If your community matters to you, your school board matters. We Vote.

We Vote The unique focus of our local League A nonpartisan, collaborative effort to increase awareness of, information about, and participation in the Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education election.

Our vote… Personal tool Collective voice for action for communities Our schools… Centerpiece of neighborhoods Catalysts for success in our community

Our challenge… In some Grand Rapids neighborhoods, less than 15 percent of community members voted in the last Board of Education election. Our school board matters. We Vote. Our community matters.

We Vote A neighborhood-based voting initiative 2008 Pilot Year Three neighborhoods About 2500 households Average participation rate of 7.9 percent (2004)

First ward Buchanan Elementary 4.56% participation 2004 election

Second ward Coit Creative Elementary 6.33% participation 2004 election

Third ward Alexander Elementary 12.81% participation 2004 election

Our partners Dyer-Ives Foundation Nokomis Foundation Grand Rapids Public Schools Community Research Institute Grand Rapids Community Media Center Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Girl Scouts of Michigan Trails Hispanic Center of Western Michigan

What you can do Create and distribute We Vote yard signs Create and distribute informational materials Coordinate election day parties Create and distribute Voter Guide Plan and coordinate Candidate Forum Support Election Day activities within neighborhoods (e.g., poll worker, door-to-doors)

Our school board matters. We Vote. Get involved now! www.WeVoteGR.org