|
Fri. July 2nd, 2010
Issue 34
|
The Jersey Call to Service Summit is already bearing fruit. The event, which some have called the largest grassroots mobilization for public service in recent times, turned out over 1,300 citizens interested in becoming leaders in their communities (read Star Ledger Summit coverage, read Home News Summit coverage, watch NJN TV coverage).
In the 3 weeks following the event, these new citizen leaders are getting things done. Many have taken the lead in their communities, and are successfully arranging Calls to Service in their own hometowns. Some also have applied for leadership positions or have requested coaches and are preparing to lead. This type of commitment to making real change happen in New Jersey is what we need.
Thank you for your service. Happy 4th of July! |
|
Morris County Government Leaders Vote to
Host a County Call to Service |
 Morris County Freeholders voted unanimously to host a Call to Service for Morris County residents. Steve Balog, an attendee of the Jersey Call to Service Summit, proposed the idea to the Morris County Freeholder Board. They agreed that a County Summit would be of great benefit. The event will be held this fall and will be called the Morris County Citizen Service Day. The goal of the event will be to recruit and train citizens leaders to enter important volunteer leadership positions in Morris County Government. The Citizens' Campaign will offer Citizen Leadership Forums at the event and provide coaching to those who sign up to serve. Pictured is Lauren Skowronski, State Campaign Director of the Citizens' Campaign, accepting from Freeholder John Murphy the Resolution passed by the Freeholders honoring Citizen Leadership and creation of the Morris County Citizen Service Day. |
 A wave of civic activity is moving across the State. Several Calls to Service are in action. Hazlet and Bradley Beach in Monmouth County are planning Calls to Service. In Burlington County, Florence Call to Service plans are underway. Mayor Brian Levine in Franklin Township who attended the June Summit has offered to host a Call to Service, taking the lead in Somerset County. After a successful Call to Service in Edison, Ron Tankiewicz, Citizens' Campaign Middlesex County Chair, is working to expand the Jersey Call to Service throughout Middlesex.
Launch a Call to Service in Your Town |
| Federal Legislation Has Roots in Citizens' Campaign |
A new federal bill called the DISCLOSE "Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections" Act will expand the opportunity for disclosure of corporate and labor expenditures in campaigns. The Citizens' Campaign by way of its Amicus Brief submitted by Legal Task Force Chair Gary Stein in the Citizens' United US Supreme Court case had argued for corporate and labor expenditures to be subject to disclosure, and the court agreed. The DISCLOSE Act will also regulate contributions by companies doing business with the federal government. This is commonly known as Pay to Play reform, and it originated in New Jersey with the Citizens' Campaign. When passed, the DISCLOSE Act would mark the first Citizens' Campaign model law leveraged from the "bottom up" from the municipal to the federal level.
|
| Citizen Leaders Taking Charge Across the State |
|
Since the June 9th Call to Service Summit, reports have been coming in across the State of citizen leaders getting active and taking leadership positions. Michael Pakay of Rahway was elected committee person and became Corresponding Secretary of the Party. Tom Cullen  of Hackettstown was elected a committee person. Zachary A. Chester, formerly a committeeman in Trenton, was elected Councilman.  Alysia Welch-Chester, from Trenton was elected Chair of the Democratic Party. Hasmukh Shah, of East Windsor was elected committee person. La-Trenda Ross won a committee seat in Hoboken & became 2nd Vice Chair of her municipal party. Saul Qersdyn became a Citizen Journalist and launched the Roselle Park Online Magazine called http://www.07204.org/. Rita Gernent of Paterson was elected a committee person. Kwame Gilbert of Paterson was elected a committee person. Charlene White was elected a Paterson committee person. Georgia M. Daniel of Paterson was elected a committee person. Al Smith was elected a committee person in Scotch Plains. Congratulations to you all! |
|
Answer the Jersey Call to Service |
Spread the Word
Citizens' Campaign is on Facebook! |
