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Photo: Leah Verier-Dunn and Pierrette Kelly
Voter Education

Purpose at the Polls: A Story of Civic Engagement

Posted on July 29, 2025

In this inspiring episode, Pierrette Kelly shares her experience as a poll watcher, highlighting the importance of civic engagement and the vital role everyday citizens can play in upholding democracy. With clarity and passion, she encourages others to step up and get involved, especially as International Poll Worker Day approaches on August 12. Whether you're curious about what poll watching involves or looking for ways to serve your community, Pierrette's story is a motivating call to action. Tune in and discover how you, too, can help make every vote count.

Timestamps

  • 01:34 - Learning About Pierrette
  • 02:32 - Volunteering at The Polls
  • 2:39 - A Walk to Respect
  • 04:47 -  Serving as a Poll Watcher
  • 07:04 - Working Behind The Scenes: Nonpartisan Observers
  • 09:48 - Helping Voters Find Their Way
  • 10:51 - August 12 is National Poll Worker Recruitment Day
  • 13:54 - Where can you start? What can you do? 
  • 14:46 - The training process
  • 15:36 - Strengthening People, Organizations, and Communities
  • 17:31 - Advice to those interested
  • 18:48 - New Civic Path Book Circles
Links to Learn More
  • League of Women Voters
  • What will be our legacy? What will our children say?
  • New Civic Path Book Circles
  • The Carter Center - Nonpartisan Election
  • Observation in the U.S.       
  • The Carter Center
  • Election Protection
  • Manatee County
  • Sarasota County
  • Charlotte County
  • DeSoto County
  • Blog: Purpose at the Polls: A Story of Civic Engagement
Want to hear more? Follow us on Spotify, iHeartRadio, or visit us Beyond The Blog!



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The Patterson Foundation
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The Patterson Foundation is an endowed charitable entity that does not have a grant cycle and does not accept unsolicited proposals for funding.
  • About Us
    • About the Foundation
    • Our Approach
    • The Journey: Why & How
    • Shared Aspirations: Who & What
    • Endowments
    • Governing Board
    • Staff
    • Consultants
    • Volunteer
    • Conferences & Events Library
    • FAQs
    • Connect with Us
    • Milestones and History
  • Stories
    • Blog
    • Beyond The Blog Podcasts
  • Current Initiatives
    • Current Initiatives (overview)

      •  
        Agriculture:
        Past, Present, and Possibilities
      • A Walk to Respect
      • Advancing Philanthropic Leadership
      • Aspirations to Actions
      •  
        Aspirations to Actions:
        North River Manatee County Initiative
      •  
        Aspirations to Actions:
        The New Civic Path Book Circles
      • Center for Disaster Philanthropy
      •  
        Community Impact:
        Optimizing Assets Beyond Initiatives
      •  
        Community Preparedness, Recovery,
        and Resiliency
      •  
        DeSoto County Ahead
      • Digital Access for All
      • Digital Navigator Program
      • Fueling Dynamic Fundraising
      • Giving Challenge
      • Margin & Mission Ignition
      •  
        National Campaign for
        Grade-Level Reading
      • Nonprofit Thrivability
      • Nonprofit Internship Program
      • Patriot Plaza
      • Season of Sharing
      •  
        Suncoast Campaign for
        Grade-Level Reading
      • Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund
      • The Gap
      • The Patterson Foundation Fellowship
      • TPF Beyond Network
      • Voter Education
  • Past Initiatives
    • Past Initiatives (overview)

      • Advancing Mission Thrivability
      • Age-Friendly Sarasota
      • Aging with Dignity and Independence
      • Aging Mastery Program
      •  
        Aspirations to Actions
        Stepping Forward Book Circles
      • Aspirations Journalism
      • Arthritis Foundation – Florida Chapter
      • Bringing Science Home
      • Caregiver Connect
      • Census 2020 Education
      • Clawback Recovery Challenge
      • Collaborative Partnering
      •  
        Collaboratory
        at Ringling College of Art and Design
      • COVID-19 Response
      • EdExploreSRQ
      •  
        Higher Waters:
        Suncoast Quality of Life
      • Honoring & Onward
      • HundredX Pilot Project
      •  
        Indiana University Lilly Family
        School of Philanthropy Electives
      • Legacy of Valor
      • National Council on Aging
      • NetHope
      • New Media Journalism
      • Recoding Organizational DNA
      •  
        Sarasota County Health Safety Net
        System of Care Collaboration
      • Self-Management Alliance
      • SPIRE CoLab
      • Suncoast Nursing Action Coalition
      • The Bay
      • The Giving Partner
      • UPLIFT Florida Network
      • Veterans Legacy Summit