In a reserved room in the Union, the nine members of YouthElect organize stacks of fund-raising papers strewn across the table and toss political names like Buddy Roemer, Woody Jenkins and Cleo Fields around like old friends.
YouthElect, a student organization since spring 2002, is a nonpartisan, non-profit organization striving to involve young people in politics.
“It’s using politics to shape your community, your state, into what you want it to be,” said Executive Director Rhett Morris. “Young people have a ton of political power and more free time than other people.”
Morris teamed up with friends Bettsie Stapleton and Kyle Johnston last spring, forming YouthElect to accomplish two goals.
First, the organization aims to educate youth about the benefits of political participation; and second, it encourages youth to influence the political process by participating in government, YouthElect’s Web site states.
The group’s meeting Tuesday night focused on “Inform…Empower…Connect,” the national conference on young people and politics organized by YouthElect. The conference is scheduled for October 17 and 18.
Morris said the conference is about young people influencing politics, not professors explaining what politics means.
The conference, hosted in conjunction with the LSU Foundation and the Reilly Center, will feature speakers such as Adam Putnam, the youngest member of the Louisiana Legislature; Donna Brazile, Al Gore’s campaign manager; Mike Shehaan, the former student body president at Columbine High School; and Joyce Chen, the youngest Asian-American serving in elected office.
“There are young people in politics who have made a difference,” Morris said. “We are focusing on people who have made a tangible difference.”
The speakers will address topics that affect youth and political participation. All the panel discussions will be led by 18- to 24-year-olds who have been elected to public office.
Topics include “How to Build Your Political Credentials,” “Factors Impeding Youth Political Participation” and “Designing a Campaign for a Young Candidate.”
The conference will cost YouthElect $30,000, and the organization has raised $7,000 at this time. At the meeting, Morris and Jessica Downey, president of YouthElect, outlined their fund-raising plan.
One way is to recruit more students. Downey said YouthElect wants more members and has administrative positions available.
“If you believe other college students should participate in politics and want to help bring LSU national visibility, join this club,” Downey said.
Morris said Louisiana has been a fertile ground for political activists.
Famous political figures hailing from LSU include James Carville, the internationally popular manager for former President Bill Clinton’s campaign; Donna Brazile, manager for Al Gore’s presidential campaign; and Charlie Cook, editor and publisher of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.
“Tons of people in Washington, D.C., in politics, are from LSU,” Morris said. “It has a long history of incubating people who are going to be political leaders.”
Students interested in joining or supporting YouthElect can visit the Web site at www.youthelect.org.