ORGANIZE ON YOUR CAMPUS FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE REFORM
Democracy Matters (DM) offers internships to students throughout the U.S. to organize on their own campuses. Since 2021, Democracy Matters interns on more than 800 college campuses have created and led non-partisan campus clubs that protect and strengthen our democracy. Specifically, club members and others inform and register voters, get them to the polls, and actively advocate for deep reforms in voting rights (to ensure that every citizen can vote), and in money in politics (to curb the dominant power of big money in out elections).
Importantly, DM clubs link these “democracy” issues with every other issue students care about - from climate change, inequality, the rising cost of college, international crises, and mass incarceration, to civil, women's, and LGBTQ rights and more. Nothing is more important than creating a democracy where elected representatives listen to us, all the people, in crafting the laws and policies that shape our lives. We want to create a just and inclusive democracy that is truly of, by, and for ALL the people.
Democracy Matters mentors interns throughout the academic year, working with them to build strong clubs. We provide experienced staff for each intern to work with, DM materials like banners, buttons and flyers, on-line training and information, a monthly ENEWS, and a national conference once a year. Interns have the opportunity to meet and talk with others on campuses throughout the U.S. And clubs are given the freedom to shape their own unique programs on campus. In addition, interns have the opportunity to network nationally with organizations and individuals dedicated to social justice activism.
DM clubs have used a diverse set of tactics to educate and mobilize students on their campuses - discussions, interactive forums, and expert lectures, rallies and inventive social media campaigns, poetry slams and film screenings, “potty politics” flyers and posters, and other creative campus action campaigns. Clubs have lobbied their local, state, and Congressional representatives with petitions, phone calls, social media, and personal visits. Many clubs have built campus coalitions, collaborating with other clubs in programming and outreach, while others have reached out to the wider community, giving talks in high schools and forming coalitions with community members to promote social change. There are many ways to promote activism and social change, and each club creates programs that best fit its interests and its campus.
Democracy Matters is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of reform leaders, giving them the skills and experience to effectively participate in a wide variety of social justice issues and progressive social change in the future.
