LOCAL PROGRAMMING

�Internship in Democracy Program� has been conducted in both Middletown High Schools North & South from 2004-2008. In 2008-2009 it was only held at Middletown High School North where teacher, Barbara Guenther and the administration continued to work closely with our LWV-GRBA volunteer coordinators, Barbara Chaudhery and Peg Rizzo.

In 2005-2006 the LWV-GRBA received the National League of Women Voters� commendation and a Middletown Board of Education commendation for participating in the program.

Their curriculums included:
- learning about Empowerment Civics (program developed by Common Cause and endorsed by the League) � introducing them to the four power centers of local politics where citizens have the greatest opportunity for influencing government.
- doing research, then writing a paper that will advocate their position on the controversial issue they researched and also writing a letter to a government official who has influence on the issue.
- series of guest speakers from various levels of government who will share information related to their tasks.
- conducting voter registration drive at their school in March.

Get Out the VOTE is a project started with one local high school in 2004 (=254 graduating seniors). Thanks to annual outside financial support in 2008 we reached 2901 graduating students from 10 high schools, but in 2009 we only were able to reach 2480 graduating students from 9 high schools.

It is our desire to annualyy reach students from Keyport, Long Branch, Middletown North, Middletown South, Monmouth Regional, Raritan, Red Bank Catholic, Red Bank Regional, Rumson-Fair Haven Regional, and Shore Regional High Schools.

Continuation and expansion is based on annual donations from outside sources!

LWV-GRBA annually works directly with school administrators and provides all their graduating seniors with a packet that includes: a congratulatory letter that reminds of the importance of voting, contact information regarding: re-registering if have moved, upcoming election dates, registration deadlines, absentee ballot application forms and voters rights info.

We are pleased to receive this type of endorsement:
On behalf of Monmouth Regional High School, I would like to thank you for providing our graduating class of 2008 with the letter of important election information and encouragement to vote. The importance of voting can never be stressed enough. Thank you again for all your hard work.
Sincerely, Andrew F. Teeple, Principal.

If you wish more information about supporting this project or want your H.S. included next year please contact Barbara Goldstein [email protected]

Running & Winning Workshop was first held May 4, 2007 and again on May 2, 2008 and May 1, 2009 at Monmouth Regional High School, Tinton Falls and will be done again on April 30, 2010.

Sixty young women from 12 different Monmouth County high schools arrive early in the morning, have breakfast, are divided into small groups and with the help of trained facilitators, take part in the interviewing of 15 New Jersey women in government. They then participate in a campaign exercise in which they take the roles of candidate, publicity chair, speech writer, or campaign manager.

Using materials provided to them stating the pros and cons of a non-partisan issue* each group takes a position; speeches & slogans are written, and posters promoting their position drawn. Following lunch each group makes wonderful presentations before the entire gathering. (*�No Child Left Behind Law�, which was coming up for reauthorization, was used in 2007. "Teenagers and Internet Access" was used in 2008. "Legal & Illegal Immigration" was used in 2009.)

The excitement and enthusiasm expressed by everyone there truly confirmed the workshop�s success.

This event met our goal of exciting high school young women about politics and encouraging them to become involved citizens as evidenced by the evaluations in which almost all or the young women indicated �that this experience encouraged them to consider a leadership role or running for office�!

This is a great joint volunteer effort sponsored by the League of Women Voters-Greater Red Bank Area, Red Bank Chapter of Hadassah, the American Association of University Women- Northern Monmouth County Branch, the Junior League of Monmouth County, and the Monmouth County Regional Chapter of the Women's Political Caucus.

Thanks to Monmouth Regional High School, for providing the facilities and personnel to take pictures; the participating women in government; and other businesses and individuals whose contributions (covering breakfast, lunch and materials) enable us to provide this program free of charge to the students.

For more information about tax-deductible contributions to LWV-GRBA Ed Fund or becoming part of the planning committee contact Barbara Goldstein, 732-747-0824, [email protected]

�Observer Corps� is a project our League hopes to expand this year. Members in each town are requested to attend meetings of their local governmental groups as observers for the League. It is a great way to learn more about what is going on locally and for us to follow up on areas that are of League concern. We all need to show greater concern about Open Government and this is a good way to do so! Those interested should contact Nonnie Godvin, [email protected] for copy of instructions and more information.

Voter Registration We provide volunteers to conduct voter registration drives at the Monmouth Mall, at Back to School nights, for students in high schools and at other locations on request. Contact Zena Gurman for more information.

Moderating Debates We provide trained moderators for candidates meetings and appropriate guidelines for their arrangements.
For more information contact M E Brennan, [email protected].

In addition: