Legislative Aides Reception Date Confirmed!

I'm happy to announce the date for the Second Annual Legislative Aides Reception has been set. This year our award-winning event will take place on Wednesday, March 22nd at Paradigm Downtown. The doors open at 6:30 PM.

Although the Leon County Young Democrats we happy with the turn out last year, we have taken numerous feedback into account and hope to have an even more successful event this year. Hope to see you there!

Monitoring Environmental Bills for the 2006 Session

The Florida chapter of the Sierra Club has posted a very nice tool for tracking the bills that will affect sprawl, public lands, air & water quality, and other issues of interest to the Sierra Club and environmental community in Florida in 2006.


One bill is already making its way through committee, and there are more on the way -- lots more. This session looks to be one of the busiest in terms of conservation issues, so check out this new site for the Sierra Club's perspective on what we can do.

http://www.florida.sierraclub.org/tracker/

LCYD Women in Politics Forum

It is with great excitement that I announce that Rep. Anne Gannon has agreed to be the key note speaker at our first Leon County Young Democrats Forum. Rep. Gannon is going to share with us what brought her into Democratic Politics, how she has seen the role of women change in Democratic Politics since she first got involved and what her vision is to get more more young women involved in the political process. She will also share with us what role the her vision of what the Young Democrats can and should be.

Representative Gannon was the Statewide Co-Chair of the Mississippi Young Democrats (1977-1979). She has been where we are today, recruiting Young Democrats to get involved, and active with the day to day inner works of a YD Chapter.

Since 2000 she has been serving as a State Representative, where she has been recognized as one of the best Representatives of women in politics. A few of her awards for her support of women and children's rights include: Planned Parenthood's Friend of Roe Award; Florida National Organization for Women, Women's Equality Day Award; Florida Women's Political Caucus, Rep. Elaine Gordon Award for Advocacy for Women and Children's Rights and she was on the Center for Women's Policy Studies National Honor Roll of State Legislators.

I know I am excitedied to hear what Representative Gannon will share with us this Tuesday evening.

What: LCYD Forum Women in Politics

When: 7:00PM Sharp

Tuesday: February 21, 2006

Where: Jasmine Cafe Downtown

I hope to see you there! Show up early if you would like good seats and if you are planning on odering dinner.

DC Interships Aviable

"This summer: June 10 - August 5, 2006

Make a difference this summer by attending the Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Service (IPVS)! This dynamic program is intended for students who are involved in volunteer activities and are excited about exploring professional opportunities in the non-profit sector. "

INSTITUTE ON PHILANTHROPY AND VOLUNTARY SERVICE
This summer: June 10 – August 5, 2006
Georgetown University, Washington, DC
www.dcinternships.org/ipvs

**PRIORITY DEADLINE FOR SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING – MARCH 1, 2006**

The Priority Deadline for scholarship funding is quickly approaching for the Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Service, a summer program for undergraduate students active in service and interested in nonprofit careers.

A substantial amount of scholarship funding is still available and over half of all students accepted to the program receive a scholarship. Students are encouraged to apply by the priority deadline of March 1, 2006 as acceptance, internship placement and scholarship decisions are made on a rolling basis. Scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, leadership ability and financial need. The final application deadline is March 31, 2006.

This face-paced Institute offers a rigorous combination of professional experience, academic learning and service projects that will provide students with an unparalleled experience in the nation’s capital.

· Internships – Competitive placements with national & community nonprofit organizations
· Classes – Up to 9 credit hours from Georgetown University
· Housing – Furnished on-campus apartments
· Service – Variety of hands-on community projects
· Leadership Development - Leadership and career building activities
· Guest Lectures – With Washington’s top nonprofit executives and scholars
· Scholarships – Over half of all students receive full or partial funding

For more information on this exciting opportunity, please visit the website at www.dcinternships.org/ipvs or contact Shane Goldsmith, Program Director, by phone at 1-800-741-6964 or via email at sgoldsmith@tfas.org.



Ms. Shane M. Goldsmith
Director, Institute on Philanthropy & Voluntary Service
David R. Jones Center for Leadership in Philanthropy
The Fund for American Studies
1706 New Hampshire Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202-986-0384 Fax: 202-986-0390
sgoldsmith@tfas.org
www.dcinternships.org/ipvs

Congratulations to Thure Caire

It is with great pride that I share with you news regarding the Leon County Young Democrats Vice President Thure Caire. Today Thure Caire was officially appointed to the Ochlockonee River Soil And Water Conservation District, filling the position vacated by the resignation of Green Party member Kim O'Connor. Thure is now the youngest person in an elected countywide office in Leon County.

Kim O'Connor has done a great job of representing the people of Leon County and I am sure that she will continue advocating on our behalf. I know of no one who is better suited to serve in her stead then Thure - I am sure that he will take this position seriously and excel.

Part of the role of the Leon County Young Democrats is to help train tomorrow's leaders. This is the first step for what I believe will be a promising future for Thure Caire. This is also exciting for the LCDEC as this seat is once again held by a Democrat, bringing us closer to our eventual goal of returning every seat in Leon County back to the Democratic aisle.