Press Releases
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Secretary of State Tre Hargett Announces 2024 Civics Essay Contest & Theme: “Why Trusted Sources Matter.”
(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) – Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett today announced the 2024 Civics Essay Contest and its theme: “Why Trusted Sources Matter.”“Voters today are inundated with significantly more information than those of previous generations, and the information shared across multiple platforms may or may not be accurate,” said Secretary Hargett. “The 2024 Civics Essay Contest hopes to have students consider their sources of information, so they can grow to make informed decisions and encourage others to do the same.”Those interested in participating in the 2024 Civics Essay Contest can view the rules and submit essays online by visiting sos.tn.gov/civics-essay-contest. The submission deadline is Jan. 31, 2025.The Civics Essay Contest is part of the Secretary of State’s longstanding civics engagement program, designed to prepare Tennessee students to become actively engaged citizens. All public, private school, or home school association students in kindergarten through 12th grade are encouraged to participate.Winners will receive a TNStars 529 College Savings Program scholarship and a trip to the State Capitol. First-place winners in each grade level will receive a $500 scholarship, with second and third-place winners receiving $250 and $100, respectively.Additional resources to support civic engagement include lesson planning to help teachers incorporate civic engagement and citizenship into their curriculum. The Anne Dallas Dudley Award Program is also designed to increase voter registration thresholds among high school students who meet voting age eligibility requirements For more information about the Secretary of State’s civic engagement and education efforts, please visit sos.tn.gov/civics.
Secretary of State Tre Hargett Reminds Tennesseans to Give Wisely as Part of Charity Fraud Awareness Week
Nov. 25 marks the start of Charity Fraud Awareness Week. Today, Secretary of State Tre Hargett reminds all Tennesseans of resources available through his office to ensure they can give generously to their favorite charity while avoiding scams. “The holiday season sparks the giving spirit in many Tennesseans,” said Secretary Hargett. “Unfortunately, some individuals out there with bad intentions target this generosity. We encourage donors to be educated consumers with their gifts, so they can have the most impact supporting those in need.” According to national data, Tennesseans are among some of the most generous givers to charitable causes. To help them avoid becoming a victim of a charity scam or fraudulent transaction and maximize the impact of their gifts, the Secretary of State's Division of Business and Charitable Organizations has created a series of Wise Giving Tips.These suggested guidelines encourage Tennesseans to research an organization to ensure an entity is registered with the state through the Secretary of State’s website. Citizens should also resist pressure to give on the spot, and ask questions about an organization’s specific mission, and who will benefit from their donation.They should also verify the source of the donation request made, and avoid relying on social media, blogs, or web reviews as information about an organization. Should a citizen donate through an app or website, they are also encouraged to make sure their information goes directly to the organization.Other tips include asking for a receipt and whether a contribution is tax-deductible, paying close attention to the name of a nonprofit organization, and inquiring how much money is kept by the fundraiser, and how much goes to the nonprofit. Donors should also refrain from giving cash and use a check or credit card to create a record of their transactions.For additional Wise Giving Tips, you can also call the Division of Business and Charitable Organizations at 615-741-2555 with additional questions, or to report possible suspicious activity.