It stands to reason that we feel a stronger connection to the communities which we have helped to design. This is as true in our commitment to our nation as it is of our local community. At the Academy, we have taken a strong initiative to help our members, regardless of party affiliation, to exercise their right to vote. From helping to register new voters to assisting those who wanted to vote by mail, we started early to encourage and facilitate the process, and help our members make a plan for voting day. We identified free and low-cost transportation to the polls, assisted in finding ones’ correct voting location, and offered tips on being comfortably prepared to wait in line (pro-tip: bring a beach chair and a book).

The great news is that many of our members have already cast their early vote! For those who have not yet done so, we continue to encourage and excite each other to participate in our democracy. In the words of human rights activist Loung Ung, “When we vote, we take back our power to choose, to speak up, and to stand with those who support us and each other.” Or, as notable author Roald Dahl put it, “Inside of all of us is the power to change the world.” Let us all be the change we want to see in this world. Mask up, stay safe, and vote.