Many efforts sustained by the BTDC are driven, and driven quietly, by civic-minded volunteers who go about the business of building community around them. Doing things like chatting about candidates among neighbors and distributing political signs. Urging friends to attend meetings and rallies. Knocking doors during campaign season, and more. These are just some of the activities Nicole Pavlin has embraced to further democracy at this critical time. She believes, “There’s just too much at stake.”

After graduating from college, Nicole became involved with AmeriCorps and has never stopped teaching or volunteering. She enjoyed a long career in public schools and has always been an active voter yet did not become politically engaged since registering as a democrat in 2016.  Through her time raising two children, one currently in 9th grade at Ridge and the other in 6th at WAMS, Nicole has consistently volunteered, tutored, and fed her community.

After quietly making an impact for many years, Nicole began stretching her engagement and reaching out more vocally. She began phone banking and canvassing for the Harris campaign in 2024 and was surprised by how much she enjoyed it, saying, “You have to take a step and try these things. I’ve learned I do like knocking on doors and talking to people one on one.” Following Harris’s devastating loss, she did the same for Mikie Sherrill’s campaign as well as for Hodges & Tompkins. She especially enjoyed canvassing with Kathi Patton and the success that came from their joint effort.

Moving forward, Nicole will continue to engage – she’ll be running the BTDC’s Civic Scholarship competition this Spring and has recruited a team to serve as evaluators. As an aside, she’s reading “See No Stranger,” by Valarie Kaur. “I’m learning how to become more curious and ask questions…I think talking to people with different perspectives…that’s what expands our world view and gets us out of our echo chambers.” Nicole gives the memoir rave reviews.

When Nicole is not quietly campaigning or resisting, she may be found anywhere from playing piano, to the bell choir in Bernardsville’s United Methodist Church or doing laps during adult swim at Pleasant Valley Pool.  In all she pursues, be it her work running the scholarship program or continuing to phone bank and canvass for candidates, Nicole is enthusiastic about her involvement. She says, “There is wonderful generosity in our community, and I have always loved being a part of that.”

– Jen Aaron