MJ 09012023

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The Florida Statewide Organization (FSO)

Voter Registration Education and Mobilization

(VREM)

Chapter Manual

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The Florida Statewide Organization (FSO), Voter Registration Education and Mobilization (VREM) Committee is provided this VREM Chapter Manual to establish Organizational Structure, Strategies and “Tactical Plans” within the state.

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The Strategies and “Tactical Plans” shall have consistent shared standards and values that are commonly accepted by the 7^th District and FSO VREM Committees. Each Region in the FSO and the local Chapter VREM Chair will be identified, along with an integrated “Tactical Plans” for registration, educating and mobilizing with the primary goal to get Voters to the polls.

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Goals/Expectations

• The goal of the FSO VREM Committee is to establish a strong FSO VREM Organization, by Regions involving each chapter in the state, and for each chapter to have a viable VREM presence in their respective communities.
• It is important that the Voters are educated, regarding the candidates and amendments on the ballot.
• It is imperative to get Voters to the polls and the Voters become familiar with the ballot and votes the entire ballot.

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• The FSO VREM Committee is emphasizing that “Each Voter”, is to vote in every election (primary, general, and special) at the local, county, state, and national levels.

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Implementation

• The FSO VREM State Committee shall develop a strong organization by Region, establishing a local VREM Chair in each FSO chapter.

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• The FSO Regional Representatives shall provide the contact information of each chapter VREM Chair and shall assist with accountability.

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• Regional Representatives and local VREM Chairs will implement a “Tactical Plan” tailored to the local needs for their individual communities. Each Chapter shall have established programs specifically for Voter Registration, Education, and Mobilization.

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• This Regional Network shall establish partners or collaborations. These partnerships will encompass the various political, fraternal, civic, and social groups which operate within the fabric of the community (NAACP, League of Women Voters, SCLC, ACLU, SPLC, Urban League, Black Voters Matter, Center for Common Ground, Democracy Centers, League of Women Voters, Divine 9, Masons, Lodges, Veterans, Ministerial Alliances , Interdenominational Ministers’ Fellowships).

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• The collaboration with each of the above groups above will be the essence of our permanent unified team.

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FSO Regional Representatives and Local Chapter VREM Chairs

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Regional Representatives and Local VREM Chairs

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Regional Representatives and Local VREM Chairs

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Timeline and Milestones:

4 Phase Approach with 7 Major Milestones

Phase 1 Establish State Organization, Establish State and Local Partnerships

Registration Events Plan, Candidates Search/Identified (Aug. – Dec 2023)

Phase 2 Registration Events, Educational Plans, Mobilization Strategy Plan

Support Candidates campaigns (Oct. 2023 - May 2024)

Phase 3 Elections (Presidential Preference Primary (March 2024), Primary (Aug 2024), General (Nov 2024)

Phase 4 State and Local Power Forums, Mobilization Strategies (June - Nov 2024)

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7 Major Milestones

• VREM State Organization and Regional “Tactical Plans” Initiated (July- Oct.2023)
• VREM State Organization and Regional “Tactical Plans” Completed (Nov. 2023)
• Registration, Educational, Mobilization Plans and Strategies Completed (Jan. 2024)
• Collaboration Partners Identified and Contacted (Feb. 2024)
• State and Local Candidates Identified (Jan. – July 2024)
• State and Local Power Forums Planned (Jan. – Oct. 2024)
• Mobilization Plan by Regions and Chapters (Feb - Nov 2024)

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Important VREM and Election Dates

Chapters please note the “EARLY VOTING PERIODS” and stress Voting Early. These “EARLY VOTING PERIODS” should also be your key Mobilization Periods.

Ques on The Hill- Tallahassee January TBD 2024

Grand Conclave - Tampa June 28- July 2, 2024

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Registration

Each Chapter shall conduct Registration events, prior to the Presidential Primary (March 2024) , the Primary (Aug 2024) ,

and the General Elections (Oct-Nov 2024). This can be a collaboration with our local partners.

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• Local VREM Chairs should get to know their Supervisor of Election in the County. (Inquire into “Adopt a Poll”, in which the local chapter can receive proceeds for working the polls) 

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• Utilize local community events for major Registration Drives. I.e. Black History Month, Juneteenth, Fourth of July.

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• These Registration events can be promoted using Social Media, TV Community Activity Spots, flyers and Radio. Possibly an outdoor activity with local candidates speaking and local talent performing.

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• Utilize local community events for major Registration Drives. I.e. Black History Month, Juneteenth, Fourth of July.
• The Four B’s: Barber Shops, Beauty Salons, Basketball Courts, BBQ Pits

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• Focus registration to the 18-45 year old category
• Dedicated Days Statewide for Registration events as a form of unity

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Method of Registration

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• The method of registration during the Local Chapter Registration Drive will be Online.

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• The FSO VREM Committee will provide Online Voter Registration cards with a QR Code for potential Voters to register themselves.

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Florida Online Voter Registration System (registertovoteflorida.gov)

registertovoteflorida.gov

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Education

• The FSO VREM Committee and local chapters shall conduct Educational Forums

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• Conduct Virtual Educational Forums focused on Registration, the important going to the polls to VOTE, and of getting to “Know the Ballot” (vote411.org)

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• Identify Local Candidates and Campaigns to Supported

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• Conduct Virtual and/or In-Person Educational Forums regarding Local Candidates and issues. Council Members,

School Board, Local Advisory Boards

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• Conduct Virtual and/or In-Person sessions utilizing Civics 101: Know your Government

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• Emphasize Early Voting 

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Mobilization

• Mobilization is the most important factor in the VOTING process.

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• Emphasize Early Voting

• The 2 Saturdays’ of the Early Voting Period shall be designated as “Drive for the Polls”, prior to the Presidential Primary (March 2024) , the Primary (Aug 2024) , and the General Elections (Oct-Nov 2024).

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• Partner with Local Churches to utilize Buses/Vans to Mobilize, with an Emphasize Early Voting 

and each Election period.

• An additional mobilization resource is Ride Share , Florida - Rideshare2Vote

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Summary

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This FSO VREM Chapter Manual will establish the Organizational Structure, Strategies and “Tactical Plans” within the state. The overall goal is to motivate our communities to “Get Out to Vote” in all future elections in 2023/2024. (i.e., local precincts, city, county, region, state, and national). Once we see an increase in Voter turnout in our communities and the entire state, then we have obtained success.

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Brothers, please understand the importance of each Chapter in the FSO to focus on the Urgency, Priorities, and Actions Required as we move forward.

Let’s strive for an increase in Voter turnout!!!

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Zoom Meeting with all Local Chapter VREM Chairs

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October 10^th, 2023 - 7:30PM

(An email will be distributed with the Zoom link)

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“Tactical Plans” checklist for local chapters

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Local Partnerships

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Registration

Registration Drives in association with Community events

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Education

Zoom Meeting

Forums

Local Candidates Identified and Campaigns Supported

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Mobilization

Ministerial Alliances

Local Partnerships

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Partners

NAACP, League of Women Voters, SCLC, ACLU, SPLC, Urban League, Black Voters Matter, Center for Common Ground, Democracy Centers, Divine 9, Masons, Lodges, Veterans, Ministerial Alliances , Interdenominational Ministers’ Fellowships

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Resources

Division of Elections - Florida Department of State (myflorida.com)

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Florida Online Voter Registration System

https://registertovoteflorida.gov/home

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VOTE411

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Florida - Rideshare2Vote

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FSO 2022-2023 Executive Committee

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State Representative Bro. Darron L. Toston�1st Vice State Representative Bro. Royle King II�2nd Vice State Representative Bro. Timothy Sinclair�State Keeper of Records and Seal Bro. Sean Rush�State Keeper of Finance Bro. Andre Gaines�State Counselor Bro. Andre Young, Esq.

State Chaplain Bro. Kim D. Yarber II

State PR Director Bro. Michael V. Bowie

State Marshal Bro. Vin Durant (Region 7)

Immediate Past State Rep. Bro. M. Kevin Woodall, Sr.

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FSO VREM Committee 2023-2024

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Brother Randy (RJ) Johnson, FSO VREM Chairman

Brother Manuel Jones, FSO VREM Co-Chairman

Brother Chester E. Fair, Jr.

Brother Harry Harvey

Brother Vin Durant

Brother Mark Blake

Brother Dr. Victor Montgomery

Brother Tierney Bell

Brother Christopher Baker (Undergraduate)

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QUESTIONS/COMMENTS

Contact

Brother Randy (RJ) Johnson, FSO VREM Chairman

Email- rj1le77@bellsouth.net

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Brother Manuel Jones, FSO VREM Co-Chairman

Email- majjones01@bellsouth.net

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