The National Civic League this week named Rancho Cordova among the finalists for the 2010 All-America City Award, the nation's oldest and most prestigious civic recognition award.
The finalist status sets in motion an eight-week sprint to pull together a delegation and presentation and raise funds for a trip during which Rancho Cordova will make its case to be awarded what has been described as the "Nobel Prize" of civic accomplishment.
The competition will be held in Kansas City June 16-18.
Something new for 2010: The National Civic League is holding their first "All-America Stories" competition. This multimedia award is separate from the "official" All-America City Award. It is not a requirement for finalists, but we would greatly appreciate your participation and it should be fun! Please check out our submission. Would love to hear your comments and the video or about Rancho Cordova as YOUR All America City (you can post below).
"These are some of the most innovative communities in the country," said National Civic League President Gloria Rubio-Cortez of the finalists. "They give us hope and inspiration and teach us important lessons about leveraging the civic energy of ordinary people to address difficult challenges during some tough economic times."
To become a finalist, each participant completed an application documenting three community projects that address their most pressing challenges. Each finalist will send a delegation to Kansas City to tell their stories of positive community change to a jury of civic experts. The 10 All-America Cities will be announced on June 18.
The Rancho Cordova application was crafted by the Cordova Community Council and features three signature projects which will be examined by a national panel of judges. One of the projects must focus on youth.
Rancho Cordova's application includes:
Project 680, the grassroots effort led by Cordova Towne neighborhood activist Ryan Lundquist, which collects everyday items such as socks, underwear and shoes to benefit homeless children in the Folsom Cordova Unified School District. The project draws its name from the 680 children who have been identified as homeless in the FCUSD.(Project 680 is a 2010 Cordova Community Council Volunteer Awards winner.Read all about it at www.cordovacouncil.org.)
Rancho Cordova Cultural Heritage (Saturday) Schools, a collaborative effort of immigrant parents and the Folsom Cordova Unified School District to preserve and honor arts and culture of mother countries. The project builds bridges between immigrant groups and the community at-large, has improved academic performance among immigrant children and has provided for cultural enrichment for the entire population of the city. (Learn more about iFest at www.cordovacouncil.org)
The Rancho Cordova City Hall project, which is providing a "civic heart" for the new city, incubating business and community engagement, as well as serving as a home for municipal services. The City Hall project has fostered important civic links as the community matures as an incorporated city and is a symbol of change and progress in a city striving to change its image.
"We are proud of our application and think that it reflects what we are all about at this point in our civic history," said Shelly Blanchard, executive director of the Cordova Community Council. "It showcases how people work with business, work with government and work together across many sectors to improve our community. It is about our collaborative, unfaltering belief in our bright future."
This is the second bite at the apple for Rancho Cordova, which was named a 2009 All America City finalist, and was the youngest city in the competition last year.
To learn more about how to become a TEAM RANCHO CORDOVA SPONSOR please email shelly@cordovacouncil.org or call (916) 273-5704.
Comments
There are currently no comments available.
Post a Comment*
*Comments are posted upon review and at the discretion of the website moderator.
NOTE: To contact this business directly, use the form in the left column.
Highlights
VOTE FOR OUR VIDEO:
Are YOU in our movie? Rancho Cordova is in hot pursuit of the ALL AMERICA CITY AWARD. We're so proud to be a finalist! Part of the excitement surrounding the competition is a MULTI-MEDIA COMPETITION.
NOW IT IS TIME TO VOTE! Check it out ... you may be a STAR! CLICK HERE and vote for your favorite hometown: RANCHO CORDOVA! While you are there, take a few minutes to size up the competition. There are 25 finalists in all. Not all of them entered the MULTI-MEDIA COMPETITION -- But we sure did!
Forward this page to your contacts and ask them to vote as well. The winner will be announced on June 18. Fingers crossed on Rancho Cordova winning it all in 2010!
We're packing our bags... Can you help?
Rancho Cordova is off to Kansas City to compete for the "Nobel Prize" of civic accomplishment: The All-America City Award. Our TEAM OF CITIZENS takes off on June 15 with high hopes of bringing home the coveted prize. We are seeking sponsors to help with the expenses of the trip.
CAN WE COUNT ON YOU?
Sponsorship opportunities include:
YOUTH SPONSOR: Pick up the costs of one of the two outstanding teenagers who are making the trip to represent the promising youth of our community.
CITIZEN SPONSOR: Assist in travel expenses for dedicated members of our delegation who represent our wonderful city!
SENIOR SPONSOR: Contribute to the travel costs of a senior citizen who is part of our delegation.
HOMETOWN HERO SPONSOR: Assist an educator, a dedicated faith leader or outstanding community servants to homeless children -- our HOMETOWN HEROES -- who will be part of the delegation telling our story.
Please say "YES" to Rancho Cordova's All-America City bid by sending a tax deductible donation of any size to:
Cordova Community Council Foundation All-America City Award Fund 2729 Prospect Park Dr. Suite 117
Rancho Cordova CA 95670
You will receive a receipt for tax purposes and become part of our TEAM RANCHO CORDOVA SPONSORS. Thank you for the support!
Want to help by hosting a fund-raising event for TEAM RANCHO CORDOVA? Please email shelly@cordovacouncil.org or call (916) 273-5704.
Other All-America City finalists include:
Chandler, AZ
Bentonville, AR
Dublin, CA
Lynwood, CA
Vernon Central (neighborhood) CA
Miami Lakes, FL
North Miami. FL
Acworth, GA
Belleville, IL
Canton, IL
Noblesville, IN
Des Moines, IA
Lenexa, KS
Scott County, KS
Bowling Green, KY
Salisbury, MD
Ferguson, MO
Riverside, MO
Lynbrook, NY
Gastonia, NC
West Chester, OH
Wyoming, OH
Mount Pleasant, SC
El Paso, TX
Abingdon, VA
Middleton, WI
Their applications address everything from diversifying the labor force and providing affordable housing options to overcoming financial hurdles to serve the needs of youth.
The National Civic League is a 116-year-old nonpartisan nonprofit organization that strengthens democracy by increasing the capacity of citizens to fully participate in and build healthy and prosperous communities across America.
For more about the competition, visit www.ncl.org.
XLeration Services does not research, verify or endorse the information posted on this website. Information and links provided
does not imply or infer a warranty (express or implied) about products or
services. Use of this information is voluntary and will not result in any
liability against XLeration Services. Full legal disclaimer
