18 in ’08 (www.18in08.com) is an unprecedented a national nonpartisan peer to peer youth voter engagement and mobilization organization created to register, engage, and mobilize young voters specifically for the 2008 election. The primary tool used to engage voters is the documentary film “18 in ‘08” through screenings of the film, followed by discussions with leaders and students and on site voter registration. 18 in ’08 also works heavily through educational efforts on college and high school campuses, celebrity outreach, intensive media coverage, peer to peer viral spreading of the message, and extensive use of new media, social network, and mobile technologies. Run by 19 year-old Founder and Director David D. Burstein, 18 in ’08 is the first national youth voter organization to be run by someone under 20. The film features leading politicians and public figures including Gov. Jeb Bush, Sen. Sam Brownback, James Carville, Sen. Chris Dodd, Sam Donaldson, Richard Dreyfuss, Sen. John Kerry, Sen. Joe Lieberman, as well as a diverse array of students from around the country. 18 in ’08, the film, is a call to action: to encourage youth voters to register, vote, get informed, and stay involved. Over the years there have been many efforts to get young people involved and engaged in politics, but few have been organized and engineered from the ground up by young people themselves. 18 in ‘08 is a peer to peer engagement effort, it has been made by young people and designed to appeal to young people. Over 29 million Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 will be eligible to vote in 2008; if that power is harnessed properly, young people could swing the outcome of the election. While youth voter turnout increased both in the 2004 and 2006 elections, it is still well below the level it should be, especially when considering the pressing importance of today’s issues to the lives of young people. To mobilize this demographic, 18 in ’08 is leading an unprecedented movement to engage, register, and mobilize young voters for the 2008 election and beyond. The 18 in ’08 Organization 18 in ’08 started as a film, but has quickly become a truly unprecedented national peer to peer effort to register, engage, and mobilize young voters for the 2008 election and beyond. The centerpiece of our efforts is ongoing screenings around the country featuring on-site voter registration and talkbacks with politicians, candidates, activists, students, and filmmakers, we have done over 100 of these since the film’s premiere in June and will continue to do them through the election. Some of the efforts we are currently planning are listed here: • Cross Country Tour (Summer ’08) screening the film around the country in areas where youth voter turnout has been historically low and where it has been significantly increasing. Screenings would be accompanied by talk backs with activists, students, politicians, and celebrities as well as voter registration. • College and High School Tour (Fall ‘08) in the lead up to the election screening the film on a diverse array of college campuses. Screenings would be followed by voter registration and talk backs with activists, students, politicians, and celebrities. • Major initiative to get a copy of the film into every high school government and social studies class in the country along with voter education curriculum and educational materials. Currently the film is in 80 high schools and growing daily. • Fashion and bracelet campaign, encouraging voter awareness, bracelets will say “Vote Strong” on them, t shirts will be distributed through events and our website as well as through a strategic partnership with a clothing store. • Sponsoring and organizing Congressional and Senatorial debates for the fall elections. Questions would be submitted exclusively by 17-24 year olds in specific districts, debates would also be moderated by young people. • Major web video, blogging, and social network initiatives through www.18in08.com as well as through high-profile sites including YouTube, MySpace, and Facebook. This includes: • Regularly posting new video content on all major web video sites, this content includes short public service ads featuring politicians and celebrities, man on the street interviews, videos on issues, clips from the film, and edited versions of the interviews used in the film (showing lots of new content from leading interview subjects including: Sen. Barbara Boxer, Governor Jeb Bush, Sen. Robert Byrd, James Carville, Gen. Wes Clark, Sen. Chris Dodd, ABC News Anchor Sam Donaldson, Academy Award Winning Actor Richard Dreyfuss, Sen. Chuck Hagel, Sen. John Kerry, Rep. John Lewis, Sen. Joe Lieberman, and MTV News’ Gideon Yago, • Developing the 18 in ’08 blog, a definitive source for young people in politics and the 2008 race. The blog will feature posts by leading young people, including many young elected officials, political leaders, as well as the 18 in ’08 team, posting original content as well as aggregating some of the best content about the youth vote on a daily basis. • Online Video Contests asking people to create videos about issues they believe are important in this election, what people would have liked to have added to the film, etc winning videos will be featured on our website and all our video outlets. Making 18 in ‘08: 18 in ’08 arose from the vision of its 19-year-old director, David D. Burstein, who first began to think about making this film in the wake of the 2004 Presidential election. Having helped to create and run one of the country’s most successful high school film festivals, Burstein saw firsthand the impact the film medium on his generation and the power of film to affect change. Over two years of work went into making the film. Burstein traveled the country, interviewing past and present Presidential candidates, congressmen, senators, governors, mayors, public policy experts, student leaders, and a diverse group of young Americans. Some of the people featured in the film are: Sen. Barbara Boxer, Sen. Sam Brownback, Mayor Cory Booker, Governor Jeb Bush, Sen. Robert Byrd, James Carville, Gen. Wes Clark, Sen. Chris Dodd, Sam Donaldson, Richard Dreyfuss, David Gergen, Sen. Chuck Hagel, Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, and Sen. John Kerry. Given the importance of the 2008 election, and the direct impact it will have on an entire generation of young Americans, we need to overcome apathy, cynicism, and skepticism — as well as the frequent disappointments of the political system — and get involved. The hope is that 18 in ’08 will spur conversation and start to galvanize and aggregate the power and passion of youth. The film’s message is that young people can and should take their future into their own hands by participating with and engaging in our democracy. What they’re saying about 18 in ’08… Terrific! Voting is one of the most important responsibilities we have as American citizens, and our government system can only work is individual citizens take an active role in ensuring the wellbeing of their lives and communities. Americans must both learn about and participate in our government if we want to be able to guide our destiny. Your dedication to mobilizing your generation to vote is truly remarkable…” -Former President Bill Clinton “I am proud to have been a part of such a great project. 18 in ’08 encourages young people across the nation to become more involved in the political process and make proactive strides toward addressing today’s most pressing issues. I urge everyone to go out and see this remarkable film.” —Mayor Cory A. Booker Mayor of the City of Newark, New Jersey “David Burstein’s movie is very original in its idea and its format. And yet it returns to important age-old issues about how to engage voters in general, and young voters in particular, with American politics and more generally with the future of our country. In that regard its message is even more convincing, because in some cases Burstein opens our eyes to new facts, but in others he simply helps tell us things we already knew or sensed yet needed vivid and powerful images to underscore and remember. Often the best documentaries and best political art have these attributes. The movie is a great service and we are proud with the Opportunity ‘08 effort at Brookings to have been involved…” —Michael O’Hanlon, Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution “A great film…talking to and energizing young voters is important…to our democracy.” —Gov. Howard Dean, Chairman, Democratic National Committee “I am proud to have been a part of such a great project. 18 in ’08 encourages young people across the nation to become more involved in the political process and make proactive strides toward addressing today’s most pressing issues. I urge everyone to go out and see this remarkable film.” —Mayor Cory A. Booker, Mayor of the City of Newark, New Jersey “18 in ‘08 is a creative and informative approach to encourage our youngest voters to get involved in the political process. I congratulate David for his commitment to getting his peers engaged in their communities.” —Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Connecticut-4th “David is a dedicated and concerned citizen who continually looks out for the best interests of his peers and community. He created and organized the highly successful Westport Youth Film Festival which was a true community event and stands as a testament to his ability and support for the young people who are our future. I would strongly encourage you to support this project.” —Diane Farrell, 2004 & 2006 Democratic Nominee for CT-4th Congressional District “18 in ’08 is a stunningly effective film which calls on 17-24 year olds to vote. With energetic but nonpartisan prose and videos…Burstein, seizes the young viewer's attention. This is a long way from your daddy's ‘know the separation of powers’ slides. I have been retired for eight years. I wish I had something like 18 in ‘08 when I started out in the classroom.” —Eric Rothschild, Author of The Chicago Handbook for Teachers, Legendary AP US History Teacher “The theme, that being a citizen is a full time job, is right on target. I can only hope it will stir young people to get involved in the political process in a way that nothing else has done. If the voice of young people is to be heard, they simply must get involved in larger numbers.” —Fmr. Rep. Jim Kolbe, R-Arizona-8th “Like other student projects he has initiated, 18 in ‘08 brings David’s own generation's perspective to critical issues facing all Americans, and its innovative approach promises to reach far beyond customary teenage reporting and commentary.” —Phil Lader, Fmr. Clinton White House Deputy Chief of Staff & Ambassador to U.K. “I am pleased to have had the opportunity to participate in David’s documentary, 18 in ‘08. I hope this documentary encourages other young people to get involved in the political process.” —Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, D-Ohio-11th 18 in ’08 Advisory Board (In Formation) Doug Bailey, Founder, The Hotline Jean Bennett, AP US History Teacher Dan Burstein, Managing Partner, Millennium Technology Ventures Lisa Coligan, National Director, Project Vote Smart Marty Edelman, Paul Hastings LLP John Ellis, Kerr Creek Partners Maya Enista, CEO, Mobilize.org Joanna Gleason, Actress, “Boogie Nights,” “Heartburn” Steve Grove, Editor, YouTube News and Politics Michelle Horowitz, PR Newswire David King, Harvard University Alexandra Krasov, Storefront Political Media Nathaniel Loewentheil, President, The Roosevelt Institution Billy Mann, Founder, Stealth Entertainment Scott Merrick, Tufts University Student/New Hampshire State Representative Marc Morgenstern, Executive Director, Declare Yourself Norm Ornstein, Resident Scholar, American Enterprise Institute Jason Osder, Professor, The George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs Jon Patricof, COO, Tribeca Enterprises Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director and Founder, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Justin Rockefeller, Co-Founder, Generation Engage Charlie Smith, Chairman, College Republican National Committee Jacob Soboroff, Executive Director, Why Tuesday? Olivia Wilde, Actress, “House,” “The O.C.” Lauren Wolfe, President, College Democrats of America 18 in ‘08 Outreach Partners 18 in ’08 is working with many partners to engage and mobilize young people for the 2008 election; we have developed special strategic partnerships with the following organizations. Declare Yourself www.DeclareYourself.com Declare Yourself is a nonpartisan, nonprofit campaign founded by award winning producer, Norman Lear - targeting all 18 year olds to register to vote in the upcoming 2008 presidential election. This national award-winning campaign, was highly successful in 2004 and 2006, registering well over 1 million young people. The 2004 presidential election had the highest youth voter turnout ever with more than 20 million young voters. Hands down, this would be a great way for you to get in front of your peers and influence them to get involved as you have in the upcoming election. Generation Engage www.GenerationEngage.org GenerationEngage is a nonpartisan youth-civic-engagement initiative that connects young Americans to political leaders, to other civic organizations, and to meaningful debate about the future they will inherit. GenerationEngage is built on three principles: Young people suffer not from a lack of interest, but from a lack of access; Our democracy should be a dialogue, not a monologue; and The best investment we can make in the future of our democracy is in young leaders at the local level. Mobilize.org www.mobilize.org Mobilize.org is an all-partisan network dedicated to educating, empowering, and energizing young people to increase our civic engagement and political participation. Mobilize.org works to show young people how public policy impacts their lives, and conversely, how young people can impact public policy. Project Vote Smart www.votesmart.org Vote Smart is a national, non-profit political research library. They collect information on 40,000 candidates and elected officials from around the nation, at all levels of government. They track their voting records, interest group ratings, public statements, campaign finance information, biographical information, issue positions and contact information. All of this information is accessible through their website or by calling the Voter's Research Hotline, toll-free at 1-888-Vote-Smart. Vote Smart does not support or oppose any candidate or piece of legislation, and it does not accept financial contributions from any organization that does. Nearly all Vote Smart’s funding comes from its 40,000 members. Vote Smart was founded in the late 80's by a group that included Presidents Carter and Ford as well as Senators Goldwater and McGovern. Why Tuesday? www.whytuesday.org Why Tuesday? was founded in 2005 to honor the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Rather than just celebrate this civil rights achievement, Why Tuesday? used this anniversary as a platform to spark a national discussion about voting in America. Why Tuesday’s goal is to grow a nationwide community around the issue of election reform. Why Tuesday wants to make election reform a subject that our elected officials cannot afford to avoid, because they believe an honest, open discussion will lead to good nonpartisan solutions. College Outreach Partners The College Democrats of America www.collegedems.com The College Democrats of America (CDA) is the official student outreach arm of the Democratic Party. It aims to train and engage new generations of Democratic activists and shape the Democratic Party with voices from America's youth. In election years, College Democrats work hard to mobilize student voters and recruit volunteers for Democratic campaigns, from town council to President of the United States. In 2004, CDA recruited activists on more than 1200 campuses in all 50 states. The College Republican National Committee www.crnc.org The College Republican National Committee (CRNC) is the nation’s oldest and largest youth political organization. Founded in 1892, the CRNC currently has over a quarter of a million members on over 1,800 campuses nationwide. The work of the College Republican National Committee is guided by three primary goals: to help elect Republicans; to support the President’s agenda; to prepare future leaders of the Party. The CRNC serves as the grassroots arm of the Republican Party. The Roosevelt Institution www.rooseveltinstitution.org The Roosevelt Institution is a non-profit, non-partisan national network of campus-based student think tanks. Its members conduct policy research on the pressing political issues facing our world, from environmental protection to equality under the law to trade and taxes. 18 in ’08 Executive Summary 18 in ‘08 is a nonpartisan documentary film and movement targeting today’s 17 to 24-year-olds, many of whom will be voting in their first presidential election in 2008. Made by 18-year-old director David D. Burstein, and produced by new media content company Crossborders , 18 in ’08: The Film, features interviews with many of the most influential politicians of today, as well as figures from popular culture, political activists, media commentators, student leaders, and young people. 18 in ‘08 highlights what is at stake for youth in the 2008 election, how decisions made in Washington today will affect young people for years to come, the issues and ideas that engage our generation, what turns us off, why are we so cynical about politics, the role of new media in engaging young voters, and candidates who have inspired youth. Fast-paced, entertaining, and thought-provoking, the film is ultimately a call to young people to overturn their traditional under-representation in election campaigns, get involved in the political process, and vote. 18 in ‘08 is in the process of bringing the film around the country, conducting screenings followed by talk backs with politicians, elected officials, and activists in concert with voter registration efforts. Other plans include a 50 state tour for summer 2008, a university tour for fall of 2008, an initiative to get a copy of the film into every high school social studies and government class in the country, and the creation of the definitive blog for youth and politics, which will feature commentary and opinions on the 2008 election, youth involvement, and today’s issues from leading young people in our country. To help accomplish all these ambitious goals, 18 in ’08 is constructing extensive partnerships with existing voter mobilization and youth-oriented organizations. We are also creating an advisory board with leading figures from politics, entertainment, media, and advocacy organizations. For more about 18 in ’08 visit www.18in08.com 18 in '08 is fiscally sponsored by the Tides Center a 501c3 organization, donations to 18 in '08 are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Press Clips: 18 in '08 Founder David D. Burstein on CSPAN's Q&A, 2.17.08 http://www.q-and-a.org/Video/?ProgramID=1167 18 in '08 Featured on ABC World News, 7.23.07 http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3405568 18 in '08 Featured on NPR, 11.26.07 http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=16611543&m=16611520 18 in '08 Featured on CNN, 11.13.07 http://youtube.com/watch?v=_nyrtdVD6rs 18 in '08 in Philadelphia Inquirer, 3.4.08 http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20080304_18_in_08__How_youths_can_change_America.html 18 in '08 in Boston Globe, 1.21.08 http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2008/01/21/the_demographic_party/ Making 18 in '08-Special to The Politico http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1007/6528.html 18 in '08 Founder David D. Burstein on CBS 880 Radio http://www.wcbs880.com/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=1416964 18 in '08 Founder David D. Burstein on FOX Business Channel http://www.foxbusiness.com/video/index.html?playerId=videolandingpage&streamingFormat=FLASH&referralObject=d057e363-a5b7-48d4-96b9-7546f36636e5&referralPlaylistId=1292d14d0e3afdcf0b31500afefb92724c08f046 18 in '08 on Geraldo http://youtube.com/watch?v=0Knsr92PEVQ 18 in 08 on CBS3 http://cbs3.com/topstories/Election.18.in.2.673405.html 18 in '08 profile in the Village Voice http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/archives/2007/12/talking_the_you.php YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/18in08