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Jeffrey Nadel
Bio Statement
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Each day, I embody the spirit of NYRA and its goals. Youth rights is my mission and my determination to achieve that end is unbreakable. For over two years, I have served as the President of NYRA of Southeast Florida, the chapter that I founded. We have filed a lawsuit, the first on behalf of a youth-led civil rights organization, against West Palm Beach's unconstitutional youth curfew. We have met with legislators and are working to lower Florida's voting age to 16. I have served as NYRA-National's President over the course of the last year. The honor has been immense and I have strived to act as the representative of NYRA's chapter network on the national Board. Our chapters are the backbone of the organization; they are the center from which real, tangible action originates. They are the boots on the ground. I fought hard with my fellow Board members to pass a Chapter Funding Resolution, which allows our chapters to request funding from national in the case of unexpected emergencies or situations the necessitate immediate action. NYRA needs to continue pursuing professionalism and viability; I am committed to doing so and will continue to fight for this organization, its chapters, and its cause.
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Questionnaire
1. Why do you want to run for the NYRA Board of Directors?
Every day, I see young people oppressed and denied their rights solely because of their age. I am unwilling to bear the heavy heel of the status quo; and I am committed to doing all within my power to fight against the injustice that has become so widespread. I am a capable leader, as my past service as President and on the Board of Directors has demonstrated. And I have a bold vision for NYRA as we move through our strategic planning process that will ensure our organization's perpetual existence and continual growth. Under my leadership, I will accept no less: the National Youth Rights Association will be a nationally-recognized force for justice.
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?
I am entirely comfortable with the responsibilities that being a non-profit board member entails. I was appointed to the NYRA Board of Directors on June 15, 2009 to serve out the remainder of the 2009 term. Since then, I have been elected to the Board twice and have served two terms both as a Director and as the President of the organization. During this time, I have chaired meetings of the Board and coordinated activity within the organization. I also founded the National Youth Rights Association of Southeast Florida and served as its President and the Chairman of the Board since May 2008.
3. What have you personally done to advance NYRA?
* Had the honor of serving two terms as the President of NYRA
* Served as NYRA's spokesperson throughout my term as President over the last two years, appearing on CNN Headline News and being featured in print media, on TV, and on the radio
* Represented NYRA at conferences across the country, giving speeches to groups as small as 10 and as large as 1,000
* Forged lasting connections with influential individuals and ally organizations to advance NYRA's mission
* Met with dozens of legislators to advocate lowering the voting age and abolishing curfews
* Filed two lawsuits against West Palm Beach, FL's unconstitutional and illegally-enforced youth curfew
* Wrote, organized, and cast NYRA's first television commercial
I embody NYRA and its mission on a daily basis and I work to further our goals with each connection that I make. It is this commitment that NYRA needs.
4. What are your short and long term goals for NYRA? How do we reach those goals?
Each day, I see progress towards our ultimate goals -- shifts in public opinion, casual debates that result in an "A-ha!" moment, and ageist policies shot down. At the same time, I recognize that NYRA is the organization working on youth-rights issues. There are other organizations that have been integral to some of our successes, but we are the only youth-led civil rights organization. To preserve the movement, we must always ensure that NYRA as an organization is sustainable. We need the courage and the conviction to look at our organizational structure, determine what needs to be adjusted, and make the changes that will keep NYRA around for years to come. This process has begun with our Strategic Planning initiative. But it must continue; I will ensure that it does. We must cultivate our connections with legislators and the media, and continue to foster professionalism and pursue financial sustainability.
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.
We need more exposure, legitimacy and political viability. How do we get there? We need to ensure that our organization is sustainable. NYRA must be a center of action, one with an army of committed activists and a reservoir of sufficient funds. One of our biggest assets is our uniqueness. When an issue arises, NYRA is what should to come to mind. I work with the media so that when a story about young people is aired, there is a youth voice speaking on our behalf. If I'm not in the room and there are older people presuming to know our concerns and understand our interests, then there is a problem. Consistent positive action relies on our chapters; it is crucial that we continue to build our network of chapters. This organization is my passion; and for the duration of my service to it, it has my full commitment.
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.
My question is this: Are you more happy with NYRA, its efforts, and its successes now than you were a year or two years ago? If you are not, do not vote for me. If, however, you think that NYRA is moving in the right direction, enjoying more success, and more powerfully advocating for our mission, then I would be honored to have your vote. If elected, I will continue to serve as NYRA's ambassador at conferences across the nation, give speeches, coordinate with other organizations, and organize our efforts. One specific goal that I have is to establish a legal defense initiative, so that when free speech rights are blatantly violated in schools as happened with the breast-cancer awareness bracelets this year, or when any other instance of the en masse violation of youth rights occurs, we have attorneys who are able to send letters and take action immediately.
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?
A board member has responsibility for the national organization. We must coordinate efforts among chapters and work to strengthen the image and reputation of NYRA as a whole. Our members are the lifeblood of this organization; I said that last year, but there is no way to talk about this organization without reaffirming that. Members motivate action and carry it out. My work at the local level will never stop. In fact, I am starting a chapter at the University of Pennsylvania. However, if I have the honor of being elected to serve the NYRA and its members again on the national Board of Directors, I will have a greater capacity to serve as a spokesperson and an ambassador for the youth-rights movement and to make some of the lasting changes that will reinforce NYRA's position as a formidable national force.
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?
I have been present at, and chaired, every meeting possible. I have made strides to further the Strategic Planning process, to make sure that NYRA is an organization that can survive perpetually. There is no doubt that we have, as promised last year, gained more legitimacy. And, in the history of this organization, our financial health has never been better. I have traveled the country attending conferences and giving speeches, and I have made efforts to network with people of all political persuasions in an effort to accomplish our goals.
9. Define "youth rights". Describe our mission and our vision in your own words.
NYRA is striving towards a society in which youth are not denied their natural rights. While many tend to view our movement as one of "asking" for rights, it truly is not. Instead, we must demand the rights which no man or woman, no government or individual, can create nor take away. Justice Brennan of the United State Supreme Court said, "The Framers of the Bill of Rights did not purport to 'create' rights. Rather they designed the Bill of Rights to prohibit our Government from infringing rights and liberties presumed to be preexisting." We must ensure that youth are not unfairly victimized or unlawfully discriminated against. Youth cannot be denied their natural rights or their representation.
10. With many qualified members running for the Board, what sets you apart? Why should you be elected?
I have served as NYRA's President for the past two years and as a successful chapter leader since 2008. It is critical that someone with on-the-ground experience as a chapter leader be on the national Board of Directors to coordinate and to represent the interests of chapters. Throughout the course of my service to NYRA, I am confident that I have established a track record that has justified the great trust you have put it in me, and one that has adequately exemplified my gratitude for your immense confidence.
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