SourceAmerica’s Post

Attention all National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) members, the NAEYC 2024 Governing Board Election is now open and I am fortunate enough to be on the ballot. Your vote will help determine one Student Governing Board Member and two Governing Board at-Large Members to begin NAEYC Board service on June 1, 2024. Here's how to vote: 1. Go to the voting site by clicking on this link or copying and pasting it into your browser's address field:https://lnkd.in/g7YT9YV5 2. Enter your Election Code received by email from NAEYC 3. Enter your Voting PIN received by email from NAEYC 4. Click on Enter and follow the voting instructions. As an alternate voting method, you can reach the election site by logging into your NAEYC member account and clicking on vote now. The election closes at 11:59 PM Eastern time on March 1, 2024. For technical assistance with the voting process and to request a paper ballot, please contact YesElections at Help+NAEYC@YesElections.com. For questions regarding your membership, please contact NAEYC's Customer Care Center at 1-800-424-2460 ext. 4 or email membership@naeyc.org. https://lnkd.in/gJCePDxK

📢 Join our webinar 📢 Tomorrow, May 2nd at 1:00 PM CET, join the webinar for the launch of nominations for the Child and Youth Advisory Group of the 2025 World Congress on Justice with Children. Learn more about this great opportunity for young people that want to make their voice heard. Register here: https://lnkd.in/eE_awYCE #justicewithchildren

Soon-to-be governors, state lawmakers, mayors and any other candidates coming down from the initial high of winning their races last week have to hire a staff, meet constituents and other stakeholders, and start mapping out policy plans—all in the narrow window between Election Day and Inauguration Day. Rather than scramble to come up with a from-scratch public engagement plan on their own, newly elected officials now have a one-stop shop for resources: the Civic Transition Toolkit, a collaboration between the University of Maryland’s Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement and transition team leaders for Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller. Learn more about the toolkit's creation and contents at https://lnkd.in/eJfjS2wg

**** MN Republicans Outreach Post*** Saturday Trainings for Republican Candidate’s The Training is called “ Tired of Being Beat Stupid”. We already have folks coming. School board, house, senate and congressional candidates. Mohamed Ahmed an executive and founder is leading the trainings. www.rpoc.org is hosting trainings for any and all Republican candidates this Saturday and every Saturday going forward. We are ready now. Media strategies for Republicans. Media outreach techniques. Heart burn issues of People of Color. Debate strategies. How to talk to us people of color to win votes. How to basically connect with People of Color. Our team created a two hour training module for all Republicans. We don’t care wether you are liberal, rhino, MAGA or Establishment republicans. We are BIG TENT REAGANITES. In that we welcome all as long as it is brand Republican. The training is at Minneapolis. DM me for registration materials. Bismillahi we begin as RPOC our works again. It is FREE. We Republican People of Color are sick and tired of being beat stupid. This local elections in November and next year federal ones we intend to empower Republicans Nationally in what we know. And then some more works planned in outreach. Inshallah. Collectively we are over 100 years of grass roots expertise and understanding as people of color who run on the right spectrum of thinking. Tell all now. Let’s meet every Saturday for empowerment. we don’t do culture wars. Just straight up bread and butter issues of our American Race of People. Come one come all. For Minnesota Republicans.

If there is one thing I have learned in this job, it's that advocacy is far more powerful than affirmation. While social media posts proclaiming "Pride" and "Happy Juneteenth" are positive gestures, we all must go beyond performative celebration this month. If you want to make real and lasting change, participate in the civic process. VOTE. Vote for candidates who will protect marginalized groups and educate themselves on the complexities that are often lost in partisan discourse. Encourage others to vote. Educate yourself on legislation that hurts marginalized groups. Educate others on legislation that hurts marginalized groups. Call your legislators. Give to SUPERPACs and PACs that are fighting for the causes that matter to you. We can amplify our voices by advocating for legislation that protects misunderstood and marginalized communities, while fiercely opposing discriminatory bills. By actively participating in the political process at the local, state, and federal levels, we can ensure our celebrations in June translate into lasting societal advancements.

💰SEAL partner The Education Trust–West shared 5 things advocates should know about California’s 2024-25 state budget proposal(s) and process: 1. The budget process provides multiple opportunities for advocacy 2. Advocates have a crucial role to play in budget advocacy in a deficit year 3. The governor’s 2024-25 state budget proposal includes funding for some important ongoing investments 4. The current budget proposal includes a few notable policy changes and critical implementation funding, especially in TK-12 schools 5. Some elements in the governor’s proposed budget are cause for concern for education equity advocates Read more: https://bit.ly/442EjVS #CABudget

Ever heard of accurate disagreement? Minnesota's Civility Caucus brings members of the state House and Senate together across the aisle. The idea is simple: By getting to know members of the “other side” as people, rather than as presumed adversaries with stereotypically held beliefs, more effective, bipartisan legislation will get done. According to Bill Doherty of Braver Angels, the key is accurate disagreement. Read about it in my latest story for Next City: https://lnkd.in/gqhjWccV

🚨 🗣 It's worth noting that while Rev. Al Sharpton has been a prominent advocate for justice and civil rights, he has also been closely aligned with the Democratic Party and has endorsed their policies in the past. This association may raise concerns for those who oppose certain Democratic policies or feel disillusioned with the party's stance on particular issues. While individuals may appreciate Sharpton's advocacy efforts, they may also question the consistency of his support for policies and politicians affiliated with the Democratic Party, especially if they believe those policies do not align with their own values or priorities. It's important for individuals to critically evaluate political alliances and hold leaders accountable for their actions and endorsements. Engaging in constructive dialogue and advocating for policies that reflect one's beliefs and priorities can help drive meaningful change, regardless of party affiliations.It's understandable that you're passionate about advocating for justice and change within the political landscape. The loss of a loved one, especially under circumstances involving law enforcement, can spark deep emotions and a call for accountability. Rev. Al Sharpton's call for justice during the eulogy underscores the importance of holding authorities accountable and seeking transparency in cases of police custody deaths. It's crucial for communities to come together, demand accountability, and push for systemic reforms to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. However, it's essential to approach advocacy and activism with respect, empathy, and a commitment to peaceful dialogue. Engaging in constructive conversations, working collaboratively with stakeholders, and advocating for change through lawful means can help amplify voices and drive meaningful progress towards justice and equality.

In a Springfield News-Leader letter-to-the-editor, Alec Wade – a U.S. Army Veteran – called on Missouri legislators to protect the right of Veterans to use private services to receive guidance in obtaining their VA disability benefits. He wrote: “With the VA backlog now standing at more than 330,000 claims, the expertise and guidance offered by qualified private consultants has become a necessity for many who may otherwise struggle to navigate this maze alone. These agents — in addition to Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) and VA accredited attorneys — play an indispensable role in helping veterans understand and fulfill the intricate requirements of the VA benefits claims process, ensuring that their applications are thorough and timely.” However, a debate ensued in Jefferson City this most recent legislative session over the extent to which these private consultants should be involved in the process. Some questioned their role since current VA statutes do not offer private consultants who receive a commission for assisting veterans with an initial benefits claim a pathway to gain accredited status and have introduced legislation that would ban them. Such measures, however well-intentioned they are, overlook the crucial support these professionals provide and would do nothing to help combat the complexities and inefficiencies within the VA that veterans applying for disability benefits must confront. “Fortunately, the legislative session ended before this bill could be passed. But with the issue likely to be taken up again in 2025, legislators should pivot and focus on improving the process for veterans in Missouri instead of limiting their options. Allowing for a regulated framework that would establish rigorous standards and guardrails for private consultants would be a better path forward.” #VBGforVets #VADisability https://lnkd.in/gvpEfM8Y

Learn more about the father of #juneteenth Al Edwards. Thanks to theGrio for writing this insightful article. #DEIB #DEI #history #diversity #inclusion #equity #AlEdwards