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Share the NH Common Denominator News so they add themselves to distribution CLICK HERE TOP NEWS:
1) Open Democracy teams got 100 towns/cities to have warrant articles pushing for Fair Non-Partisan
Redistricting, but your NH Government thinks Gerrymandering is great. More Information
2) Braver Angels Northern NE Alliance February 16th 7pm Register Here
3) NH State House News - Click Here for weekly Open Democracy Action updates
4) NH Ranked Choice Voting Speakers are available, have a group that should learn what is happening?E - mail to schedule a NH RCV to speak to your group. 5) Have basic questions see NHPR Ask Civics 101 Podcasts.C lick Here
6) American Promise Lobby Day Training 1 Feb. 24th 7:30pm to 8:00pm Register Here
7) Open Democracy Book Club "Unrigged by David Daley" March 4th 7pm. Register Here
8) Braver Angels Franklin County VT - March 4th workshop for Skills for Bridging the Divide.R egister Here 9) Next NH Ranked Choice Voting State Wide MeetingM arch 6th 9am E-mail to get the invite
10) Politics for the People Book Club Feb. 21st 7pm ET. Click Here "In the Balance of Power" 11) Business for America starting new voting rights activities. Click Here
12) The Re-United States movie was released. Click Here for viewing options. Based on the Book. 13) Civics 101 Insurrection, Protest, Terrorism, Seditions, Coup podcast. Click Here. 14) Polarization as Plague Click Here Season 1 Finale (part 1) podcast from The Purple Principle
15) Did you take the 8 minute NH Voter Survey from The People NH?
Non-Partisan Groups Active in NH
DC based with a NH chapter
What they do: Getting the US Congress to work together. US House Problem Solvers are an even number of Republican and Democratic who meet and work together as Representatives of the people, not their party. Host Bicameral non-partisan meetings where Senators and House members get to know each other and build relationships.
Visit our website
116th Congress Problem Solver Accomplishments: Click Here
Provide un-biased, media spin free insights into what is happening in Washington DC. Visit theN o Labels Gridlock Break podcasts Update on what No Labels is doing.
What is happening: There will be a national No Labels Member Briefing with Ryan Clancy onT hursday, February 18, 2021 at 4:00 pm. Please sign up at www.nolabels.org
The Problem Solvers Caucus has announced that their membership has grown to 56 congress members (28 Democrats and 28 Republicans). This is a huge development for the organization and bodes well for their future efforts. Gov. Larry Hogan is also now the national co-chair. We will look for directives in the coming weeks coming from National No Labels.
NLPSNH members could not reach consensus as a group on supporting HR 1: For the People Act, but many felt the election reforms, efforts to fix gerrymandering, and reforms involving money in politics continue to be important and need to be addressed. It was felt by some that the bill was too long and inclusive and that it would be better if more items were handled separately.
An effort to reform the electoral college system is being supported by the National Popular Vote Compact and members were encouraged to learn more about this at their website.
What is needed: No Labels NH Website No Labels: Problem Solvers of New Hampshire (NLPSNH) is looking for individuals who want to help educate NH voters and support problem-solving in Congress. In addition, the NH chapter promotes national No Labels engagement and support of issue-specific policy items. Upcoming efforts will include looking at encouraging New Hampshire legislative contingent to “Get in the Room” for bicameral discussions of key issues in Washington, DC and to join the Problem Solvers Caucus. Website
NH Ranked Choice Voting Grass Roots
What they do: Educate voters about Ranked Choice Voting and run a campaign to pass legislation that would allow Ranked Choice Voting in State and Local elections. RCV is as easy as ranking your favorite candidates, and it ensures better representation for NH voters.
Visit our website
A 501c(4), this groups mission is to enable Ranked Choice Voting in all forms of NH Elections. 2021 will be about Education - Voters and Legislators and 2022 Legislation submitted
Sign the Supporting Petition.
Want a NH RCV leader to speak to your group. Speakers are readye -mail to get a speaker
Next State Wide Meeting: March 6th 9:00am e-mail to get the invite More Information What is needed: Volunteers are needed for all the different sub-committees.
Sub-committees drive their own meetings, the larger group meets once a month for a general progress update. e-mail to learn more and to join one of the working groups. TASKS available for all kinds of skills and interests.
There are good National resources to educate your self. Fairvote and the Ranked Choice Resource Center
NH Grass Roots
What they do: :Open Democracy works on NH Campaign finance reform, redistricting, voting moderation, lobbying and other top reform efforts. The Democracy in Action arm is focused on educating and equipping residents to be better organizers and leaders of grassroots efforts.
Visit our website The organization was founded by Granny D, walks are still supported to push reform.
What is needed: We need bold reforms in NH and we advocate for these reform in NH. We need candidates of all parties to support democracy reform and talk about it on the campaign trail. We need a citizens movement that is driving change from a grassroots level.
Check the Action page
Open Democracy Minute: Weekly Podcast Click Here
Check the Action of the Week: Click Here
What is happening: March 4th: Democracy Book Club: Unrigged 7pm Register Here March 7th: Remembering Bloody Sunday, Selma Register Here
Leaders are needed in all NH Communities to drive Local Based declarations to havef air redistricting. Click Here for how to get involved. Current and More Information
Join one of the weekly Regional team calls. North Country, Southern, Monadnock, Central, Seacoast, Upper Valley or the Sunday Any Team repeat if you missed your weekly call. More Information
Open Democracy Minute: Weekly podcast. Click Here
National with a NH chapter
What they do: People have more in common than they disagree about, Braver Angels works on getting Visit our website people with different political views to get to know each other as Americans first and focus on what they have in common.
Braver Angels organizes workshops that teach skills on how to listen and speak to those with whom we disagree politically, including family members. The national non-profit brings together conservatives and liberals to find common ground – not to change their views of issues but to change their views of each other. Many continue to meet, work together, and forge friendships despite initial tension and trepidation. See the guiding principles.
The New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine groups have formed an alliance. Read More.
What is needed: More Republican, Democrats and Independents who want to get to know each other as people.
What is happening:
Please Register for Our Next Alliance Meeting on February 16th from 7:00-8:30pm. Although we don’t have an agenda finalized yet, we always enjoy being together, learning from one another, and expanding our community.
The alliance in Franklin County, Vermont is sponsoring an online workshop Skills for Bridging the Divide on March 4. You can find out more info Register Here
Braver Angels is a national non-profit citizens’ organization uniting Americans across the political spectrum in a working alliance to depolarize America
National with a NH Chapter
What they do: Born out of concern for the future of our country, we empower everyday citizens to get involved in the political process from inception to execution. Our work breaks down the barriers of participation and restores balance to make our government reflect the interests of its citizens. We are proudly non-partisan and our members span the entire political spectrum.
Now it is up to us as Americans from all walks of life to unite and take a stand. Do you want to get off Visit our website the sidelines and actively join together to work on our country?
What is needed: Please visit our website and sign up for our newsletter, head over to our Facebook page and like/share, and follow us on the social media platforms you use.
What is happening:
NH The People is building to a March Conference.C lick Here to see the many planned activities. E-mail to get involved.
The People National Convention planning. Feb, 17th is the next planning. Click Here
Harvard Kennedy School - Ash Center: Moving Forward or Moving Backward: Election Legislation in the US. Feb. 18th. 4pm. Register here.
Slay the Dragon Documentary Discussion: February 17th. 5pmR egister Here
The People NH just finished an education series including NH Government 101, gerrymandering, money in politics, rank choice voting and free-market elections. Keep an eye out for our next events and let us know what topics you want us to dive into.
We’re holding a kick-off meeting in late March or early April, including our national Executive Director Katie Fahey, who fought gerrymandering and won! We have some exciting ideas but need to work on the details before sharing them. Please email if you would like to join help us plan this event or be notified of updates.
Please take our New Hampshire Voter Survey (~8 minutes) which asks how well you feel government represents YOU and what you think about potential solutions
National Campaign Finance
What they do: We have a vision of a better, more inclusive America, where everyone’s voice counts. In our vision every American gets a seat at the table and the equal opportunity to shape the life they live. We achieve this vision by overcoming apathy and division to tackle the biggest issue standing in the way of equal representation. American Promise’s mission is to unite and empower Americans to build a healthy democracy and lasting American Visit our website republic through achieving an urgent and necessary goal: amend the United States Constitution to stop the corrupting influence of money in our political system. We empower people in all 50 states to learn, connect, act, and lead efforts to mobilize their districts, states and networks to ensure we pass this amendment. By working together—across party lines and city limits—we can realize our vision. Since 2016, we have launched forty chapters across the nation, supported hundreds of thousands of citizen actions, and played a key role in five state ballot initiatives and six legislative campaigns. As of right now, 20 states have formally called for an amendment to enable limits on money used in elections and ensure all Americans have a voice, regardless of wealth. We exist to grow these numbers to the tipping point. Join us.
There are other groups also working on the 28th Amendment or campaign finance reform. Fix It America, A conservative group is Take Back Our Republic, A progressive group is People For the American Way. Public Citizen does several things, including campaign finance reform.
What is happening: January 27th 7:30pm ET Friend Banking Training Register Here Learn the skills to build out your networks.
Click Here to see State map of activities. NH was the 20th State to call for the 28th Amendment on June 16, 2019 HB 504, read more. Additionally, 82 local cities or towns have passed resolutions.
American Promise plays a large role in the National Citizen Leadership Conference 2019 page
National Group, NH Chapter
What they do: UR Action brings together community members and groups across the urban/rural divide to address mass incarceration, gun violence, and hunger. Urban/rural collaboration can help us transcend our divisions. Learn why (and how) we promote urban/rural collaboration on our Approach page.
Visit our website
What is needed: e-mail the NH Coordinator
Deepening Connection and Understanding Across NH: Click Here
What is happening:
Programs: Uniting for Action, Criminal Justice reform, Gun Safety, Food Safety
NH CIVIC EDUCATION & MEDIA
Helping NH Residents be educated.
What they do: provides the people of New Hampshire with the tools and information they need to make a difference. We research and profile every Visit our website candidate for state or federal office in the Granite State. We make it easy to learn what's happening with key issues, from gun rights and drug policy to health care and renewable energy. We build connections between people and their elected officials, helping them share their story and make an impact. We do it all without any bias or agenda, because we believe that democracy works best when we all have a seat at the table.
Helping NH Residents understand how our Government works.
What they do: Civics 101 is the podcast refresher course on the basics of how the U.S. government works, hosted by Hannah McCarthy and Nick Capodice. We offer graphic organizers and other educational resources for teachers looking to use Civics 101 in the classroom.
See the 2020 Episodes: Click Here
Insurrection, Protest, Terrorism, Seditions, Coup podcast. Click Here.
Visit our website
Helping NH Residents be informed, engages and civil.
What they do: “Civics education must become a fundamental priority of our schools, and it must involve more than helping students gain an understanding of a substantial body of civic knowledge,” says the organization’s planning document. “To ensure active participation in our democracy, educators must help students engage with their communities and learn a variety of skills associated with political and Visit our website community life. They also must help students cultivate attitudes and beliefs that might best be described as ‘civic virtues.’” . Contact Director: e-mail for program specifics.
News & Resources and the Curriculum Library
Civics 603: Curriculum for NH 6-12. Cases and other support to help educators
William W. Treat Lecture. Annual lecture series with national figure. See past events and learn more about civics.
Mivka Challenge: Working with six NH Middle Schools
NH BEST IN CLASS TOWNS
Educates and informs residents
What they do: The original Rye Civic League started in 1968 and ran for 24 years. In 2009 Alex Herlihy restarted the Rye Civic League and it has been growing ever since.
The RCL would like to see more NH communities provide the same services in their communities..
Visit our website
Monthly Rye Civic News: Click Here for the most current Civic News. While only 1600 residents vote in Town Elections (about 5200 registered voters), the Civic News has around 1400 people on distribution. Between 45% and 50% of the people open the Civic News and between 30% and 45% of those people click on at least one link and average around 2.5 clicks per person. Those are really good numbers for an e-mail.
Rye Citizens' Handbook: Click Here. When you move into a town or city how do you know how the local government operations. The RCL updates this document every year and distributes to residents. Most communities depend on institutional knowledge and do a poor job communicating.
Budget Analysis: Click Here. A spread sheet does not explain what is happening in a community. The RCL puts the annual numbers in spreadsheets and then creates charts and graphs that tell us what is happening. The RCL presents this information to residents before the Town Deliberative Meeting. Note, Consuming Government suggests we change the Budget Committee to the Purchasing and Longer Term Investment Committee. Once other communities do the same work, it will be easier to understand if a town is over paying or underpaying for different government services.
Warant Articles: Click Here Voters can't get the back story or supporting information on the conversations that lead up to Warrant Articles, so the Civic League creates this annual presentation. A quick look up table is also produced before the election.
The RCL also hosts candidates nights, information nights on what it takes to server, and creates other information to help residents better understand what is happening in their community.
Friday Updates
What they do: It is more what Todd Selig does. This Rock Star Town Administrator started off with an informative e-mail news letter, but evolved it to a must read Friday web page for residents.
Click Here and open the most current Friday Visit our website Update..
NH COMMUNITY BUILDING ORGANIZATIONS
Brings people together for engaged conversations.
What they do: Based in Durham, there are also 8 local listens groups. Help Communities move forward on divisive and difficult decisions. Using Listen Circles, they facilitate communities to discuss Visit our website and them move forward together. Currently working with Everyday Democracy
Planning experts provide design recommendations.
What they do: Design of the built environment has a significant impact on the fabric of a community. Plan NH raises awareness of ideas and trends in community planning and design of buildings, town Visit our website centers and more that could contribute to a healthy and vibrant town or neighborhood. Visit our website for blogs, upcoming webinars, charrettes and more. Communities need to apply and be accepted. A Charette brings in Planning, Architect, Design and other experts to engage with the community and over two days deliver a set of recommendations. A full reports is provided several weeks later.
There is a $6000 fee.
Focused on Economic Development
What they do: Help communities in four areas to help communities make changes. Visit our website 1) Economic Development Planning (Growing Communities) 2) Building Community Leaders and Planning 3) How to engage with local businesses 4) Integrating and supporting tourism and recreation activity.
Having more younger people live and work in NH
What they do: To get more of our college students stay in NH and to attract additional younger works to settle in NH. Current goal is raise retention from 50% Visit our website to 55%.
COMMON DENOMINATOR GOVERNMENT
Common Denominator Government is one of the many concepts in Consuming Government, CLICK HERE for the section that introduces the Common Denominator Government idea. Overview video: For most Americans, their largest annual purchase is government services. Yet we are irresponsible consumers! If we chose to invest comparable time and effort, we could reap better value at less cost year after year. Furthermore, the United States could enjoy a global economic competitive advantage once our actions lead to the most cost effective and efficient government among developed nations.
The keystone of this transformation rests with individual citizens and not elected officials or political parties. Our challenge is to motivate ourselves to initiate a cultural shift toward greater civic responsibility.
The secret sauce is to start locally on the smallest levels of government services, then, as our management skills, tools and habits grow, expand upwards to broader layers of government services. From there, solutions can be driven upwards through communities versus the current stagnation from our oscillating political party control. The multitude of ideas introduced in this book can serve as a catalyst to align interests, talents and passions of our citizens for this civic culture transformation.
Click here to learn more and purchase
National Civic Education & Media
Podcasts for Independent Minded Americans
What they do: Produce informative and educational podcasts about non-partisan activities and information free of party narratives.
Listen on: Stitcher Pandora Apple Google Spotify
Have a .Purple Tale - tell it here
Visit our website Yeats' "The Second Coming" 100 years old and how it would sound in todays partisanship? Click Here
The Purple Principle, a podcast about the perils of polarization, will soon be wrapping up Season 1 with an episode analyzing 2020 election polling (featured guest Dr. Brian Schaffner, Tufts U, among others) and a season finale highlighting several guests with important insights on our fractious times, such as: Trevor Potter of Campaign Legal Center, Jay Van Bavel of NYU, former PA Congressman Jason Altmire and others.
Our most recent episodes were as follows: Click Here
Season Finale (Part 1): Polarization as Plague
Episode 21: "2020 Polling in Hindsight: Someone please answer the phone"
Episode 20, Polarization at the Tipping Point, featuring Dr. Andrew Gelman (Columbia U.) and Stephen Hawkins (More In Common), on the longer term and wider angled viewpoints of our growing partisanship. Episode 19, Repodcast of Declaration of Independents, Alaska Style. This is an updated version of an earlier episode with this important new information— at a time of intense polarization, our nation’s least partisan state voted to open primaries, institute ranked choice voting and create greater campaign finance transparency via Alaska Ballot Measure Two. Remarkably, 57% of Alaska’s voters are registered as “non-partisan” or “unaffiliated.” And it seems they’d like to stay that way. Find out more about this indie-minded state on Ep 19.
Educating our Youth and others
What they do: Run many educational programs.
We the People: James Madison Project
Project Citizen: ..
Visit our website American History & Civics Academics
Tracking Federal Campaigns
What they do: Nonpartisan, independent and nonprofit, the Center for Responsive Politics is the nation's premier research group tracking money in U.S. politics and its effect on elections and public policy. OUR VISION is for Americans to be empowered by access to clear and unbiased Visit our website information about money’s role in politics and policy and to use that knowledge to strengthen our democracy. OUR MISSION is to produce and disseminate peerless data and analysis on money in politics to inform and engage Americans, champion transparency, and expose disproportionate or undue influence on public policy.
Fact Based Discussions County up to Federal
What they do: .USAFacts is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan civic initiative providing the most comprehensive and understandable government data. We provide accessible analysis on US Visit our website spending and outcomes in order to ground public debates in facts.
We exclusively use publicly available government data sources. We don’t make judgments or prescribe specific policies. Whether government money is spent wisely or not, whether the quality of life is improving or getting worse — that’s for you to decide. We provide this information as a free public service and are committed to maintaining and expanding it in the future.
News from Left, Center & Right
What they do: AllSides strengthens our democratic society with balanced news, diverse perspectives, and real conversation.
We expose people to information and ideas from all Visit our website sides of the political spectrum so they can better understand the world — and each other. Our balanced news coverage, media bias ratings, civil dialogue opportunities, and technology platform are available for everyone and can be integrated by schools, nonprofits, media companies, and more.
Fact Based CONSERVATIVE News
What they do: This is not non-partisan, but something that is desperately needed by Conservatives. It also allows others to get the Visit our website conservative view. A digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary on politics, policy and culture—informed by conservative principles. We deliver that work in newsletters, articles, and podcasts.
National Non-Partisan Groups
National Group (no NH Chapter
Who they are: Democrats, Republicans and independents working to bridge the growing partisan divide and foster a more representative and functional government.
Focused on scaling and accelerating the movement to put voters,first, and ensure that the right leaders have the right incentives to solve our country's greatest problems. Visit our website
What is needed: While no NH dedicated group, they are also working on Independent Redistricting, Ranked Choice Voting, Open Primaries (not a NH problem), Vote by Mail and Unity Candidates (such as No Labels Problem Solvers).
National Group (NH is one of their starting States)
What they do: A coalition of civic-minded business leaders and purpose-driven companies who are ready to take action and promote government that works for all Americans. Working to set a positive example for business engagement in the political sector.
Working on Corporate Civic Responsibility, Operation Vote Safe, Time to Vote and Vote Safe 2020 Visit our website
Current Working on Corporate Civic Responsibility, Operation Vote Safe, Time to Vote and Vote Safe 2020
New Working on secure and inclusive elections, including the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and federal election security legislation. Offering programs for businesses to help find common ground and overcome political polarization.
National Group - Mass. Based
What they do: The system is rigged to favor the powerful and well-connected. It ignores the voices of ordinary citizens. Our representative democracy has become so corrupted by this fundamental inequality, the only voices that our government listens to are the special interests who fund their campaigns, and the most partisan groups and individuals. The result Visit our website is the governmental dysfunction we see today.
Litigation: Equal Votes, End Super PACs, Electors Freedom Campaigns: RCV for POTUS
What is needed: Get on the mailing list Read where Lawrence Lessig and Jason Harrow are in the medial Click Here
What is happening: Listen to the Another Way Podcasts Click Here
National Group
What they do: Focused on getting anti-corruption laws in place. Large focus on the local and State level where individuals can have a greater impact.
Visit our website To solve America’s corruption crisis, we need to work together to win campaigns across the country. Whether you have 5 minutes or 5 hours, you can join our action team, the Action Brigade, and be part of the next wave of victories.
What is needed: Weekly phone and text banking to support programs.C lick Here
What is happening: Supporting multiple activities across many States. Click Here
National Group
What they do: Working to allow voters to participate in any primary. In NH, you must be undeclared, to chose the day of the primary. Voters pay for the Visit our website Primaries, but the parties control the process. NH you must change to undeclared months before a primary, this "shut off date" makes us partly closed.
Many States have "Closed" primaries where only members of the part can participate. Click Here a map by State
What is needed: Help in NH to change election laws. Not one of the current campaigns. See what is happening in other States. Click Here
What is happening: UnRIG IT 2024 is a petition to the Federal Election Commission to get all Americans allowed to vote in the Presidential primary. In 2020 over 27 Million voters were not allowed to vote. Click Here
National Group
What they do: Issue One is the leading cross partisan political reform group in Washington. We unite Republicans, Democrats, and independents in the movement to fix our broken political system.
Like No Labels, this group is focused on Washington DC.
Visit our website What is needed: See the current bills that are being supported. Click Here Read and share reports created by One Issue. Click Here Also subscribe to the Fulcrum - focused news on fixing our democracy.
What is happening: Don't Mess with Us - keeping foreign interference out of our elections. Rebuild Congress Initiative - helping leaders get free of working for the Parties and working for the people. FIX THE SYSTEM - works to have more cross-partisan civic innovation. The Fulcrum - Digital News source - now working with Independent Voter News There are more initiatives: Click Here
YOUTH BASED GROUPS
National Group
What they do: Civics Unplugged (CU) is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) social enterprise and digitally- powered community that provides leaders of Generation Z training, funds, and support to build the future of American communities and democracy.
In January 2020, we launched the Civics Unplugged Visit our website Fellowship, which is a six-month, digital-first leadership program through which 200 exceptional high school-aged leaders—representing a cross- section of American backgrounds, regions, and cultures—come together to learn systems thinking, personal development, democratic theory, and community building.
The Fellowship culminated in the July 4th, 2020 launch of Civics 2030, CU's 10-year national campaign to mobilize funds and support for leaders of Gen Z to spearhead projects that strengthen American democracy.
Click Here for the Civic 2030 Declaration
Know motivated Gen Z kids, 2021 Fellowship applications open September 2020. Learn More
National Group
What they do: An audacious mission: re-establish political cooperation across parties and defeat the polarization and gridlock that is holding back our government and country. Our generation has a unique opportunity to forge a new path and lead our nation into the future, which is why MAP is committed to activating our nation's youngest generation of leaders and Visit our website lawmakers. Global Organization
What they do: Using our digital platform, DoSomething members join our volunteer, social change, and civic action campaigns to make real- world impact on causes they care about.
Click Here for the different campaigns. Scholarships - Click Here
Visit our website
Nationalal Group
What they do: BridgeUSA is developing the next generation of engaged, informed, and constructive citizens. Our movement catalyzes the passion of the next generation to invest in the future of democracy. Visit our website
Generation Citizen - National
What they do: Empower young people to become engaged and effective citizens. Work to ensure that every student in the United States receives an effective action civics education, which provides them with the knowledge and skills necessary to participate in our democracy as active citizens.
See programs: Click Here National office in Boston Visit our website
National
What they do: Govern for America bridges the gap between state and local governments and emerging leaders to build a pipeline of diverse and dynamic talent into government. We recruit, train and place exceptional graduates into full-time jobs and support Visit our website them as they develop into effective public sector leaders throughout their two-year fellowship. Fellows work alongside their peer cohort and collaborate with the GFA League of Innovators, filling a critical need in their agencies and igniting a lifetime of public sector leadership.