As part of the Provincial Government’s Make Your Mark NL campaign, the St. John’s Status of Women Council is hosting a complimentary lunch and learn session tomorrow (Tuesday, August 11) to promote the active involvement of women in municipal government. The session is designed to encourage women to run in the upcoming municipal election on September 29.

“This event will give women an opportunity to understand the value of and benefits associated with participation in municipal politics,” said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. “The information provided to those women in attendance will give them the support and confidence they need to step up to the plate and decide to run in September’s election.”

The lunch and learn session is being held at the Holiday Inn in St. John’s from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. Featured speakers include the Honourable Dianne Whalen, Minister of Municipal Affairs; Shannie Duff, Councillor-at-Large; and the Honourable Flora MacDonald, former federal cabinet minister, humanitarian and visionary.

“Women bring a unique perspective to the table with regards to certain social issues including families, healthcare, education and the overall quality of life in their municipalities,” said the Honourable Dianne Whalen, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “I encourage all women to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to get involved and make a difference in their communities.”

The Provincial Government, in partnership with the regional status of women councils, is sponsoring a series of lunch and learn sessions across the province. Each session will promote increased female representation in municipal government. To date, women hold approximately 24 per cent of elected positions on municipal governments in the province. For more information, please contact the St. John’s Status of Women Council at 709-753-0220.

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Media contacts:

Tracy Barron                                                                                            Heather Maclean
Director of Communications                                                             Director of Communications
Department of Natural Resources                                                   Department of Municipal Affairs
709-729-5282, 690-8241                                                                  709-729-1983, 687-4137
tracybarron@gov.nl.ca                                                                       heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca

2009 08 10 9:35 a.m.

I want to begin by saying how glad I am to be here in beautiful Bay Roberts to help celebrate the official opening of the Klondyke Festival. You have to consider that it takes a lot of time and effort on behalf of many volunteers to make something this great a reality. This is why throughout the summer; I will ask residents from coast to coast to consider how they would make their mark in their community.

How can you help ensure we continue to have a province that provides a safe and secure environment for us to live and raise families?
Newfoundlanders are a proud, strong and determined people who never for a moment take for granted the gift we have received by being fortunate enough to call this place home.

As September approaches and municipal elections kick into gear, I often times reflect on how I have made my mark on my community over the past 25 years. Working for the people of our cities, towns and province is one of the most important and beneficial things I will have ever done throughout my life. You can experience this satisfaction too.

We need leaders who have a clear vision, who communicate that vision, who have integrity, who think well and who listen. Where are these leaders? They are our teachers, construction workers, tour operators, homemakers and students. I believe that the best candidates for the job are available in quantity throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, but they are unaware that they are the people who are needed to get the job done. I ask you, what is stopping you from making a lasting change within your own community – have you made your mark?

If not, recognize your leadership potential or that of someone you know and encourage them to run.

What are the ways you can make things better for your community – you can be a part of making decisions about the costs of living in your community and the services that you and your family receive.
For example, helping to encourage the sharing of waste services or fire protection with your neighboring communities can reduce costs to residents and improve services. More importantly, they could protect our environment or save lives. And you can make your’s and others’ dreams for your community become reality.
Your participation will make things better today and for future generations to come. That is a tremendous way to make your mark.

Municipal councils can see the future – I believe that you can see the future. Municipal councils see a green field and envision a soccer pitch, and they make it happen. Others see a gravel lot and envision a playground, and they make it happen. Municipal councilors make ideas a reality. You can be a municipal councilor!

I believe that your participation this coming election on September 29th, will make things better for today and for our province. It will make our cities and towns better for you me and many others.

I challenge you to sign up, offer yourself for municipal election and make your mark on your community.

I encourage you to look at our website www.makeyourmarknl.ca and to enter the contest by telling us how you would make a difference in your community. You can also keep an eye to where our campaign is traveling. Congratulations to the organizing committee and Mayor Littlejohn and my sincerest thanks for the invitation to bring a few short greetings!

Thank you and don’t forget to vote on September 29.

The event will be held at the Holiday Inn, in St. John’s at 12 noon on Tuesday, August 11, 2009.

Throughout the summer, I will ask residents from coast to coast to consider how they would make their mark.

How would you make your mark to ensure we continue to have a province that provides a safe and secure environment for us to live and raise families?
Newfoundland and Labrador has a cultural fabric unlike any other – one of warmth, commitment and conviction. We are a proud, strong and determined people who never for a moment take for granted the gift we have received by being fortunate enough to call this place home. From our rugged shoreline to our rolling hills, to our history and sheer determination as a people to survive, we are obviously lucky to be part of the fabric that is Newfoundland and Labrador.

As September approaches and municipal elections kick into gear, I often times reflect on how I have made my mark on my community over the past 25 years. I know as I look around this room tonight that Mayor Barnes, Minister Sullivan, MHA Hunter and MP Simms can all agree that working for the people of our cities, towns and province is one of the most important and beneficial things we will have ever done throughout our lives. You can experience this satisfaction too.

For the future, we need leaders who have a clear vision, who communicate that vision, who have integrity, who think well and who listen. Where are these leaders? They are our teachers, construction workers, tour operators - they are you and I. I have no doubt that the best candidates for the job are available in quantity throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. I believe that they are unaware that they are the people who are needed to get the job done. I ask you, what is stopping you from making a lasting change within your own community – have you made your mark?

What we need are men, women and young people who have the courage to recognize their leadership potential, the courage to see their convictions as the basis of leadership, the courage to run.

My challenge to all of us today is this: look inside yourself, look at your beliefs and values, look at the issues that are of importance to you, and think about how you can make a difference. Today’s leaders, more than ever, need to have integrity and strength as they are under intense public scrutiny, but this is certainly outweighed by how you can make the lives of your family and friends better by inflicting positive change.

What are the ways you can make things better for your community – you can be a part of making decisions about the costs of living in your community and the services that you and your family receive. Municipal leaders ensure that the essential services in their community are provided. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians want to receive services at reasonable costs. You can be a part of finding that perfect mix – appropriate services that are reasonable and affordable.

For example, sharing waste disposal services or fire protection with your neighboring communities can reduce costs to residents and maintain services. More importantly, they could protect our environment or save lives.

There are numerous ways that creating efficiencies such as this can affect the cost of services to residents. Your participation will make things better today and for future generations to come. That is a tremendous way to make your mark.

Secondly, you can make yours and others dreams for your community become realities. Municipal councilors do much more than project services and maintain costs.

Municipal councilors are pillars within their community. I believe that you are leaders. Municipal councils can see the future – I believe that you can see the future. Municipal councils see a green grassy field and envision a soccer pitch, and they make it happen. Others see a gravel parking lot and envision a playground, and they make it happen. Municipal councilors make ideas a reality. You can be a municipal councilor!

I believe that the greatest contribution you can make to your hometown and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, is taking the first step and getting involved. That is why I believe that your participation this coming September 29th, will make things better for today and for the future. It will make our cities and towns better for you me and many others.

I challenge you to sign up, offer yourself for municipal election and make your mark on your community. Some people see a construction worker, I see a councilor. Others see a Girl Guide leader, I see a potential mayor.

Today, we are undoubtedly in the presence of many who know they have what it takes to make their mark on their community – my friends, I see a better Newfoundland and Labrador. I encourage you to look at our website www.makeyourmarknl.ca and to enter the contest by telling us how you would make a difference in your community. Also, my staff will be in Grand Falls Windsor for the weekend and will be giving away some promotional items and promoting the campaign. If you enter the contest here this weekend, you will receive a free T-Shirt, so look for our truck throughout town, go say hello, and you can be part of our campaign.

Thank you and don’t forget to vote!

I want to begin by saying how glad I am to be here in beautiful Corner Brook.

With the municipal elections quickly approaching, now is the time for individuals across Newfoundland and Labrador to consider how their voice can be an important one through involvement in municipal council.

Last week, I was proud to announce MAKEYOURMARKNL, an innovative, interactive marketing campaign to encourage the opportunity to run for municipal council.

Throughout the summer, I will ask residents from coast to coast to consider how they would make their mark. While both men and women work every day to improve their communities, often women do not put themselves forward to run in municipal elections.

How would you make your mark to ensure we continue to have a province that provides a safe and secure environment for us to live and raise families?

Newfoundland and Labrador has a cultural fabric unlike any other – one of warmth, commitment and conviction. We are a proud, strong and determined people who never for a moment take for granted the gift we have received by being fortunate enough to call this place home.
From our rugged shoreline to our rolling hills, to our history and sheer determination as a people to survive, we are obviously lucky to be part of the fabric that is Newfoundland and Labrador.

As September approaches and municipal elections kick into gear, I often times reflect on how I have made my mark on my community over the past 25 years.

For the future, we need leaders who have a clear vision, who communicate that vision, who have integrity, who think well and who listen. Where are these leaders? They are our teachers, construction workers, tour operators, Girl Guide leaders. They are members of service clubs and they volunteer in many capacities - they are you and I.

The purpose of today’s session is to speak directly to women, so together we can encourage more women to make their mark at the municipal level of government.

Having women equally represented in the democratic process is something women all over the world are working to advance.

In Newfoundland and Labrador especially, women continue to be at the forefront of our communities as educators, professionals, and volunteers.

Everyday women in this province are breaking barriers to advance their lives and the lives of women around them, by moving into leadership roles and non traditional or higher paying positions.

However, we still have much work ahead of us before women share equitably in the benefits of our society.

I have no doubt that the best candidates for the job are available in quantity (sounds strange) throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Many are in this room today. I believe that they are unaware that they are the people who are needed to get the job done. I ask you, what is stopping you from making a lasting change within your own community – have you made your mark?

What we need are men, women and young people who have the courage to recognize their leadership potential, the courage to see their convictions as the basis of leadership, the courage to run.

My challenge to all of us today is this: look inside yourself, look at your beliefs and values, look at the issues that are of importance to you, and think about how you can make a difference. Today’s leaders, more than ever, need to have integrity and strength as they are under intense public scrutiny, but this is certainly outweighed by how you can make the lives of your family and friends better by being an agent of positive change.

What are the ways you can make things better for your community – you can be a part of making decisions about the costs of living in your community and the services that you and your family receive. Municipal leaders ensure that the essential services in their community are provided. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians want to receive services at reasonable costs. You can be a part of finding that perfect mix – appropriate services that are reasonable and affordable.

For example, sharing waste disposal services or fire protection with your neighboring communities can reduce costs to residents and maintain and often improve services. More importantly, they could protect our environment or save lives.

There are numerous ways that creating efficiencies such as this can affect the cost of services to residents. Your participation will make things better today and for future generations to come. That is a tremendous way to make your mark.

Secondly, you can make yours and others dreams for your community become realities. Municipal councilors do much more than project services and maintain costs.

Municipal councilors are pillars within their community. I believe that you are leaders. Municipal councils can see the future – I believe that you can see the future. Municipal councils see a green grassy field and envision a soccer pitch, and they make it happen.
Others see a gravel parking lot and envision a playground, and they make it happen. Municipal councilors make ideas a reality. You can be a municipal councilor!

I believe that the greatest contribution you can make to your hometown and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, is taking the first step and getting involved. That is why I believe that your participation this coming September 29th, will make things better for today and for the future. It will make our cities and towns better for you, me and many others.

Before I conclude, I would like say a special thank you to the Corner Brook Status of Women Council for bringing us all together.
I would also like to thank the other speakers who have joined me today, Councillor Donna Luther and Kara Snow, who are certainly examples of women in the lead.

I challenge you to sign up, offer yourself for municipal election and make your mark on your community. Some people see a construction worker, I see a councilor. Others see a Girl Guide leader, I see a potential mayor.

Today, we are undoubtedly in the presence of many who know they have what it takes to make their mark on their community – my friends, I see a better Newfoundland and Labrador.

Thank you.

Municipal Affairs
Executive Council
June 25, 2009

MakeYourMarkNL Campaign Encourages Participation in Municipal Council

An interactive, innovative marketing campaign to encourage Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to consider a run at municipal politics was launched today by the Honourable Dianne Whalen, Minister of Municipal Affairs. Minister Whalen was joined by Graham Letto, President of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador, and various stakeholders at the Colony of Avalon Interpretation Centre in the Town of Ferryland.

“MakeYourMarkNL will promote the opportunity for individuals to consider how their voice can be an important one through involvement in municipal council,” said Minister Whalen. “Municipalities require strong leadership and individuals who have a vision for the future. Councils across the province are looking for people with varied backgrounds who can introduce new ideas and work to promote, secure and improve communities. Municipal councillors can see the future, and there is no question that tomorrow’s potential starts with today’s leaders.”

In 2007, the Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador Community Cooperation Resource Centre conducted a survey of municipal councillors. Findings indicated that more than 60 per cent of sitting councillors in the province were either unsure about running again in the 2009 election, or had already decided not to offer themselves for re-election.

“Our government recognizes that without attracting new candidates or rekindling an individual’s desire to run, the long-term sustainability of our municipalities will be at risk,” said Minister Whalen.

The MakeYourMarkNL campaign will aim to inspire individuals to run for election or encourage someone they know to consider placing their name on a ballot in the community in which they live. The second phase of the campaign will inform voters on the importance of voting in the September 29 election.

MakeYourMarkNL will utilize traditional and social media to build awareness on the impact that municipal councillors can make. The campaign will utilize a website, www.makeyourmarknl.ca, posters and online advertising, and also employ Facebook and YouTube online social marketing sites. Each of these methods will aim to increase awareness of the contribution individuals make to their communities through testimonial videos, photo galleries, discussion boards, and finally a contest to ask how individual Newfoundlanders and Labradorians would make their mark on their city or town.

“Volunteers play a huge part in programs and services that are offered in towns across the province,” said the Honourable Dave Denine, Minister Responsible for the Volunteer and Non-Profit Sector. “The role of volunteers in municipal governments is essential to a community’s success and their hard work and dedication contributes to this province’s growth. I encourage people to get involved in municipal government and have a positive impact on the lives of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”

“Change starts when someone takes the first step,” said Graham Letto, President of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador. “The greatest contribution you could make to your hometown and province is taking on a leadership role. This campaign encourages everyone to make the change they want by offering themselves up for public service.”

MakeYourMarkNL is an initiative of the Provincial Government, and supported by Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador, the Professional Municipal Administrators, the Newfoundland and Labrador Women’s Policy Office, the Voluntary and Non-Profit Secretariat and Futures in Newfoundland and Labrador’s Youth (FINALY!). Each group will play an integral role in promoting the importance of running for local government within their respective audiences.

“We are confident this campaign will spread the message that communities need good people to help shape tomorrow,” said Minister Whalen. “Getting involved, whether by running or simply voting, provides an opportunity to make things better today for future generations to come. My own experience has shown me that there is nothing more satisfying than knowing your contribution has affected so many people.”

Further information about this new campaign can be found at www.makeyourmarknl.ca.

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Media contacts:

Heather MacLean Director of Communications Department of Municipal Affairs 709-729-1983, 697-4137 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca	Sharon King Communications Officer Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador 709-753-6820, 699-5619 communications@municipalitiesnl.com
Lesley Clarke Communications Specialist Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat Voluntary and Non-Profit Secretariat 709-729-6026, 699-2910 lesleyclarke@gov.nl.ca

Good afternoon.

Ladies and gentlemen, invited guests, campaign partners.

I am pleased to be here this afternoon to introduce an innovative campaign to encourage involvement in municipal council. Municipalities require strong leadership, and people who have a vision for the future.

Today is an exciting day. Today, I am pleased to announce the launch of MAKEYOURMARKNL.

MAKEYOURMARKNL will promote the opportunity for individuals to consider how their voice can be an important one through involvement in municipal council.

Councils across the province are looking for people who can introduce new ideas and work to promote, secure and improve communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

While we acknowledge the great contribution many of our current municipal elected officials have made and will continue to make, our government recognizes that without attracting new candidates or rekindling an individual’s desire to run , Newfoundland and Labrador faces a great loss of experience within our communities and could possibly place the long-term sustainability of our municipalities at risk.

We must reshape the perceptions of the role of municipal government and solicit new involvement from individuals to run or nominate someone they know.

The question you may ask is HOW…

To effectively deliver the message, we felt a new and innovative campaign was needed. The campaign will include two phases. Initially it will aim to inspire individuals to run for election or encourage someone they know to consider placing their name on a ballot in the community they live. The second phase of the campaign will inform voters of the importance of voting in the election slated for September 29.

Today – the MAKEYOURMARKNL will go live. The website will contain everything you need to know about running in municipal elections and the roles and responsibilities surrounding local governance.

As well, there will be the availability online to refer a friend. Sometimes all people need is a little nudge; this function of the website can help those individuals.

Our site will host a contest asking Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to submit a 30 second video depicting how they would make their mark on their community. The possibilities are endless. We will offer a prize to the best submission. The winner will win a computer for a school in their community, donated in their name. Similarly, the winner will get one too.

Municipal politics is all about capacity building and strengthening a community, we feel that our contest should do the same.

In addition, to the website posters and promotional items you see here today are all part of this strategy.
As you will see, we have utilized social media marketing like Facebook and YouTube to attract a wider audience.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, approximately 75% of our population have either signed up for Facebook or view it on a regular basis. What better way to specifically target interested groups than through this attractive website.

YouTube and online videos will make the campaign more personal. The face of the campaign will be you, me and people we know. Each video that is submitted will be uploaded for viewing on the site. To date, both Mayor Curtis Buckle of Holyrood and I have completed videos, and it is my pleasure to present them here today.

The brightest ideas for making a community better come from people within the community itself. By using YouTube and the web, we can make all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians the faces that affect positive change.

Later this afternoon, a member of our team will be soliciting your views for the website. I encourage you to be the first people to join our campaign and tell everyone throughout our great province how you would make your mark on your community. It only takes a minute, but your opinion will go a long way toward promoting inclusion and interest in this campaign. We all have a voice, and we need to capture that voice for the collective good of our province.

I want to take this opportunity to thank our partners: Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador, the Professional Municipal Administrators, the Newfoundland and Labrador Women’s Policy Office, the Voluntary and Non-Profit Secretariat and Futures in Newfoundland and Labrador for Youth. Each organization has played a significant role in the development of this campaign and will be strong supporters of it throughout the summer. We are extremely pleased to work in cooperation with them.

Finally, I invite members of the media and other guests to join us for a small reception and browse our new website, view the posters, and talk to our partners about the importance of our individual roles with this campaign.

We have a monumental task ahead of us, and it is through cooperation and collaboration that we will be successful. Our province depends on it.

We are confident this campaign will spread the message that your community needs you to shape tomorrow. Getting involved, whether by running or simply voting, provides an opportunity to make things better today for future generations to come.

My own experience has showed me that there is nothing more satisfying than knowing your contribution has affected so many people.

Thank you for coming, and keep posted to our website to see some of the fantastic submissions and testimonials we will gather between now and September.

Our province has so much to offer, our people have more. Municipal councilors can see the future, and there is no question that tomorrow’s potential starts with today’s leaders.

Thank you.