GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOL CHOICE PETITION DRIVE

 

Preliminary Announcements:

 

*      A series of seven inserts are enclosed for you to have printed in your parish bulletin prior to the School Choice Petition Drive.  They will provide parishioners with background information so that they are prepared to sign the petition.

 

*      Prepare Pulpit Announcements to be read at all Masses by the Celebrant for two weekends prior to the School Choice Petition Drive. 

 

*      A poster is enclosed to be hung in the vestibule of the church for two weekends prior to the School Choice Petition Drive.  This will help parishioners become familiar with the language of the petition.

 

*      The petition itself should be included in your parish bulletin for two weekends prior to the School Choice Petition Drive.  This will help parishioners become familiar with the language of the petition.

 

 

Logistics and Location:

 

*      Provide open space to accommodate lines of people.

*      Where possible, stay in the church near every entrance/exit.

*      If weather permits, set up tables and chairs on sidewalk by every entrance/exit.

*      If space does not permit either arrangement, move to a convenient nearby area or parking lot.

*      Use long folding tables and a supply of folding chairs so people can sit down to write.

 

 

Materials:

 

*      Ballpoint pens (no pencils).

*      Clipboards for folks who can sign the petition while standing or while sitting on chairs.

*      Back issues of bulletins containing School Choice inserts.

*      A supply of petitions, Spanish-version petitions, if applicable, and the Some of the Myths about School Choice information sheets.

 

    1. Originals can also be downloaded from the New Jersey Catholic Conference website (www.njcathconf.com).
    2. Photocopies can be made from originals included in this mailing. 

 

 

Personnel:

 

*      The volunteers DO NOT have to be registered voters.

*      Volunteers can include high school students as well as interested adults. 

*      Duties of volunteers:

1.    Assist petition signers who are seated at the tables.

2.    Assist petition signers who choose to use clipboards.

3.    Appoint a captain to supervise the process for you at each Mass; could be any volunteer already on-site.

 

 

Who Can Sign Petitions:

 

Any New Jersey resident who is at least 18 years old. 

 

Cautions:

 

*      No one should be pressured to sign the School Choice Petition.

*      Petition signers should only sign their name once.

*      Petition signers should be encouraged to take petitions home for other family members, neighbors, friends, co-workers and high school students who are 18 years old to sign as long as they are returned to the Parish Coordinator by Tuesday, October 19.

*      ALL SIGNED PETITIONS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE PARISH COORDINATOR BY TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19.  ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, PARISH COORDINATOR MUST MAIL SIGNED PETITIONS IN THE PRE-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE PROVIDED.  THE DIOCESAN DIRECTOR OF THE NEW JERSEY ALLIANCE OF CATHOLIC SCHOOL FAMILIES WILL CONTACT THE PARISH COORDINATOR TO FOLLOW UP IF SIGNED PETITIONS ARE NOT RECEIVED.