Browsing by Subject "Millennials"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6

Open Access
Direct Democracy and Online Mobilization: New Media Strategies to Galvanize Millennial Voters
(2012-04-25) Ritchie, Shannon
Policy Question What new media tactics should be employed to galvanize North Carolina Millennial voters in the run-up to the May 8, 2012 vote on Amendment One? Background and Policy Context The Coalition to Protect All NC Families was formed October 2011 in response to legislation passed by the NC General Assembly, Senate Bill 514, in support of a constitutional amendment that reads, “Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this state.” Voters in NC will have the opportunity to vote “for” or “against” this amendment on May 8, 2012. The Coalition has been leading a campaign, on behalf of more than 100 member organizations, to educate voters on the harmful effects of this amendment and mobilize them to turnout and vote against it. Given the short timeline, this group is especially concerned with voter turnout. For this reason, they are particularly interested in Millennials as a target demographic for this research. As I later outline, this age group (18-31) is overwhelmingly in opposition to the proposed amendment, and is the generation most engaged online. The success of the campaign hinges on engaging this critical demographic. Data, Methods and Analysis My research strategy includes three steps: 1. Identify existing new media strategies used in previous ballot measure initiatives. 2. Research new media best practices, as they are employed in political campaigns. 3. Create a voter profile of Millennials in North Carolina. The Coalition leadership first requested that I look to other states to see what new media strategies have been implemented in similar social issue ballot measure initiatives. Then, I went a step further in deciding to research new media usage best practices, as it relates to political campaigns. I chose to exclusively focus on researching the Obama for America campaign, supplementing my findings with online research. Finally, I wanted to provide a complete and current profile of the North Carolina Millennial voter, so the Coalition could best understand this demographic – how were they politically engaged, where were they engaged (especially as it relates to online activity) and what strategies may be useful in activating them. A survey instrument would prove to be the best method of generating data for this profile. All three research methods served to inform my policy recommendations for the Coalition. Policy Recommendations New media tools prove to be a promising channel for the Coalition to Protect NC Families’ efforts to reach and galvanize Millennial voters. I outline two general new media tactics that the Coalition might benefit from incorporating into their overall new media communications strategy. These recommendations come towards the end of the campaign and only serve to reinforce existing new media efforts. 1. Increase visual content on existing SNS. a. With SNS posting, increase ratio of photos/videos to text, weighing even more heavily on photos. b. Create and share video content featuring people more recognizable and/or relatable to Millennial voters. c. Design infographics. 2. Continue to push early voting through SNS. With almost 40% of Millennial voters reporting that they aren’t currently registered to vote in their precinct, it’s critical that they engage in early voting or “one-stop” voting. North Carolina allows residents to register to vote and cast their ballot at the same time during the early voting period. In this election, the period is from April 19 to May 5, 2012.
Open Access
DukeEngage and the Politics of "Help": Millennials, Civic Engagement, and the Problem of "Saving the World"
(2009-04-27T16:58:55Z) Choi, Kathy
The summer of 2008 signaled the inauguration of DukeEngage, the highly anticipated civic engagement program for undergraduates at Duke University. DukeEngage provides funding for undergraduates who wish to pursue an intensive civic engagement project for 8-weeks in the summer, and the program’s kickoff transplanted 365 enthusiastic Duke students into virtually every corner of the globe for an immersive service experience. The proliferation of programs such as DukeEngage is just one example of a wider, more recent trend that expands not only to peer academic institutions but throughout greater society. Philanthropies, public policy institutions, humanitarian groups, non-profit organizations, politicians, teachers, even businessmen and idealists alike have adopted the mantra of “doing good”, and have reorganized their mission and vision statements accordingly – perhaps without much consideration of the idea’s complex teology and ultimate consequences. The idea of “Saving the World” is a loaded concept that cannot be separated from the complicated and profound ways in which it has been co-opted, transformed, and redefined for each new generation. In this project I hope to explore the complex ways in which Duke students - as Millennial participants in DukeEngage - imagine and live out their beliefs in the value civic engagement and buy into the compelling notion of “Saving the World”. Why is civic engagement viewed as an agent of change? From where do the assumptions of intervention as “good” emerge? What motivates these Millennial do-gooders? Ultimately, I hope to better understand how participation in DukeEngage, as well as the program itself, is a generationally specific moment that presents its fair share of problems and contradictions – as well as new possibilities. It is my hope that a better understanding of this moment will translate into the “bigger picture” – how will Millennials envision their role in greater society, and what is their relation to ideas of democracy? What will this mean for the future of the United States? Will the world with DukeEngage be a better world than one without?
Open Access
Finding Meaning in Organized Religion: A Practical Theology for the Church's Mission with Millennials
(2020) Mentzer, Timothy Andrew
This thesis develops a practical theology for mission with Millennials. This theology engages in an Empirical Task as it gathers data; engages in an Interpretive Task as it reviews the multi-disciplinary conclusions drawn for that data; engages in a Normative Task of identifying theological norms; and engages in a Pragmatic Task of shaping a practical theological response. The method used for this task is described by Richard Osmer in his book “Practical Theology: An Introduction.” Millennials who are unaffiliated with the church are the subject of this project. The project answers the question, “How does the church engage in frontier mission with Millennials who are unaffiliated with mainline congregational ministry?” Three threads will be used in answering this question: the common narrative used by Millennials to describe their lives; the spiritual condition of “not being enough;” and the journey to adulthood.
Open Access
Fulfilling the Commission: Purposefully Evangelizing, Assimilating, and Integrating Millennials Into Today’s Church
(2015) Brennan, Derick
Open Access
Infused: Millennials and the Future of the Black Church
(2016) Challenger, Joy Kristan
Deep societal trends impact the religious fervency and participation of millennials in the Black Church. Many young adults, though remaining Christian, have fallen away from their faith communities, finding them irrelevant for their daily lives. Even the most religiously committed have shown signs of waning faith, as evidenced by limited participation, and theological and ideological dissonance with the Black Church. Historically strong across all indicators, the Black Church is ideally positioned to stave off the attrition of youth and young adults, having a missional mindset toward this cohort—prioritizing them in their ministry development and programming. African American congregational leaders must develop disciples who have cohesive identities, live integrated lives, and experience an infusion of their personal vocation and the mission of the Church. Thus the future of the Black Church depends on the development of millennials who have an integrated faith life, which is distinguishable by its practices, disciplines, and virtues that are nurtured by an understanding of the Church’s mission and their role in it. Key will be establishing mentoring relationships that allow for questioning, exploration and discovery. To enact the changes necessary the church must understand the cultural worlds of young adults and engage them in holistic ministry that is reflective of the mission of God through Christ (missio dei)—activity that culminates with reaching the world with God’s redemptive plan for humanity.
Open Access
Redefining Church: Reaching, Retaining, and Assimilating Gen Z and Millennials
(2023) Hart, Elictia T.
This project seeks to present a model that will strengthen national non-denominationalchurches’ capacities for reaching, retaining, and assimilating Generation Z and Millennials. The central pillars of this project examine who Gen Z and Millennials are socially, psychologically, and spiritually, and identify strategies that churches nationally are utilizing to effectively reach, retain, and assimilate this demographic. This thesis uses an interdisciplinary strategy and engages pastoral leaders, consultants, and scholars.