So you want to Run for Office? Christopher Crotty Is there a local issue that has you hopping mad? Think you can do a better job than the people who represent you? Dont just sit there - help fix the problem by running for office. Whether youre seeking a seat on the local school board or a term as U.S. President, running for office is a challenging endeavor. 2) Check the qualifications for the office. 3) File the required papers to get yourself on the ballot. Research the office you want to hold. Share with your family all the information youve gathered, and decide if running for office is right for you. 1) Are you already involved in your community? 2) Do you volunteer for causes like the PTA or the neighborhood watch? Make a list of your fellow club members, family, friends, and colleagues you think will support you. Exploratory Committee Meeting You are not going to run for office alone. The people in the room like you. People will feel flattered to have been invited to this kind of “inner circle” meeting. Scheduler
Core Secrets: NSA Saboteurs in China and Germany The National Security Agency has had agents in China, Germany, and South Korea working on programs that use “physical subversion” to infiltrate and compromise networks and devices, according to documents obtained by The Intercept. The documents, leaked by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, also indicate that the agency has used “under cover” operatives to gain access to sensitive data and systems in the global communications industry, and that these secret agents may have even dealt with American firms. The documents describe a range of clandestine field activities that are among the agency’s “core secrets” when it comes to computer network attacks, details of which are apparently shared with only a small number of officials outside the NSA. “It’s something that many people have been wondering about for a long time,” said Chris Soghoian, principal technologist for the American Civil Liberties Union, after reviewing the documents. Sentry Eagle “Under Cover” Agents Corporate Partners
Home In our self-governing society Who should we call on to fix broken government? We can blame politicians, the media, or special interests Till we're red or blue in the face But sometimes you just have to turn the mirror around. Want to become more effective as a citizen? Want to help shape public policy rather than be shaped by it? Want to make your voice heard loudly -- without screaming? "Song Of A Citizen" is a resource to help you do all that and more. And to help you inspire others to do the same. So read on -- and check out our videos -- and prepare to transform yourself from a frustrated civic spectator into a powerful political problem-solver. Note: This site is a temporary placeholder until the official site goes live.
5 Strategies to Read People’s Emotional Energy Emotions are a stunning expression of our energy, the “vibe” we give off. We register these with intuition. Some people feel good to be around; they improve your mood and vitality. Others are draining; you instinctively want to get away. This “subtle energy” can be felt inches or feet from the body, though it‘s invisible. Emotional energy is contagious. When reading emotions, realize that what others say or how they appear frequently don‘t match their energy. Here, the surrender to focus on is saying “yes” to the messages your body sends. Strategies to read emotional energy Sense people’s presence - This is the overall energy we emit, not necessarily congruent with words or behaviour. As you read people notice: does their overall energy feel warm? Watch people’s eyes – We can make love or hate with our eyes. Take time to observe people‘s eyes. Notice the feel of a handshake, hug and touch – We share emotional energy through physical contact much like an electrical current.
A Boycott Is Happening in Chicago—And This Time It Isn’t Teachers Students in Chicago have had enough with their school system. A group called Chicago Students Organizing to Save Our Schools boycotted the state-mandated test, PSAE, on Wednesday and protested citywide. Like many people against standardized testing, the students, which numbered in the hundreds, have had enough with test taking. But their objections, however, go further. They are also fed up with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the public school system’s leaders in their attempts to shutter 54 school programs and 61 school buildings, mostly in underprivileged and minority neighborhoods. Brian Sturgis, a senior at Chicago’s Paul Robeson High School and an organizer of the boycott, wrote in an Education Week blog, “Mayor Emanuel and the Chicago Board of Education are supposed to make the CPS system work for all of us. The protestors posted frequently on social media to keep people updated on their activities. The students’ activities haven’t sat well with administrators. EducationSchools
Perceiving Reality BuildThatBill Chicago Students Boycott the NAEP to Demand Safety - Living in Dialogue Hello my name is Leslie Leon. I am an 18 year old senior at Gage Park High School on Chicago Southwest side. I was born in Chicago, Illinois but raised in Imlay city, Michigan. My parents only wanted the best for my family, therefore we moved to Michigan for a safer life. It wasn't until this year that I began to feel alarmed being inside the school. On this Tuesday, March 5, dozens of other Gage Park seniors and I were sitting in a test room forced to stay there for a voluntary test most of us refused to take. This year at Gage, it feels like a total afterthought. Most recently, it's been almost impossible to learn these past two weeks in Gage Park as we sit in a culture of fear. Every student deserves to know critical information about their own safety and no one should be denied support after being attacked in a ploy to cover up the attack. Angered by this several students have begun circulating a petition about student safety that already has almost 20% of the students signing it.
List of U.S. Student Protests Analyzed As I was preparing to speak at my recent (and first!) webinar this past Wednesday, “Elevating Student Voices,” I started reviewing some of the information I found that I wanted to discuss that night. With my List of 2012 U.S. Student Protests Regarding Education receiving 790 views, I wanted to go further in depth of those findings. Here is what I’ve found: The students aren’t stopping. Other – (25) Heat in building, things to be published in year book, quality of education, against suspensions, safety of school, support of undocumented students, school mergers There are 8 states I could not find with any recorded student protests AlabamaArkansasHawaiiKansasNew MexicoNorth DakotaSouth DakotaWyomingAccording to my findings, New York has the MOST student protestsStates with the most protestsNew York – 33California – 25Pennsylvania – 15Florida- 10New Jersey – 10 There is clearly much more we can analyze from this list, but I wanted to provide what I’ve found so far with everyone.
UPDATE: List of 2012 Student Protests Regarding Education in the U.S. Originally Posted June 23, 2012 “When students awaken, the national conversation will change.” - Diane Ravitch, “When Students Awaken“ After a week of googling, and searching around Facebook, I think I’ve finally got most them. But why do this? It is also interesting to see the different issues that students are protesting for. Now, I am interested in how we can bring all these students together into one huge movement. Don’t forget to check out my most recent post: List of 2012 Student Protests Analyzed Timeline 6\23\12 Originally found 150 Protests 8\23\12 201 Protests 11\23\12 242 Protests – Kansas & Hawaii finally on the list! Currently still working on it, will be periodically updating throughout week Please e-mail me at srrivera92@gmail.com if you know of any I’ve missed! Alabama Alaska June 11 – Anchorage – 35-hour protest targets School District cuts Arizona February 22 – Minneapolis South High students protest Arizona law Arkansas California March 4 - CSU students walk out Colorado Connecticut