/2-9)
3. Books Not Bombs Youth Convergence, NYC  - (8/28)

Jobs, Internships, and Scholarships

1. Public Leadership Education Network Program Assistant, Washington, DC

Elections and Voter Education

1. Center for Progressive Leadership: Voter Mobilization Training
2. Protect Student Voters
3. Declare Yourself!
4. What Makes Voting Hip?

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Conferences & Educational Opportunities

Young Women’s Leadership Conference, Boston (7/26-29) & New York (8/29 - 9/2)

The YWLC '04 seeks to bring together young women leaders from all 50 states to take part in a two-day conference that will teach them about women in leadership roles and their ability to influence government and society. The Conference's primary goal is to use the convention as an educational vehicle, introducing young women to the electoral process, and linking successful national and local leaders with young women in attendance.  The YWLC runs concurrently with the Democratic National Convention in Boston, July 26-29 and with the Republican National Convention in New York, Aug. 29 - Sept. 2.  Click here to apply.

The Campaign Institute, Boston (8/2-9)

The Campaign Institute aims to train the next generation of electoral activists who care about the environment, education, women s rights, health care, jobs and peace in Iraq to run and win campaigns driven by the issues, funded by small donors, and fueled by grassroots activism.  This summer 200 activists will learn how to develop a grassroots campaign strategy, plan field operations, organize press events, and more.  Both recent college grads looking to gain skills and find campaign jobs and staff of various issue groups are being recruited for the Institute.   A job fair with recruiters from political campaigns and issue-focused groups will take place at the end of each training session.  Check out the Institute’s Flash video about a new "recipe" for political campaigns. Click here for more info on the Campaign Institute, and email Meg Gray to apply.

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Jobs, Internships & Scholarships

Public Leadership Education Network Program Assistant

PLEN is a national organization working to prepare women for public leadership.  PLEN's six annual Washington programs serve hundreds of women college students each year.  Students from across the country have the opportunity to experience a first-hand view of the policy process with women leaders acting as their teachers and mentors.  The Program Assistant assists with all aspects of planning, organizing and conducting programs including recruiting, scheduling and confirming speakers and serving as liaison with students prior to their arrival.  To apply, send cover letter, resume, 2-3 page writing sample and list of 3 references to: PLEN Program Assistant Search, 1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20036 or fax to 202.872.0141

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Elections & Voter Education

Center for Progressive Leadership: Voter Mobilization Training

Progressive non-profit organizations around the country are looking for trained field organizers to help them identify, educate and mobilize voters supportive of their issues. This summer, CPL aims to meet that need through targeted Voter Mobilization Training programs for individuals prepared to work full-time managing a 60-day push to Election Day.  Training will include strategic planning, communication with voters about progressive issues, and volunteer recruitment and management.  Each training will conclude with a Campaign Job Fair where you will learn about paid opportunities to work full time on a field campaign.

Available Trainings:

• July 31 - Aug 2: UCLA (Los Angeles, CA)
• Aug 7 - Aug 9: CA State Univ. at Hayward (near Oakland, CA)
• Aug 14 - Aug 16: Temple University (Philadelphia, PA)

Click here to register online.

Protect Student Voters

There is a serious problem going on around the country that affects students, and Rock the Vote needs your help to raise awareness to change it. College students who try to register and vote using their campus residence are being denied their right to vote by local election officials who claim that campus and school addresses are not considered a "permanent" residence. In fact, in 1979 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional to deny someone their right to vote based on their residency. Click here to read stories of student voter suppression and to send in a story of your own if you have one.

What can you do about it? Sign Rock the Vote's Web Petition to your Secretary of State.

Declare Yourself is a national nonpartisan, nonprofit campaign to energize and empower a new movement of young voters to participate in the 2004 presidential election.  Declare Yourself has several cool activities planned to rally young Americans including a live spoken word and music tour of college campuses, a nationwide voter education initiative for high school seniors, an extensive online awareness campaign, a massive voter registration drive, and a televised "get out the vote" concert.  INFO on how to get involved: Click here.

What Makes Voting Hip?

Read about the first National Hip-Hop Political Convention where over 2000 attendees came ready to register young voters and draft a national political agenda to present to presidential candidates. The event included big name artists such as Wyclef Jean and Busta Rhymes who played for four straight nights! Click here to read the Washington Post article about the Convention.