REPORTS

One cannot dispute the phrase, "Knowledge is power." I gained a lot of knowledge at the free workshop on February 28th, which I feel could have contributed to a more successful first-time campaign in 2014. Power, through knowledge, can only increase my chances of winning in my 2018 campaign. Thank you to the Institute for Women in Politics of Northwest Florida for their valuable time and mentoring!
          -- Wallis Mahute, Milton, FL

This was an empowering workshop. It successfully delivered invaluable information through the candid stories of influential local women who graciously shared their own successes and lessons learned, and it facilitated genuine networking opportunities.
         -- Karen Bowdich, Pensacola, FL

On Saturday, February 28, nine exceptional women from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties gave up a morning so that they might hear "How Successful Candidates Prepare for Politics." We applaud them for their drive as they work to enhance their leadership skills. It is an honor to aid them in their preparations for the future.

We deeply appreciate all those who made the workshop possible: Presenters Dr. Sarah Luczyk and Diane Mack, contributor Dr. Jenna Emery, and guest speakers Pam Childers and Carol Boston for volunteering their time and expertise; IHMC for the use of their meeting facility and Andrew Raines for giving up his Saturday morning to open the building for us; Drew at Polonza Bistro for timely catering service and great coffee.

How participants rated the workshop on usefulness of the knowledge gained:

For a possible political career:  8
For community involvement:  7
(on a scale from 1 to 10)
 

WORKSHOPS

 A practical workshop to help you look and sound your best in any setting--community, business, political

Saturday, March 28 -- 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

WORKSHOP PRESENTERS

MEMBERS

WOMEN IN OFFICE
 


Anyone elected to office knows that you cannot do it alone

By Patty Hightower

I was elected to the school board for the first time in 2004 and have twice been reelected unopposed. I chose to run because I believed that we needed to return civility to the board and focus on the students. Since my election, our board has become a team with the superintendent. That does not mean we agree on everything, but it means that we are civil in our discussions and strive to do what is best for the students in our public schools


The first thing anyone elected to office learns is that you cannot do it alone. On our five-member board one needs at least two others who have the same vision to make changes. Many changes we would like to see cannot occur because of state and federal laws. By Florida statutes school boards are primarily responsible for policy decisions. The superintendent makes the day-to-day decisions concerning the operation of our schools. As a board member, my job is to listen. School systems can be challenging to maneuver, so I put constituents in touch with the person in the school district who can help with the problem and then I follow up to be sure the person's concerns have been addressed.

One of the changes I effected was the monthly discussion workshop. The Sunshine Law prohibits board members from discussing anything that might be on the agenda anywhere other than in a public meeting. The monthly workshops allow the board to discuss items not on the agenda to determine if we should pursue action on a future agenda. I also asked for a public forum at all workshops and meetings to allow full opportunity for public input before it was legislated. We have one workshop that begins at 3:00 p.m. the Thursday before the regular board meeting and another workshop that begins at 9:00 a.m. the Friday before the regular meeting that begins at 5:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month. The discussion on the agenda items primarily takes place at the workshops.

We now have career academies at every middle school and high school as we help students get certifications before they graduate. We have school choice at every grade level, allowing parents and students to choose which school each wants to attend. We have implemented a new student discipline matrix that brings parents into the discussion for intervention strategies sooner. We use alternative disciplinary placement to remove habitual offenders from their schools with behavior contracts to work their way back to their home school.

As a board we are focused on improving student achievement. Realizing that reading is fundamental, we have created policy that students must read on grade level to exit first grade. Parent conferences are held throughout the year to help parents understand how they can help at home to make their student successful.

Our district is improving. The 2014 graduating class earned over $23 million dollars in scholarships. Our academic team earned first or second place at the state level and members are on the state team. Students continue to earn top honors in the history and science fairs. Our new cyber-security academy is going to national competition. We have amazing students doing phenomenal things in our public schools.

There are only 95 certified school board members in the state, and I am honored to be one of them. I am also one of six members in the state to have earned advanced boardsmanship certification. I presently serve as president of the Florida School Boards Association and have served on various committees at the state and national level and in other association elected positions. The Northwest Florida Association of Social Workers has named me as Elected Official of the Year, and I have been invited to participate as a member of the inaugural Leadership in Education Program created by Leadership Florida.

I enjoy working to provide great education in Escambia County. I am passionate about public education and I truly believe that education is the key to a better future for all of us.
 

From the President of the Board
 

The City of Pensacola alone has at least 18 boards to which citizens may be appointed to assist with the work of government. Then there are the Escambia County Commission, the Santa Rosa County Commission, and other elected bodies that make appointments to citizen-staffed boards and commissions. These appointed bodies deal with important issues and exercise great influence on local policy and legislation.

Not surprisingly, these appointed bodies are comprised predominantly of men. Why this continuing imbalance when there are so many accomplished women in the region whose knowledge and expertise are resources just waiting to be tapped?

In examining the issue, we have concluded that one problem is the lack of easily accessible information about what those boards and commissions are, qualification requirements, how to apply, when vacancies occur, and so on. 

The Institute is therefore undertaking to develop a unique service for the women of this community, a "Government Appointments Database" that will contain all the needed information for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. It will take some time to research the information, compile it, and make it accessible via a user-friendly program. In this work we will have the invaluable assistance of Department of Government interns at the University of West Florida.

In the meantime, we encourage Institute members who may have an interest in serving on an appointed board to contact us for personal assistance.  

STAY TUNED! ~~ Diane Mack
How to Become an Institute Member