A Time to Serve!

Happy Service Year 2019!

It’s not by chance the first post is published as many elected officials are being sworn into office. Congratulations to all that have accepted the call to serve. Some memorable pledges, promises and swearing-ins of my life: 

The first time I took the AmeriCorps Pledge, seeing my daughters recite their Girl Scouts Promise and Law and witnessing the historic swearing in of President Barack Obama.  

There are many new elected officials in 2019 and therefore a need for new people to support their efforts in the community. Let’s take the time to visit their websites, see what committees they sit on and really get involved with what’s happening now. Click here for Local, State and Federal elected contacts. Submit your email and subscribe to their newsletters. This will help you to be in the know.

Continue reading to learn ways to be civically engaged in January. (This list is mostly specific to NYC.  Check it out for ideas.)

Attend Forums -The Vanguard Independent Democratic Association, VIDA will host a Public Advocate Forum on January 31. Click here for more info.  Note that forums may be geared to specific interest groups. ie. Women, Democrats, Republicans, etc.

Be Inspired -See a movie on the career of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, On the Basis of Sex. 

Canvass for candidates- AmplifyHer is seeking canvassers in each borough of NYC.

Celebrate MLK Day as a DAY ON! You're welcome to join me in Brooklyn at Repair The World's Action in a Time of Injustice Shabbat Dinner on Friday, January 18, An MLK Supper at RAPHA  Sunday, January 20th or service at various locations, Monday, January 21st. Many other projects are available and happening across the country click here. 

Intentionally follow the Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles) or your own values. Yours
 truly did a write up about the 52nd Annual Event in Brooklyn attended by the creator of Kwanzaa, Dr. Maulana Karenga. He was passionate about the community studying and knowing who they are. It was published in Our Time Press. Check it out!

Join a professional org in your community. The Oceanhill Brownsville Coalition of Young Professionals will host a planning meeting January 12 at 12noon. 

Listen to podcasts like Sunday Civics by Political Strategist L. Joy Williams. She also happens to be the President of the Brooklyn, NAACP. Meetings are held 4^th Wednesdays at Restoration Plaza in Brooklyn.

Sign- To get the public advocate candidate you'd like on the ballot prior to the deadline. Each candidate needs 3,750 signitures. This way you’ll actually be able to vote for that person during the Special Election on February 26. So if out and about and asked to do so, sign for them. Remember though you can only sign for (1) candidate.

Participate- There will be a Women’s March in Washington D.C. and NYC January 19^th.  Women also participated in the historic Million Man March so men can go support as well.

Purchase- For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics. View the authors on The View.

Have you checked out all the links? Just as our elected officials are being sworn in to serve, let’s pledge to support the work and secure the future we want for our children’s children.

Promise? Peace.