Colorado 50-50 Calls for Overhaul of Workplace Harassment Policy at the Colorado Legislature and the Removal or Resignation of State Rep. Steve Lebsock

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Our group began following the #metoo revelations at the Colorado Capitol in mid-November. Since then, we have delved into the Workplace Harassment Policy under Joint Rule 38 and discovered it has a multitude of problems. It is a process that is very exposing for victims and is difficult to navigate. We are seeing problems at every step of the way from the initial reporting to the investigating to the decision-making. The process can be politicized and should be in the hands of an independent body. Lastly, the policy lacks transparency. This is a significant problem when the person accused of harassment is a state legislator. Voters cannot hold elected officials accountable without information, such as how many harassment complaints have been filed against a lawmaker.

In light of the reporting in this area, Colorado 50-50 is calling on the resignation of State Representative Steve Lebsock. Media reports say Lebsock faces allegations that he harassed, intimidated and made unwanted sexual advances toward eleven different women. Two of them – a lawmaker and a lobbyist – have filed formal workplace harassment complaints with the Legislature. Rep. Lebsock has breached the public’s trust. We have lost confidence in his ability to conduct the people’s business and we call on him to resign. Should Lebsock fail to resign, we call on the Colorado House of Representatives to remove him from office.

To sign our petition, go here.

For more information on these issues, please click on our In The News tab above. You might also want to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates.

Sage Advice, Fresh Faces at November 15 Winning With Women

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Colorado 50-50 organizers were pleased to see an entirely different audience at Winning With Women on November 15, 2017. This was the second time the group has put on the event and the first time it was in Loveland.

Many women attending expressed an interest in running for office, such as Julie Pignataro.

“Attending the Winning With Women event was a truly inspiring and valuable experience,” she said. “I have known that I plan on running for political office in the next couple of years, but what I did not know was what a talented and supportive group of individuals are available to help me through the process and support me as I pursue my goals!”

Another participant, Patricia Miller, found the information stations were helpful in providing details about elected positions, terms, and district boundaries. “I got a lot out of the workshop. The process for running for office was clarified and explained,” she said. “The speakers were highly qualified, informative, warm and accessible. They presented their experiences in a relatable and inspiring way.”

The panel discussion was a rich conversation with Kristie Melendez, current mayor of Windsor, Kathy Gilliland, former mayor of Loveland, and Marty Tharp, former Fort Collins city council member. The women shared their journeys to elected office, including the highs and lows. In answering audience questions, they offered many wonderful insights.

“It was great fun for me!” said Gilliland afterward. “I loved the enthusiasm and interest from the participants and am hopeful some will step up for leadership roles.”

Colorado 50-50 Moderator Erin Hottenstein encouraged the audience to get on a path to leadership and to consider applying to boards and commissions.

“We benefit from women’s experiences and we need to hear their voices,” she said. “There are so many ways that women make a difference in public life.”

The event was made possible through generous donations from Public Speaking for the Professional, the Larimer County League of Women Voters, and Electing Women. Colorado 50-50 also thanks all the volunteers who worked so hard to create a successful event.

“In the future, I hope to see women supporting each other and running for office,” said Miller. “I know now that I can be a part of it all.”

One Week Until Winning With Women!

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All our volunteers are hard at work preparing for another wonderful Winning With Women next Wednesday, November 15. We’re talking to our friends about running for office, getting on boards and supporting women candidates. We hope you are too!

We are happy to announce two panelists. Kristie Melendez is the Mayor of Windsor.

Melendez

Kristie Melendez

Kathy Gilliland is a current Transportation Commissioner for the state of Colorado and a former mayor of Loveland.

Kathy Gilliland

We know the panel discussion will be a rich conversation about their experiences, what led them to run for office, what campaigning was like and how it is/was to be an elected official. Bring your questions!

Following the panel discussion will be an intentional, speed networking session. Our vision is to connect candidates and potential candidates with supporters and mentors. Bring your business cards!

We invite you to arrive right at 6 p.m. to take advantage of the many table displays. We will have maps and lots of information about elected offices, boards and commissions.

Sound good? Now’s the time to buy your tickets – $15 general admission and $7.50 for students. Scholarships are available. Childcare is available with an RSVP by Sunday, November 12 to erin@colorado5050.org.

One Won’t Cut It – Invite your friends to the next Winning With Women

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Only one.

 

Eight city or town councils in Northern Colorado have only one woman on council. That corresponds to 14% female representation. Not 50-50, but 86-14. Colorado 50-50 analyzed the membership of 15 city and town councils across our region. Even with women making up half our population, these councils have only one woman each.

 

Overall, we found 98 elected council members, but only 23 of them were women. Crunch the numbers and you find that means women make up 23% of all elected council officials in our area. It’s a good thing Eaton, Evans and Milliken are leading the way with three female members each, or these numbers would look much worse. Johnstown had an all-male council until very recently.

 

At Colorado 50-50, we believe this must change. We are advocating for gender parity in politics. Research has shown the many benefits of women becoming elected officials. They collaborate. They reach across the aisle. They solve problems.

 

We believe the best place to start changing is right here – by talking to our women friends and encouraging them to get on a path to leadership. Supporting them to apply to boards and commissions. Urging them to run for office.

 

That’s why we’re happy to announce our second #WinningWithWomen, happening Wednesday, November 15, at All Saints Church in Loveland.

 

We are going to demystify the process of running for office through a panel discussion of elected women officials along with a networking session. In the panel discussion, we will hear how women decided to run and what their experiences were both on the campaign trail and in office. After the panel discussion, we will move into a speed networking session. Bring a stack of business cards!

 

Tickets are available for $15. Childcare is available for a fee with an advance RSVP. Seating is limited, so get tickets today!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/winning-with-women-tickets-38849375528

 

 

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

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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

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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!