National conference on civic engagement...opportunity to volunteer!

The national news can be pretty discouraging these days. It makes many of us wonder what the future of our democracy will be, and what we can do about it. This month, our University of Maryland community has an incredible opportunity to learn how we can get involved and take action.

The annual meeting of the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC) will be held on campus this year on October 29th and 30th in collaboration with the School of Public Policy. This year's conference, one year out from the 2020 elections and a few months away from the 2020 Census, is entitled "Bright Spots: Local Leaders Inspiring Hope in America." This gathering will provide a unique opportunity for a national network of scholars, practitioners, and student leaders to share ideas and best practices for civic renewal while stimulating dialogue on how to better prepare and engage citizens of all ages to participate in our democracy.

The School of Public Policy is recruiting student volunteers to help ensure the overall successful and smooth implementation of the conference. They have asked for help with this from the wider student body, and we're hoping to have some performing arts students in the mix. Roles and responsibilities of student volunteers will generally include: ushering, directing and greeting guests, note taking, etc. Student volunteers will enjoy free admission to the conference and, more importantly, be able to witness and participate in the critical dialogues that are shaping the way our country protects and reinforces its democratic processes.

For students interested in networking with nationally recognized experts in the field of democracy-building and civic engagement, or who have a general interest in themes of civic education, arts citizenship, fighting disinformation, and voter registration and participation, among others, then this is a volunteer opportunity you cannot pass up. The conference will provide a great mix of local and national leaders including: former U.S Secretary of Education John King; Desmond Meade, who was instrumental in restoring voting rights to Floridians with previous felony convictions; former mayor and U.S. Senate candidate Andrew Gillum, who will be presenting this year's NCoC’s Citizen of the Year award;  Maryland Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins, who is also a senior member of the team at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights; along with Maryland students and scholars and numerous artists and performers.

The deadline to sign up is Monday, October 21st at 12:00pm, or whenever we get a sufficient number. Preference will be given to students who are able to commit to at least two volunteer time slots.

Because this is a national conference, student volunteers will be required to uphold a high level of professionalism. As such, professional attire will be required.

You can find access the full conference agenda and more detailed information here: https://ncoc.org/2019-annual-conference/

Sign up to volunteer here:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1HDoO10A2Ul74ogDHqo5HD_VJCSNbAJ9baGVjCIcS2t8/edit   

If you have any questions about the sign-up process, please contact Makee Cross at mcross09@umd.edu.  For any questions about the conference overall, please contact Paul Brown at pbrown15@umd.edu.  Thanks!