The Short Version: In terms of providing people together, very few companies do it a lot better than HeadCount. The nonprofit’s purpose is to try using the love of music as a car to market participation in democracy. Since 2004, HeadCount provides authorized above 500,000 voters through the system of 20,000 volunteers throughout the United States. By partnering with musicians, concert promoters, and volunteers, HeadCount is actually inspiring people to get involved with civics and causes revolving around social justice. If you’re searching to switch the whole world and meet fellow music aficionados and activists in the act, volunteering with HeadCount might be an effective way to go.

Share

Voting is actually a sacred in america and the answer to the emergency of every healthy democracy. Throughout US history, people have protested to guard and develop this correct, and more than one battle might fought over it. But, alarmingly, a third of American citizens that are entitled to vote aren’t also registered. In 1944, it was one of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s  primary issues — whilst The Second World War ravaged European countries plus the South Pacific.

“no one is ever going to rob the US folks of the legal right to vote except the US individuals on their own, in addition to only way they can do this is through perhaps not voting,” the President stated in a radio address through the light residence.

Although the figures frequently point to a broad sense of indifference in the modern-day human body politic, grassroots organizations are working to light a flame under present qualified voters to cause them to become join up. HeadCount is forward and middle in this activity.

The company utilizes a distinctive way of encourage citizens to governmental contribution. By partnering with performers, concert marketers, and countless volunteers, HeadCount looks to songs to behave as a phone call to activity.

“we are a national nonpartisan nonprofit that uses the efficacy of music to interact people who have the democracy,” stated Aaron Ghitelman, HeadCount’s Director of Communications.

In addition to plan is working. Since 2004, HeadCount has actually authorized significantly more than 500,000 voters. For the people trying to better worldwide, HeadCount’s volunteer system delivers the perfect possibility to enact modification while connecting with a community of politically-minded activists and music lovers.

With the energy of Music to bolster Society

HeadCount delivers its organizational strength to collaborate with musicians, concert promoters, nonprofits, and volunteers across the country. The corporation provides street groups of volunteers in every single major area features worked with a range of music painters, including Jay-Z, Dave Matthews, Pearl Jam, therefore the Grateful Dead. HeadCount sets up store at concerts, produces PSAs, and develops electronic news campaigns to convince people to get subscribed, get informed, and vote.

“In 2016, we held voter registration drives at over 1,500 occasions, and 67 ones were celebrations,” Aaron mentioned. “it certainly is busier during a presidential election. We presented about 600 occasions last year.”

HeadCount assists different civic-minded companies make significant contacts with increased people. The nonprofit runs engagement Row social motion villages at major festivals and tours.

“today, our company is preparing for a big tour where the audience is getting ready to grab the ACLU and WhyHunger to Lettuce Shows,” Aaron mentioned. “We carry out the organizational aspect of it and incentivize fans to take action. You can expect raffles for things such as a signed poster or electric guitar for men and women to do something.”

HeadCount can a terrific way to satisfy similar those who are passionate about songs and democracy for friendship or relationship in a, impact-making atmosphere.

“this is exactly a great way to get to know someone,” Aaron mentioned. “witnessing how someone interacts with other people will tell you loads in regards to the individual. Witnessing their spontaneity, watching their own electricity, watching their particular interest for all the music or voter registration and for town.”

Aaron told all of us HeadCount attracts individuals of high character who’re concerned about world activities and social justice. Tthose whom volunteer be a part of a community on a mission to switch the standing quo and quash apathy in terms of political participation.

“These are generally individuals who actually care about globally around all of them,” he mentioned. “they might be aware and believe you’ll find one night stand near me situations more than by themselves.”

Integrating With TurboVote keeping People Informed on Elections

HeadCount’s objective should generate voting as facile as it is possible for people, and organization features combined with TurboVote as another method for accomplish that. HeadCount today provides an online platform where voters can register with know whenever neighborhood elections tend to be going on.

“We want to make certain men and women have notifications regarding neighborhood elections,” Aaron mentioned. “It doesn’t matter how big is the race — they’re all-important.

When joined, TurboVote delivers election reminders, directs customers to voter registration info, and the capability to get absentee ballots.

Starting is simple. The web based application webpage walks users through sign-up process, requesting info such as for instance title, e-mail, and location. There is also an option to get in volunteer opportunities with HeadCount to assist register different voters at concerts.

It’s a powerful way to remain updated and be an energetic person in democracy.

Jobs Connecting individuals Build Awareness and Community

HeadCount additionally coordinates a number of tasks to create consciousness and engagement in communities around the nation. The organization helped create National Voter Registration Day, and that is recommended because of the light residence.

Over 200 musicians, comedians, and a-listers got a photo with the HeadCount “enter to Vote” clipboards and provided on their social media with a hyperlink to online voter registration types. This job has actually resulted in over 50,000 voter registrations and also the venture is still heading powerful.

Music to use it is a wildly profitable incentive campaign that provided a free of charge “Best of Bonnaroo” compilation record album in return for environment change emails to Congress. The campaign yielded over 100,000 emails, and participants liked a gratis album with exclusive songs from My personal day Jacket, Wilco, Dave Matthews Band, and Pearl Jam, to name a few. Another venture, made for Dispatch and county broadcast, was very impactful it won a Davey Award for internet activism.

HeadCount also associates because of the Capitol theatre in Port Chester, ny, when it comes down to task Capitol Community. The partners operate a number of foundation deals promoting local projects and causes chosen by musicians and artists. Profits of previous events have gone to many deserving businesses, such as Sandy Hook Promise and Museum’s summertime instructor Institute. To obtain involved, you merely spot a bid on the internet.

You can Get Involved With HeadCount

It can not be undersold that volunteers are everything to HeadCount. Aaron informed us he keeps volunteers in high esteem and admires the work they actually do when it comes down to company.

“the true impressive thing may be the people that volunteer,” the guy mentioned. “they’ve day jobs, in addition they get out and they’re hungrier doing a lot more. Its awesome becoming part of that. These people are relatives and buddies now; its a residential area.”

Volunteering for HeadCount has no need for a PhD in Political research. The business guides volunteers each step for the method.

“do not anticipate one have any sort of particular information when you come through the entranceway,” Aaron said. “We prepare you on voter registration. We prepare you on dozens of strategies. We verify we set you in a position to do well and feel safe.”

Even though it’s not the purpose of the entity in question to assist you discover your own soul mate, discover some form of simpatico HeadCount inspires within the men and women it lures. Winning relationships, whether enchanting or platonic, are built on discovering typical ground. And that is just what the majority of find in HeadCount’s society.

“In my opinion the basic level of just about any healthier commitment is provided interests. Everything show is really what you do with each other. Some of all of our a lot of productive team leaders are partners since it is much easier to make a move with someone else. In some cases, they came across before HeadCount plus some met with HeadCount.”

Just like the united states of america gets in a year when everyone else will have a way to vote for associates as well as other public officials, HeadCount is actually ramping upwards responding.

“In 2018, the audience is doubling upon whatever you would well,” Aaron mentioned. “we are registering voters and sharing details and determining just what channels and who we can mate with to amplify that information.”