Law & Politics

Hey Seattle! I'm so looking forward to seeing you this week. My name is Maya, and I have the honor of serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Mobilize.org. On November 17th, I'll be at UW for CityClub's Community Matters Campaign Finale – what an honor! I can't wait to learn more about Seattle and the amazing work that your citizens, non-profits and institutions do. 

I've spent the past 10 years of my life working in the non-profit sector, and if all goes well – I'll spend the next 50 years doing so as well. At 17 years old, I got my first job with an organization called Rock The Vote and registered over 30,000 young people to vote. As the daughter of Romanian immigrants, working in civic engagement gave me the opportunity to share how grateful I was for the rights, opportunities and freedoms that I had been born into and appreciate the struggles of my family in helping to ensure I had those. I decided to spend the rest of my life working to get other young people engaged and creating the campuses, communities and democracy that we envision. I have been with Mobilize.org for almost 7 years, and our mission is to empower and invest in Millennials (young people, ages 15 – 35) to create and implement solutions to social problems. 

We'd love to do some work in Seattle, but first – I need to learn more! How do you think we should Mobilize Seattle? What do you think makes Seattle different from other places around the country? What do you think I should know about your region and unique personality before I arrive? I’ve heard about ‘the Seattle process’ – what’s that about? When have you been the most inspired to get involved? Where have you seen effective examples of Millenials in action locally? What about you Boomers, what do you think I should know? Most importantly – how can I help? I look forward to a conversation with you on the 17th, and please feel free to find me on Twitter (@menista + @mob_org) (this event is #mayamobilize) or send me an email at maya@mobilize.org.

I can’t wait to hear from you and look forward to seeing you on the 17^th!

You can register for the free event by clicking here.

As we look around at friends and neighbors hard hit by unemployment, it is natural to wonder what we can do personally, or as a community to help alleviate the crisis? As we dig deeper we see that some states, or localities are hit harder than others.

What has lead to these disparities? What can we learn from communities that have faired better in these difficult times?

The main influences that analysts point to include economic and policy factors. However, a recent study by the National Council on Citizenship (NCoC) shows that higher civic enagagement could be an important factor in lower unemployment rates in communities.

The recent 2011 issue brief by the NCoC called, Civic Health and Unemployment: Can Engagement Strengthen the Economy?, shows that civic engagement may be an important issue for economic recovery:

"Even at a time whe the global economy has been buffeted by strong and dangerous forces, all communities have capital and skills that can be deployed to create or preserve jobs. Investors may be more willing to create jobs locally if they trust other people and the local government, if the feel attached to their communities, if the know abouth opportunities and can disseminate information efficiently , and if they feel that the local workforce is skilled. All these factors correlate with civic engagement. Those correlations, plus the other evidence cited in this report, lend plausibility to the thesis that civic health matter for economic resilience. This topic deserves more consideration by researchers, policymakers, and the public."

Read more in the 2011 Issue Brief by the National Conference on Citizenship.

Graphics courtesy of the National Conference on Citizenship 2011 Issue Brief. (Click here to read more.)

The untimely death of Scott White at the age of 41 is a tragedy that deeply saddens all of us in the CityClub community. Scott was an active member of CityClub. His wife, Alison, was a leader on our Board and is a valued friend and colleague.

The impact of Scott's life reaches beyond his close circle of family and friends. His service to the community as a Senator and civic volunteer made a difference in the lives of many and helped to shape our state. As we mourn his loss, we also draw inspiration from his life and recommit ourselves to serve our communities in ways that each of us finds meaningful.

Scott White will be missed by many, but as a loving father, husband, and friend, Scott's passing is felt most strongly by those who knew him well. Our hearts go out to his young family during this very difficult time. For those who would like to and are able to help, there are several ways that you can support them.

Donations can be made to the Wedgewood Elementary PTSA, EarthCorps or to the Scott White Memorial Fund, an education fund for his two children, which has been established at Wells Fargo:

Scott White Memorial Fund

PO Box 95675

Seattle, WA 98145-2675

For details on the memorial service to be held Sunday, November 6, 2011 click here to visit the Seattle Times article.

Watch and learn more about the Living Voters Guide 2011!

Global Action Day is an opportunity for Washingtonians to learn about, support and join the more than 300 non-profits who are working to create jobs at home and impact lives abroad by reducing disease, providing educational opportunities and strengthening communities and economies around the world. 11.1.11 has been proclaimed by the Mayor of Seattle as Global Action Day – a day to recognize the accomplishments, innovation and impact of Washington State’s growing global development sector.  To celebrate, Global Washington and its members invite you to join our month-long campaign to promote Global Action Day. We believe that with your involvement, your organization will be able to reach new audiences, tell your story, share your impact and put Washington State on the map as a worldwide leader in global development.

This campaign will be supported by promotional pieces in The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and Alaska Airlines’ in-flight magazine; radio announcements on KPLU, KUOW; ads on websites such as Facebook and LinkedIn; and posters on select Washington State ferries.

We are also hosting this website – which provides key information on how individuals, organizations, businesses and educational institutions can “learn, act, and give,” including a page of actions that anyone can take to get involved.

By activating as many individuals and their social networks as possible, we will educate and inspire Washingtonians who are not yet aware of the global and local benefits the sector creates. We invite you to join us to raise public awareness about the innovative and impactful work of Washington’s global development sector.

Living Voters Guide is on the bus! Are you? While you are riding check it out at: www.livingvotersguide.org . Get informed about the issues on the ballot from the voices of citizens like you. Make your ride that much more enjoyable and spend time making decisions about how you will vote in the upcoming election.

Then, check it out when you get home and add your own voice to the mix! What is your opinion about each of the ballot measures? What do you want your fellow citizens to know? Join us on the Living Voters Guide and be part of the discussion.

Join us! See the show! Talk with these exciting candidates and representatives:

Bobby Forch

Bruce Harrell (rep)

Brad Meacham (rep)

Tom Rasmussen

David Schraer

Tim Burgess

Sherry Carr (rep)

Harium Martin Morris (rep)

Families Yes!

Streets for all Seattle

Sidewalks and Streets for Seattle

No on 1125

Yes on 1163

Protect our Communities

Get your $5 ticket today!

There are over 125 measures on the ballot across the state in the upcoming election. Are voters engaged this year? Many do not consider it to be a major election year. How many people will be voting on these important issues? Are you informed?

Join us on the Living Voters Guide.

Share your views and learn more about ballot measures from your fellow citizens.

Some of the issues on the ballot in the upcoming election:

Seattle Families and Schools Levy

City Charter Amendment in Spokane

Change from City Manager to Mayor in SeaTac

Licensed Card Rooms in the City of Tukwila

Extending the 1% real estate excise tax in San Juan

Red light camera propositions in Monroe, Bellingham, and Longview C-TRAN

Sales and Use Tax Increase (Vancouver and surrounding places) 

Today, in the Seattle Times: "...We need to come together as citizens to explore our electoral choices — without accusations, rancor and acrimony - knowing that we're all going to share the profit and loss generated by our collective decisions on November, 2nd. 

We hope the Living Voters Guide will help build a connected and informed electorate. We hope it will inspire public trust in one another. We offer it as our own ballot initiative to reclaim citizens' power and shared responsibility for making our democracy work." Read more on the Seattle Times site.

Now all we need is you! Join us on the Living Voters Guide today, or any day leading up to the election. We want to hear from fellow citizens like you on the state-wide ballot measures.

Let the dialog begin!  Visit: www.livingvotersguide.org

The Living Voters Guide is live! Participate today!

Living Voters Guide:

A guide to the Washington State 2011 election, written by citizens like you.

The purpose of the Living Voters Guide is to bring together Washington voters to discuss and explore their positions on the statewide ballot measures for 2011. Unlike traditional voters’ guides issued by governments, advocacy groups, and other organizations, it is co-created solely by its participants. It will evolve continuously throughout the election season as Washingtonians from across the state consider the tradeoffs for each measure.

How to Participate:

1 - Visit the website. Share your opinions on ballot measures and read opinions from others:  

www.livingvotersguide.org

2 - Join the facebook group. On the day you participate consider changing your profile picture to the LVG image. Encourage friends, family, and neighbors to evaluate ballot measures and participate in LVG too!

3 - Tweet! Spread the word on twitter and follow LVGuide.

4 - Talk: continue the conversation about ballot measures when you are out in the community. Let other voters in the community know about the guide. Consider asking groups you may be part of if they can help spread the word about this unique citizen powered voters guide.