IAFPE — Join Our Community and Get Involved!
GET INVOLVED IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS AND IN THE MAINSTREAM OF THE UNITED STATES SO THAT YOU CAN IMPROVE YOUR LIVES AND THE LIVES OF YOUR CHILDREN TO COME. LEARN CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THROUGH YOUR INVOLVEMENT, YOU CAN HAVE MORE CLOUT IN YOUR COMMUNITIES, IN YOUR STATE, AND IN YOUR COUNTRY.
These are only some examples how one can get involved and make a difference.
Join a local political party, the local Democratic or Republican.

Hold a "coffee" for a local candidate running for election. Call the candidate and your friends to discuss current issues and your concerns.

Help a candidate in campaign work, call her/him to offer your help.

Sponsor a fund raiser for your favorite candidate. Call your friends and tell them why your candidate should be supported.

It is said every letter written is worth 100 votes, Write a letter to your congressman, senator, state representative on issues that matter to you and ask for support on causes which matter to you. Congratulate them for the actions they took of which you approve and give them reasons if you disapprove. Your elected officials want to hear from you.

Write a letter to a newspaper editor about your views on newspaper editorials or news coverage.

Help your local community with volunteer work.

Join a local service club, for example the Rotary or the Lions Club.

Attend town meetings and/or run for town elections. You must know what is going on.

Work to get appointed on Town Committees.

Join the PTA (Parent Teacher Association), contribute to PTA fund raising events.

Volunteer time to help the Girls/Boy Scouts.

Work with local museums to organize "India Festivals", Display Indian costumes and photographs, serve Indian food, films on India, Indian Dances etc.

Participate in student exchange programs and host a foreign student.

Invite your neighbors for an open house, a cheese & wine party or organize a block party. We must know our neighbors to break down the barriers of different cultures. People are friendlier and more understanding when they get to know you.

Participate in citizen groups, such as American Heart Association, Foster Parents, Suicide Prevention Help, Battered Women Shelters, Runaway Homes.
Smolik's Law : "A Politician will always be there when he needs you “
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TESTIMONIALS
IAFPE Interns Speak About Their Experiences . . .
". . . working as an Assistant to the Director of Presidential Scheduling at the White House gave me a chance to meet some of the most important people in our government . . . the President, the Vice President, the Chief of Staff, the National Security Advisor and several senior staff aides . . .
". . . the greatest part of the internship was the opportunity to observe the dynamics of the Executive Branch . . . contrary to my expectations, I found that the personal beliefs and preferences of the members of the 'inner circle' played a far more significant role in shaping policies than the professional advice of experts . . . unless Indians become politically active, they will not gain access to the real centers of policy making. . ."
Nishit Acharya, Internship at the White House
". . . interest groups and constituencies are important elements of the political environment in which the Presidency functions . . . the Office of Public Liaison at the White House has sections that deal with African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Veterans . . . I worked with Kate Smith Carr . . . and was attached to the office that made sure that the Business Community, as varied as it may be, had a voice within the administration. .."
Rinku Chandra, Internship at the White House
". . . I experienced the other side of the story . . . I worked amongst people who are highly vulnerable, individuals whose feeble voices are seldom heard . . . welfare, food stamps, HeadStart, immigration, health insurance, restraining orders and ESL are not topics of debate for them, they form an integral part of their lives . . .
the other focal point of my summer internship was an organization working with Indian American women . . . I became convinced for the need for a cohesive and effective campaign for their political and social empowerment. . . "
Pooja Sarin, Internship at Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence
". . . My interest in international trade and policy was instrumental in my assignment under the Senior Legislative Aide on Foreign Policy and Defense. I attended and recorded notes in several briefings of the House Committee on International Relations . . . involving the US trade sanctions against Japan, the Bosnian arms embargo, PLO related dissension in Turkey, restoration of Overseas Humanitarian Disaster and Civic Aid . . . I also worked independently researching US-India relations . . . the fundamental issues include nuclear weapons and missile proliferation, regional instability, human rights, and economic policy. . ."
Amar Lapsiwala, Internship at Congressman Joe Kennedy's Office
“. . . the Embassy commemorated the 125th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi . . . I handled the Guest List that had several high profile figures . . . I helped plan the details of the First Lady's attendance at the event, including a 'walk-through' with the Secret Service . . .
". . .the internship at the Embassy had challenging assignments . . . I interacted with members of Washington's political circles, diplomats, community members, media personnel . . . I am deeply grateful to the Indian American Forum for Political Education for giving me such a rare opportunity. . ."
Hemang N. Gadhia, Internship at the Indian Embassy
". . . The political sphere in America is one place where the presence of the Indian-American community has been sorely lacking . . . I received first-hand knowledge on how public issues develop and legislation is created . . . Small business and foreign affairs issues are intimately connected to the lives of Indian-Americans . . . I foresee a much more vocal Indian-American Caucus on Capitol Hill . . . Students who are exposed to the political realm and public policy matters early on, will have a much greater likelihood of penetrating the power circles of Washington to perform as spokesmen and agents for the Indian community at large."
Rohit Bawa, Internship at Congressman Marty Meehan's Office
". . . Before I knew it, it was time to take action at Capitol Hill . . . Congressman Dan Burton had introduced an amendment cutting aid to India, and the Embassy mustered all its resources to prevent it from being passed . . . we gave out handouts on India's record of human rights, its importance to the US . . . called Congressional offices putting forth our case . . . the House had an all night session and the vote took place at 6 a.m. . . and the amendment was shot down. . .
Shuba Satyaprasad, Internship at the Indian Embassy
". . . I would not trade my experience for any other. When Congressman Peter Blute called my house himself and told me that he had acquired this internship for me, I was ecstatic . . . I did not know what was in store for me . . . I had been to DC before but not in the political environment . . . I was eager to discover a whole new world. . . "
Yash Shah, Internship at Republican National Committee
". . . I gained valuable experience at the United Nations in New York . . . formal education that college provides has its limits and internships fill in the gap by giving a taste of the 'real world' the support and encouragement that the Forum offers is greatly appreciated. . ."
Mital M. Shah, Internship at the Permanent Mission of India at the United Nations
". . . this was a reallv interesting and informative introduction to the world of work for us. . .
Amee & Meghana Patel, Internship at MEFA