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Keith Mandell
Bio Statement
What can I say that hasn't already been said. I'm Keith Mandell, and I have been a youth rights activist for almost 14 years. I have served on NYRA's board as far back as 1999, and have been on the board for the last 7 years. I served as NYRA's chapter formation director.
I am an attorney and have experience with nonprofit boards. I believe I offer a unique perspective and background. I would like to get involved with NYRA's efforts to fundraise and reach out to organizations which support our goals.
I will give my all for NYRA and continue the efforts that I began over a decade ago. I encourage you to give me your vote and look forward to working with NYRA's board and leadership for another exciting history-making year!
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Questionnaire
1. Why do you want to run for the NYRA Board of Directors?
I would like to run for NYRA's board of directors because I have had a strong commitment to youth rights for almost 14 years. In the 1990s, I worked with Youthspeak, a youth-led civil rights organization focusing on a lower voting age.
I served on NYRA's board in its 2nd year (1999-2000) and for the past 7 years. NYRA is an important part of my life of which I am very proud.
2. Are you familiar with the responsibilities of a non-profit board member? What prior experience do you have that you believe qualifies you to hold the position of director on our board?
Besides my significant experience on NYRA's board, I have experience as an attorney in the nonprofit area. In 2005, I co-authored an article on the duties of nonprofit directors. At my prior law firm, I also was involved in helping incorporate nonprofits.
3. What have you personally done to advance NYRA?
Personally, I have done the following to assist NYRA. I drafted NYRA's voting age talking points, which still appear on its web site. I have assisted NYRA in connection with organizing protests and sending out press releases. I have contacted members regarding donations. I previously served as NYRA's chapter formation director. I have also personally contributed a significant amount of money to NYRA.
4. What are your short and long term goals for NYRA? How do we reach those goals?
My short term goals for NYRA is to continue to grow in membership and fundraising. We have made tremendous strides in the past couple years in gaining funding through grants and individual donation. We need to continue these efforts through reaching out to like-minded organizations (as we have been doing) and tap other potential youth rights supporters who may not have heard of us, including educators, and individuals involved in free speech and civil rights organizations which while not directly involving youth rights may be supportive of our efforts. In terms of long term goals, NYRA should become the organization members of the press turn to when looking for comments on youth rights issues. Additionally, we should continue to grow our legislative outreach efforts.
5. What do you believe is NYRA's biggest challenge or weakness, and what will you do, personally, to help address it. Please be specific and realistic.
NYRA's principal weakness remains its relatively limited (though growing) financial resources. I believe that a strong base for increased donations has already been set with our impressive efforts to apply for grants. However, we can and should also expand our networking efforts with organizations and individuals who may be supportive of our efforts. I discuss this more in the next question.
6. If elected, what will you personally do for the national organization? What projects or activities will you take leadership of? Please be specific and realistic.
If I am elected to NYRA's board, I will focus on reaching out to like minded organizations which may support youth rights to some extent. I would also like to connect with high school student organizations and school newspapers, as well as teachers who might be supportive of the cause. We should develop a comprehensive database of such organizations and supporters, so that we can reach out when we need support or action on particular issues and for fundraising purposes.
7. In your view, how is the role of a board member different than that of an active member or chapter leader? How would your involvement be affected if you weren't elected this year?
Generally, the role of a nonprofit board of directors is to "manage" the nonprofit organization. It hires its officers, approves its budget and works on developing the long term goals and vision of the organization. NYRA is different because of its small size and limited resources. A NYRA director must also serve as a volunteer and must take an active part in growing and developing the organization not just managing it.
8. If you served on the board last year, how would you assess your level of involvement? Did you follow through on promises you made during last year's election?
Last year, I attended every board meeting. I was also involved in supporting efforts to win the Findlaw contest through making phone calls. My mother was also involved in those efforts. My work schedule over the past year has limited my time availability, but I expect the next year to have more time.
9. Define "youth rights". Describe our mission and our vision in your own words.
"Youth rights" in my mind means that youth are entitled to the basic civil and political rights that those who are termed "adults" take for granted, such as the right to vote. These constitutional guarantees belong to all of us, regardless of our age.
10. With many qualified members running for the Board, what sets you apart? Why should you be elected?
A few things set me apart as a NYRA board candidate. Besides the years of NYRA experience I offer, as an attorney, I can provide a unique perspective. As a father of a five year old, I try to bring a youth-rights perspective to raising my own child.
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