We raised $755 for our Q3 2024 Charity of the Quarter, Be The Ones! Be The Ones is a nonpartisan grassroots organization working to promote greater political participation throughout the southeast. At the beginning of the quarter Cate Mayer from Be The Ones facilitated a voter registration for our July member gathering. We learned that South Carolina has relatively high levels of voter registration, but abysmal voter participation. Be The Ones is working to change that, and SHL is raising money to support those efforts.
“Together, we can be the ones to shape the communities and democracy we want to be a part of.”
State and local elected officials and governments shape our lives. They make decisions impacting everything from kids’ education, closing the racial wealth gap, expanding healthcare, and voter access. And yet, 80% of eligible registered voters do not vote in local elections, and over the last 20 years there has been a significant decline in attendance at local civic meetings. Many people cite not knowing the roles of local officials as a reason they do not participate.
Civic participation is an essential component of a healthy democracy and well-functioning society. But, it’s hard to participate if you don’t know when elections are, what elected leaders’ jobs are and how their decisions impact issues you care about. How can you advocate for better outcomes if you don’t know how systems work? It’s impossible to run for office if you don’t know what you’re running for.
Our current political and social structures are designed to include, privilege, and prioritize the power of certain groups which results in inequitable representation and policies that disadvantage and harm. Be The Ones works to identify and close local civic information and participation gaps. Their programs aim to inform, connect, and activate so that everyone can participate. They believe that every person deserves access to information and opportunities, and their programs are specifically designed to expand power among communities that have systemically been excluded.
Through year-round nonpartisan voter education & mobilization, leadership development, advocacy events, and collaboration with allied organizations, Be The Ones creates opportunities for meaningful local civic participation.