We've noticed, as the deadline for Jefferson Awards nominations gets closer (February 15!), a common misconception: that a person must be a volunteer to in order to be eligible for a Jefferson Award. That they must be selflessly giving, in exchange for nothing, to be called a hero.

This blog is here to tell you that's incorrect!

Imagine all those people out there who have founded or co-founded fantastic organizations who are doing amazing work for the world - organizations that have been successful enough to be able to hire staff. Maybe that person is now the Executive Director, a salaried employee of the organization.

Or, think of a friend who was hired on to a small non-profit organization, but goes above and beyond their job description, driven by a passion for the good work they're doing. Perhaps the person who stepped into a job at a troubled organization, reinvigorating the mission and reviving the organization. What about someone who works in a shelter, dealing with extreme situations? They may be paid, but I'm sure many would agree that they're not in it for the money.

All these people are paid for the work they're doing, but that doesn't make it less valuable, less important. These people are one hundred percent deserving of a Jefferson Awards nomination, just like their unpaid counterparts. So, what are you waiting for? Nominate them!

This morning at 8:00 a.m., the Early Learning and K-12 Education of the State Legislature had a meeting. The Legislature's website describes the committee: "The Senate Early Learning&K-12 Education Committee considers policy and finance issues related to schools and learning from birth through twelfth grade and preparation for later learning experiences."

If you're interested in the nitty gritty of what's going on at the legislative level, they provide meeting agendas and, once each meeting begins, the meeting materials. (The links for meeting materials are located at the bottom of specific agenda pages.)

The Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee's main page lists, on the right sidebar, links to related committees and to TVW, for RealAudio files of committee hearings. All this is great, but it can be a challenge to wade through and translate all of this information! Thankfully, there are many organizations out there focused on, and interested in, education issues. Take a look below at our list of co-presenting organizations: they can be great resources of information, and potential places to get involved!

We love to include quotes from recent forums in our twice-monthly Enews - but sometimes we get over excited, and our quotes get way too long! Today we're using the blog as an extended Enews, specifically for some quotes picked up from 2010's Legislative Preview.

In January, moderator Essex Porter posed a question for the Republicans on our panel: What are some specific programs you would eliminate or cut, or specific reforms you would enact to avoid raising taxes, if you were writing this budget?

Representative Doug Erickson responded:
"What I would cut are the regulations on business that are driving jobs out of Washington State. Let's start there. Let's cut our workers compensation program out of state government and let the private sector run it. Let's cut the portion of governments out that sell liquor to the state and let Safeway and Hagen and Albertson's sell liquor to the people of Washington State. Let's cut  those things that the government shouldn't be doing anyway so we can focus in on the things that people say are priorities - K-12 education… Where's the priority in state government that's been exercised during the past twelve years in Olympia by the majority party when they say education is their priority, and education has become a smaller percentage of our general fund budget than it was in 1998?... What things that aren't priorities did the Governor propose cutting? I didn't see those in her list."

We wanted to include Senator Lisa Brown's response about what she says is actually eligible for cuts:
"With due respect to my colleagues, neither of them proposed a way to balance the budget. And the record we have is to balance the budget on an annual basis - that's what state government does. And we're going to do it again in a 60 day session. The building that's being built in Olympia is with capital bonds, it's a separate budget. Workers compensation is also a separate program. Neither of those things address the general fund. The general fund comes from the taxes that we pay - mostly sales tax, we're a very sales tax dependent state - property taxes and B&O taxes. Those are the three major sources it comes from. In a downturn economy sales, taxes fall like a rock because obviously people are out of work and they're cutting back on their spending. And so the challenge for balancing the budget is those major sources of revenue as well as where the money goes - which education (as you heard 40%),  higher education, health and human services and then a  very small percent going to natural resources and other areas… that's where the $2.6 billion has to come from. And because of Federal match requirements, a very large percentage of those expenditures are off the books because we get Federal match for our health care programs and we have maintainence of effort requirements for the Federal dollars that we accepted. So we're talking about state-only programs that are on the chopping block. And that's why we have to draw the line realistically about what we're willing to do and what we're not willing to loose ground on. It's easy to talk. It's hard to get someone to show you a balance sheet that adds up to $2.6 billion."

While it may be difficult to fathom for those of us on the "inside", the name CityClub can be confusing. For example, we receive (almost weekly) Facebook friend requests from folks who think we are a club - of the bass-thumping, strobe-lighting persuasion. One of my favorite bits of CityClub lore (fact? urban legend?) is the tale of a gentleman who once showed up in a towel and gym shorts, ready to work out - he thought CityClub was a gym. (To be fair, we suspect that at one point we were listed somewhere in an online city guide as an athletic club.)

Now, a new sort of branding adventure is upon us: we have a true-blue gym moving in next door to our offices in Rainier Square! Already we've dealt with one confused delivery man who was down at the gym with our package, saying "Are you SURE you're not CityClub?"

All of this has lead us to start brainstorming ways in which CityClub is - and is NOT - like a gym. We've come up with a few to share!

1. It's true, we are both membership-based organizations.
2. However, one does not have to be a member of CityClub to attend an event!
3. We like to think we exercise your mind rather than your body. The brain isn't technically a muscle - but one could argue we encourage you to exercise your tongue, and be heard on issues you care about!
4. You never have to shower and have a change of clothes when you attend a CityClub program.
5. Going to the gym regularly can be a challenge - and so can finding time to stay civicly engaged in your community. (Don't worry, CityClub can help!)
6. The gym will never serve you dessert.

Are there other ways CityClub is different than a gym? Similar?

We are looking forward to being good neighbors with the gym (there has certainly been talk of staff members joining, because it's so convenient!). And, it'll keep our delivery folks on their toes!

Were you a bit surprised to find a ballot in your mailbox this past week? Many people I've spoken with describe their reaction: holding their ballot in their hand, staring at it, and thinking hard - and not being able to figure out what they were supposed to be voting on.

The February 9, 2010 special election is made up of almost entirely school levies - you can find a full list of measures on the ballot here. Seattle voters will have only two propositions on their ballot: a capital levy and an operations levy. Click on each linked levy to go directly to the King County Elections webpage describing the levy, as well as for and against statements for each.

Happy voting!

Heads up, education activists, enthusiasts, advocates and junkies! The next in our Education Series is coming together for February. "Addressing Education Reform and Funding in 2010" is also part of our Rapid Response Series, and we've got two panelists confirmed and ready to announce. Check it out below! As soon as we nail down a late February date, we'll have tickets ready to buy!


Education Series / Rapid Response - Addressing Education Reform and Funding in 2010
Town Hall, Eighth and Seneca, Seattle
Registration:  11:30 a.m. | Program: 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
 
    Panelists to date:
    Erin Jones, Deputy Superintendent for Student Achievement, Office of the Superintendent of
        Public Instruction
    Lisa Macfarlane, Director of External Affairs, League of Education Voters

    With diminishing funds and increasing needs from diverse student populations, the stakes around education have never been higher. The White House is challenging states to “race to the top” to get federal dollars but does Washington State have the right reforms in place? Our state legislature has a constitutional charge to fund basic education, but what is “basic” in the 21st century? Is arts and culture included? What about early learning? Will the lawsuit against the state move us any closer to fully funding basic education? With so many moving parts, how can citizens take an active role in shaping the future of education in Washington State? Bring your own questions and join us for this important conversation.

This morning, I'm glad CityBlog's archives are still pretty small - I spent the morning introducing tags into our lives. Now, you can sort CityBlog entries by topic (we've caught up with the rest of the blogging world!). Most interested in our Environment&Sustainability programming? Want to read all the blog entries addressing the Community Matters Campaign? Only like posts with pictures? No problem.

Here's a list of what's currently tagged in CityBlog:

• Anniversary Gala   
• Arts&Culture   
• CityBlog Book Club
• Co-presenters
• Community Matters Campaign
• Education
• Environment&Sustainability
• Features
• Health Care
• Housekeeping
• Jefferson Awards
• Law&Politics
• Other Programming
• Photos
• Polls
• Press
• Rapid Response
• Seattle Speaks
• Social Media
• Video
• Volunteers
• Voting
• Youth

This banner is bigger, and it is better! Additionally, it's twice as colorful. Check it out in this CityClub Family Photo! (Taken with a timer set on a camera propped on a chair, just like a real family photo!)