Virtual Organizing During a Pandemic

By Audrey Coleman, Blue Future Spring for Progress and Change organizer

For the duration of this experience organizing with Blue Future, we have had to face the challenges of being entirely virtual. This new style brings incredible opportunities to connect across the country, which is what I feel I gained from the most as a spring intern.

Specifically, I recall being able to listen to Senator Sarah McBride. In this session, I was able to hear her story as a first transgender woman in Congress. Through hearing her anecdote about the trials she faced while pursuing her role to serve the public, I was very inspired by the hope she was determined to bring into our government.

I learned how it is so important for representation in our government to allow for a fully functioning democracy, and how by recognizing the efforts and history made by our predecessors we can be empowered to persist.

Furthermore, this opportunity would not have been possible in an in person setting, as leaders with a busy schedule were able to accommodate more requests with events being virtual. I feel that the pandemic has shed light on the ability to make programs significantly more accessible to people, as well as connect large groups of people over long distances.

This program exemplified the tools technology can grant us to utilize for curriculum, communication, and connectedness. Regarding virtual advocacy, I was able to take away key tangible skills like implementing virtual events and programs to connect to wider audiences pursuing a shared cause.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have exposure to leaders and peers to shape my experience working with Blue Future this Spring and look forward to creating change in my community and beyond!

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About Audrey: My name is Audrey Coleman (she/her) and I am a freshman at Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University. I’m earning a degree in Business Public Service Public Policy with a certificate in Cross-Sector Collaboration. I have worked to tackle issues like gun violence with March for our Lives Arizona by writing policy to redefine school safety and interned with Campus Vote Project to encourage civic engagement and youth turnout leading up to the 2020 election. I’m vegan, love Harry Styles, and run an environmental nonprofit in Cambodia. I have enjoyed being a part of Blue Future in their Spring Advocacy program!