After months of work, countless hours (we did try to count), and 35 megabytes of emails, Hancock County finally met the candidates. We had a decent turnout and were able to help undecided voters decide who they wanted to cast their vote for. At the end of the day however, turnout was not my main concern. The odds were stacked against us but we wanted to do everything we could to get people to come. This is the first time such an event has been held here, advertising was done nearly entirely by Alex and myself, oh and there was a Pacers game too. Over the course of the last month we have walked neighborhoods, ran ads and made an event on facebook, ran an ad in a local newspaper, placed yard signs, placed posters, and handed out fliers. In my opinion, we have done everything that we as two high school seniors that both have extremely busy (oftentimes conflicting) schedules could do in the pursuit of promoting this event. Because of this, I am happy with the outcome. I am even happier with the amount of experience that I have gained for both my organizing a networking skills. Perhaps most surprisingly, we had multiple candidates come to us and say that this was by far the best organized event that they have gone to all year. This gives me hope that the name Hancock County Meets the Candidates can come to mean something over the coming years. That it is an event, organized by students for their community, in a highly organized, professional, and courteous manner. An event that candidates and constituents alike look forward to. I don't believe that such a goal is too far fetched to ask for. Although I am skeptical of the likelihood that another pair or group of students will come along that are just as interested in community engagement, just as willing to put countless hours into a single day, and just as organized so as to invite in excess of thirty people to come speak. That being said, I do believe that it is possible, and think that I will find myself pleasantly surprised at what the future organizers of Hancock County Meets the Candidates will have to offer. Additionally, the following is a link to a local article written about the event. http://www.greenfieldreporter.com/2018/05/01/candidates_gather_for_studentled_forum_head_of_election_day/ Me tying Alex's tie for him Taking turns speaking during our thank you/goals speech Explaining the organization of the day/speaking schedule to candidates (twenty+ not pictured) Checking the schedule to see how behind schedule we were (we were ahead by ten minutes)
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Over the past month we are nearing the completion of the organizing stage of this project. We currently have twenty-five candidate that have formalized their RSVPs and only several that either cannot attend or that we have not received an answer from at this time. We have attempted to reach incumbent candidates through the House Republican Campaign Committee but we have been unable to reach those candidates for state representative at this time.
Alex and I met with Dr. Lantrip, superintendent, and Mr. Anderson, Director of Communications of Southern Hancock Schools. During this meeting we updated them on how planning was going and discussed security payments and advertisement. So far the school corporation has done a good job at helping us advertise (see "Wednesdays With Wes on the CSCSHC Facebook page) and is working on a press release to be sent out over the next two weeks. We are very thankful for the support of the corporation and believe that with the additional advertisement from them that we will be able to have the kind of community attendance that we would like. Next week, we will be finalizing a schedule for the day to be sent out to the candidates. Additionally, this schedule will be made for the public. Attached is a list of all the candidates that have made a formal RSVP. |
Ethan
When I'm not hitting percussion equipment with other percussion equipment or sending a college application or doing homework or taking a moment to catch my breath or this or that... Archives
May 2018
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