NYRA Freedom
ISSN 1933-5229
Volume 2, Issue 10
November 21, 2002
Contents:
Introduction
NYRA-ND Voting Age
Youth Venture Partnership
Anti-War Recruiting
Youth Rights Forums Expanded
Media Appearances
Chapter News
Recap
Introduction
Welcome to NYRA Freedom November. I apologize for the lateness of this month’s edition, the dreaded specter of school has loomed large over all of NYRA’s activities this month. Several key members of NYRA’s staff have fallen victim to the nefarious plague of school, consequently Brad White will no longer be writing “NYRA Freedom.”
Until a replacement can be found I will take over the task of writing “NYRA Freedom.” If there are any caring souls out there who wish to take this burden from my overworked shoulders please respond to this e-mail. We very much need a new editor-in-chief for “NYRA Freedom” it isn’t much work, just write this monthly newsletter, if you are interested don’t hesitate to respond. We all need to do our part to make sure the battle for our freedom presses forward.
Alex Koroknay-Palicz, Executive Director
NYRA-North Dakota Seeks to Lower Voting Age
In a move nothing less than historic, NYRA’s North Dakota chapter is beginning a campaign to lower the voting age in the state to 16. The chapter has until 120 days before the November 2004 election to submit 25,688 valid signatures to get the initiative on the ballot. This will be the first attempt to lower a state’s voting age below 18 by referendum in American history.
High school senior, Johnathan McClure will be leading this campaign. Right now he is forming a bipartisan organizing committee, and has begun contacting members of the North Dakota legislature for support. The chapter sees this campaign as an opportunity to make history, expand its influence across the entire state, and attract some nationwide media attention for NYRA and the cause of youth rights. The campaign won’t be easy or cheap, if you are interested in providing some support please contact Johnathan McClure at: johnathanmcclure@hotmail.com
Youth Venture Partnership
Youth Venture will be providing grant assistance to new and future NYRA chapters throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Youth Venture is an organization that provides microgrants to youth led projects that seek to change their world and better their communities. Youth Venture has helped start over 100 youth initiatives from such diverse topics as pesticide awareness to a dance marathon to raise money for a nonprofit children’s hospital. Inspired by NYRA’s commitment to youth rights, Youth Venture has pledged up to $1,000 in matching funds to new NYRA chapters. If the program goes successfully it may be expanded to NYRA chapters nationwide.
Youth Rights Forums Expanded
The NYRA Forums have been expanded, several new topics to discuss including the new Off-topic forum where you can talk about absolutely anything. If you’ve never visited the forums, now is your chance. And if you saw them once, but haven’t been back recently, much has changed, so check it out. Lots of people are posting now, see what everyone is talking about, go to: http://www.ecg.net/nyra2/df.
Media Appearances
On November 13, NYRA President Alex Koroknay-Palicz taught a workshop called the “Youth Activism Lottery” at the National Youth Leadership Conference.
On November 17, the American University student-run TV news station interviewed Alex Koroknay-Palicz about NYRA. The footage first ran that night and has been rerun since.
NYRA commented on an age discriminatory mall in Jackson, Mississippi read the story at: http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/cover_comments.php?id=354_0_9_0_C.
Chapter News
NYRA-Washington, DC
After many months of lying dormant, NYRA-DC has new leadership! Laura Finstad of College Park, Maryland has taken over the Presidency of NYRA-DC and has started work. She is planning a meeting, and is looking for local members to get involved. If you are in the DC area and want to help out with the chapter, contact Laura at: xxfallenstarsxx@yahoo.com
NYRA American University
NYRA-AU has a new President. Becky Bellville has stepped down from her position due to a busy school schedule, and Amy Greene has stepped up to lead the chapter. The campaign against the school’s parental notification policy regarding alcohol violations is pushing forward still, Greene is confident it will succeed.
Chapter Formation and Recruiting Office
Christopher Coes has resigned his position as CFR head. Executive Director Alex Koroknay-Palicz has taken over assisting new chapter formation. The NYRA Chapter Handbook has been updated and will be available on the webpage shortly. If you are interested in forming a local chapter please send an e-mail to: NYRAUSA@aol.com.
Recap
The battle for youth rights continues. Exciting news from North Dakota this month, what NYRA does today will be studied in history classes years from now– and who says things just happen in DC? Next month’s “NYRA Freedom” should have an update on the ongoing negotiations with Sharper Image, and the continuing battle against age discrimination in business. Again, NYRA is in need of a new editor for “NYRA Freedom” please send an e-mail to NYRAUSA@aol.com if you are interested in the position.
