The benefits of engaging with local elected officials LIZ O’NEIL, BGCBIGS RACHEL GOUIN, BGCC

Please stand up if you’ve ever communicated with an elected official to congratulate them or thank them for something they’ve done right. Question

Please stand up if you’ve ever facilitated an exchange between an elected official and the children, youth and families you serve. Question

Share examples of engaging federal, provincial, and municipal governments Ask you to think about what you can do when you get back to your Club Ask you to discuss ideas with your group, think and adapt your own plan Share salient points with the larger group In this presentation we will…

Alberta Mentoring Partnership What is the Alberta Mentoring Partnership? Provincial outreach

Supports AB’s Social policy framework Vision for AB’ social policy: In Alberta, everyone contributes to making our communities inclusive and welcoming. Everyone has opportunities to fulfill their potential and to benefit from our thriving social, economic and cultural life. The AMP supports this vision by: encouraging and supporting community collaboration in providing mentoring, so that all children and youth who need a mentor have access to one.

Reduce inequality Protect vulnerable people Create a person-centred system of high- quality services Enable collaboration and partnership More information on AMP in your registration package AMP supports 4 social policy goals

Canada Summer Jobs grant Parliament Hill event Election toolkit and key messages Federal outreach

The mayor’s wife Municipal outreach

Youth are more likely to vote if: They can make a connection between the issues they care about and the people who make decisions - Talk politics! They have met an elected official - Invite them over to the Club! Their peers are engaged - Engage young leaders at the Club! It’s also good for youth

Talk about the Club and why you care about improving the lives of young people Share examples of success Ask your elected representative or candidate to help you learn more about initiatives government is funding, or learn about progress being made Keep discussion focussed on 1-2 issues What do I talk about?

Are there events coming up at your Club? Could you invite someone to attend? Are there opportunities to invite all federal elections candidates, newly elected provincial MLAs in your riding to meet with you and Club youth, staff, families? Are there young leaders at your Club that are or could be engaged? Thinking it through

I will speak to the following three people: I will talk to them about: I’m looking for the following results: Your personal commitment

Share with your group: What will you speak to your elected officials about? What are the results your looking for? Discuss with your peers

Share one idea that got everyone at your table talking Sharing bright ideas

Share something of value to the other person that also helps you meet your own goals Increase understanding: of the unmet need or unrealized opportunity that you share the same or similar goals of options that can help address these needs or opportunities Great! Now do it again

Elections Canada is working with 60 organizations to get Canadians ready to vote. Clubs can: Display, distribute information or hold info night on how, when and ways to register and vote Hold voter registration drive on National Registration Day (September 15, 2015) An idea for the road