YALLA VOTE ‘08 Our Voice. Our Future.

Matt Ellias is the Field Organizer for the New York City branch of the Arab American Institute’s “Yalla Vote” Campaign. Matt is honored and excited to be working for an organization led by James Zogby, who has been such an inspiration to politically interested members of the Arab American community. Matt is a political creature by nature, feels a special connection to his community, and is looking forward to becoming a more active member of both the Arab American community, as well as the community of politically active Americans at large. In the pluralist political system that governs these United States, Matt is excited to be an active participant, for it is in large part the political process itself that makes this country great.

Matt was immersed in the Arab American community from birth due to his father’s vocation as an Antiochian Orthodox Priest, and has had the honor of knowing some truly great Arab Americans from the various church communities he has been a part of and has been connected to. Matt has seen the strength and efficacy of tightly knit Arab American communities working in concert with one another, and hopes to break down the superficial barriers that divide segments of the Arab American population to allow the Arab American community at large to control its own destiny through voting. Matt brings enthusiasm, creativity, and relentless hustle to the “Yalla Vote” campaign, and is proud to be a representative of the Arab American Institute.

He can be reached at aai-newyork@yallavote.org

Read about Matt’s experience and thoughts in his own words:

“I am sitting at the desk of one of my new offices, (that’s right, I have two…eat your heart out other interns) writing my first of many blog entries for AAI this summer. More on my first day in my next post, but first- some reflections on the amazing experience that was training at the AAI Washington DC office.

First and foremost, I want to extend my utmost gratitude for the hospitality shown to me and all of the new members of the AAI team by the AAI staff. We met, we worked, we learned, we laughed, we ate- a lot, and I couldn’t be more excited about working with everyone I met this past weekend. Sure there was joking and eating, and the occasional shisha break, but most importantly, we enjoyed a through, engaging, and informative few days of intensive training.

After checking into our lavish accommodations (thanks for the single room Hassan), we proceeded for the first time to the AAI office on K Street. As a student of interest group politics, I was floored. After arrival and quick introductions, we got right down to a crash course on the history of AAI, its goals and staff, and our first taste of the Yalla Vote campaign. After some basic training on the essentials of the Yalla Vote campaign, and communications in the field, we broke for dinner and got to know one another.

The next day brought representatives from Campus Progress, who gave an informative presentation on attracting positive media attention, and using the media to our advantage. We continued on directly to Capitol Hill where we got the amazing opportunity to meet with representatives from the DNC and RNC. If nothing else, the opportunity to see the ways in which the DNC and RNC differ in terms of presentation, and interest in involvement with groups such as ours, was striking, if not a bit comical at times. Either way, it was tremendous to meet with people as high ranking as the Political Director in the case of the DNC, and…see the button collection in the lobby of the RNC? They also gave us 201 page copies of the past Republican platform, and a number of glossy headshots of President Bush and Vice President Cheney. Snazzy. I personally think that Dick Cheney has kind of a George Constanza thing going on in his picture, but that’s for another blog entry. In both cases, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to see behind the scenes of such important organizations, and put their representatives on notice that the Yalla Vote field organizers are here to make a real impact on this election, and on our communities at large…whether or not that excited or interested them. Eh-hem.

Friday brought a rundown of the policies and procedures for field organizers, and a troubleshooting session regarding some of the issues we will inevitably face. After a working lunch which was wonderful, but left us all with dragon breath, we began our training with the Wellstone Action Fund. The representatives from Wellstone took us on a journey that ranged from voter-engagement basics, to the advanced techniques of get-out-the-vote campaigns. We simulated one on one’s, recorded soundbytes, learned about the care and feeding of our volunteers, and ultimately discovered how to hone our message, and deliver it most effectively to the right people. Granted, this Wellstone training carried over well into the next day, but the energy and enthusiasm of Ms. Barboza and Mr. Gonzalez-Estay, made the experience enjoyable, engaging, and not nearly as long as I thought it was going to be.

That about sums up the training, but in my opinion, the most valuable thing I got out of my time in DC is the knowledge that there is a wonderful, committed group of individuals who are available to offer support and guidance in my efforts to engage and mobilize the Arab-American community. Socially, I had a great time, and loved meeting the other field organizers, with whom I have every intention of staying in touch through the Yalla Vote campaign, and long after it has ended. That is not to forget the DC interns, of whom I’m a little jealous because they get to stay with the AAI staff all summer. THANK YOU to all of my fellow interns, the wonderful full-time staff of AAI in DC, and all of the presenters who helped in our training. I know that if everyone else is half as excited as I am, this is going to be an amazing experience.

Oh- and to my fellow field-organizers. I’m going to the inauguration. Don’t get it twisted.”

YALLA VOTE!!
-Matt Ellias

New York Field Organizer