Last week, I had the chance to attend one of the White House’s Community Leaders Briefings, which are part of a larger effort organized by the Administration’s newly created Office of Public Engagement to “create and coordinate opportunities for direct dialogue between the Obama Administration and the American public, while bringing new voices to the table and ensuring that everyone can participate and inform the work of the President.”
For many in the audience, who represented a broad spectrum of organizations from throughout the country, the opportunity simply to be recognized, invited to the White House and heard (the meeting started with a good hour of allowing participants to share thoughts, ideas, concerns and questions with the director of the Office of Public Engagement, Jon Carson), was itself meaningful.
For the Administration, it was a chance to directly share the ways in which they have been working to have their efforts be more accessible and invite community leaders to, at the very least, take advantage of newly created opportunities to best make use of government programs and initiatives, as well as potentially work in coordination or complimentary fashion around policy goals. Towards the former, I share with you all the following, which participants recently received:
Helpful links:
Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships
The White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships within the Domestic Policy Council works to form partnerships between the Federal Government and faith-based and neighborhood organizations to more effectively serve Americans in need.
- To learn more about Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, visit:http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ofbnp
Office of Public Engagement
Visit the Office of Public Engagement’s (OPE) new website, which is your one-stop-shop for all the different programs and resources from OPE: http://www.whitehouse.gov/engage
Champions of Change
The Champions of Change series is designed for people to look into their communities and nominate everyday heroes who are demonstrating commitment to improving their own communities.
- To view current Champions or nominate someone, visit: www.whitehouse.gov/champions
Let’s Move!
A initiative, launched by First Lady Michelle Obama, dedicated to solving the problem of childhood obesity in a generation so that kids born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams.
- To learn more about Let’s Move and how to take action, visit: http://www.letsmove.gov/action
- For information about Let’s Move! Programs (including Let’s Move: Cities and Towns, Let’s Move Outside and Let’s Move in Indian Country), visit: http://www.letsmove.gov/programs
Joining Forces
A national initiative that mobilizes all sectors of society to give our service members and their families the opportunities and support they have earned.
- To learn more about Let’s Move and how to take action, visit: www.joiningforces.gov
Startup America
A White House initiative to celebrate, inspire, and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation.
- To learn more about Startup America, visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/startup-america
Change the Equation
Change the Equation, is a CEO-led effort to dramatically improve education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), as part of the “Educate to Innovate” campaign.
- To learn more about Change the Equation, visit:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/education/educate-innovate
White House Live
White House Live is your portal for viewing live events at the White House on a daily basis as well as past events that you were not able to see. Visit White House Live at http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
