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Scholarship Application Public Information
Joel McDonald
| Name: | Joel McDonald |
| Location: | Virginia Beach, VA |
My personal volunteering highlight:
On the day of the 2008 primary here in Virginia, I knocked on doors from the time I got off work to the time the sun went down. I got people out of their houses, and sometimes out of their beds to go and vote. This direct interaction with people in my city, knowing that those like me were making a difference in that election, continues to motivate me to this day.
More about my volunteering with progressive organizations:
I recently served as a group leader for grassroots media for my local MoveOn chapter in support of Obama's new energy economy, encouraging members to reach out through traditional and online media to let people know how important the transition to green energy is for the nation.
More about my work on current campaigns and issues:
Recently I served as the primary new media contact for John Lacombe for Delegate and Pat Edmonson for Lt. Governor. I met with these campaigns often, attended events, offered my advice on new media usage, and reported on the campaigns.
I was also one of nearly two hundred grassroots leaders and activists who have endorsed Brian Moran for Governor, and have attended various events to cover his campaign. Now, with Creigh Deeds being the nominee, I will work toward Democratic wins in Virginia in an effort to keep Virginia from moving backward.
What motivates me:
I strongly believe that apathy is dangerous in a democratic society, and that it's my responsibility to be involved and help others to become involved as well.
How I try to motivate others:
Since I started blogging politically, many of my friends and family have started to tune into what's happening in politics, whereas they didn't pay much attention before. I feel that being involved enables me to deliver the best information I can to them, and my readers; which in turn should help them get involved as well.
Where I see myself in five years:
I see the mission of Virginia Beach Progressives, to cover and be involved in national, state, and local politics, to be more fully realized. I'm currently discussing various opportunities to organize around this concept, and hope that five years from now, there will be many more doing what I'm doing. This would greatly strengthen the progressive movement here in Virginia Beach, which is something we desperately need to have happen.
My suggested bumper sticker slogan for the Stand with Dr. Dean campaign:
Equality + Doctors = Universal Health
Blogging
I run/manage these blogs:
Virginia Beach Progressives
I contribute posts to these blogs:
Blue Commonwealth
New Dominion Project
Check out my writing sample(s):
http://vbprogressives.com/2009/03/16/why-im-supporting-brian-moran-hes-been-there/
http://vbprogressives.com/2009/01/22/inauguration-left-behind-but-still-thrilled/
I read these blogs often:
VB Dems
Blue Commonwealth
Participation in the blogosphere is important because...
Participating in online activism can shift the balance of information available to voters. Especially now as traditional journalism is in transition, bloggers fill an essential gap in reporting on campaigns, events, and elections. A candidate who has the netroots on their side has the advantage of a more positive online presence over those who do not.
A Little Bit About Joel McDonald
Full-time, I work for the local school system as a Data Support Specialist, aiding teachers in targeting their instruction using achievement data. In addition to another part-time job, I fill the remainder of my time with political activism, mainly in the form of blogging from Virginia Beach Progressives, a site I launched in late 2008 after being involved with the campaign to elect Barack Obama as President.
I'm active with local community theatres, and have accepted an appointment to the Board of Directors of Little Theatre of Virginia Beach. I've also been asked to serve as Treasurer of the PTA at the school where I work. In August, I will start school again to work toward a Bachelor's degree in Political Science, and a likely minor in Journalism.
Why I Deserve a Scholarship to Attend
As I watched Super Tuesday results scroll across my screen in early 2008, I realized that I wanted Barack Obama as our next President, and that I needed to get involved to influence the results of the Virginia primary. I got to work immediately.
Later, I launched Virginia Beach Progressives, with the mission to cover and be involved in local, state, and national politics affecting Virginia Beach. It's been an amazing journey as I've met amazing candidates and leaders, and have helped keep the progressive community informed and active.
I've taken every opportunity to be a more effective activist by attending training events like the DFA Campaign Academy. Attending Netroots Nation this year would be an amazing opportunity to delve deeper into online progressive activism, and I know it would make me a stronger activist and progressive voice here in Virginia.
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