News
August 18, 2015Stakeholders to Launch Civic Engagement Council
Stakeholders today announced the formation of their new Civic Engagement Council designed to bring a regional approach to tackling some of the biggest issues facing New York’s Capital Region. The Council’s goal is to foster a unified voice for positive change amongst the region’s many stakeholders.
The Council will include members from nonprofits, business, government, and higher education, as well as those in need of services or simply interested in joining the discussion and providing their skills and resources. Key to the “Town Hall Meeting” approach of the Stakeholders’ Civic Engagement Council is cultivating an atmosphere of cooperation and understanding.
The Civic Engagement Council identified eight issue areas that have emerged in recent years in the Capital Region. They are:
- Veterans/Military Families
- Disaster Services
- Arts & Culture
- Economic Development/Economic Opportunity
- Sustainable Communities
- Cities of Service
- Healthy Futures
- Local First
The four issues that emerged as priorities are:
- Veterans/Military Families
- Arts & Culture
- Disaster Response
- Local First
The Civic Engagement Council will kick off officially this fall at a scheduled press conference and in conjunction with the first Task Force for Veterans/Military Families issues. Task Forces consisting of nonprofits, businesses, higher education, government, and individuals with a vested interest for each issue area are currently being formed. Check out the Task Force pages at www.thestakeholders.org for more detailed information on how to get involved and impact the future of the Capital Region. To serve on a Task Force, your company and or nonprofit must become a member of the Stakeholders. Individuals may also join Stakeholders as a member and choose which issue area you would like to be involved in.
Catherine M. Hedgeman, Stakeholders CEO, said, “As the efforts of the Civic Engagement Council move forward, we will strive to involve more people; strengthen the links between dialogue, decision making, and actions; and increase community capacity for collaboration.”
Founding members and sponsors of the Stakeholders Civic Engagement Council include KeyBank, Berkshire Bank, Price Chopper and Castle Rock Ranch Group.
