Reflections on My First Civic Engagement Event: Voting and Community Empowerment
On November 1st, I had the honor of hosting my very first civic engagement event at the Greenmount West Community Center. This gathering was focused on an issue close to my heart: voting. I’ve always believed that voting is one of the most powerful ways we can influence the direction of our communities and our country, but it wasn’t until I organized this event that I truly understood how much more there is to the process—both in terms of logistics and community involvement.
The Event: Voting, Community, and Food
The event itself was a combination of learning, discussion, and fun. We started the evening with a delicious spread of empanadas from a local business, “The Empanada Lady,” which quickly became a crowd favorite. The idea behind including food wasn’t just to make the event more enjoyable, but also to create a casual, inviting environment where people could engage with each other and feel comfortable talking about a sometimes intimidating subject: voting.
With food in hand, we delved into the core of the event—voter education. We used a comprehensive voter’s guide provided by Baltimore Beats, which broke down everything voters need to know before heading to the polls. The guide provided a detailed look at the different candidates running for office, the positions they held, and what each candidate stood for. This was especially important in a local election year, where many voters may not be as familiar with the names on the ballot beyond the presidential race.
In addition to the voter’s guide, we were joined by a representative from Baltimore Votes, who took the time to break down the voting process in detail. They explained the ins and outs of registering to vote, how to use absentee ballots, what to expect at polling locations, and why voting is such a critical act of civic engagement. The representative’s insights helped highlight the importance of not only voting, but also staying informed about the candidates and issues that matter to us locally and nationally.
Mock Election: Making It Real
One of the most engaging parts of the event was the mock election. We set up a voting QR code to a form, where we voted for president and senate positions, along with a single polling question. It was eye-opening to see how seriously people took the process, despite knowing it was just for practice. Some of the participants were young, some were older, but the enthusiasm was the same.
This part of the event helped me realize how essential it is to create spaces where people feel comfortable practicing their voting rights, especially in communities where voting may not always be a priority. Voting is a skill, and just like any other skill, it takes practice. By giving participants the chance to practice the process in a low-pressure environment, we were able to demystify the voting process and, hopefully, encourage more participation in real elections.
Lessons Learned: Balancing and Reflecting
As I reflect on this experience, I can’t help but think about how challenging it was for me to balance this event with school and other extracurricular activities. Hosting an event like this wasn’t easy—there were logistics to work out, volunteers to coordinate, and my own time to manage. At times, I felt overwhelmed, but I also learned so much in the process.
This experience taught me that civic engagement doesn’t always have to be a large, flashy event. It can be something as simple as volunteering your time or helping to organize smaller, community-based initiatives. What really matters is showing up, being involved, and helping to make a difference in the lives of those around you.
For me, organizing this event was a chance to step out of my comfort zone. I’m not usually the kind of person who stands in front of a crowd to speak, but I felt motivated to take on this role because I genuinely believe in the importance of civic participation. The event may not have been perfect, but it was a step in the right direction. It also gave me a sense of pride to see so many people, from different walks of life, come together to talk about something that affects all of us: our right to vote.
Civic Engagement: More Than Just Voting
Ultimately, the experience showed me that civic engagement is about more than just casting a ballot—it’s about building community, fostering dialogue, and creating opportunities for people to feel empowered and informed. While voting is a critical part of the democratic process, it’s equally important to engage in conversations, share knowledge, and encourage others to get involved in whatever way they can.
I’m excited to continue this journey of civic engagement and to host more events like this one in the future. Whether it’s organizing a small discussion, volunteering at a local nonprofit, or simply helping others understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens, I want to be a part of the change that’s on the horizon. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this experience, it’s that no action is too small, and every effort counts when it comes to building a stronger, more engaged community.
