Feb 23, 2014

Equality NC's #GetEngagedNC Launches With Western Regional Event

Equality NC launched its #GetEngagedNC campaign this weekend with Saturday's Western Regional event in Boone, NC, focused on empowering community activists to move the state forward on issues of equality. Combining community cultural work and civic engagement, #GetEngagedNC is Equality NC's flagship campaign focused on engaging and mobilizing networks of support to promote basic LGBT and allied visibility as well as a growing electoral presence.

The day-long #GetEngaged training hosted by Equality NC Foundation, drew a packed audience of community organizers and organizations, campus activists, faith and business leaders, as well as those interested in engaged pro-equality voters in this important election year.

Representatives from national, state and North Carolina regional organizations were also in attendance, including ACLU of North Carolina, Community Alliance for Equality, Mitchell County Gay-Straight Alliance, Olive Branch Ministries, Standing on the Side of Love, UNC-Asheville, Warren Wilson, and Appalachian State University College Democrats, Western North Carolina AIDS Project, as well as Mitchell County, Catawba County, and Watauga County chapters of the NAACP.

Despite the diverse audience, the day's focus remained on hyper-local strategies for getting Western North Carolina engaged in the important work of creating a living equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) North Carolinians and their allies, as well as successful tactics for moving these same pro-equality voters to the polls.

"Local organizing and creating lasting networks--that is why we are here today," Equality NC's executive director Chris Sgro told the capacity crowd.

Added Ben Church, Equality NC's deputy director of organizing, " many people all across Western North Carolina are conflicted on LGBT issues. Meeting people 'where they are' works."

The #GetEngagedNC Western Regional event is the first of three day-long institutes focused on engaging local communities on important LGBT issues and actions. The winter series will conclude with events in the North Carolina Piedmont (Greensboro, March 1) and Eastern NC (Wilmington, March 8).

Register Now for a #GetEngagedNC Regional Event Near You.

"In March we'll also be assembling in communities from the piedmont to the coast with more #GetEngagedNC events (equalitync.org/getengagednc) to encourage all of our supporters, no matter where they live, to get engaged in the important work of moving our state forward for Equality," said Sgro.

RELATED:

(BLOG) Meet Ian O'Keefe: #GetEngagedNC West Trainer
Three years ago I was a college freshman in my first semester at Appalachian State University.Today, I'm writing as someone who has since founded an organization to oppose North Carolina's constitutional ban on marriage equality, registered and organized record numbers of college students to vote, and become a leading advocate for civic engagement in Watauga County and all across my state. And this Saturday, I'll be leading Equality NC Foundation's #GetEngagedNC Western Regional Institute in Boone. Join me.

(BLOG) Meet Michelle Mathis: #GetEngagedNC Trainer
Last year, I attended Equality NC Foundation’s annual conference where I was inspired by hundreds of LGBT activists and allies willing to work together to move our state forward. In 2014, I’ll be helping to lead Equality NC’s new #GetEngagedNC Regional Institutes.

(BLOG) It's Not Too Late to Get Engaged Out West!
It's not too late to get engaged this Saturday for our #GetEngagedNC Western Regional event in Boone! Our past Greensboro conferences were a great organizing tool, but this year we're proud to host regional events like this one with the goal of coming to you for our collective community work in 2014.