Urban Go-Team 2014

Adventures in Elections & Voting

June 2, 2014
by Allison
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Day 1 Wrap-Up: Board of Elections Visit, Downtown Street Polling, and more

Hi Go-Team!

Thanks for a fantastic first day. We covered a lot of ground (literally and figuratively) today. Here are a few questions to get you thinking about today; please take 15 minutes or so to record your reactions.

Here are a few questions to get you started. Feel free to pick and choose what you answer (try to do 5 or so at least), and to pose/answer questions not outlined here:

 

Reflection on Activities

Was polling an enjoyable thing to do?

From the polling, did you get any “snapshots” of how people feel about public issues?

From your experience at the St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners, do you feel confident that elections in the City of St. Louis are honest and well-organized? What made you feel best about elections in St. Louis and what made you feel worse?

 

Questions from Election 101 Quiz

Can you think of 3-5 reasons people would want to vote? What about 3-5 reason that people do not vote?

Campaign spending has gone up quite of bit within the past 10 years. Why do you think that is? Where do you think that money goes?

Can you think of 3-5 ways a candidate might try to get people to a.) come out and vote, then b.) vote for him or her over the other candidate(s)?

 

General Wrap-Up

What did you know about today’s activity prior to today’s experience?

What did you learn today?

What was the best part of today?

What was the worst part of today?

 

 

June 2, 2014
by Abby
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Get to Know Your Go Team: Abby

  1. What are some of your expectations for the week? I expect this week to help me gain insights into the political process and how people vote/ how they make decisions. 
  2. What is the biggest question you have about voting, elections, and campaigns? How many people does it take to run a campaign. 
  3. Why did you decide to join Go-Team (this is where your admissions essay would come in handy) I’m going to study politics next year at college and am interested in getting a first hand look at how the election process works. 
  4. How’d you hear about Civitas? High School, and I’ve been affiliated for four years. 
  5. Have you ever done Go-Team before? If so, what was your experience? NO 
  6. A fun fact about yourself/anything else you’d want to include I’m attending American University this year. 

June 2, 2014
by Maddie
1 Comment

Get to Know Your Go Team: Maddie

What are some of your expectations for the week

  • I hope to learn “the behind the scenes”  work to the entire election/voting process
  • I want to learn about the basics of campaigning and how ads work

What is the biggest question you have about voting, elections, and campaigns?

  • Is the election process truly “corrupted” (e.g. based solely on money, power, influence)?

Why did you decide to join Go-Team

  • I wanted to take part in this year’s Urban Go Team because I love that as Americans we have the freedom to take part in OUR government; however, I am disgusted by the way money and slander are thrown around throughout politics.  Today, the American political process often times revolves around shallow topics and events.  I think we have a duty to educate ourselves on REAL issues.  I hope that this week shines a light on the GOOD things about elections and the voting process.

How’d you hear about Civitas?

  • I first heard about Civitas my freshman year from my history teacher.  I attended the spring conference that year, and I have remained involved ever since!

Have you ever done Go-Team before? If so, what was your experience?

  • This is my second time attending Urban Go Team, and I CANNOT wait for another amazing week!  Previously, this week was full of intriguing discussions, shocking awarenesses, and new friendships.  I learned so much information about polling from wonderful speakers, and I really enjoyed making my own video with other students!  This was my second Civitas event and since then I have attended more that 10 conferences/discussions/etc.

A fun fact about yourself/anything else you’d want to include

  • I only set my alarm clock to odd numbers because I feel that our society favors even numbers
  • SO PUMPED FOR URBAN GO TEAM 2014!!!!

June 2, 2014
by Rossella
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Get to Know Your Team: Rossella

  1. What are some of your expectations for the week?
  • I expect to learn the inner workings of the Missouri political system in a way one can’t from a textbook in school.
  1. What is the biggest question you have about voting, elections, and campaigns?
  • The biggest question I have is how each individual citizen’s vote impacts elections on all levels of the government.
  1. Why did you decide to join Go-Team (this is where your admissions essay would come in handy)
  • I decided to join Go-Team because I thought it was a great opportunity to better my understanding of the political scene as I decide what I’ll be doing career-wise in the future.
  1. How’d you hear about Civitas?
  • My history teacher, Mrs. Garvin, told us about a few events freshmen year and since then I’ve attended many wonderful Model UN sessions with Civitas.
  1. Have you ever done Go-Team before? If so, what was your experience?
  • I have not attended before, but I’ve heard wonderful things!
  1. A fun fact about yourself/anything else you’d want to include
  • I’m most looking forward to making our own campaign videos; I can’t wait!

June 1, 2014
by Emma
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Get To Know Your Go-Team: Emma

What are some of your expectations for the week?
I expect to learn a lot about the voting and election process, which the results you hear so much about but people not really know all the ins and outs of. I really do not know what is install though.
What is the biggest question you have about voting, elections, and campaigns?
How? Why? What? Where? (The Basics)
Why did you decide to join Go-Team
I thought it would be a fun summer experience and will come in hand for future classes and when I have  my chance to vote.
How’d you hear about Civitas?
I heard about it through Nerinx’s Model UN club and my sister, Abby.
Have you ever done Go-Team before? If so, what was your experience?
I have not.
A fun fact about yourself/anything else you’d want to include
I don’t have much to say about myself, so just wait and see.

June 1, 2014
by Kate
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Get to Know Your Go Team: Kate

  1. What are some of your expectations for the week?
  • From this week, I hope to be able to learn about both the local, state -wide, and national political system through interesting hands-on experiences all while meeting new people.
  1. What is the biggest question you have about voting, elections, and campaigns?
  • I watch a lot of political dramas on TV so I am interested to see how realistic it all is.
  1. Why did you decide to join Go-Team (this is where your admissions essay would come in handy)
  • I heard a few of my friends were thinking about applying and after reading the description of the week I thought it would be something that I would really enjoy. I have been intrigued by politics for the past few years and have started to get really in to it, so I thought Go-Team would be a great chance to further my knowledge on politics especially what goes on here in Saint Louis.
  1. How’d you hear about Civitas?
  • Through the active citizenship club at my school
  1. Have you ever done Go-Team before? If so, what was your experience?
  • This will be my first time with Go-Team.
  1. A fun fact about yourself/anything else you’d want to include
  • Fun fact: I am learning to speak Chinese!

June 1, 2014
by Bobbi
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Get to Know Your Go Team: Bobbi

  1. What are some of your expectations for the week?
    I expect to have a lot of fun, to listen to a number of interesting people, and to watch some political ads. (I’ve actually watched most of the political ads at this point, but I’m very curious to see what observations students make about them.)
  2. What is the biggest question you have about voting, elections, and campaigns?
    My biggest question is why does Missouri specifically have such low voter turnout? While doing research for a handout (You’ll see it Monday!) I discovered that Missouri ranked 18th for voter turnout. I guess it’s better than being 50th, but it still seems disappointing to me. Is it because our state makes voting difficult? Are people not registered? Do we just have lackluster candidates? I dunno.
  3. Why did you decide to join Go-Team (this is where your admissions essay would come in handy)
    I work for Civitas, so I didn’t really have to apply to join in the fun. But I had the honor of being in the first Civitas Go-Team, way back in 2002. It was called the Maplewood Project then and was focused on 1 specific issue. (A Walmart being built in Maplewood.) The program has really changed, but it remains of the most interesting things I do all year. It’s always fun to explore local issues instead of just Model United Nations things.
  4. How’d you hear about Civitas?
    I did Civitas Model United Nations in 8th grade. (An amazing teacher steered me towards the program.) I loved it and have just never left.
  5. Have you ever done Go-Team before? If so, what was your experience?
    Yup. I’ve gotten to assist and be in 7-8 Go-Teams. Each one has been enlightening and more importantly, fun. We’ve done scavenger hunts downtown, street polling, video making, lunch with politicians, factory tours, all sorts of awesome experiences.
  6. A fun fact about yourself/anything else you’d want to include
    A fun fact? I once gave Bob Dole my phone number. If that’s not fun enough, then I have a massive Lego collection. It’s actually dominating my living room right now.

June 1, 2014
by Carol
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Get to Know Your Go Team: Carol

1. What are some of your expectations for the week?

I would like to learn more about what candidates do during/after the election processes, and  what roles they hope to strive for in their careers. I’m really looking forward to talking with and interviewing the panel of elected officials to hear about their stories about how they got to where they are, and where they hope to one day end up/ what kind of big political ambitions they have.

2.What is the biggest question you have about voting, elections, and campaigns?

What changes are the elected officials allowed to influence, and what do they see as their role in the government- who do they talk to, where do their spheres of influence reach?

3. Why did you decide to join Go-Team?

I’m really interested in learning about governmental affairs, and learning about and talking to campaign and elected officials may really be able to enhance my understanding about how new ideas, laws and people are introduced to the people. I’d like to explore the relationship between a government and it’s people a bit further especially how they interact in terms of elections and policy making.
4. How’d you hear about Civitas?

My AP World teacher mentioned Civitas to our class (January-February 2014), and it caught my interest because there’s really nothing like it (at least that I’ve ever heard of before). I attended one of the lectures they held at my school concerning women’s rights in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East and the stance Civitas takes on social issues in a very informative yet relaxed and innovative way that makes me think- and that’s why I am so intrigued by it- very out of the box.
5.Have you ever done Go-Team before?

Nope.
6.  Fun fact about yourself?

I am in martial arts.

 

May 31, 2014
by Katherine
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Get to Know Your Go Team: Katherine

What are some of your expectations for the week?

I expect to have a great time while learning as much as can about the local political system.

What is the biggest question you have about voting, elections, and campaigns?

What are the qualifications to run for office?

Why did you decide to join Go-Team (this is where your admissions essay would come in handy)

I have always been interested in politics, and I wanted to learn more about it, especially in our own city. I thought this opportunity sounded fun and exciting. I can’t wait for it to start!

How’d you hear about Civitas?

I learned about it in 2012 when I joined the Model UN Club at Nerinx Hall High School.

Have you ever done Go-Team before? If so, what was your experience?

I have never done Go-Team before.

A fun fact about yourself/anything else you’d want to include

I have an identical twin and love planning events! 🙂

May 30, 2014
by Amanda
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Getting To Know Your Go-Team: Amanda

1. What are some of my expectations for the week?

Well, being totally new to Civitas (St. Louis, even) this year, I can’t really know much of what to expect. I do expect to have a great time. I’m also excited to learn what different voters think of voting. I mean, do that many people really think it over? Do they vote based on political party? I’d like to get to know the different steps to becoming a good political candidate since that process is a very interesting topic.

2. What is the biggest question I have about voting, elections, and campaigns?

Does it take a lot of pre-planning to run a campaign? (I.e. do you have to start planning a year or so in advance?)

3. Why did I decide to join Go-Team?

I decided to join Go-Team because I don’t like to waste my summers, and Go-Team seemed more exciting than sitting at home and watching TV all day.

4. How did I hear about Civitas?

I heard about Civitas from my dad who invited me to a Civitas lunch. Upon hearing about free food, I agreed to come and check it out. After that, I just liked it, so I kept coming.

5. Have I ever done Go-Team before?

No, I, sadly, have not done Go-Team before. I just started coming to Civitas at the end of last summer.

6. A fun fact about myself or anything else I’d want to include.

I’m a programmer in my spare time, and I enjoy coding designs in HTML.