Scharron Little of the Citizens Campaign will be leading a late afternoon workshop at the AFTNJ Legislative Conference on Friday, April 13 in Atlantic City.
The organization aims to provide tools and training for effecting political change in communities and reminds citizens that, “You don’t need to be an elected official to get things done.”
In Perth Amboy, the Citizen’s Campaign helped draft a model resolution based on community input on dealing with common student misbehavior. More than 500 respondents including parents, school teachers and personnel, concerned citizens, business owners and students, provided input calling for “restorative justice” and “positive behavior intervention” practices, according to campaign chair Harry Pozycki. The resulting resolution called for a continuing process of community engagement and input.
The Citizen’s Campaign operates Civic Trusts in Newark, Perth Amboy and Trenton, providing forums for citizens who want to work together together to improve their cities, free of negativity and political wrangling.
The Newark Teachers Union coordinated professional development for teachers so they could see the Citizen’s Campaign work first hand, according to Michael Iovino, Secretary-Treasurer of the Newark Teachers Union and a high school history teacher. “We have seen some dynamic lessons wrapped around the instructional principles that come from the Citizen’s Campaign,” he said.
Registration for the AFTNJ Legislative Conference, April 13 and 14 in Atlantic City, is free for AFT union members.