This week we are sharing a guest blog from Apathy is Boring on their Election Readiness Toolkit and what it has to do with your nonprofit.
Even though Alberta is not in an election cycle right now, democracy, and its implications, are at the forefront of a lot of people’s minds. Building the relationship between young citizen and their government has never been more important.
So what can we do to make sure we educate all Canadians, and Albertans, on the role that democracy and voting play in our lives?
At Apathy is Boring, we think about this question a lot, and part of the solution is education. We have partnered with Elections Alberta to support youth electoral engagement through the community sector.
Why are nonprofit and community organizations perfectly primed for this important job?
Because:
- They are at the heart of community and are already hubs for civic engagement
- They create bridges between individuals and their larger communities by connecting with people of all ages and all walks of life as volunteers, clients, staff, and stakeholders
- They know how to inspire and motivate people to address social issues, build strong communities, and get involved
Together, we can make civic engagement fun, relevant, and important to young Albertans.
We believe it is imperative that young Canadians, (between the ages of 16 and 30), are engaged and informed on civic engagement, democracy, and government, whether or not they learn about these topics through formal education.
Through tools like videos and games, as well as with the support of local nonprofit and community organizations, we believe that even the busiest, most disinterested young person can take a few minutes to turn their attention towards the bigger picture, learn about the democratic system, and equip themselves with the tools and knowledge necessary for effective, genuine engagement.
In order to help facilitate this learning process, we’ve created an Election Readiness Toolkit. There are three tools in the toolkit: a manual, a game, and a video.
We are sharing the Election Readiness Toolkit with nonprofit and community organizations across Alberta so you can pass it on to youth you are already connected with.
How can your nonprofit get involved?
STEP 1: Download the manual if your organization offers programing or volunteer opportunities for youth (16-30). The Election Readiness Toolkit includes a manual that we developed to help organizations support youth engagement when an election is called. In it, you’ll find community engagement tips, case studies, academic findings, and more.
STEP 2: Play the game! You can share the game with the youth you connect with in workshops or online through social media and newsletters. We’ve created a Day in the Life Quiz (very Buzzfeed of us) that highlights the connection between everyday life and government. Understanding how each level of government affects day-to-day life is essential to inspiring engagement and defeating apathy.
STEP 3: Watch the short video and share it. This accessible video helps build the bridge between youth, their government, and the issues they care about. We explain how the voting process works in Alberta and how policy is relevant to youth and their communities. You can play the video during a workshop or share it online.
For more information and to check out the Election Readiness Toolkit, click here.
Remember: building a stronger democracy benefits everyone! With your support, we are working to engage youth across the province of Alberta. Nonprofit organizations are a powerful influence – let’s make sure we take this chance to impact the next generation!
Sophie Babinski
Apathy is Boring