Encouraging Civic Participation

Representation Matters enters 4th year

At the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, we understand the power and value of local governance better than nearly anyone. And we want to work to make sure that local leadership is as diverse as our great state because we believe everyone deserves a chance to govern.

We are proud to announce our FOURTH annual Representation Matters: Two-Day Training in partnership with The Campaign School at Yale University to take place virtually on February 24 and March 2, 2024, free of charge. Designed and aimed to empower racially diverse candidates, with speakers who will teach the ins and outs of getting elected or joining a board/commission and tell their stories from experience.

We are excited how the days are shaping up and we’ve already confirmed the Connecticut Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas and Connecticut State Treasurer Erick Russell. This year our partners or co-sponsors are: The Campaign School at Yale, Connecticut Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity, Parent Leadership Training Institute, CT Association of Boards of Education, CT Public, CT Intermunicipal Risk Management Agency, and the YWCA Hartford Region.

Representation Matters will once again be focusing on state level elections. Day one will be hosted by the Campaign School at Yale University, and last year, topics included making the decision to run, fundraising, finding your voice, and effective networking techniques, as well as the hit of the day, a panel of Campaign School alumnae on the topic of how the decision to run changed their lives. Day two will be hosted by CCM, and last year, topics included Why you and Why now, Becoming a leader, getting involved, Municipal Government and Finance 101, as well as our very own panel of seasoned experts.

With over 500 people having signed up for the first three years and dozens of speakers who bring their deeply felt and personal stories to Representation Matters, it is no question the importance of this event. It is thanks to them that we continue to see the success of this program, inspiring folks to lift up their voice and make sure they have a seat at the table.

Registration via Zoom will be made available at CCMCares.Com, and more information will be added there as it is made available.

Please contact Richard Porth at rporth@ccm-ct.org for more information.