Terann Edwards

Huma 2100- 9:00 am

03/22/2016
Civic Engagement
Pre Reflection: For this activity I will be attending the Republican caucus at Bingham High
School on March 22, 2016. I am honestly not too excited to go due to not being very politically
engaged. Coming from a family that always has politics be the main argument at dinners it has
become not my favorite topic. I have never voted which I am ashamed about but I do believe my
vote is important and want it to count. I feel like there will be many people there that want to get
things done and leave. I feel like there will be a room full of people to discuss and argue the
presidential and county delegates. Having it be held at my old High School makes me feel like I
will know where to go and what to do. I dont really know who I will need to talk to and what to
do but I am assuming there will be easy instructions to go through the process. I will definitely
learn how things work after and see how taking each persons vote into account. In my mind it
doesnt seem very important to go spend three hours at this but I feel like my eyes will be opened
to what really happens.

03/22/2016
Activity: The event I attended was the Republican Caucus on March 22, 2016 at Bingham High
School. After I was done with my work I went straight to the school. I made it with a very
confused look, because I had no idea what to do. The whole main hallway was full of tables on
each side with a paper of letters and numbers signifying which table was which. I made multiple
trips down the hallway trying to figure out what to do. I found a neighbor thankfully and asked
him what I needed to do. He told me that there is a map at the front that will tell me what code I
will be in and that will tell me what table to go to. First I needed to make sure I was a registered
voter. To make that happen I found a table with a guy that was very puzzled with what was going
on. I waited in line to fill out paperwork to become a voter which lasted for about 25 minutes.
Next I found myself in front of the map indicating what table I should go to. Many people were
very confused with where to go. I knew what area to look for since I know where I live but the
map did seem a little confusing. At this time many people were making their way into the school
and it was starting to get busy. I reached my table and got my Credentialed caucus attendee
paper. I was then instructed by my table leaders to go to the auditorium where it will begin. I
needed to stand on the side due to all the seats being taken. The meetings started with a warm
welcome for the community coming out to support and do their part. Following was a prayer that
everything may go well with the Caucus. Then we all broke out into groups and went to specific
rooms to begin the voting. I was sent to the sewing room, many people were in there and needed
to stand on the side. We finally began with deciding whether to vote presidential first or last. We
all voted and wanted to do Presidential first. It seemed very organized at this point making it
clear on what we need to do. We were short on forms so I needed to wait for more forms to come

which was kind of annoying. We got our form and made the vote. Next were the county vote and
many people left they only wanted to do Presidential. Same as we did the first time, got our
form and voted. I was amazed at the system on getting the votes and making it flow as smooth
as possible. Civic Engagement means to join with my community and be apart with what is
going on and to as well be engaged civically. I definitely needed to communicate with the people
around to know where to go. I spoke to another leader of my table, Tina Whitney, of how it was
going. She was very stressed out by the fact no one knew what to do. She felt like things were
much unorganized and was surprised at how many new comers there was. I was kind of
embarrassed that this was the definition of me! Going to the caucus made me see how unified my
city was and how engaged some of the people were. As a whole I didnt quite enjoy the
experience due to the fact that I didnt know what to do. I would feel if Trump would run for
President again I will go. Side of humor, it makes me want to be more politically engaged and be
a part of my community more. I feel like this event covered the theme of Identity, Privilege, and
Inequalities: Considerations of Race, Gender, and Ethnicity. Having the right to vote I feel is part
of the American Dream, and was such a hard movement to make for women and blacks in those
times.
Post Reflection:

Prompt 1: I learned a lot mainly about my community. How I in the beginning

did not care at all. But seeing how my neighbors, friends, and family take it so seriously and see
that we have a say makes me feel more important and that my vote counts. The time I turned 18
everyone asked when I would vote and if I did. I had no passion whatsoever to do that. I believed
my say had no effect of the situation and wouldnt matter. Being engaged like this is very good
for our community and the country. By coming together and discussing what our country needs
and who would make the best candidate is rewarding. Going out of my comfort zone and doing

something I usually wouldnt choose to do surprisingly make it more enjoyable and eye opening.
The problems I faced were how it was run. The unorganized way papers were formed and where
to start and where to go after was a conflict. But again fixing these issues I would be going out of
my comfort zone and talking to people to figure out what to do and it made it comfortable for me
to be there. I am deeply grateful for what my community did to hold an important meeting for
people that want to use their right and vote. After this it also makes me see how I take it for
granted. People of the past fought for this right and not caring about voting is disrespecting all of
the people who spent their lives trying to vote.