Friends:

As I’ve said before, I don’t want to be more junk in your inbox and I’ll only write when there’s good stuff to report. While there has not been a great deal of news, a lot of cool things have happened and I think I’ve waited TOO long to write you! Bear with me, there’s a trivia question and reward at the end.

Thank you so much for the great feedback about the election. The BEST thing I heard over and over was how many people had voted in a spring election for the first time! That is so cool – now you’re addicted and have to vote every time, right?

Steve Kraske’s Up To Date

A few months back, The Kansas City Star’s political reporter, Steve Kraske, hosted national political communication experts on his daily radio program on KCUR, Up To Date. A caller named “Roger from Overland Park” called in to highlight the Sharp Record! I was grateful for his kind words and the guests’ assessment of the importance of transparency and candor in political communications. You can listen to the show here. Roger’s comments are after the halfway mark – THANKS Roger! http://kcurstream.umkc.edu/UTD/UTD_4-15-2009.mp3

Yard Signs:

Many of you agreed with my position on yard signs. Don’t get me wrong – yard signs can be helpful, but I only pay attention to the ones in actual yards. The rest are just litter. Even then, half the signs in actual yards are stolen and tossed. Again, if you have any ideas about how to combat this scourge on our public rights-of-way, let me know!

Politics 101

If your organization would like to learn about how to communicate effectively with your elected officials, figure out the legislative and political processes and how you can make them work for you, I would be happy to come talk to your group. Again this year, I worked with the City of Shawnee to deliver this presentation as part of their summer course lineup. Reply to me if I can help your group!

Social Media

I finally succumbed to the peer pressure and started a Twitter account. I was very reluctant but have found a TON of good information from the people I follow and have also been using it a lot to talk about the things we are doing at CommunityAmerica. Plus, I have been more diligent about Facebook and have found it to be a great way to keep track of friends around the world. You can follow me on www.twitter.com/4stephaniesharp  and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4stephaniesharp.

JCCC Board of Trustees Meeting

I officially took office on July 1 and my first board meeting was July 16. It was highly uneventful, which is always good for a board meeting! You can view video here: http://video.jccc.edu/board.htm. I would also encourage you to cruise around this site where there are dozens of interesting videos. Keep in mind – as a taxpayer-supported institution, we are YOUR community college, so take advantage of the great opportunities provided by JCCC.

Enrollment

Fall enrollment is up more than 20% from a year ago. A huge part of this is the economy and students pursuing general education requirements here at home instead of a four-year institution. Another big part of it is laid-off or mid-career professionals taking this opportunity to retool or redirect their careers. While this brings in a sizeable amount of tuition to help provide a quality education for this growth, it also creates practical challenges – space, for example.

Cool Events

I hope to share with you some of the cool things going on a the Community College should not be missed!

Divine Dining series: http://www.jccc.edu/home/depts.php/003100/site/press_main/events_by_month/09DivineDining

Carlson Center Tickets

There are a few benefits to this volunteer position. I get a laptop and printer to use, I get a parking pass to park in Reserved parking on campus, and I get a few tickets to shows at the Carlsen Center. The Carlsen Center brings in local, national and international talent and is a treasured resource for our arts community that I want to share with you.

• Keep an eye out for trivia questions (hint, hint) for a chance to win two tickets to upcoming CC events!

Beijing, Baby!

The American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) is a public/private partnership with the U.S. Department of State that conducts bilateral exchanges with young leaders in the U.S. and other (mostly non-Western) countries. The theory is that if young political folks meet young and stay in elected roles, it might change the face of diplomacy. For example, they sent me to China in 2003 and we had a great meeting and social dinner with the Governor of Pudong province, who is likely to be the next Premier of China. If one of my fellow delegates ends up as a U.S. Senator or Congressman, or a high-ranking official in the State Department or Administration, a relationship has already been established.

Short-story-long… This year is ACYPL’s 30^th anniversary of exchanges with China and they have selected 21 people from the 30 years of China alumni to represent a 30^th Anniversary Delegation to China in August. I was selected to attend! So I will be in Beijing for a week of meetings, panel discussions, and receptions in August.

Record Reader Poll & Trivia Question (be the first to answer all questions and get 2 CC tickets)

1. In my last newsletter, I shared about Café Tempo. Did you pay a visit and if so, what did you think? If not, what are you waiting for?! (no wrong/right answer)
2. Who promoted the Sharp Record on a local radio talk show?
3. Give one example of other videos available on the JCCC video website?
4. 2009 is JCCC’s 40^th birthday. Name just one other Kansas City institution celebrating the same anniversary this year (there are a few correct answers).

WHERE IS TRUSTEE SHARP?

I am resurrecting a Sharp Record favorite that will give insights into the role of a Trustee through the activities I attend:

• Trustee orientation
• Books & Boutiques reception hosted by JCCC at the Nerman Museum
• Board of Trustees meeting
• Meeting with members of the Faculty Association

RESOURCES

Check out the new online voter registration launched today by Kansas Secretary of State, Ron Thornburgh. This is very cool and I hope it’s hugely successful! It cross references your voter information with your driver’s license information in the KS Department of Revenue. Awesome tool for next year’s statewide elections.

https://www.kdor.org/voterregistration/Default.aspx

Johnson County Community College: www.jccc.edu

Johnson County Election Office: www.jocoelection.org

Finally, I just wasn’t sure where to place this next part, but this newsletter is dedicated to the memory of Rep. Gene Amos. I only knew Gene in the last few years, and he wasn’t one to seek attention, but he exhibited integrity, respect, and decency with his actions. Gene’s dedication to the city and its business and philanthropic communities leaves a legacy Shawnee must continue to live up to. Rest in Peace, Rep. Amos.

I’m sure I’m forgetting something, but if you have questions about anything in this newsletter, politics in general or for more information about specific programs at Johnson County Community College, do not hesitate to ask!

Stephanie Sharp 

JCCC Trustee

www.stephaniesharp.com

www.facebook.com/4stephaniesharp

www.twitter.com/4stephaniesharp