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Release Date: 
Monday, October 1, 2012

HFCC hosts 9th annual Michigan Student Political Issues Convention Oct. 12

Event Date: 
Fri, 10/12/2012

Henry Ford Community College (HFCC) and the League of Women Voters of Dearborn-Dearborn Heights will host the 9th Annual Michigan Student Political Issues Convention Friday, Oct. 12, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Andrew A. Mazzara Administrative Services & Conference Center on the main campus.

A number of elected officials will attend the convention, including U.S. Congressman John D. Dingell, Lt. Governor Brian Calley, Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr. and Dearborn Heights Mayor Daniel S. Paletko. Debbie Dingell – the president of D2 Strategies, chairwoman of the Manufacturing Initiative of the American Automotive Policy Council, a national Democratic strategist and a member of the Democratic National Committee – will give the keynote address.

The purpose of this convention is to foster democratic political engagement and to help reverse the trends in the lack of political engagement among young voters. Research shows that there continues to be a dramatic decline in youth political participation in every category, which poses a threat to the democratic process. If citizens fail to become politically engaged by their mid-20s, studies shows that they will not become engaged whatsoever.

Attendance is free and students can sign in on-site. For further information, contact Robert Yahrmatter at (313) 845-6361 or ryahrmatter@hfcc.edu.

Conference Agenda

  • The opening session runs from 9:30 to 10 a.m. This session will focus on the schedule of the day, the voting rules, Dingell’s keynote address and a welcome from O’Reilly and Paletko.
  • The Women Panel runs from 10 to 10:50 a.m., which will function as a Town Hall meeting.
  • From 11 to 11:40 a.m., there will be concurrent workshops on various issues. Students will join political science faculty who will present on several issues of concern.
  • From 11:45 a.m. to 12:10 p.m., a voting caucus will take place. In this caucus, students will vote on the issues agenda.
  • During the first part of the final session from 12:30 to 1 p.m., a tallying of the agenda will take place. Students will also report on the Caucus voting. A panel of elected officials will respond to the agenda and take questions from students.
  • From 1:45 to 2:30 p.m., there will be a post-convention campaign and elections workshop. HFCC will be inviting candidates from the Democratic and Republican parties, as well as nonpartisan candidates, to encourage students to become involved in the remainder of campaign seasons. Tables will be set up in the Atrium for candidates and their political parties, as well as workshop rooms available for them to talk to students in order to get them involved.