Website: https://www.lpniowa.com
Mission: Latinos make up 6 percent of Iowa’s population but hold less than 1 percent of electoral seats in the state. The Latino Political Network exists to empower and enable the next generation of Latino officials. It will provide the tools, resources, and connections for us fight above our own weight class. The Latino Political Network has strived to offer training and mentorship. The goal: to shave the top off the learning curve for Latino candidates. LPN has maintained a commitment to move its events around Iowa and offer its programming free of charge to make it easy for Latinos to take part.
Location: Statewide – main office Des Moines (58 miles from Grinnell College)
Needs: Research, writing, help with social media, organizing, planning for events
Volunteers:
- One-time events: yes
- Ongoing: yes
- Groups possible? no
When is service needed: year-round
Number of hours: Flexible hours, as much or little as is possible for the volunteer
Modality:
- In-person: yes
- Hybrid in-person/virtual possible:
- Fully virtual possible: yes
Background check required: no
Equipment/logistics needed: If it’s for a more intensive internship experience, it would be helpful to have the ability to travel by car to get from place to place.
Training supplied: An onboarding session to the organization and the work we try to do.
Equipment or logistics supplied:
How to apply: Email Rob Barron at rxbarron@gmail.com
Contact: Robert X. Barron, 515-778-2961, lpniowa@gmail.com, rxbarron@gmail.com
Operation information: In 2013, Rob Barron became aware that no Latino had ever been elected to sit on the Polk County school board. He recalled his father’s attempt to win a city council seat on the east side of Des Moines in 1979. Rob knew the deck was stacked against him. But he believed if he could win—if he could win this one race—it would be the first step to getting a seat at the table. In 2013, victory prevailed, and Rob became the first Latino to win election to the Des Moines School Board. Shortly after Rob’s victory, the messages started trickling out to other Latinos looking to run for office. These people didn’t know where to start, or who to talk to. And so, Rob hatched a plan larger than his one seat. He enlisted his friend and colleague Omar Padilla. In 2015, The Latino Political Network was born. It came together out of a desire to educate and empower Latino aspiring elected officials across Iowa. The official kick off drew more than thirty Latinos from ten communities. Since its start, LPN has been dedicated to teaching Latinos how to build a campaign.
Address: 4220 Holland Des Moines, IA 50310, Statewide – main office Des Moines
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