Citizens Project Thanks Our Partners:
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Upcoming Events
Juneteenth Festival in the Park
Saturday June 13
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Civil War - Living History: Buffalo Soldiers, Vendors, Entertainment, Art Exhibit, Bar B-Q
Park at Hillside Community Center
901 Fountain Blvd
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
20th Annual NAACP Juneteenth
Celebration of Freedom
Saturday, June 20
11 AM - 6 PM
Armstrong Quad, The Colorado College, on Cache La Poudre between Nevada and Cascade
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. This year's celebration promises culture, music, dance, ethnic food, vendors, exhibitors, community information, health awareness, children & youth activities and fun for the entire family.
Springs Pride 2009!
Sunday, July 19th
Downtown Acacia Park
Featuring all your favorites, and more, including Beer Garden, Casino, Fabulous Vendors, Great Food, Kids' Fun Zone, Live Entertainment on 2 Stages, and Parade at Noon!
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Articles of Interest
New York Times
June 3, 2009
May 24, 2009
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Greetings!,
It's been an incredible year so far for Citizens Project! I write to give you an update on all the great things we've been up to - and an inside look at what's on the horizon for us.
Citizens Project is working on two exciting new initiatives: a one day Citizens Religious Freedom Institute to educate the community about separation of church and state, and a "Plus One" proposal that would allow all city employees to add another family member to the city's health insurance policy. Please email me if you'd like to be involved in planning either of these two programs or to volunteer in other ways!
Plus One Coverage
Citizens Project's Plus One proposal to expand health benefits for families of city employees has garnered lots of media attention! Check out these three articles from last week's Gazette: 
Citizens Project Video
Thanks to Impact! Video Production, Citizens Project has a new informational video. Check it out on our Web site!
Creating Community Breakfast
Our 5th annual Creating Community Breakfast on June 4, 2009 was a tremendous success! Read more below...
Legislative Agenda
Both state legislative bills that Citizens Project supported - and that you made your voice heard about - passed in 2009! HB 1260 "Designated Beneficiaries" gives Coloradans the opportunity for two unmarried adults to designate one another as the person entitled to certain financial protections and decision-making powers in major life events. Check out this Web site about it. SB 88 "Domestic Partner Benefits for State Employees" went a long way toward advancing equality in Colorado!
All our work is made possible by the support of a dedicated board of directors, a tireless staff of two, dedicated volunteers, and supporters and advocates like you!
Thank you!
Barb Van Hoy, Executive Director |
 Fifth Annual Creating Community Breakfast Raises $40,000 for Citizens Project
Photo by Shannon Steuber
Nearly 500 community members gathered on June 4, 2009 to create community and celebrate diversity at Citizens Project's fifth annual Creating Community Breakfast. The breakfast highlighted the work Citizens Project is doing in the Pikes Peak region to promote equal rights, diversity, religious freedom through separation of church and state, and civic engagement.
This event raised over $40,000 in general operating support for Citizens Project's many programs including: the candidate survey voter guides, our monthly publication Freedom Watch Online, and the Citizens Project Activist Network, which currently serves over 1,000 subscribers. New and increased donations and pledges will be matched up to $15,000 by the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado. Additional corporate and in-kind sponsorship for the event was provided by Gazette Charities, Colorado Technical University, The Colorado Springs Independent, Impact! Video Production, and the Picnic Basket.
The Creating Community Breakfast celebrated the role Citizens Project has played in creating a community that values diversity, equality and religious freedom. Citizens Project has worked tirelessly to combat extremism and promote respect for diversity in the Pikes Peak region seen since it was founded in 1992. Barb Van Hoy, Executive Director of Citizens Project, highlighted the importance of equality and religious freedom, noting that in the Pikes Peak Region, "our many differences become our many strengths. Our willingness to embrace our diverse religious beliefs, ethnic backgrounds, cultural values, and sexual orientations creates a powerful spirit of community and platform for progress."
The Creating Community Breakfast featured a diverse array of speakers including: Kathryn Young, Colorado Springs City Clerk; the Reverend Dr. Nori Rost, Minister at All Souls Unitarian Church; Mimi Cavanaugh; Amanda Mountain, Citizens Project Board Chair; and Lynn Young, Citizens Project Board Member.
Additionally, the Rev. Benjamin Broadbent shared his musical talent and he and State Rep. Michael Merrifield led attendees in a rousing sing-along rendition of "This Land is Your Land."
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Civic Opportunity
EL PASO COUNTY CLERK AND RECORDER VOLUNTEER PROGRAM Are you interested in learning about local government? Do you want to be more involved in the community? Would you like to serve people with their personal business transactions? The Volunteer Program of the Clerk & Recorder's Office will help you fulfill those aspirations. Volunteer positions are available in the statutory departments - Elections, Recording, Motor Vehicle and Clerk to the Board - and also Information Systems. Each area offers a unique perspective into county government with volunteer duties specific to its discipline. Job descriptions for the positions available in the departments can be accessed by the link on this page. Our staff members work alongside volunteers, providing their expertise and knowledge. Volunteers are an integral part of the department and will enjoy developing strong professional relationships. As a volunteer, you will learn firsthand about the operations of the office and observe customer service in action. The experience you gain will prove beneficial on a personal level, and also for those who are pursuing career advancement. Any citizen 18 years or older, as well as high school seniors, may apply for a volunteer position with the Clerk & Recorder's Office. Volunteer positions are not compensated. The time commitment is a minimum of 4 hours per week, worked in one block of time. Most of the volunteers will be assigned to the Centennial Hall office downtown. Some volunteers may be placed at a branch location, Chapel Hills Mall or Powers Boulevard. The opportunity for you to be involved in the community and serve the public is available through our Volunteer Program. The skills, time and work you contribute as a volunteer will be a real value to the Clerk & Recorder's Office. We look forward to developing a partnership with our volunteers and welcoming them as members of our office. To read the volunteer job descriptions and learn how to apply, visit the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's Web site. | |
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