Join a variety of community organizations and local leaders

9am-3:30pm, Saturday November 8 at Santa Rosa Junior College for the  2014 R.U.N. (Rise Up Now) Forum.

Developed by several local, state and national organizations, the forum provides Sonoma County’s underrepresented communities with the knowledge and resources needed to run for local boards, commissions and committees.

The forum will be most helpful for young, politically active leaders, as it will teach them how to translate their political passions into careers as elected public servants.

In an investigation of local boards and committees, the Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury has recommended “finding more ways to improve County outreach to involve a broader and more diverse population, and to establish a larger pool of citizens with skills, experiences, and interests for these important and valuable civic functions.”

At the event, participants will have a chance to voice their concerns, raise questions, and learn how to apply for available public posts. The forum features a panel of veteran community leaders who will share their knowledge and experience.

Notable speakers include:  

  • Mike McGuire, Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and State Senate candidate
  • Frieda K. Edgette  Principal of Novos Consulting, Founder of Courage to Run
  • Eduardo Vasquez, Past President of SSU Latino Leaders
  • Herman Hernandez, JR., School Board candidate
  • Hilleary Izard, SEIU Local 1021 SRJC Chapter President
  • Fabiola Espinosa,  Young Professionals Network Steering Committee

Rise Up Now was created to help increase ethnic and gender diversity in the current pool of candidates for Sonoma County government.  Through education and empowerment, the forum prepares attendees to take part in civic engagement.

*Presented by: Women’s Global Leadership Initiative, Latino Service Providers, Sonoma County Latino Leaders (Los Cien), AAUW Santa Rosa Chapter, Santa Rosa Junior College, Leadership Institute for Ecology and the Economy, St. Joseph’s Health System

Register and RSVP online at www.wgli.org or contact Diana at dianaruiz@wgli.org For more information, email Wanda Tapia at wtapia@latinoserviceproviders.org or call 707-837-9577.

Fee for event: $25.00 and $15.00 for students. Lunch included

Limited scholarship are available for those who need financial assistance.