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The 2022 Membership Cycle began during recruitment in the Fall of 2021. Returning members and organizers talked with parents, students, and teachers about our membership cycle from September through December. They were then tasked with recruiting new members for the 2022 year.
In January, we kicked things off with our orientation process; both new and returning members were required to complete 80% of the political education workshops and sessions led by the organizing staff. The education focused on analyzing societal systems and their effects on each of our lives.
After completing Orientation 2022, our young folks became members at our annual Membership Signing Day. We had a beautiful celebration at Little Haiti Cultural Center; parents, teachers, and supporters alike came to welcome new and returning members.
We know that if we are going to grow strong organizations, we will need many leaders to take on the important and often “invisible” organizing work. Continuing in the annual selection process for committee co-chairs, members of each committee elected whom they wanted as their representatives. We asked the Co-Chair Elects why they pursued the role and what they hoped to accomplish. Over the rest of the year, these young folks will develop communication and leadership skills to help push their committee’s campaign.
March marked the beginning of the annual Listening Campaign. During this time, our members focused on building relationships with community members. We went door to door in the surrounding areas speaking to residents and inviting folks into our work. We hosted a Community Townhall where those we met while canvassing could come in and talk with our staff and members further.
On May 20th we released the 3rd Power U collaborative zine dubbed “Principles of Unity”. We had the most contributors we’ve ever had with over twelve submissions from organizations and individuals alike. During the event, we invited those who contributed specifically to local organizations to attend and share more about their work. Engage Miami, Miami LGBTQ Youth, Black Men Build & Miami NAACP were in attendance and helped us fill the house. We are so thankful to those who helped to make this possible or came to support us. Read more about our zine at www.poweru.org/zine.
Overall, testifying was a rocky experience since this was my first time attending a school board meeting. I was advocating for more mental health support/resources in our schools! It is my hope that the school board members listen to our requests and further consider what is truly best for MDCPS students!
Being at the school board meeting has been a unique experience. Although it was really annoying to witness and receive the disrespect shown to public speakers, the feeling you get afterward makes up for it. Whether the school board cares or not doesn’t define the presence and impact we all had that day. It’s important to take action and show the very same people we’re fighting for, that we’re there. If we don’t show up to talk about these neglected issues in our communities and school, who will?
It was good I was testifying about youth representation and youth democracy, and problems with students. The next step we’re hoping for is that they listen to us; we need the school board to listen to us, young people. I hope they decide to meet & discuss more with us.