September 16,2008
BALTIMORE, MD ––While most kids were home playing Nintendo, 14-year old Benjamin Todd Jealous and his friends were out commanding card tables and conducting voter registration drives. After registering thousands of new voters, Jealous realized the power of community organizing. Now, twenty–one years later, he is combining his organizing skills -- honed as a youth by the NAACP -- with emerging technologies to transform the organization that he now leads. As the youngest President in the NAACP’s nearly 100-year history, and a fifth-generation NAACP member, Jealous starts his tenure doing what he does best. Getting people involved. “As an organization, our goal is to make the promise of this country real for all families,” said Jealous, “and this starts with making all Americans regular voters.
While unprecedented numbers of African Americans and young people are expected to register in this year’s election, Jealous’ aspirations are higher. “The NAACP has had a history of transforming this country and in that tradition, we will transform the electoral process. We can do it by registering every last voter, verifying every last voter, mobilizing every last voter, protecting every last voter and ensuring that every last vote is counted,” said Jealous.
This week, Jealous started his first day on the job rolling out a new online voter registration initiative, Upload to Uplift. This initiative uses Web 2.0 technology to encourage visitors to register and upload the email addresses of family and friends that are not registered. Upload to Uplift also uses a text message feature to remind registered voters to go to the polls on Election Day. “Online voter registration is a natural extension of the NAACP voter empowerment programs,” said Jealous. “While we will continue to do employ successful strategies, like door-to-door canvassing and phone banking, however, this tool adds the power of viral voter registration to our mix.” he added.
Many of the 1200 active NAACP units have tested the site anticipating its ability to expand their existing voter registration efforts. “Our branches and our Youth and College units, are excited about using this emerging technology to reach a new and very active core of activists – both online and offline, said Nelson B. Rivers III, Chief of NAACP Field Operations.
The NAACP is calling on all corporate, community partners, bloggers and individuals with web sites to download the widget onto their Web sites. “By making the tool available to partners to place on their sites, the NAACP aims to reach the millions of remaining unregistered African Americans and youth voters and to encourage greater turnout at the polls,” said Kirk Clay, Sr., NAACP Director of Civic Engagement.
According to the United States Census Bureau, only sixty-nine percent of African Americans are registered compared to seventy-five percent of non-Hispanic whites. In 2004, four-fifths of all registration happened in the last three months of registration and two-thirds of people who downloaded the online registration forms actually mail them in. “We’re encouraging all our community partners and anyone interested in uplifting the voices of the underrepresented to utilize these resources,” said Clay.
Individuals interested in registering can visit http://www.naacp.org/ to complete, print and mail the registration form before the October 4th deadline. Corporate and community partners interested in offering the online registration widget to their site can download it from http://www.naacp.org/.
For more information, contact Carla Sims, carlasims@verizon.net, ph: (202) 547-8313.
Upload to Uplift
Upload to Uplift is the NAACP Online Registration Initiative that uses Web 2.0 technology to encourage visitors to register themselves and upload the email addresses of family and friends that have not registered. Individuals can visit http://www.naacp.org/ to complete, print and mail the registration form before the October 4th deadline. Corporate, community partners and bloggers are encouraged to download the widget and place it on their site.
NAACP
The NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Founded in 1909, its mission is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Minnesota Women's Political Caucus is looking for Board Members
About MWPC
The primary purpose of MWPC parallels that of NWPC - increasing the number of elected and appointed women in office. This has been done by targeting, endorsing, contributing funds and volunteers, working to publicize women's campaigns, and encouraging members to serve on campaign committees. The screening, endorsement and funding of candidates is carried out by a separate Political Action Committee (PAC).
MWPC also lobbies on issues of concern to women, and provides a variety of programs for the purpose of informing and energizing its membership. It also pubishes a quarterly newsletter, Caucus Times. Since 1979, MWPC has maintained an office with part-time staff. It was a founding member of the Minnesota Women's Consortium, where it continues to be a political resource and supporter of Consortium activities such as its annual Women and Girls Come to the Capitol.
for more info: http://www.mnwpc.org/about.cfm
Board of Directors Job Description
The Board of Directors is the governing body of the MWPC and MWPC Education Council. The Board of Directors exists to fulfil the organizational mission and serve the membership of the MPWC and MWPC Education Council. The Board of Directors develops the annual business plan and approves the operating budget. The Board also works to satisfy the long-range strategic plan, recieves committee reports, participates in board recruitment, election of board leadership, supporting and working with the Executive Director and approves policies and procedures for the MWPC.
Board member terms are two calendar years.
BECOMING A BOARD MEMBER SOUNDS LIKE TOO MUCH WORK??
We are always looking for volunteers to serve on the following committees:
Membership Committee
Development Committee
Diversity Outreach Committee
Events Committee
The primary purpose of MWPC parallels that of NWPC - increasing the number of elected and appointed women in office. This has been done by targeting, endorsing, contributing funds and volunteers, working to publicize women's campaigns, and encouraging members to serve on campaign committees. The screening, endorsement and funding of candidates is carried out by a separate Political Action Committee (PAC).
MWPC also lobbies on issues of concern to women, and provides a variety of programs for the purpose of informing and energizing its membership. It also pubishes a quarterly newsletter, Caucus Times. Since 1979, MWPC has maintained an office with part-time staff. It was a founding member of the Minnesota Women's Consortium, where it continues to be a political resource and supporter of Consortium activities such as its annual Women and Girls Come to the Capitol.
for more info: http://www.mnwpc.org/about.cfm
Board of Directors Job Description
The Board of Directors is the governing body of the MWPC and MWPC Education Council. The Board of Directors exists to fulfil the organizational mission and serve the membership of the MPWC and MWPC Education Council. The Board of Directors develops the annual business plan and approves the operating budget. The Board also works to satisfy the long-range strategic plan, recieves committee reports, participates in board recruitment, election of board leadership, supporting and working with the Executive Director and approves policies and procedures for the MWPC.
Board member terms are two calendar years.
BECOMING A BOARD MEMBER SOUNDS LIKE TOO MUCH WORK??
We are always looking for volunteers to serve on the following committees:
Membership Committee
Development Committee
Diversity Outreach Committee
Events Committee
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Mizna's Fifth Arab Film Festival
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Fouzi Slisli, curator
Kathryn Haddad, executive director
Mizna
2205 California Street NE #109A
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55418
http://www.mizna.org/
Mizna@Mizna.org
612-532-0747
612-788-6920
Mizna Presents:
The Twin Cities 5th Arab Film Festival
October 16-19, 2008
The Heights Theatre
3951 Central Avenue Northeast, Minneapolis
Cost: $5 student/low income $8 general admission
Festival Passes available $40 advanced (online) $55 at door
As the only Arab film festival in the Upper Midwest, Mizna's Fifth Arab Film Festival is becoming a cultural feature of the region. This year's event will run from 16th to 19th October, 2008 at the historic Heights Theatre in Minneapolis. Over 20 feature films, experimental shorts, and documentaries will be given public screening in morning, afternoon, and evening sessions. Themes explored include immigration and exile, war and peace, religion and sexuality and most films will receive their Minnesota or US premiere. Many screenings will be followed by a discussion with panels of international Arab filmmakers and academics. The festival will also include public receptions which will provide a gathering point for the community to dialogue on issues related to art, life, and the Arab condition in the US and abroad.
Mizna's Arab Film Festival was designed to meet two basic needs: to introduce authentic Arab and Muslim culture to the American public, and to offer the Arab-Muslim communities in the US a genuine forum where complex, even sensitive issues can be freely and safely discussed.
The Arab-Muslim world is the most embattled region in the world and its peoples are the most scrutinized - even vilified - people on the planet. How do Arab films reflect this situation? How is cinematographic production affected by the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine and Lebanon? How do Arab filmmakers deal with the issues of immigration, gender equality, terrorism, political prisoners and other burning issues? Does cinema provide a refuge from the painful reality, or does it provide a safe ground to confront it? Mizna's Fifth Arab Film Festival might not provide the answers for these questions, but it hopes to initiate the discussion.
Some special events include:
• Thursday October 16th: El Ayel/ A Muslim Childhood by Moumen Smihi followed by a catered reception.
• Friday October 17th: Slingshot Hip-Hop and A Jihad for Love. The first explores a vibrant Hip-Hop scene in occupied Palestine and the second explores the issue of homosexuality in the Muslim world. Slingshot Hip-Hop's director Jackie Selloum will be present for a post-screening discussion, and Palestinian Hip-Hop band DAM will give a performance on the fringe of the festival at the Cedar Cultural Centre on Saturday night.
• Saturday October 18th: Meeting Resistance by Molly Bingham and Steve Cox; a fascinating documentary on the Iraqi resistance to US occupation, followed by a discussion with the directors. Adieu Méres by Mohammed Ismail explores the mass immigration of Jews from Morocco to Israel in 1960.
• Sunday October 19th: Jerusalem: The East side Story is among the first films to document life for the Arab population of Jerusalem under Israeli occupation. Arab Cinema: The State of Things closes the festival with director Nasser-Eddine Benalia leading the discussion on the state of things of cinematographic production in the Arab world.
• Also on Sunday, October 19th, Detroit native Rola Nashef will be speaking after the showing of her film, Detroit Unleaded. It is a fictional look at Detroit's Arab population and the world of gas station ownership.
ABOUT MIZNA
Mizna is an Arab American organization that provides a forum for promoting Arab culture and gives voice to Arabs through literature, art, and community events. Founded in 1998,
Mizna publishes the only journal of Arab American literature in the United States. In addition to the literary publication, Mizna works with the local community to facilitate Arab artistic
expression through cultural classes, invited national and international Arab writers and artists, and local community forums to encourage the development of Arab American artistic
expression.
Visit our website at http://www.mizna.org/arabfilmfest08/index.html
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Fouzi Slisli, curator
Kathryn Haddad, executive director
Mizna
2205 California Street NE #109A
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55418
http://www.mizna.org/
Mizna@Mizna.org
612-532-0747
612-788-6920
Mizna Presents:
The Twin Cities 5th Arab Film Festival
October 16-19, 2008
The Heights Theatre
3951 Central Avenue Northeast, Minneapolis
Cost: $5 student/low income $8 general admission
Festival Passes available $40 advanced (online) $55 at door
As the only Arab film festival in the Upper Midwest, Mizna's Fifth Arab Film Festival is becoming a cultural feature of the region. This year's event will run from 16th to 19th October, 2008 at the historic Heights Theatre in Minneapolis. Over 20 feature films, experimental shorts, and documentaries will be given public screening in morning, afternoon, and evening sessions. Themes explored include immigration and exile, war and peace, religion and sexuality and most films will receive their Minnesota or US premiere. Many screenings will be followed by a discussion with panels of international Arab filmmakers and academics. The festival will also include public receptions which will provide a gathering point for the community to dialogue on issues related to art, life, and the Arab condition in the US and abroad.
Mizna's Arab Film Festival was designed to meet two basic needs: to introduce authentic Arab and Muslim culture to the American public, and to offer the Arab-Muslim communities in the US a genuine forum where complex, even sensitive issues can be freely and safely discussed.
The Arab-Muslim world is the most embattled region in the world and its peoples are the most scrutinized - even vilified - people on the planet. How do Arab films reflect this situation? How is cinematographic production affected by the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine and Lebanon? How do Arab filmmakers deal with the issues of immigration, gender equality, terrorism, political prisoners and other burning issues? Does cinema provide a refuge from the painful reality, or does it provide a safe ground to confront it? Mizna's Fifth Arab Film Festival might not provide the answers for these questions, but it hopes to initiate the discussion.
Some special events include:
• Thursday October 16th: El Ayel/ A Muslim Childhood by Moumen Smihi followed by a catered reception.
• Friday October 17th: Slingshot Hip-Hop and A Jihad for Love. The first explores a vibrant Hip-Hop scene in occupied Palestine and the second explores the issue of homosexuality in the Muslim world. Slingshot Hip-Hop's director Jackie Selloum will be present for a post-screening discussion, and Palestinian Hip-Hop band DAM will give a performance on the fringe of the festival at the Cedar Cultural Centre on Saturday night.
• Saturday October 18th: Meeting Resistance by Molly Bingham and Steve Cox; a fascinating documentary on the Iraqi resistance to US occupation, followed by a discussion with the directors. Adieu Méres by Mohammed Ismail explores the mass immigration of Jews from Morocco to Israel in 1960.
• Sunday October 19th: Jerusalem: The East side Story is among the first films to document life for the Arab population of Jerusalem under Israeli occupation. Arab Cinema: The State of Things closes the festival with director Nasser-Eddine Benalia leading the discussion on the state of things of cinematographic production in the Arab world.
• Also on Sunday, October 19th, Detroit native Rola Nashef will be speaking after the showing of her film, Detroit Unleaded. It is a fictional look at Detroit's Arab population and the world of gas station ownership.
ABOUT MIZNA
Mizna is an Arab American organization that provides a forum for promoting Arab culture and gives voice to Arabs through literature, art, and community events. Founded in 1998,
Mizna publishes the only journal of Arab American literature in the United States. In addition to the literary publication, Mizna works with the local community to facilitate Arab artistic
expression through cultural classes, invited national and international Arab writers and artists, and local community forums to encourage the development of Arab American artistic
expression.
Visit our website at http://www.mizna.org/arabfilmfest08/index.html
MIZNA looking for New Board members
Mizna, a forum for Arab American art, is looking for new board members. If you are interested in serving on the board of our ground breaking Arab American organization, please send an email to us at Mizna@Mizna.org. Put "board member" in the subject heading.
Please tell us:
1. What your interest is in Mizna.
2. What you could bring to the board of Mizna.
3. Any current board or organizational affiliations.
We are especially interested in board members with experience in legal issues, finance, development, and Arab American arts. Board members attend monthly meetings and serve on committees.
Find out more about Mizna at http://www.mizna.org/
Please reply to Mizna by October 15. If you have questions, feel free to email us at Mizna@Mizna.org and put "board member" in the subject line of your email.
website at http://www.mizna.org/
Monday, September 8, 2008
Don't forget to vote for judges on 9/9 if you live in Hennepin or Ramsey County
Voters in Hennepin and Ramsey counties will see district court judges on their primary ballots on Tuesday.
Each county has one open judicial seat without an incumbent. These seats usually draw many contenders and this year is no exception. Six attorneys have filed for the open seat in Hennepin county and eight for the open Ramsey county seat.
Two Supreme Court seats are also on the primary ballot statewide.
To see the primary election voter guide from Minnesota Lawyer newspaper, click below.
And click on the links to the left to see other voter guides dealing with the judicial seats.
For Minnesota Lawyer's voter guide: www.minnlawyer.com/elections/2008/index.cfm
Each county has one open judicial seat without an incumbent. These seats usually draw many contenders and this year is no exception. Six attorneys have filed for the open seat in Hennepin county and eight for the open Ramsey county seat.
Two Supreme Court seats are also on the primary ballot statewide.
To see the primary election voter guide from Minnesota Lawyer newspaper, click below.
And click on the links to the left to see other voter guides dealing with the judicial seats.
For Minnesota Lawyer's voter guide: www.minnlawyer.com/elections/2008/index.cfm
Annual Conference on Policy Analysis 10/15/08
The conference provides an opportunity for analysts and policy-makers to explore timely topics that reflect the importance of analysis in formulating policy decisions in government. Conference sessions provide an opportunity to:
- Gain insight into current trends and changes in the policy-making environment
- Explore current policy issues and processes in concurrent workshop sessions
- Share ideas with others from around Minnesota
Who Should AttendEconomic and policy analysts from all levels of government and education; administrators; appointed and elected officials; representatives from the business and nonprofit communities; and others interested in policy analysis.
For Registration QuestionsContact 612-624-4000
For Program QuestionsContact Sara Van Essendelft, 612-624-3708 or cceconf5@umn.edu
Sponsors:
College of Continuing Education, University of Minnesota
Economic Resource GroupCo-Sponsors
Hamline University School of Business
Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota
State of Students of Color & American Indian Students Conference: The other Minnesota Get Together™
MMEP is proud to share the news that Dr. Ronald Ferguson, director, Achievement Gap Institute at Harvard University will deliver the luncheon keynote address at the 2008 State of Students of Color & American Indian Students Conference on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008.
Ferguson is the creator and director of the Tripod Project for School Improvement. His research over the last several years has focused on racial achievement gaps, and has appeared in publications of the National Research Council, the Brookings Institution, the U.S. Department of Education, Educational Research Service, and others. Ferguson received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, both in economics.
Register online today and take advantage of early-bird discounted pricing. Better yet, become a member and be eligible to attend the Members’ Only Breakfast and Report Pre-Release.
For more information please visit www.mmep.net
Ferguson is the creator and director of the Tripod Project for School Improvement. His research over the last several years has focused on racial achievement gaps, and has appeared in publications of the National Research Council, the Brookings Institution, the U.S. Department of Education, Educational Research Service, and others. Ferguson received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, both in economics.
Register online today and take advantage of early-bird discounted pricing. Better yet, become a member and be eligible to attend the Members’ Only Breakfast and Report Pre-Release.
For more information please visit www.mmep.net
Fwd: TIME TO VOTE: The MN primary is coming 9/9!
Hello fellow NFBPA members, Potential Members and Friends,
The State of Minnesota's primary election day (September 9) is just around the corner. Please be informed of your rights at the polls to ensure that your vote counts. This information is provided by the office of the Minnesota Secretary of State.
- You can register to vote on the same day as the election. Before you can vote, you must register. In Minnesota, you may register before Election Day or on Election Day at your polling place. Your registration remains current until you move, change your name, or do not vote for four consecutive years. NOTE: you are required to provide proof of residence when registering on Election Day. To find out what you need to provide when registering on Election Day, please visit the Minnesota Secretary of State's Site: http://www.sos.state.mn.us/home/index.asp?page=204
- If you have a question, ask an election judge. The job of an election judge (also known as a poll worker) is to help with the voting process. If you have a question about your ballot or the machine where you submit your ballot, ask an election judge for assistance. If you are in the wrong voting precinct, an election judge should help you locate the right one.
- Call the experts for assistance. There are voting hotlines to assist those who feel their rights are being violated or need help with the voting process. The Election Assistance Commission (1-866-747-1471) has staff and volunteers answering questions about where your polling place is and other Election Day questions. The U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Voting Section (1-800-253-3931) has a hotline for inquiries concerning the Help America Vote Act and protecting your right to vote.
- Assistance for persons with disabilities. All polling places in Minnesota are equipped with voting systems that allow people with disabilities to vote privately and independently. Polling places are fully accessible with clearly marked parking spaces, doors and routes to the area of the building used for voting. You may choose to bring someone with you to assist with reading and/or marking your ballot. Also, as part of their duties on Election Day, election judges are available at the polling place for assistance if needed. If you are unable to leave your car to enter the polling place, election judges will bring a ballot and any registration materials to you in the vehicle if asked. This voting process is called "curbside voting."
- Find out more by visiting the Minnesota Secretary of State�s Website. The Secretary of State offers more detail about documents needed for registration, polling locations, absentee voting, protecting voter integrity and more: http://www.sos.state.mn.us/home/index.asp?page=134.
And if you have time you should print out the voter guide provided by the Secretary of State, which contains all the information needed to vote in Minnesota: http://www.sos.state.mn.us/docs/votersguide.pdf.
Happy voting and pass this information on to others!
Fall membership meeting September 11 @ 5:30
National Forum for Black Public Administrators
Minneapolis/St. Paul Metro Area Chapter
Minneapolis/St. Paul Metro Area Chapter
Fall General Membership Meeting
Thursday September 11, 2007
5:30 pm
Minneapolis Community Action
2104 Park Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN
5:30 pm
Minneapolis Community Action
2104 Park Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN
For more information about NFBPA and FORUM 2009 go to: http://www.nfbpa.org/
Here is what we will discuss:
Here is what we will discuss:
What is NFBPA and why should you join us?
Tentative 08-09 Chapter Event Calendar and past events highlights
Fall Emerging Leadership Institute reception
How to Become a member: Information and Benefits
Citizens League Poverty Policy Project
The Citizens League is gearing up for our upcoming Poverty Policy Project – and we need your help. Join us for an initial set of public conversations to help us frame and focus our work. We believe that by developing policies that are based not just on sound research, but on the knowledge and wisdom that comes from the service providers and the people who are impacted by and living within poverty, we will develop better policy strategies on this critical issue.
The Poverty Policy Project, and these initial conversations, will convene a broad base of stakeholders - from interested citizens and community partners to service providers and state and government officials. We would appreciate your participation and your assistance in moving forward to shape the Citizens League's approach to this important issue.
The goal of the public conversation is to 1) continue the conversation about how to reframe the way we look at poverty; 2) address common misconceptions about poverty and provide recent research; 3) develop a network of citizens, organizations and institutions to work on this issue and 4) generate policy recommendations to appropriate entities.
To begin this process, we need your help in framing and focusing the questions we will tackle. The following sessions will take place at Flannery Construction (1375 St. Anthony Avenue, St. Paul):
The Poverty Policy Project, and these initial conversations, will convene a broad base of stakeholders - from interested citizens and community partners to service providers and state and government officials. We would appreciate your participation and your assistance in moving forward to shape the Citizens League's approach to this important issue.
The goal of the public conversation is to 1) continue the conversation about how to reframe the way we look at poverty; 2) address common misconceptions about poverty and provide recent research; 3) develop a network of citizens, organizations and institutions to work on this issue and 4) generate policy recommendations to appropriate entities.
To begin this process, we need your help in framing and focusing the questions we will tackle. The following sessions will take place at Flannery Construction (1375 St. Anthony Avenue, St. Paul):
Option I
Tuesday
September 9
Tuesday
September 9
12:00-1:30 p.m.
Option II
Wednesday
September 10
5:00-6:30 p.m.
Option III
Friday
September 19
7:30-9:00 a.m.
Click here to RSVP online – or if you prefer, or have some questions, please don't hesitate to contact me or Bob DeBoer, Director of Policy Development (bdeboer@citizensleague.org or 651-293-0575 ext. 13). We will send you an email confirming your session, with driving and parking directions and a list of the other participants in your session.
Can't make it to a session? We still want your feedback! Click here to fill out a very short survey (only four questions) about poverty – and perceptions of poverty – in Minnesota.
On behalf of the Citizens League, we thank you for your interest. We look forward to hearing about your experiences and insights.
Sincerely,
Rebecca McDonald │ Poverty Policy Intern │ 555 N. Wabasha St., Suite 240 │ Saint Paul, MN 55102 │ 651.293.0575 │ www.citizensleague.org
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Save the Date: From Structural Racism to Sustainable Communities CONFERENCE
You are invited to the From Structural Racism to Sustainable Communities Conference
on
Tuesday October 7th, 2008 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m
at
William Mitchell College of Law.
Cost (includes lunch)
$15 by September 19th
$20 after September 19th.
Regsitration deadline:
September 30th
Registration information attachment as well as this link:
https://www.wmitchellalumni.net/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=244&srcid=244
For questions pelase contact
Marcus Harcus
srscconference@gmail.com
(612) 600-0155
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