AgdaPkt 2004-04-12 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

~.A-~ SIGNATURE STARS from page 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Low Hanging Fruit" Brings Your Goals Within Councllmember Susan Seamans of RoIling Hills Estates agrees, .I've been taking petitions to Reach meetings where people know me and I have root had Approaching those that you know is a gl eat anyone refuse to sign." Seamans is involved ., her first step in signature gathering. At last year';; community through the Rotary Club, and takes' League Annual Conference, author Malcolm every opportunity to pitch the LOCAL. Seamans. Gladwell described "Mavens" at work in our soci- concluded by praising her League Regional Repre- ety, individuals who connect us through their own sentative for her organization of the division's large network of friends, family and associates. volunteer signature gathering drive. City Manager Cathy Standiford of La Palma has used her "Maven status" to become a real signa- Stars Shine Over Every Division on Signature ture star, collecting signatures from not only Saturday Orange County, but San Diego, Los Angeles and Imperial Counties as well. The Peninsula Division was loaded with "Stars. "I found that word of mouth has been my most on Signature Saturday. Eleven Peninsula Division effective tool," said Standiford, who is also an cities participated, gathering close to 2,500 signa- involved member of the professional organization tures. .Stars. were found in every city - especially Soroptimist International. "I carry petitions around the Foster City, San Carlos and Los Gatos Cham- with me everywhere I go; to church, when I speak bers of Commerce. Local elected officials and staff to Soroptimist meetings, and in my daily routine." were joined by citizen volunteers in Belmont. Standiford has also found that by having the Burlingame, Daly City, San Mateo and Santa petitions close at hand, and by practicing her Clara, while Councllmember Kathleen King and "elevator speech" - a concise explanation of the City Manager Dave Anderson continued their great initiative's goals - she has additionally been able effort in Saratoga. to recruit new signature gatherers. By explaining to her chiropractor the importance of the LOCAL Cities without formal Signature Saturday sites initiative. Standiford boasts that the doctor not sent representatives to help out in neighboring only signed, but asked for blank petitions he could cities. Los Gatos' "Stars" were assisted by Monte circulate to patients in his office. "For me, it's Sereno Mayor Erin Garner and Councl/member thinking about the people I know and just making David Baxter; Los Altos Hills City Manager the ask." She suggests, "Use the relationships you Maureen Casslngham, Administrative Services already have, have an elevator speech, and then Director Sarah Joiner and Cindy Higby; Santa carry the petitions with you everywhere." Clara County Fire Chief Ben Lopes and San Carlos' Leslie Parks. "Participating in this initiative has been a real eye opener. The general public doesn't understand how their services are paid for but once given the information they 'get it'," said Los Gatos City Man- ager Debra Figone. In the Redwood Empire, Mayor Pro Tem Dan Gjerde of Fort Bragg, who was profiled last week together with Mayor Jere Melo, reports that the pair have continued their drive and have surpassed 800 signatures. Signature Salurday volunteers In M.nhat1an Beach: (I-r) Steve Napoll1ano, Councllm.mber; In the Monterey Bay Division Councilmember Dennis Groat, Fire Chief; Andrew Harrod, Police Tony Bruscla of Hollister is starring with 259 LIeutenant; Bruce Moe, Finance Dlrec1or. Continued on Page 5 PAGE 4/PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site--www.cacities.org