Our chapter has several committees dedicated to the mission of ADC. For more information about each committee or if you are interested in joining, please email the committee chair at the email listed below.
Legal
The Legal Committee strives to protect the civil rights of Arab-Americans in cases of discrimination. The committee educates the public about Arab-American concerns and builds support from the larger community. Some of our activities include law clinics, “Know Your Rights” sessions and educational meetings with local law enforcement and lawyers. The Legal Committee does not handle individual cases. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact the national ADC Legal Department.
Special Events / Cultural
This committee is responsible for planning and preparing social and other special events in the DC Metro area. Possible events include speakers, panels, discussions, film screenings, social networkers, cultural and holiday events, and community sports tournaments.
While aiming to engage the DC Metro area community in ADC’s initiatives, the events that this committee puts on will help to recruit more members, raise awareness, educate, promote advocacy and raise funds for ADC! One of our goals this year is to focus on coalition building and youth outreach.
Political
The Political Committee works with our state and local elected officials to raise awareness of the issues important to Arab Americans. Some of the activities that the political committee are involved with include, voter registration drives, conducting political empowerment workshops, lobbying our members of Congress, volunteering in political campaigns, organizing Get Out the Vote efforts, working in coalition with other groups to protect our civil rights and civil liberties and initiating Chapter actions aimed at mobilizing the public on specific issues and events that affect our local communities.
Education
One of the most powerful ways to prevent discrimination and encourage mutual respect and understanding of Arab and Islamic cultures is by educating youth. The need to engage youth and their teachers is especially urgent given the post 9/11 reality in which we now live.
The ADC DC Area Chapter has a longstanding commitment to working with local teachers, schools, and districts to ensure that Arab-Americans are being represented fully and accurately. Does your child’s school celebrate Arab-American Heritage Month? Have an “International Week” where food, culture, and language from around the world are represented? Have there been instances of discrimination or misleading teaching on issues relevant to Arab-Americans in the classroom? Are you involved in your local parent-teacher association? Do you enjoy working with youth? Are you a student that is concerned with the way Arab history is being represented in the classroom? Are you an activist committed to raising awareness about Arab-Americans and Arab world history and culture?
If your answer to any of those questions is “yes,” you should consider joining the ADC DC Area Chapter’s Education Committee. We are launching a new phase of activity to support and assist educators, and ensure that youth are being raised with an accurate understanding of Arab-Americans and the diversity within the Arab world. Together with ADC’s “Reaching the Teachers” program, we can strategize ways to increase involvement in our community, raise awareness amongst youth and teachers, and further train America’s future leaders to know and respect a group of people and culture that has become vilified over the last decade.
Fundraising
The Fundraising Committee works to develop a short term plan for raising money, as well as a long term strategy for creating a sound financial base of dependable and renewable contributors. The committee also develops and implements fundraising strategies for all Chapter events. The committee will work to obtain contributions through different avenues, such as raffles, bazaars, picnics, fairs, open-hous parties, auctions, grant writing and local service projects. All members in the local DC area with experience in business and fundraising to work with the committee and help ADC achieve its goals.
Media
ADC has long been involved in responding to instances of defamation and stereotyping against the Arab American community. With Generation Millennial in mind, the Media Committee strives to provide a voice for the Arab American Community by engaging in proactive communication through various media outlets, as well as serving as a conduit of information in regards to the chapter’s work. This committee strives to disseminate positive and accurate information about Arabs, Islam, Arab- and Muslim-Americans. If you have a passion for blogging, an itch for describing and a knack for new media, contact the Media Committee.
