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HISTORY
On a fishing trip to Costa Rica, three Arizona
businessmen discovered the country had a voter turnout rate of about 90 percent
that was attributed to a tradition of children accompanying their parents to the
polls. The three men were intrigued by the idea and in 1988 launched a pilot
project in Mesa, Arizona. In 1992, the program went nationwide as Kids Voting
USA - a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that engages students and families
in voting and other civic activities. The program is unique because it combines
dynamic classroom civic lessons with an authentic voting experience that
replicates the adult ballot.
Kids Voting North Carolina Cumberland County (KVNCCC) is
an affiliate of Kids Voting USA. Cumberland County launched their pilot project
in 1998 and has been operating under the direction of board members and
volunteers. The program's participation by schools, teachers, students and
parents has increased over the years. As of July 2004, the program hired their
first paid, full-time staff member; an Executive Director.
MISSION
KVNCCC is a local nonprofit, nonpartisan organization
that fosters an informed, participating electorate by educating and actively
engaging students and their families in voting and other elements of effective
civic engagement.
WHAT KVNCCC DOES
KVNCCC provides state approved civics curriculum,
Civics Alive!, to all Cumberland County schools, grades K-12: public,
private, parochial, charter, military and home-based. Civics Alive!
offers comprehensive K-12 activities that are easy for teachers to adapt to best
fit their needs and it makes learning about civics relevant to students.
The program is unique because it offers students an
opportunity to cast a ballot that replicates the adult ballot with a full slate
of candidates and issues. (Older students vote on the entire ballot, younger
students vote on races and issues that are appropriate to their grade level.)
PURPOSE
Through classroom civics activities and a "real-life"
voting experience, students gain the knowledge, skills and confidence necessary
to be active participants in our representative democracy.
The idea is that students who learn these skills during
their early school years will reach adulthood with a greater appreciation for
the responsibilities of citizens. And with the abilities to identify the issues,
gather information to reach solutions, to think critically about the
consequences of various actions and to work together with others to do what is
best for all.
SCOPE
KVNCCC reaches over 50,000 Cumberland County students
in public, private, parochial, military and home-based schools in grades K-!2.
Every Election Day, an estimate of 600 community volunteers donate their time at
60 official Cumberland County Precinct locations and participating school voting
sites.
OPERATIONS
KVNCCC relies on cash donations, in-kind contributions
and fund-raising from local corporations, foundations, and individuals for
operating and material/curriculum expenses. With over 50,000 students in
Cumberland County public, private, parochial, charter, military and home-based
schools, our largest challenge each year is funding the program operations. The
program costs an average of $1.50 per student.
Community volunteers are always need to help staff over 60
precinct locations every Election Day, as well as with activities throughout the
year.
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