Colorado 50-50 Awarded National Grant to Promote Gender Parity in Elected Offices

Royal Neighbors of America, one of the largest and first women-led insurance organizations in the U.S., located in Rock Island, Ill., has announced Erin Hottenstein, founder of Colorado 50-50, Fort Collins, CO, has been presented with one of ten Nation of Neighbors℠ empowerment awards and grants presented nationwide. In addition to the award, she received a $10,000 grant for her organization. Formed in 2017 by a circle of women in Fort Collins, Colorado 50-50 is a nonpartisan, educational group that believes office-holders – whether elected or appointed – should more closely reflect the population. The organization aims to strengthen civic engagement by facilitating discussions, so people feel empowered to participate in politics through exercising their right to vote, running for office, or supporting a candidate. To date, more than 600 people have participated in 15 events in eight locations.

According to the Center for Women and Politics, the number of women in municipal office hovers around 30%. “This data motivates me to inspire women to get on a path to leadership,” said Hottenstein. “Colorado and the world need the voices of women of all political stripes, women of color, and all those who are underrepresented in government and other positions of power. As a society, we make better policy decisions when there are diverse voices at the table.”

“Erin encourages, supports, trains and celebrates women who run for elective office in Colorado,” said Darcy Smith, Senior Member Engagement Specialist at Royal Neighbors. “She understands the importance of motivating and supporting young women who show an interest in serving their community, and the action she takes aligns with the same mission Royal Neighbors has lived since 1895.”

The grant from Royal Neighbors will be used to hire an attorney and nonprofit consultant and fund more trainings, marketing, and internship stipends. “I really want to express my gratitude to all the people who have helped us,” stated Hottenstein. “It’s really a community effort to inspire that next wave of women leaders!”

Nation of Neighbors is a Royal Neighbors of America philanthropy program that awards financial assistance to nominated individuals who plan to start or expand a business, organization, program, or nonprofit that helps women and/or girls in their community. To date, nearly $2.5 million has been awarded nationwide.

Winter Social 2020

You won’t want to miss our Winter Social!

It’s happening Sunday, January 26, 5-6:30 PM, at Monroe’s Lounge at the Best Western at I-25 and 34 in Loveland.

This is an enjoyable and informal local opportunity to meet people interested in promoting women in leadership, as well as candidates, and elected officials. 
The event is free with a cash bar. Donations furthering the work of Colorado 50-50 are encouraged and will be happily accepted.

Our special guests include:

  • State Senator Joann Ginal
  • State Senator Vicki Marble
  • State Representative Jeni Arndt
  • Larimer County Treasurer Irene Josey
  • Windsor Mayor and candidate for Weld County Commissioner Kristie Melendez
  • Fort Collins City Councilwoman Julie Pignataro
  • Estes Park Town Councilwoman Carlie Bangs
  • Loveland City Councilwoman Kathi Wright
  • Evans Town Councilwoman Ally Johnson
  • Thompson School Board Director Lori Hvizda Ward
  • Candidate for U.S. Senate Lorena Garcia
  • Candidate for State Representative Holly Herson
  • Candidate for State Representative Yara Zokaie
  • Candidate for Larimer County Commission Kim Akeley-Charron
  • Candidate for Larimer County Commission Jody Shadduck-McNally

By the way, if you are an elected official, former elected official, or candidate, we would love to include you in this event! We will be updating this list here and on social media. Please let us know if you are attending.

We look forward to seeing everyone on Sunday, January 26!

75 People Attended the Colorado Premiere of Councilwoman

Group photo at event

About 75 people attended the April 30 Colorado premiere of Councilwoman, a new documentary about a Dominican-American hotel housekeeper who runs for office in Providence, Rhode Island. After watching the film, the audience participated in both small- and large-group discussions.

Please join Colorado 50-50 in thanking our co-sponsors: the League of Women Voters of Larimer County, Fuerza Latina, Alianza NORCO, CSU Women and Gender Collaborative, CSU Straayer Center for Public Service Leadership, and Foothills Unitarian Church. Also, many thanks to our volunteers who made the event possible.

Did you miss it? Colorado 50-50 hopes to show the documentary again later. Until then, you can see the trailer here: https://www.councilwomanfilm.com/

Colorado Premiere of Councilwoman on April 30

(Seguido en Español)

Join Colorado 50-50, the League of Women Voters of Larimer County, Fuerza Latina, Alianza NORCO, CSU Women and Gender Collaborative, CSU Straayer Center for Public Service Leadership, and Foothills Unitarian Church at the Colorado premiere of Councilwoman. This exciting new documentary will inspire you! The film will be followed by a discussion.

The film will show April 30th at 7pm at Foothills Unitarian Church, 1815 Yorktown Ave., Fort Collins, Colorado.

Tickets: $5/adult and $3/student available here

Childcare available. RSVP by Sunday, April 28 required. Please email SallyHarris@Colorado5050.org to RSVP.

View the trailer: https://www.councilwomanfilm.com/

More information is available about the film at:

Facebook: @CouncilwomanDoc Twitter: @CouncilwomanDoc Instagram: @CouncilwomanFilm

Total Running Time: 56:53 – Spanish/English with English subtitles

Film synopsis: Politicians aren’t often full-time hotel housekeepers, grandmothers, union members and immigrants working service jobs. But Carmen Castillo changes that when she wins a seat on the City Council in Providence, Rhode Island. Carmen Castillo is a Dominican City Councilwoman who maintains her job cleaning hotel rooms, as she takes on her new role in politics. She faces skeptics who say she doesn’t have the education to govern, the power of corporate interests who take a stand against her fight for a $15/hourly wage in the City, and a tough re-election against two contenders—all of this while balancing the challenges of managing a full-time job cleaning hotel rooms, and a personal relationship. It’s a journey behind the scenes of politics after the victory.

******

Únase a Colorado 50-50, la Liga de Mujeres Votantes del Condado de Larimer, Fuerza Latina, Alianza NORCO, CSU Women and Gender Collaborative, CSU Straayer Center for Public Service Leadership, y Foothills Unitarian en el estreno de “La Concejala” de Colorado. ¡Este emocionante nuevo documental te inspirará! La película será seguida por una discusión.

La película se mostrará el 30 de abril a las 7 pm en Foothills Unitarian Church, 1815 Yorktown Ave., Fort Collins, Colorado.

Entradas: $ 5 / adulto y $ 3 / estudiante, disponibles aquí

Cuidado de niños disponible. Se requiere confirmación de asistencia antes del domingo 28 de abril. Envíe un correo electrónico a SallyHarris@Colorado5050.org para RSVP.

Ver el trailer: https://www.councilwomanfilm.com/

Más información está disponible sobre la película en:

Facebook: @CouncilwomanDoc Twitter: @CouncilwomanDoc Instagram: @CouncilwomanFilm

Tiempo total del documental: 56:53 – en español / inglés con subtítulos en inglés

Sinopsis de la película: los políticos no suelen ser camareras de hotel, abuelas, miembros del sindicato e inmigrantes que trabajan a tiempo completo en el sector del trabajo. Pero Carmen Castillo cambia eso cuando gana un asiento en el Concejo Municipal en Providence, Rhode Island. Carmen Castillo es una concejala Dominicana que mantiene su trabajo de limpieza de habitaciones de hotel, mientras asume su nuevo papel en la política. Se enfrenta a escépticos que dicen que no tiene la educación para gobernar, el poder de los intereses corporativos que se oponen a su lucha por un salario de $15 por hora en la ciudad y una reelección difícil contra dos contendientes: todo esto a la vez que se equilibran los desafíos de administrar un trabajo a tiempo completo limpiando habitaciones de hotel y una relación personal. Es un viaje tras bambalinas de la política después de la victoria.

Run As You Are

Run As You Are Training

Women from all over Colorado – from Colorado Springs to LaPorte and Aurora to Boulder – came together on March 3, 2018, for a full day of workshops designed to get more women running for office. The Run As You Are training was put on by Colorado 50-50 and VoteRunLead. The morning kicked off with lead trainer Faith Winter, who started her political career on the Westminster City Council and then became a state legislator. She was joined by Dominique Jackson and Dafna Michaelson Jenet, also state representatives. The lunch panel brought even more insights and anecdotes from women politicians, including State Representative Joann Ginal, Larimer County Treasurer Irene Josey, and Greeley City Councillor Rochelle Galindo. From practicing stump speeches to starting a 90-day challenge, participants walked away with practical information, new connections and a newfound energy. To see a photo album from the day, visit us on Facebook.

Colorado 50-50 and VoteRunLead greatly appreciate the time and expertise shared by the trainers and panelists. We would also like to thank our sponsors and donors whose contributions made the training possible: Women’s Foundation of Colorado, Judi Wagner, Pemberly Woods, King Soopers, and Kathy Yates. And, here’s a big shout-out to our volunteers!

The last thing participants did was sign a pledge that included these words: “We are the leaders we have been waiting for.”

National Training Powerhouse VoteRunLead Coming to Colorado

VoteRunLead Coming to Fort Collins March 3

We’re thrilled to announce that we are partnering with VoteRunLead to provide an all-day training for women on Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Fort Collins. Whether you are a candidate, you might be a candidate someday, or want to help other women run, this training is for you.

With more than 26,000 women trained to run for office, VoteRunLead is the largest and most diverse campaign and leadership program in the country. Their mission is to educate diverse women to unleash their independent political power, seek public office and transform American democracy. They work to equip women with the right know-how, trainings and how-to’s to help them enter politics with a purpose. They believe that by empowering women to run as they are, they will build a campaign based on their own passion, their own ideas and their own values.

Save the date! More information coming soon.

How to run efficient meetings (and get home before midnight)

Has your use of parliamentary procedure gotten a little rusty since high school? Were you never introduced to Robert’s Rules back then? Maybe you know something about it, but you have wanted to learn more ever since someone used it against you in a meeting.

One of our Winning With Women panelists – former Fort Collins Mayor Susan Kirkpatrick – urged us to learn parliamentary procedure and how to run a good meeting. She said it would pay dividends for anyone in public office, or on a board or commission. Now, we have the opportunity to take her up on her advice at a training on Saturday, September 23, in Fort Collins!

In this day-long workshop, you will learn pragmatic parliamentary tips that will help you in any leadership role. Professional Parliamentarian Lola Fehr will help you get familiar or refresh your knowledge of Robert’s Rules of Order. Understand the duties and responsibilities of board members, what constitutes a conflict of interest, and how to solve problems and work through disagreements. By the end, you will know how to run a great meeting!

Saturday, September 23, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Foothills Unitarian Church in Fort Collins. A catered lunch is included. Co-sponsored by Foothills Unitarian Church and Colorado 50-50. Fee for non-church members is $35. Childcare available for $5  with advance RSVP to childcare@foothillsuu.org.

This training is open to the public. Space is limited, so register now using the following link.

https://foothillsuu.churchcenteronline.com/registrations/events/77317

Winning With Women

On May 6, 2017, we had a fantastic panel discussion and 75 people in the audience at #WinningWithWomen. Many thanks to our speakers: Betsy Markey, Rhonda Solis and Susan Kirkpatrick! After the panel discussion, participants engaged in a speed-networking session. Many stations around the room provided maps and information about election calendars, elected offices, and appointed boards and commissions.  We are grateful to our sponsors: Public Speaking for the Professional and Northern Colorado NOW (National Organization for Women). Finally, a big shoutout  to all our wonderful volunteers!