The following is being distributed at the request of Newfoundland and Labrador School Boards Association:

Their future is in your hands
New campaign targets school board elections

Despite the importance community input, public participation in the province�s school board elections has been declining, both in terms of the low number of candidates running for office and voter turnout.

Today, the Newfoundland and Labrador School Boards Association launched a province-wide public education campaign to encourage candidates to run and to promote voter participation for the upcoming school board elections being held on September 27, 2005. Called Their Future is in Your Hands, the campaign will include advertising, a new Web site at www.voteschoolboards.nl.ca, media relations and print materials.

�Children are our future business leaders, community leaders and workforce,� said Nada Borden, president, Newfoundland and Labrador School Boards Association. �Our children need a solid education system and effective school boards to support their development. Through this campaign, we will be communicating that the future of school boards, the education system and our children rests with all of us � the potential candidate and voter. This is a province-wide call to action because we all have a responsibility to get involved.�

Ms. Borden also explained that if more candidates do not put themselves forward to run for school boards, government will be forced to make appointments. She said, �This is not ideal for the boards or our communities.�

As part of this campaign, the association also launched a leadership recruitment program to be headed by local and national education advocate, Dr. Myrle Vokey. This is a grassroots contact program with community leaders and education champions from across the province joining forces to recruit candidates to run during the upcoming school board elections.

�School boards serve as an important link between our education system and the community,� said Dr. Vokey. �There can be no better way for a person to volunteer services than in the interest of children, in particular in the interests of children in our schools.�

�School boards are vital to the future of our children, our education system and ultimately, our communities,� said Ms. Borden. �Become a leader on your school board. The nomination deadline is Thursday, September 1. Have your voice heard by exercising your right to vote. Get out to vote on Tuesday, September 27!�

The Newfoundland and Labrador School Boards Association (NLSBA) was founded in 1971 and is entirely sponsored and directed by the province�s five school boards. Through the NLSBA, school boards undertake collaborative initiatives designed to foster and promote the interests of public schools and publicly elected school boards throughout the province.

Additional information about the campaign is available at www.voteschoolboards.nl.ca.

Media contact: Caron Hawco, ABC, Caron Hawco Communications Inc., (709) 738-5262 contact@caronhawco.com

BACKGROUND: LEADERSHIP RECRUITMENT

On August 25, the Newfoundland and Labrador School Boards Association launched a new Leadership Recruitment Program for the province�s school board elections taking place on September 27, 2005. Chaired by Dr. Myrle Vokey, this is a grassroots contact program with community leaders and education advocates from across our province joining forces to volunteer their time to recruit potential candidates for the upcoming school board elections.

Candidates or potential candidates are encouraged to contact a committee member in your area for information and insight into being a school board trustee.

Committee Members

Provincial Chair: Myrle Vokey


Western District
     Nada Borden
     June Alteen

Nova District
     Terry Brown
     Bill Sceviour
     Clar Brown

Eastern District
     Kathy LeGrow
     Brendan White
     Joan Marie Gatherall

Labrador
     Guy Elliot
     Keith Watts

2005 08 25                               2:50 p.m.