Right/Left Logic: Whats Next for Headcount this Year

Monday

Whats Next for Headcount this Year

What's Next? (after this successful election, registering voters that is, nothing to do with the democratic victory as HC is NON Partisan) don't want to get attacked with scandal and slander by Fox, just try and find fault with this well oiled machine of a organization, so honest and upright.

Do you want to have a hand in defining the Presidential agenda? A HeadCount partner organization called Ideas for Change in America empowers anyone to submit an idea for change and then vote on the best ideas from across the country. The 10 most popular ideas will be presented to the new administration as suggested priorities. To take part, please visit www.change.org/ideas.

This is just a hint of the sort of activity you'll see from HeadCount in 2009. This year we registered 105,697 people in 2008 and helped bring a record turnout to the polls on November 4th. But voting is only the first step. The next step is to encourage active participation in democracy and support socially-conscious undertakings throughout the world of music. We have an opportunity to harness the energy of our community and leave a positive imprint on the world around us. So let's not stop at the ballot box.

The first initiative we'll launch is a postcard writing campaign. The next time you visit a HeadCount table at a concert, you'll find postcards you can fill out to urge elected officials to make an issue (of your choice) a "legislative priority." Collectively we can generate tens of thousands of these cards and ensure that we have a voice in how decisions are made in Washington.

Get Out the Vote Party

We want to thank all of you who came out to the Magic Hat Get Out the Vote Party on November 3rd in New York City and all those who tuned in to watch via iClips. Headliners Robert Randolph, Joss Stone, ?uestlove and Stanton Moore were joined by surprise acts Phil Lesh, Warren Haynes, The Disco Biscuits and John Medeski. Check out some photos and reviews.

Contest Winners

We want to congratulate the winners of the contests that HeadCount ran throughout 2008. Billie Reese won an all-expense paid trip for two on Jam Cruise 7 as the winner of the Push the Button Contest, which helped HeadCount register over 25,000 people online this year. Alex Byrne was the runner-up. HeadCount volunteers Laura Scalet (Evergreen State College) and Liz O'Donnell (Boston University) both won $10,000 scholarships by finishing in the top six in the Ultimate College Bowl contest. Eight HeadCount volunteers were also awarded trips on Jam Cruise for their efforts registering voters in 2008. They include Kristie Freed of St. Louis, MO, who won her spot as part of the Fan-to-Fan Phone Campaign. The other winners were Melissa Brennan (New York City, Outstanding Team Leader), Dan Conroe (Chicago, Outstanding Regional Coordinator), Kelley Fergueson (Nashville, TN, Outstanding Member of Central Leadership), Kari Frea (Milwaukee, WI, "Local Hero"), Laura Scalet (Olympia, WA, Outstanding College Campaign Organizer), Tappan Vickery (San Francisco, Outstanding Overall Contribution), and Joe Williamson (Philadelphia, Outstanding Contribution in the Field).

Cheers to Magic Hat
HeadCount would like to thank Magic Hat Brewing Company for sponsoring our November 3rd Get Out the Vote Benefit and for providing promotional assistance, decorations and of course, the limited edition 2008 "Participation Pak."

Wired on the Road
We'd also like to thank Doug Moeller and the folks at Autonet Mobile for providing HeadCount traveling teams with internet access while out on the road this summer. Autonet Mobile hardware provides wireless Internet service for those on the go!

Angels of Democracy
Warm gratitude to the Angelina Fund, a charitable foundation that underwrote much of HeadCount's "Get Out the Vote" activity, includbioneersing a nationwide phone-banking campaign.