Happy Labor Day Community Members!
Students, parents, and school administrators are working through the new community service graduation requirements for incoming high school freshmen from the LEARNS Act. Since the rules for the change have not been developed or finalized yet, the school districts are currently operating as best as they can (read more HERE or watch at the 30 minute mark HERE).
Meanwhile, one way each of you can help, is to encourage local community organizations to sign up to become potential partner agencies via Bentonville’s School District. The hope is that once an organization is approved for Bentonville, all the districts in the area can also use the organization. Here’s the LINK for organizations to apply.
Local Events
Friday, Sept. 8th at noon - Student Loan Debt & Relief webinar hosted by Arkansas Public Policy Panel. Access via zoom or on Facebook Live.
Sunday, Sept. 10th at 4:30 p.m. - September NWA Moms Demand Action Local Meeting at Fossil Cove Brewing Co. (1946 N Birch Ave, Fayetteville)
Tuesday, Sept. 12th at 5:30 p.m. - Virtual Step Forward Workshop with PAWPAC - If you are a progressive woman in Arkansas and you've ever wondered if running for office is right for you, join Emerge Arkansas for this one-hour, participatory workshop to explore how you might prepare for that possibility. Register for zoom link HERE.
Tuesday, Sept. 12th at 6:30 p.m. - Democratic Party of Benton County Monthly Meeting at Arvest Conference Center (Legion Lane off the square in downtown Bentonville) - learn more about our goals for electing Democrats in 2024 and hear from returning candidate Kate Schaffer
Sunday, Sept. 17th from 3 - 5 p.m. - Sundaes, Sips and Signatures - State Rep District 10 candidate Kate Schaffer is collecting signatures from voters in district 10 in order to file to run for election in 2024. Check to see if you’re in her district HERE. Eligible voters are welcome to stop by for ice cream, drinks and an opportunity to meet the candidate. Register HERE for the free event.
Job Opportunity
A non-profit organization in our state focused on making Arkansas a more equitable and desirable place to live is in need of a Data Manager. The organization intends for the data manager to play a key role in supporting campaign strategy and direct voter contact programs for the progressive movement in the state. They are looking for an individual with a combination of technical and political skills to manage data-related work internally and with partner organizations.
Send an email to me if you would like more information on the position responsibilities and qualifications. This role can be done remote and does not have to be filled by an Arkansan.
Step Up and Lead Opportunities
Applications are due for 2024 New Leaders Council (NLC) Arkansas Institute
The NLC develops, connects, and uplifts inclusive, cross-sector leaders who transform our country through social and political change rooted in equity.
Join the Zoom information session to get all of your questions answered and get to know some of the Arkansas alums!
Zoom session: Sunday, September 10 at 4:00 PM - Register HERE
Apply for 2024 NLC Arkansas Institute by Sept. 13th.
Applications are open for LBJ Women’s Campaign School - Cohort 5!
The purpose of the LBJ Women's Campaign School is to increase the number of women in elected office and campaign senior staff positions — regardless of political affiliation — through a structured curriculum, high-impact mentorship, and alumnae support (including Arkansans Jenny Flanagan, Anna Beth Gorman, Sarah Luhtanen, Chelsea Miller, and myself).
Round 1 Application Deadline is Dec. 1, 2023. Successful applicants will have the following characteristics:
Civic-minded and committed to public service: Uses her voice and her time to lift up those around her, votes, volunteers, and has the capacity to lead toward meaningful change.
Significant, meaningful experience: has demonstrated success in her career or other aspects of her life, is ready to lead.
Can apply what she learns in the program: has clearly defined goals for running for office or staffing a campaign in the next one to three years (i.e., running or managing a 2024, 2025 or 2026 race).
Skilled communicator: Inspires those around her through her communication skills, authenticity, and vision.
Municipal Government Awareness
Bella Vista
Next Council Mtng: Monday, Sept. 18 at 5:30 p.m. (2483 Forest Hills Blvd) - work session
Items of Note:
Council will decide on an amendment to the City’s landscaping, screening and buffering code to establish a tree planting requirement for single-family and duplex residential developments
City is hosting a “Get to Know Your Septic System” Q&A with local experts at the Bella Vista District Court on Thurs., Sept. 21 at 6:30 p.m.
Bentonville
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. (305 SW A St.)
Items of Note:
Cave Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m. (134 N. Main St.)
Items of Note:
Congratulations to JJ Thompson on his appointment to the Cave Springs city council vacancy in Ward 2!
Centerton
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. (210 Municipal Dr.)
Items of Note:
Celebrate the 46th Centerton Day this Saturday, Sept. 9th - includes a Pancake Breakfast, Kids Fishing Derby, Car Show, and a parade
Gravette
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 5:30 p.m. (202 Main St. NE) - Committee of the Whole
Lowell
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 19 at 6:30 p.m. (216 N. Lincoln St.)
Pea Ridge
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 5:30 p.m. (911 Weston St.) - Committee of the Whole
Rogers
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. (301 W. Chestnut)
Siloam Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 5 at 6:30 p.m. (400 N. Broadway)
Items of Note:
Celebrate the Hispanic Heritage Festival on Saturday, Sept. 16 from 2 - 8 p.m. at Memorial Park Siloam Springs. Join residents of Siloam for a joyful day filled with colorful performances, traditional music, dance, and authentic food that will transport you to the heart of Hispanic culture.
Springdale
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. (201 Spring St.)
Items of Note:
Join city leadership at the ribbon cutting for the Outdoor Fitness Court at Murphy Park on Friday, Sept. 8th at 9;30 a.m.
Public input requested for the City 2024 Budget priorities; attend a meeting or submit via a form. Meetings:
Wed., Sept. 6 at 5 p.m. - Springdale Police Dept
Wed., Sept. 20 at 5 p.m. - Springdale Admin Building
Northwest Arkansas Awareness
Welcoming Week NWA Sept. 8 - 17
Welcoming Week NWA brings together NWA Leadership Pledge supporters and the broader community to build strong connections and affirm the importance of welcoming and inclusive places in achieving collective prosperity.
Events actually span across the month of September and are located across both Benton and Washington counties.
State Government Awareness
Arkansas Dept of Transportation (ADOT)
ADOT hosted two public involvement meetings last week for input on improvements to Arkansas Highways 59 (Siloam to MO state line) and 72 (Gravette to I-49). You can review the information and submit your personal feedback between now and Sept. 8th at 4:30 p.m. HERE.
94th General Legislative Assembly:
from Arkansas Advocate:
A federal judge late Thursday blocked Arkansas' new social media law intended to protect minors online hours before it would've been the first such regulation in the U.S. to take effect. U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks said the lawmakers that drafted the Social Media Safety Act failed to craft legislation that actually protected children from social media's pitfalls, which Brooks acknowledged were real. The result was a vague, cumbersome bill that violates the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Read Hunter Field’s entire report HERE.
Late last month, Arkansas lawmakers gave final approval for an estimated $3.6 million construction contract for an underground tunnel connecting the state Capitol to a legislative office and meeting building roughly 50 yards away. The project has long been on some legislators' wishlists, but it has always been shot down as wasteful and unnecessary. Only one lawmaker spoke against it during a subcommittee meeting last week, but others have joined the chorus against the tunnel since. Read Hunter Field’s entire report HERE or What the Huck is Happening HERE.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
Looks like Governor Sanders may call a special session of the legislature in September, read “What’s So Special About This Session?” from For AR People to learn more on what may be on the agenda besides tax cuts. Hint, there’s a chance the legislature wants to weaken FOIA laws.
National Government ACTION Item
The information below is from Arkansas Advocates for Children & Families:
Ask Senator Boozman to right a wrong done to Marshallese Arkansans
Twenty-seven years ago, Congress mistakenly did not include Compact of Free Association (COFA) migrants in a major law on safety net programs. That law included SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. COFA migrants come from three countries, including the Marshall Islands, where the United States tested nuclear bombs. The U.S. has special migration agreements with them because of the damage done. And because of a badly written bill, Marshallese Arkansans, and other COFA migrants around the country, have not been able to enroll in the SNAP program that provides EBT benefits. The program helps families with low incomes buy food.
The AACF has a form (linked HERE) where you can send a message to Senator Boozman about the legislation.
Political Training Opportunities
Northwest Arkansas Emerging Leaders: Ready? Set. Run! FREE in-person training
The Northwest Arkansas Emerging Leaders is hosting a free series, designed to answer all of your questions about running for political office. Whether you want to serve on a school board, the state legislature, or in Congress, this half-day program will bring experts and veteran politicians together to discuss the finer points of running for office, and provide advice and guidance on how to run a successful campaign.
What to expect: A one-day bootcamp to prepare YOU to run for public office. Whether you are considering a campaign, ready to file the paperwork, or just learn more about the process. This is a crash course in everything that goes into running for local, state or federal seat.
Reserve your seat now for the training on Thursday, Sept. 14 from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m..
National Democratic Training Committee FREE webinars:
So You Want to Run for Office? - Sept. 6, noon
Running in a Red District - Sept. 7, noon
Field Tactics 101 - Sept. 8, noon
Phone Banking for Political Campaigns - Sept. 12, noon
How to Use Peer-to-Peer Texting on Political Campaigns - Sept. 13, noon
Door-to-Door Canvassing on Political Campaigns - Sept. 14, noon
Progressive Change Committee FREE webinar:
Media Training - Sept. 18, 6 p.m.
Odds & Ends
Read Ellen Kreth’s piece in the Arkansas Advocate, “Arkansas county fair funding becomes hot-button issue for legislators, fair leaders” - County Fair associates shocked to see big cuts in early July, push restoration to FY2023 budget levels
Learn more about the E. Fay Jones Chapels Hiding in Arkansas (like the one in Bella Vista) from Keisha Pittman McKinney with Only in Arkansas
Read Nadra Nittle’s report “Many states don’t require schools to teach sex ed. A new bill hopes to change that.” from The 19th News. Nittle reports on the Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act incentivizing states nationwide to provide inclusive, trauma-informed sex education in schools.