Nonpartisan Political Leadership Institute Formed to Train Candidates and Campaign Workers

SYRACUSE, NY, January 12, 2010 – The Central New York Political Leadership Institute will launch later this year a program to encourage and train individuals interested in running for public office and working on campaigns. Leadership Greater Syracuse (LGS), the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce (Chamber), and WCNY, the public broadcasting station of Central New York, are the sponsors of the nonpartisan program, which will take place this spring.

 ”Every year, many political races in Central New York go uncontested,” said Sherry Mossotti, executive director and CEO of Leadership Greater Syracuse. “That means voters hear almost no dialogue on important issues. Every political party is in need of qualified candidates and campaign workers for those races.”

 The institute is developing a curriculum and plans to enlist politicians, party leaders, campaign managers and others to speak to program participants. The program, for which there will be a modest fee, will teach candidates and volunteers about messaging, working with the media, campaign organization and operation, finance, fundraising, the nominating process, and other topics. Community organizations such as WCNY have gotten involved to help spread the word and host some of the sessions.

  ”Our community needs candidates who have good ideas and can make a positive contribution, but many people don’t run for office or volunteer because they don’t know how to do it,” said Deb Warner, vice president for public policy and government relations of the Chamber. “We hope to eliminate that roadblock.”

 The institute hopes to recruit prospective candidates and campaign workers for training in early spring 2010. It is also seeking sponsors to help defray costs. Individuals or organizations interested in participating or supporting the institute should contact Robin Holmquist at 315.422.5471 or email: robin@leadsyr.org.

 For more information, you can also visit http://cnypolitics.org/

CNY PLI Brochure: Has a schedule of classes!

The CNY Political Leadership Institute2 Flyer

February Meeting

Just a quick reminder to all those interested in the Civic Engagement Task Force about our February Meeting:

5:30-6:30 PM

State Tower Building, 18th Floor, MDA Conference Room

Be a part of deciding the FUTURE of CETF in regards to projects, organizations we’d like to visit and learn more about, and nominations for the new CETF Co-Chair!

See you there!

Get Engaged with the Humane Association!

Are you a cat person?  Are you a dog person?  Then help out CNY’s only no-kill animal shelter – located in Liverpool – by volunteering your time at the clinic, being on our fundraising committee, making a donation, or participating in one of our upcoming fundraising events.
 
For Valentine’s day, we have a gift basket filled with items worth over $700.00.  Tickets are $10.00 each or 3 for $15.00 and are available at the shelter.  The drawing in Sat 2/6.  (See attached PDF file for the Valentine’s gift basket flyer.)
 
In March is the BIGGEST BAKE SALE EVER.  We’ll be in the Macy’s wing of ShoppingTown Mall Sat 3/13 from 9am – 9pm.  Cakes, cookies, brownies, pies, rolls, breads, you name it.  If it’s baked, it’ll be there.  Donate some baked goods or come and buy from one of over 100 bakers who will be donating their yummy food.
 
Plan ahead for our 3rd annual pet food and supplies Drop-A-Thon on Sept 11th.
 
For more information, stop by the shelter at 4915 1/2 W Taft Rd, Liverpool or call the shelter at 457-8762.  You can also check out our website http://www.thehumaneassociationofcny.org/ -it’s in the process of being updated.

Special Olympics: Let the Games Begin!

Be a fan, set-up/breakdown sports venues, distribute lunches or assist coaches/athletes for the State Winter Games of the Special Olympics!  The games will be held in various locations around Syracuse on Friday, February 5th and Saturday the 6th.  See their website and attached Volunteer Registration Form and Details for information. AND here’s a the Flyer!

2010 Special Projects?

With the New Year, we’re going to take some time and revisit some of our main events and actions points.  Over the past few months, we have received comments from members expressing interest in motivating different activities and demographics.  Vote to share in what direction you think 40 Below should move!

We will be checking the poll and if we find enough interest in any of these efforts, we’ll set up a subcommittee of interested individuals to make it happen!

WHERE Should We Meet???

Over the past year we have been visiting various locations for tours and informational sessions on the intriguing organizations in our community and the wide-range of opportunities and services they offer.  We have gone to places such as Hospice of CNY, WCNY, and the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, among many others.  We realize that new locations can be hard to find, parking is ALWAYS a question and you just may not be able to get out of work on time to make the 5:30 start is the location is farther away from downtown.  We’d like to see as many people at our meetings as can attend and don’t want to turn anybody off!  Let us know how/where YOU, our esteemed membership, would prefer to have our monthly meetings!

Please leave your comments and if you would like to continue going to new locations, give us suggestions!

Be A Part of Downtown’s Redevelopment!

Adapt CNY wants YOU to help clean out a few buildings for the Redevelopment!  The Wilson Building will be part of a larger redevelopment project involving three of its neighboring buildings: The Bond, Witherill, and Chamberlin buildings, located on S. Salina St and W. Fayette St.  These 4 buildings are going to be part of a large mixed-use space that will have residential, retail and office space.  The clean out dates are January 23 and 24 from 9 am – 3 pm.  Hard hats, gloves, masks and lunch will be provided and remember to dress for the weather.  A public parking lot is available at the intersection of clinton/Washington/Salina Streets (just north of One Lincoln Center) in downtown, or on-street around the buildings we plan to clean out.  Please contact Stacey McEwen at Adapt CNY, Inc. (smcewen@twcny.rr.com) if you would like to help.

CASA may mean “House” in Spanish, but it means “Helping Kids in Court” in Syracuse

The mission of the Onondaga Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program is to speak for the best
interests of abused and neglected children in court. Through a collaborative approach, the Onondaga CASA
program promotes and supports quality volunteer representation for children in the courts and advocates for a
network of resources to provide each child with a safe, permanent and nurturing home.

The Center for Community Alternatives’ Onondaga CASA program is currently recruiting for the fall CASA volunteer training class. Attached is a description of the role, responsibilities and requirements of a CASA Volunteer and background information on the program.

If after reviewing the description you are interested in pursuing this volunteer opportunity, please contact La-Quell Whitney at lwhitney@communityalternatives.org to answer any questions or for an application.