4 Steps to Get Involved in Decisions about Your Community

By NCI

“Civic participation is beneficial for individuals, families, our community, and our country,” says Arcela Núñez, who, together with her sister Representative María Núñez (San Marcos, District 1), runs Universidad Popular.

“The more individuals who participate, the healthier and stronger our democracy grows; and vice versa, the fewer individuals who are involved, the more room we give for misrepresentation to occur,” Arcela explains. Universidad Popular can help you with citizenship, language, health, food services, and many other bilingual resources.

Step 1: Become a Citizen

The most significant step you can take to become involved civically is to become a citizen.

Arcela explains, “Becoming a U.S. citizen has many benefits for individuals, families and our entire community and country. By becoming citizens, individuals accept the rights and obligations that citizenship offers. They can vote in elections, gain access to jobs and opportunities reserved for citizens, and achieve a major milestone in their journey to attaining their American Dream.”

Taking this step is also part of a process that began with our family members who came before us. “Gaining the right to vote gives us the opportunity to honor many of our ancestors who came to the United States with the vision of gaining opportunities, and as citizens we can validate their sacrifice,” says Arcela.

“Most importantly, new citizens gain dual citizenship, and with that comes the freedom to live and travel abroad without the concern of losing their residency. Individuals can also petition family members for reunification,” explains Arcela.

There are local resources to help you.

Citizenship Classes / Cursos de ciudadanía

Universidad Popular

Citizenship Resources / Recursos de Ciudadanía

10 a.m.–2 p.m.

October 8 / 8 de octubre

November 12 / noviembre 12

December 10 / diciembre 10

North Island Live Well Center, 649 W. Mission Ave., Escondido

Citizenship Classes with Universidad Popular

Clases de ciudadanía con Universidad Popular

English: Tuesdays, 5–6 p.m.

Español: Martes, 6–7 p.m.

San Marcos Elementary. 1 Tiger Way, San Marcos

760-659-0109

info@unipopular.org

https://www.unipopular.org/citizenship_classes

Legal Assistance / Asistencia Legal

Ana Serrano, Las Valientes

760-439-1133

Maricela Amezola (through Universidad Popular)

619-255-7210

California Rural Legal

640 Civic Center Drive, Suite 180, Vista

(760) 966-0511

https://crla.org

Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS)

(760) 757-2121 ext. 6203

Legal Aid Society of San Diego

216 South Tremont Street, Oceanside

(877) 534-2524

http://www.lassd.org/

North County Immigration and Citizenship Center

120 Stevens Ave, Solana Beach

https://www.northcountycitizenship.org

(858) 509-2589

UURISE

1600 Buena Vista Dr, Vista

(760) 477-7537

appts@uurise.org

http://www.uurise.org/

Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA)

On September 15, CHIRLA announced Citizenship in the Palm of Your Hands, to encourage Legal Permanent Residents who qualify to become U.S. citizens.

More than 100 TikTok videos in English and Spanish go over each question on the citizenship civics test applicants’ their language of choice. Videos can repeat as many times as necessary.

TikTok page: @ChirlaCiudadania

Step 4: Join a community board or commission, or volunteer

Another important way to get involved is to attend city council meetings. Most are open to the public, and many are broadcast on YouTube, Facebook, and Zoom.

You can also apply for a position on city commissions and boards.

“Participation in city commissions and planning committees is extremely important because the decisions these commissions and committees make impact us directly at the very local level. This is where decisions are discussed regarding the infrastructure in our community such as parks, housing, services, resources, and access to each of these resources,” Arcela Núñez explains.

“When our community is absent from this decision-making process, our voices are not taken into account, and our needs go unmet. This is also an important step for building knowledge and experience that prepares individuals to run for higher offices.”

Check with your city if you are interested in helping make decisions about what is best for your community.

Carlsbad

1200 Carlsbad Village Dr., Carlsbad

442-339-2820

https://www.carlsbadca.gov/city-hall/open-government/get-involved

Escondido

201 North Broadway, Escondido

760-839-4880

https://www.escondido.org/boards-commissions

Fallbrook Community Planning Group

760-728-5845

111 S. Main Ave., Fallbrook

info@fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org

Oceanside

760-435-3001

https://www.ci.oceanside.ca.us/residents/city-services/boards-commissions-committees

San Marcos

1 Civic Center Drive, San Marcos

760-744-1050

https://www.san-marcos.net/your-government/commissions-boards-committees

Vista

200 Civic Center Drive, Vista
760-726-1340

https://www.cityofvista.com/city-hall/boards-commissions

Step 2: Register to vote

Once you have become a citizen, you should register to vote. Voting reaches far beyond presidential elections. You have the right to choose your local representatives in your state, city, region, or district. Once you are registered, don’t forget to vote in every election to make sure your interests are represented.

For election information, visit / Información sobre las elecciones: www.sos.ca.gov

Regístrese en línea para votar: https://covr.sos.ca.gov/es/?t=es-mx&id=

The application is available in several languages. / La solicitud viene en varios idiomas.

Or call / O llamen a: English: (800) 345-VOTE (8683)

You can get a paper voting application at your county elections office, library, Department of Motor Vehicles offices, or U.S. post office.

Pueden recoger una solicitud para votar en la oficina de elecciones del condado, las bibliotecas, el Departamento de Vehículos (DMV) o las oficinas de correo.

To request a paper voter registration application be mailed to you, call the numbers listed above.

Para solicitar una hoja de registro por correo, llamen a los números telefónicos arriba.

For help on the Internet, check https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/pdfs/quick-guide-vrc.pdf

Para ayuda en Internet, visiten: https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/pdfs/quick-guide-vrc-sp.pdf

Step 3: Become active at your children’s school

Another way to be heard in decision making in your community is to get involved in your children’s education. You don’t have to run for the school board (although you could); you just need to attend meetings (most are also online), meet with your kids’ teachers, and know what decisions are being made about schools in your area.

According to California Education Code Section 51101, parents or guardians have the right to:

Visit their child’s classroom to observe activities.
Request a conference with their child’s teacher(s) or the principal.
Volunteer their time and resources for the improvement of school facilities and programs.
Be notified in a timely manner if their child is absent from school without permission.
Get free translation services in multiple languages.

Contact your school for information and appointments.

School District Contacts / Contactos para los distritos escolares

Cardiff, 1888 Montgomery Ave., Cardiff-by-the-Sea; 760-632-5890

www.cardiffschools.com/

Encinitas Union, 101 South Rancho Santa Fe Road, Encinitas; 760-944-4300

www.eusd.net

Escondido Union, 2310 Aldergrove Ave., Escondido; 760-432-2110

https://eusd.org

Fallbrook Union Elementary, 321 North Iowa St., Fallbrook; (760) 731-5400

www.fuesd.org

Rancho Santa Fe, 5927 La Granada, Rancho Santa Fe; 858-756-1141

https://rsfschool.net