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Editor, Caroline C. Pozycki
Wednesday November 25th, 2009 Issue 22 |
 Pictured from left to right Harry Pozycki, Citizens' Campaign Chair, M. Delli Carpini-Dean of the Annenberg School of Communication, Moderator, Dick Benfield- NYTimes Editor, Mike Shapiro-owner Alternativepress.com, Ted Mann- Gannett NJ Digital Development Director.
Monmouth University and
the Citizens' Campaign Host
"A Call for Citizen Journalists"
How the new media can meet the challenge of informing and engaging citizens in politics and government was the focus of the conference. The Citizens' Campaign which has recently launched a public service initiative to inspire 5,000 New Jerseyans to participate in local government and politics unveiled its newest offering- a class on Citizen Journalism, which empowers citizens to learn about local government and politics, and how to report the news and how to get published. Panelist Michael Shapiro, a former NYC attorney who decided to leave his law career to help build community by starting a local online newspaper founded the successful NJ online newspaper TheAlternativePress.com. He spoke of how citizen journalists and local based web media build community. Ted Mann, founder of InJersey.com and the Digital Development Director of Gannett New Jersey talked about the means for citizen involvement in the making of news through patch.com and twitter and the use of new media resources to help engage citizens in government, through live town hall meetings facilitated by google moderator and seeclickfix.
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Watch the Citizens' Campaigns Conference on Citizen Journalism
The Conference on Citizen
Journalism was broadcast on livestream and has been viewed over 4,700 times. The afternoon panel "Meet the New Media Innovators" featured leaders in the field of citizen journalism. All accept and mentor citizen journalists at their hyperlocal sites and offered to partner with the Citizens' Campaign to promote the education of citizen journalists and the publication of their news reports. Featured were Aki Hashmi from allvoices.com, Joseph Tyreell, NewJerseyNewsRoom.com, Amy Vernon (#1 female submitter on Digg.com www.amyvernon.net), Whitney Rhodes, editor of Cranford Patch.com, Shane Smith,
founder of the online Jersey City newspaper JerseyCityIndependent.com and Debra Galant, creator of
Baristanet.com. Their stories about how they got started and developed are a valuable resource to potential citizen journalists.
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 NEW JERSEY MONTHLY MAGAZINE
Profiles Harry Pozycki, Citizens' Campaign Chair
by Steve Adubato
The December 2009 issue of New Jersey Monthly Magazine is on store shelves now and features a profile of Citizens' Campaign Chairman Harry Pozycki, by political journalist Steve Adubato entitled "When Protest is Not Enough: Citizen Group Aims to Cultivate a Culture of Service."
Exerpt
As a self-proclaimed child of the '60s, Harry Pozycki knows a few
things about protest. For one thing, he says, when you want to drive
change, "protesting is not enough." "Participation is the answer," says Pozycki, chairman of the
Citizens' Campaign (jointhecampaign.com), a statewide organization
aimed at cultivating constructive citizen action and developing a new
generation of leaders. "I am talking about creating a culture of
service by people stepping into the appointed policy boards, everything
from the local planning board, to the Port Authority, to the state
pension board. These are positions that people can populate and take
real power." (read the full article)
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NJ Hall of Fame on Board Promotes Jersey Call to Service
 We are excited to report that Bart Oates, Chairman of the NJ Hall of Fame and 3 time NY Superbowl Champion, has answered the Jersey Call to Service. Bart spoke on behalf of the NJ Hall of Fame, promoting the Jersey Call to Service at a recent Citizens' Campaign Leadership Forum sponsored by Verizon for its employees at the company's Basking Ridge Headquarters.
Mr. Oates explained that the work of the NJ
Hall of Fame to improve the State's image goes perfectly with the work of the Citizens' Campaigns' "Jersey Call to
Service" to change the political culture of service in New Jersey and empower citizen leadership. "I
applaud the dedication to making our state a better place to live by
empowering citizens to be active in the political process. This is what
our great nation was built upon. We need more of it.," Oates said.
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Jersey Call to Service Blasts Off in Hudson County
The online Jersey City based newspaper, the Jersey City Independent reported that over 200 citizens turned out to attend the Jersey City Hometown Call to Service. Jersey City resident and Citizens' Campaign ACE Teacher (Academy for Citizen Empowerment) Matthew Mayo
is pictured facilitating Thursday night's presentation with Lauren Skowronski, the State Campaign Director. Citizens learned how to apply for board and commission positions. Pictured below is Jersey City City Clerk Robert Byrne who addressed questions from the audience and offered his expert advice. (read full story)
 Another large turnout
occurred earlier last week at the Hoboken Call to Service where 50 residents turned
out to learn how to start participating in local government. Sponsored by the Citizens' Campaign and the local Republican and Democratic Organizations, citizens learned about the appointments process. Hudson County Citizens' Campaign Chair John Branciforte said "After a long election season people still have the energy to come out and this shows Hudson County's interest in creating a culture of service. That is very encouraging." John looks forward to similar success in upcoming forums on political parties. |
What Classes Have You Taken Online?
Have you taken one of our online classes? Use the new online form to tell us what you took.
Click on this link, login and complete the form. We will update our records. Once you have completed a class and the online application to become a citizen leader, you can request a coach to help you succeed as a leader!
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What People Are Saying-
Listen to The Citizens' Campaign
New Jersey has an idea factory for vibrant civic engagement and good
government. They're about clean, fair politics, and they have the
sharpest tools in the toolbox to get us there. They don't work for you
- and that's good - but they have all the answers. Same suggestion, by
the way, for my GOP brothers and sisters.-Rosi Efthim, Blue Jersey Blogger
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 The important work of developing new leadership for New Jersey is made possible by your support! Thank you! |
Answer the Jersey Call to Service!
Start participating in the leadership of your community today |
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