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August
2004
Welcome to the
August issue of the National Civic League's email newsletter. This
monthly communication provides information on the activities and
accomplishments of NCL and links to information on a variety of
topics.
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| In
This Issue |
- MetLife
Ambassadors in Education Award
- Community
Services
- Model
City Charter Available Now
- Contact
Information
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MetLife |
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The MetLife Foundation Ambassadors
In Education Award, a program of the National Civic League and MetLife
Foundation, honored 15 outstanding school principals this spring.
One of the winning principals, Mr.. Howard Friedman, from New York
City, will be featured on NOW with Bill Moyers tonght, August 13.
The following information describes the show and regional viewing
information.
"Starting from Behind" A NOW with Bill
Moyers Special Edition
Airdate: Friday, August 13, 2004 at 9:00 p.m. on PBS (check
local listings)
As the nation's schools move toward standardized tests to measure
student progress, NOW profiles an extraordinary school that takes
a radically different approach to education. The Manhattan Comprehensive
Night and Day High School is a place of last chances for kids who
don't fit anywhere else: new immigrants who barely speak English,
foster children who've bounced from home to home, students who've
chronically failed and teenage mothers struggling to make a better
life for themselves and their children. On Friday, August 13, 2004
at 9:00 p.m. on PBS, in "Starting from Behind," a special
edition of NOW with Bill Moyers, award-winning journalist Robert
Krulwich takes viewers inside the remarkable Manhattan Comprehensive
Night and Day High School and tells the poignant stories of five
students and their brave journeys to graduation. The 60-minute broadcast
explores the school's unique approach, which offers students more
than the chance to earn a high school diploma, but gives them the
support and skills they need to succeed in life.
The program airs at different times across the country. To confirm
when it airs in your market, check http://www.pbs.org/now/sched.html.
For more information about the Ambassadors in Education Awards,
visit www.ncl.org/cs/metlife.
The award is sponsored by MetLife Foundation, which was founded
in 1976 by MetLife and supports programs that increase opportunities
for young people to succeed, give students and teachers a voice
in improving education, develop partnerships between schools and
communities and strengthen relationships among parents, teachers
and students. The National Civic League, a nonprofit, nonpartisan
organization devoted to community building and citizen democracy,
conducts the award program. In 2003, the program honored public
school teachers who made an impact on their students' communities.
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Community
Services |
Community Services
Ongoing Projects
Belton, Missouri
Belton, a fast growing community outside of Kansas City,
recently kicked off an exciting community-wide strategic
planning project. This community has grabbed hold of this
project in an energetic manner, with large turnouts for
the meetings and interest from the media. This project
will run through November 2004.
Citizen Impact, Funded by the Alfred
P. Sloan Foundation
Thanks to a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation,
this 18-month pilot project will focus on creating citizen
demand for local government performance measurement. NCL
will research, write articles, develop and deliver trainings
and technical assistance to organizations in selected
areas in the coming months.
Civic Indicators
NCL is in the process of writing the Civic Indicators
Handbook, the final product of the Ewing and Marion Kauffman
grant. This project developed indicators that measure
the civic health in three communities - Yampa Valley,
Colorado; Baltimore, Maryland; and Jacksonville, Florida.
These indicators also will be used in an update of the
Civic Index in 2005.
Recently Completed Projects:
Community-Based Visioning and Strategic
Planning in Teaneck, New Jersey
The Township of Teaneck completed a year-long community-wide
vision and strategic plan for community improvement. Supported
by the township, organizers have engaged citizens from
all perspectives, beliefs and backgrounds to plot the
course for the township's future.
Citizen-Based Charter Reform in St. Louis,
Missouri
NCL recently completed an ambitious project to engage
citizens from throughout the entire city of St. Louis,
reflecting various perspectives and backgrounds, to develop
recommendations for change in the structure and function
of local government - in other words, to reform their
city charter. A ballot process for the November '04 election
will begin shortly after the release of stakeholder recommendations
for governmental change.
Gladstone, Missouri
NCL recently completed a community-visioning and strategic
planning project in Gladstone, Missouri, a suburb just
north of Kansas City, Missouri. This project, the first
citizen-based project ever in the city, focused on Public
Services, Neighborhoods, Schools, Community Civic Center,
Business Development, and Community Image. Implementation
is underway.
Association of Junior Leagues International
NCL completed an organizational strategic plan with the
Association of Junior Leagues International, based in
New York City. This ambitious plan focused on new directions
and strategies for the Association based on the changing
demographics and realities facing Junior Leagues in cities
around the globe.
Red Cross-Mile High Chapter
NCL recently completed an organizational strategic plan
for the Mile High Chapter of the American Red Cross in
Denver, Colorado. This four-month project targeted internal
issues within the organization and external factors within
the broader community that the Red Cross serves. Under
the energetic leadership of Christine Benero, the Red
Cross is facing its challenges head on and will remain
a key player in the metropolitan Denver region.
For more information on NCL's Community
Services, contact Derek Okubo , Acting Director of Community Services.
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| Model
City Charter Available |
 Update
your city charter with the 8th edition of the Model City
Charter, which provides the key information you need to
keep up with the latest perspectives and practices on good
governance. It will help you manage the new challenges facing
municipalities, including: Performance Measurement, Regional
Cooperation, Citizen Participation, Campaign Finance, Election
Law, and New Technologies.
“As
it has for the past 88 years, the 8th Edition of the National
Civic League’s Model City Charter again endorses the
council-manager form as the preferred structure of local government.
This definitive guide recognizes the importance of appointing
a city manager who is qualified solely on the basis of education
and experience in the accepted competencies and practices
of local public management."
Bob O’Neill, Executive Director,
International City/County Management Association.
TO ORDER YOUR COPY CALL 303-571-4343, or order
online.
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| Contact
Information |
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The National
Civic League (NCL), founded in 1894, is America's original
advocate for community democracy. It is a nonprofit, non-partisan,
membership organization dedicated to strengthening citizen
democracy by transforming democratic institutions. NCL fosters
innovative community building and political reform, assists
local governments, and recognizes collaborative community
achievement. NCL accomplishes its mission through technical
assistance, training, publishing, research, and the All-America
City Awards, America's original and most prestigious community
recognition program.
National
Headquarters
National Civic League / 1445 Market St. / Suite 300 / Denver,
CO 80202
303-571-4343 (phone) / 303-571-4404 (fax)
ncl@ncl.org
Washington
D.C. Office
National Civic League / 1319 F Street, NW / Suite 204 / Washington,
DC 20004
202-783-2961 (phone) / 202-347-2161 (fax)
ncldc@ncldc.org
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NCL Today
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Copyright © 2004, National Civic League. All rights
reserved.
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