FAQs

How is 1st A-1st V, Inc funded?

Private Foundations
Publicly-funded Grants & Underwriting
Corporate & Individual Contributions
NYS BOCES Co-Ser Program Eligibility
In-kind Donations

What's the demographic comprising the 2021 cohort?

Total Students: 150

New York State regions served: CNY, WNY, Rochester-area, Southern Tier and Capital District
Priority: 10th & 11th graders representing a diverse student population

How many students can participate?

30 students per region (usually 5 per high school )

What does the program cost per student?

$410

Is there a cost to school districts for participation?

Starting 2023:

50% of program cost/student covered by 1st Amendment-1st Vote, Inc
Districts participating via a BOCES CoSer program: depends on aid ratio; cost gap covered by 1st A-1st V, Inc.
Student transportation to/from program venues.
Staff substitute per diem for chaperone release time
NO COST to participating students and their families

How are students recruited for program participation?

Each high school recruits and selects participants.

1st A-1st V recommends a diverse group of students who:

demonstrate leadership, in some way.
demonstrate positive, personal characteristics that are representative of her high school.

What are required program dates & components for students and chaperone?

Program covers a calendar year
30 minute in-school orientation meeting with program facilitator (prior to Seminar)
Full-day instructional SEMINAR (off-site, Feb, March or April)
FIELD TRIP: historic Seneca Falls, Birthplace of Women's Rights in America (Sept)
Two-day LEADERSHIP ACTION SUMMIT (October/venue TBD; overnight stay in Buffalo-area)

Does student participation require time away from school?

YES, including one overnight stay in Buffalo area in October. See above for

expected attendance.

Does the program align with NYS Standards/Themes?

NYS Social Studies Standards address: Foundations of American Democracy; Civil Rights and Civil Liberties; Rights, Responsibilities and Duties of Citizenship; Political and Civic Participation; and, Public Policy....all of which are built into 1st Amendment-1st Vote's program content. Program content is presented via the instructional SEMINAR, FIELD TRIP visit to Historic Seneca Falls, and Leadership ACTION Summit where students finalize and present their school-level ACTION PLAN for REAL CHANGE in their home schools; and, engage in a simulation addressing strategic campaign roles for a local elected office including the "candidate's" 3-minute stump speech focusing on a local environmental or civic rights "hot button" issue.

Are there follow-up opportunities for participants?

YES...opportunities may vary from year-to-year, such as:

Serve on 1st Amendment-1 st Vote, Inc Board of Directors as its student representative
Serve a volunteer internship at Women's Rights National Historical Park or Erie County Commission on the Status of Women, or other related affiliation
Recruit one classmate for following year's program...and/or serve as a program presenter
Volunteer in her community on a Presidential, Congressional or local candidate's 2020 campaign
Program Ambassador

What is your plan for sustainability?

Download or view our Strategic Action Plan 2021-2025 HERE