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Get Ready For March & April Events

Representation Matters

CCM is celebrating five years of Representation Matters, our two-day training in partnership with the Campaign School at Yale to educate and empower persons of color who are interested in running for local office. Once again, we will be offering this virtual session for free, on 3/1 and 3/8.

The focus of this year’s session will be on local municipal governance. Day one will be hosted by the Campaign School, who will discuss the decision to run, fundraising, finding your voice, and effective networking. During the day, Patti Russo will lead a panel of elected officials who have graduated from the Campaign School to give attendees a front row seat on what it takes to run and win.

We will take the helm on day two, with a day of conversations with the people who make this state run. Last year, when the focus was on State Level Governance, we heard from CT Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas, State Treasurer Erick Russell, Attorney General William Tong, House Majority Leader Jason Rojas, Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves, and more. Stay tuned for updates on this year’s speakers.

Well over 700 people have signed up over the first four years of Representation Matters, including many people who have attended multiple years. Every individual who attends this training event is an inspiration to us all because it means that they want to be a part of it — of local government, giving back to their com-

munities, helping lead their towns and cities and this great state into a future that is more equitable than it is today. We hope you are all able to join us.

Registration via Zoom will be made available at www. ccmcares.com, and more information will be added there as it is made available.

Emergency Management Symposium

You loved it last year, so this year we are heading back to Camp Nett in Niantic for our 2025 Emergency Management Symposium on April 1, 2025, and that’s no joke!

The event is held in partnership with the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS), the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), and the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH). EMS is the premier emergency management conference in Connecticut — attracting more and more attendees every year. With workshops, networking, and crucial safety updates, as well as an exhibit hall with vendors showcasing the latest and greatest technology, no other event comes close to EMS.

A registration link will be sent via email in the coming weeks, so be on the lookout — last year the event did max out registrations despite the larger event space. There is still no cost to register, and for our CCMO officials, EMS is six hours towards your certification.