Civic Circle: August 2021

 Updates

The Virginia Progressive Leadership Project (VAPLP) has completed its training of the 7th cohort, the first-time-ever all virtual cohort. Over 72 hours of online training, 17 members of Cohort 7 have graduated from the program, and are now part of over 100+ alumni. 

Congratulations: 

• Tyler Begley
• Cameron Bertrand
• Chlo’e Ewards 
• Dionna Gibson
• Wyatt Gordon 
• Justina Burton
• Maha Hilal
• Dominique Martin 
• Sabrina Mattin
• Christine Melendez
• Kendra Norrell 
• Theresa Quitto-Dickerson 
• Oveta Scott
• Wind Viento 
• Latoya Wilson
• Katie Zhang

VAPLP is now accepting new applications for Cohort 8 in 2022. The program is planned to be in-person next year. Learn more about the program here. 

Click here to apply. 

Redistricting

Our work around redistricting is ramping up quickly. The Census data will be delivered for the Redistricting Commission to use on August 16th. This delivery will start the commission’s 45-day window to draw the first set of maps for Virginia’s state legislature. The commission will have the first drafts done by September 20th and then will solicit feedback from the public from September 20th-25th.

We want you to be involved so you can advocate for your community! Here’s how:

• Sign up to attend a map tutorial so you know how to draw your district: mapva.us/accountability 
• Sign up to speak at the hearings on behalf of your community:  mapva.us/hearings-signup
• Questions? Email our Redistricting Manager at Erin@engageva.org

AAJC 2021 Fall Youth Leadership Summit

Calling all student leaders who want to elevate Asian American and Pacific Islander issues! The Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) has announced that they are now accepting applications for their Fall 2021 Youth Leadership Summit!  The 9th annual Youth Leadership Summit will take place VIRTUALLY from Monday, October 18 to Friday, October 22. The deadline to apply is August 27th. Click here to learn more about the program and how to apply. 

 News

Special Session

“On Monday, the Virginia General Assembly convened inside the State Capitol for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic forced them out nearly a year and a half ago. It’s not clear how long the special session will last but lawmakers are currently planning to wrap up within two weeks. During that time, legislators will fill vacancies on the recently expanded Virginia Court of Appeals and decide how to spend $4.3 billion in federal coronavirus relief funding from the American Rescue Plan Act.” (WRIC) READ MORE. 

Eviction Protection & Utility Relief

“A key protection against evictions would be restored and a new round of funding would flow to utilities to cover unpaid customer bills under legislation advancing through the [Special Session] Virginia General Assembly.” (AP) READ MORE.

COVID-19 Vaccine Discussion 

On Wednesday, “Dr. Anthony Fauci joined Virginia Governor Ralph Northam and other Virginia health leaders Tuesday night to discuss the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine, and what challenges may lie ahead in the fight against the virus.” (WRIC) READ MORE. 

Upcoming Events

Lobbying 101 Training

August 9 – Join Center for Common Ground for introductory training on how to sharpen your advocacy skills and become an effective citizen lobbyist! Sign up here.

These sessions will teach you the skills needed to feel comfortable lobbying your local, state, and federal representatives. During this training, you will learn that lobbying is both an art and science with the following goals:

• Turning No into Maybe
• Turning Maybe into Yes
• Turning Yes into Let me Help you Build Support