Get your party on this week.

Political party, that is.

During the week of April 15, the Center for Political Participation (CPP) is sponsoring a series of events, titled “Beyond the Vote: Political Action Week” to encourage members of the college and community to participate in politics in a variety of ways.

“Many young Americans see elections as their only avenue for political involvement,” said CPP director and professor of political science Daniel Shea in a statement. “Our week of programs is designed to help students and members of the community better understand other ways to make their voices heard. We want to encourage students and community members to think outside the ballot box.”

“Personally, this is one of my favorite things we’ve done at the CPP,” said CPP student fellow Lisa Alexander, ‘08. “The events take the focus off of pulling a lever during a presidential election and get people more involved in other areas of politics.”

The event will commence Sunday, April 15 with a showing of the 2006 documentary “Jesus Camp,” at 7 p.m. in Shafer Auditorium. The film documents a Pentecostal camp for Evangelical Christian children. Following the film, a discussion will be held in room 206 of the Campus Center.

On Monday, April 16, Tim Potts from Democracy Rising PA will speak about issues with Pennsylvania’s judicial system in Grounds for Change at 7:30 p.m. Several students are also traveling to Harrisburg to meet with several state officials and learn about state politics.

Students and community members are asked to join to CPP on Tuesday, April 17 in the Campus Center lobby to write letters and sign petitions about various issues. Several student organizations will have tables set up to share information.

On Wednesday April 18, The CPP will join with the Crawford County League of Women Voters to host a forum for the candidates for Crawford County Commissioner at 7 p.m. in the Tillotson Room of the Tippie Alumni Center.

Allegheny Alumni Mike Veon, former minority whip of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and Dale Florio, Princeton Public Affairs Group President, will visit on Thurday, April 19 at 7 p.m. in the Tippie Alumni Center to discuss their ideas about public policy and share their experiences.

The week will conclude on Friday, April 20 with lunchtime discussions held by seven Allegheny professors. They will cover a variety of political issues, such as health care reform, ethics in government and campaign finance.

“All of the events are open to the Meadville community, which is great for two reasons,” Alexander said. “One, we get to reach out and educate a larger and more varied group of people. We also get to build stronger ties between the college and the local community.”