https://t.co/INGH1Dq4rF

https://t.co/INGH1Dq4rF

— Will Radle (@WillRadle) September 20, 2016

from Twitter https://twitter.com/WillRadle

Overview of The Community Foundation for the National Capitol Region (CFNCR)

The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region (CFNCR), formerly Foundation for the National Capital Region was formally incorporated in 1973 in Washington, DC when a group of leaders in the region including Hank Strong, Robert Linowes, and Katharine Graham came together. This organization is a public charity that serves in the greater Washington, D.C metropolitan region.

It is part of a network of over 700 community foundations in the United States. Each of the parties in this network are public charities that are exempted from taxes and are funded by organizations, corporations, families and individuals. According to the Council on Foundations, CFNCR happens to be 5th largest community foundation in the United States

With annual grants surpassing $ 90 million, it is the largest supporter of non- profit organization based in the metropolitan Washington region. This is based on the amount of grants paid. In terms of gifts received, it is the 9th largest in the country.

CFNCR primarily operates in various communities spreading from the District of Colombia, Northern Virginia and Maryland. The organization also has offices in Prince George’s county and Montgomery County where two affiliate foundations are based.

GOALS/ MISSION

The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region documents its main goal as seeking to improve and develop the metropolitan Washington region. It aims to achieve this by promoting charitable giving and effectively utilizing the funds to benefit the communities in the region. CFNCR offers leadership channels through which critical issues that affect the communities can be effectively handled.

The foundation also hopes to improve employment in its areas of operation by creating, offering and retaining jobs that can benefit the people living in the region. It is very important to note that the foundation does not limit its goals to the Washington metropolitan region.

It is also dedicated to driving change in areas beyond its bases of operation. CFNCR hopes to achieve this by helping other organizations, businesses and people realize their goals and consequently, this helps the community at large.

This community foundation offers competitive grant opportunities and these cover a variety of areas including but not limited to the arts, education, workforce and employment development, organizational and individual capacity-building, emergency services, violence prevention, family and children development as well as family literacy.

AREAS OF INTEREST

CFNCR currently has some key areas of interest as grant makers. Below is a detailed and comprehensive account of some of these areas.

EDUCATION

This foundation made it part of its goals to ensure that the youth who graduate from high school have access to post-secondary opportunities, education-wise or career-wise. Its main focus is on young people (16 – 24 years) who are disconnected.
Through intervention and prevention strategies, the foundation seeks to increase the number of such youth who would go on to achieve employment and education outcomes. It administers various scholarship funds for higher education. It is important to note that each of these scholarships bears specific qualification criteria and application processes and guidelines.

INDIVIDUAL GRANTS

CFNCR awards scholarships and grants to individuals from the Washington metropolitan region who have recognized talent, creativity, leadership qualities and vision. These grants are meant to stimulate productivity in the areas.

GREATER WASHINGTON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

The Greater Washington Workforce Development is a collaborative effort from several donor groups. It functions to assist low-income individuals in the Greater Washington region in getting and retaining jobs. This program achieves this by providing workers with top quality career training and other supportive services through which they may improve their skills. Through these actions, it aims to offer proper opportunities, wages and benefits that will bring about development in the area.

BLOGS

CFNCR uses their blog as an effective platform to keep Internet users informed on current events and developments concerning all the areas of interest of community foundations. This platform is also used to strengthen their agenda on improving communities through philanthropy. This was evident on a number of blog posts in response to the current gun violence issues that are affecting the country.

CFNCR has done an admirable job of improving the lives of the residents of the Washington region. This community foundation still has a lot to offer to children, the youth, seniors, economically disadvantages persons and low-income families through effective funding.

Keep reading about Overview of The Community Foundation for the National Capitol Region (CFNCR) at The Personal Website Of Will Radle

from Will Radle http://www.willradle.net/non-profit-organizations/overview-community-foundation-national-capitol-region-cfncr/

https://t.co/wC3imWjELq

https://t.co/wC3imWjELq

— Will Radle (@WillRadle) August 19, 2016

from Twitter https://twitter.com/WillRadle

Featured Non-Profit Organization: Jill’s House

Jill’s House is a resort-like center that offers overnight stays, which renew families by providing them with essential breaks during the difficulties associated with caring for special needs children. It’s specially equipped environment offers engaging activities for children who are disabled. The House aims at reforming the disability ministry and grants the families with special needs children, an accessible and affordable respite.

How Jill’s House was conceived

The idea of this respite center was brought along by Jill’s parents, Brenda and Lon Solomon. Jill was born with a seizure disorder, and while they cared for her, her parents felt the urge to provide her with some quality time out. The overnight respite was initiated and supported by McLean Bible Church members just in the time when Jill’s parents were in dire need of it. The vision was expanded on the realization of the need to incorporate many other families. From the time it was started, individual donations have been the backbone of the center. It also receives foundation grants but no federal funding.

The target group

The age range of children privileged to attend the overnight programs is between 6 to 17 years. The children are also allowed to bring their siblings along. For every child, there are safe and enjoyable programs customized to meet their individual needs. The center can house roughly 45 children in one night. Jill’s House is equipped with over 120 trained employees as well as over 1,000 volunteers as well as medical staff to support the needs of each individual child.

Available facilities

There is a large fireplace for gathering, an indoor pool, library, music room, computer room, a fully equipped playground, sensory rooms, gymnasium and a chapel. The nutritious meals consider dietary needs and the three neighborhoods have a medical clinic, room for playing games and another for watching movies. Each child has his/her room though they can share with their siblings. The facilities are adequate and ideal for the kids’ special needs.

The center covers a square footage of 42,000; it is equipped with 45 beds and innovative facilities to entertain the children. At the same time, it ensures their safety. All children engage in a specific activity that makes them active, rejuvenated, entertained and gives them the experience to learn new things. Backed up with the support of parents and guardians, the impact of these activities encourages the young ones to be the best in the things they do.

Most of the children get their first-time opportunities to party, swim, sing, create crafts, go camping and play their favorite games. It’s an all-fun moment that gives these children and their families a new exciting view on disability.

The relevance of Jill’s house

In the U.S., there are over 2 million families that have children with special needs. This is according to the 2010 US Census Bureau and most probably; the number has almost doubled now. The parents are often struggling to meet the emotional demands of their children since hiring qualified individuals who can be of help is expensive. Further, these children rarely get chances to take part in sleepovers, party with their friends or go camping. Their moments of entertainment are usually limited, and this is why Jill’s House comes in to fill the gap.

Additionally, children with intellectual disabilities require much attention, and their families are always on toes to fulfill their needs. These families need some resting time, to catch up or do the things they’ve been longing for but are caught up in attending to their needy children. They can only do this when they know that their beloved children are in safe hands.

The costs involved

Many trained volunteers are determined to improve the lives of the intellectually disabled children. With their help and support, Jill’s House has been able to offer its services at affordable rates. The average cost for an overnight stay per child is $600; this includes the cost of the full medical care provided. With the financial support from donations, individual families are left to contribute an approximate of $3 per hour for one child. These relatively cheap costs have encouraged parents from several states near Virginia to bring their children to get a gist of what the House offers.

Location

The headquarters of Jill’s House is in Vienna, Virginia and families from Maryland, Washington, California, Texas and Colorado can access its services. For more inquiries, or to take a virtual visit, go to JillsHouse.org.

Connect with Will Radle

Facebook
Google+
Youtube
Twitter

Keep reading about Featured Non-Profit Organization: Jill’s House at The Personal Website Of Will Radle

from Will Radle http://www.willradle.net/non-profit-organizations/featured-non-profit-organization-jills-house/

https://t.co/65rS3dnFMo

https://t.co/65rS3dnFMo

— Will Radle (@WillRadle) August 1, 2016

from Twitter https://twitter.com/WillRadle

https://t.co/GhFcb4LIXQ

https://t.co/GhFcb4LIXQ

— Will Radle (@WillRadle) July 15, 2016

from Twitter https://twitter.com/WillRadle

https://t.co/MrGxG4hVCg

https://t.co/MrGxG4hVCg

— Will Radle (@WillRadle) July 14, 2016

from Twitter https://twitter.com/WillRadle

https://t.co/rinPOkFwcP

https://t.co/rinPOkFwcP

— Will Radle (@WillRadle) July 14, 2016

from Twitter https://twitter.com/WillRadle

https://t.co/arXFvzHSk3

https://t.co/arXFvzHSk3

— Will Radle (@WillRadle) July 14, 2016

from Twitter https://twitter.com/WillRadle

https://t.co/4e0Kxnyqym

https://t.co/4e0Kxnyqym

— Will Radle (@WillRadle) July 14, 2016

from Twitter https://twitter.com/WillRadle

https://t.co/0i0RjEn0Vc

https://t.co/0i0RjEn0Vc

— Will Radle (@WillRadle) July 13, 2016

from Twitter https://twitter.com/WillRadle

https://t.co/7SYtgfiAb1

https://t.co/7SYtgfiAb1

— Will Radle (@WillRadle) July 13, 2016

from Twitter https://twitter.com/WillRadle

https://t.co/IGee3HdENf

https://t.co/IGee3HdENf

— Will Radle (@WillRadle) July 13, 2016

from Twitter https://twitter.com/WillRadle

Building A Culture Of Listening | Will Radle https://t.co/Yror4taSoX

Building A Culture Of Listening | Will Radle https://t.co/Yror4taSoX

— Will Radle (@WillRadle) July 13, 2016

from Twitter https://twitter.com/WillRadle

Tips to Increase Funding for Public Education

Recently, there have been reports that governments have slashed funding for public education, and this caused a lot of school districts to ask parents for help, and most parents responded to this call. Though, what can be done to encourage more donors to fund public schools? To answer that question, we have gathered some of the best tips to increase funding for public education.

1. Encourage the in-group to include the out-groups
When school leaders require the parents to raise money as a way to support the academic programs of their kids, this would drive wedges between the schools. A change like this can be much worse if the school district is heavily divided across lines of race, class, and citizenship status– just like the case in Santa Monica and San Francisco.

The solution? The in-group should be redefined in a way that people with many differences would be included. Research shows that the warmth a person feels toward and from another group can be completely predicted with the help of a competitive intent.

For instance, stereotyping immigrant children as taking resources away from the native-born would trigger a competitive mindset, racial discrimination, and would even negatively influence the potential donors. On the other hand, if education leaders would explain that immigration is an important part of American identity, then giving to public schools might make them feel better.

2. It should be easy and effective
To expand the circles of compassion and empathy, people should get over the assumption that donating money to public schools would be costly, emotionally tiresome, or wouldn’t even make a huge difference at all. This would curb their compassion and disengage.

Although empathy and compassion do come naturally for most, there are cases where people may unconsciously switch them off if they believe that their help would be useless and meaningless. As a way to encourage funding across school districts, parents and donors should know that their money would make a huge difference.

Also, showing the benefits of prosocial actions could give the assurance that the donations aren’t dropped in the bucket of large-scale infrastructural problems. Simply put, it would make them consistently help.

3. It should be specific and personal
Research shows that statistics nor abstractions don’t really motivate people to give most of the time. They are motivated by certain human qualities, such as faces. This is known as the “identifiable victim effect.” People would rather give to those they can identify, rather than to those who appear to be vague.

To encourage funding, it’s ideal to increase the extent to which the givers can allocate their funds to specific recipients, instead of having hundreds of dollars pool into an amorphous fund that gives the idea that their hard-earned money isn’t being used for a good cause.

Basically, allowing the sponsors to pick a classroom in a specific town, and donate directly to that classroom would be more personal.

4. Tell a good story
Specific stories, like ones with interesting characters whose lives have changed because of help, could trigger social connection. That said, stories don’t only communicate information, but they also build community and empathy.

Knowing someone else’s story, where they came from, what they do, and what you probably have in common could build a relationship, and gap bridges.

5. It should be voluntary
People don’t like the feeling of being forced to give. In fact, this can be the greatest barrier to the equitable distribution of both charitable funds and taxpayer.

However, if only school districts would take these important steps, then it would expand the in-group, making it more personal and effective. People should feel motivated that it would encourage them to contribute as a whole, and a lot would benefit from what they are going to give.

This is what the schools should be doing– enlist the corporations and individuals to shift charity to the most disadvantaged school because this would motivate the people to opt in.

Final Words

These are just some of the lessons that can be applied by school districts to raise more funds to support public school education.

Ultimately, the problem of under-funded schools can’t be resolved by charity alone; politicians and taxpayers should make education a priority. However, these principles can still help as it takes small steps to sustain and improve American public schools.

Keep reading about Tips to Increase Funding for Public Education at The Personal Website Of Will Radle

from Will Radle http://www.willradle.net/tips-increase-funding-public-education/

Significance of Extracurricular Activities for Children in Public Schools

Extracurricular activities like sports and art programs among others occur outside a normal classroom experience. They make it possible for students to improve their skills or establish their non-academic capabilities. They offer students the opportunities to learn the significance of individual & group responsibility, teamwork, completion, physical strength & endurance, diversity, as well as a sense of culture & diversity. In addition, extracurricular activities provide students with a reinforcement channel for lessons they have learned in class by giving them the chance to exercise their academic skills in real-life application. For this reason, extracurricular activities are considered necessary programs for a well-rounded education. On the other hand, most schools are eliminating extracurricular activities mainly because of lack of funds.

Common Benefits of Extracurricular Activities

Behavior– There has been a lot of research on the effect of extracurricular activities in students. Most researchers agree that students who take part in such activities perform better in class, have better relationships with their friends and educators, and have a greater chance of a leading healthy active lifestyles during their time after leaving school. According to research, the time after school is considered the most dangerous one as it is the time students engage in victimization and violent activities. Moreover, the ages between 12 and 17 are those that usually get involved in such poor behavior during the time. Since extracurricular activities mostly take part during this time, they are great at curbing students’ bad behavior. Children start learning about making their own decisions when they reach nine years of age. As a result, it is between the age of 9 and 17 years that they need to take part in extracurricular activities. This ensures that they remain under supervision, guidance as well as taking part in enriched learning experiences during their everyday life. This way, it is possible for them to resist unhealthy behaviors, for instance, criminal activities, gang involvement, and drug & alcohol use among other ill behaviors.

Better grades & positive attitude towards school – Academic performance is predicted by self-esteem. School loving students do well in class as they are motivated, unlike those who hate school. Taking part in an extracurricular activity program after school is quite motivating unlike using the time to complete homework. After school extracurricular activity programs give students a chance to form a positive as well as voluntary connection to the school.

Encourage school completion– Students, who participate in extracurricular activities love school, perform better and are most likely to complete school. Participation in extracurricular activities is even more advantageous for students who are at a higher risk of failure compared to normal achievers. This happens to be very important for students from groups with a high dropout rate, for instance, those with disabilities as well as those belonging to ethnic minorities.

Specific Extracurricular Activities and Their Benefits

Sports Programs

According to research, it is vital that students access sports as well as games. Sports programs help students in weight control, self-esteem, problem-solving , social competence, and as mentioned earlier, enhance their academic achievement. Again, sports programs result in reduced rates of teen pregnancies, juvenile arrests, and school dropout among other unwanted outcomes. They as well create important opportunities for student’s contribution to their schools as well as their whole community.

Art Programs

Art programs are very important, particularly in learning. Everyone uses art as they grow and live in the world. According to research, art programs are very important for students because they help in motor skills, language development, decision making, as well as in visual learning. Art education teaches students on interpreting, criticizing, as well as utilization of visual information and the manner in which to form choices on it’s basis.  Knowledge on the visual arts, for instance, graphic symbolism, is significant as it helps students become smart consumers as well as sail across the world full of marketing logos.

Music Programs

Everybody loves listening to music, singing, or even playing instruments. In spite of all these, music programs are being eliminated in most schools. Students benefit a lot and in various ways from music programs. Music programs help in mastery and memorization, student’s work improvement, increased coordination, sense of achievement, success in society, emotional development, learning pattern recognition, fine-tuned auditory skills, preparing for the creative economy, relaxing, creative thinking development, and teamwork among others.

Conclusion

Extracurricular activities play a significant role in the lives of students. They positively affect students’ behaviors, school completion, overall performance, socials aspects as well as positive aspects to form successful adults. Though most schools are eliminating extracurricular activity programs in schools, they should consider how they impact education. It is important to find ways to make extracurricular activities part of student’s everyday learning.

Keep reading about Significance of Extracurricular Activities for Children in Public Schools at The Personal Website Of Will Radle

from Will Radle http://www.willradle.net/significance-extracurricular-activities-children-public-schools/

Benefits of full day kindergarten vs. half day for children in the United States

Benefits of full day kindergarten vs. half day for children in the United States

It is natural for parents to want only the very best for their children, which is why more than half of the total of 3 million students in kindergarten are enrolled in full-day programs in the USA. The research has shown full-day kindergarten activities to be more efficient in imparting value education and essential skills than half the programs.
The findings of the study can be attributed to the simple fact that children who have been enrolled in a full day program to participate in many activities that involve reading, doing mathematics, participating in arts and crafts, and learning social studies.

Full-day versus half day – which one to choose?

An entire day developmental program offers a more relaxed atmosphere for the children so that they can take part in creative activities as well as build social skills along the way. A complete program leaves time for extracurricular activities like field trips, doing projects, playing games, and visiting the activity centers. Students who have had difficulty in the past due to delayed development, limited preschool experiences, or disabilities can have another chance in improving core areas that they might have missed out on learning in the past.

Students who attend a complete entire day curriculum have been observed to fulfill increased academic achievement and show more intuition for problem-solving. Even though there are people who chose half day programs over full-day because they feel it caters to the short attention span of children, numerous studies have shown that children can freely adapt to longer routines.

Advantages of full-day kindergarten

• Greater long-term achievement
• Greater achievement of children who have disabilities or have a low-income background
• Fewer grade retentions
• Higher scores in reading in the earlier grades
• More time spent in personalized instruction
• More time spent in casual play, less time in larger groups
• Greater social skills among children who are disadvantaged or belong to low-income families
• Higher independence and increased self-esteem
• Varied experiences in a calm and relaxing environment
• Teachers have more time to promote both formal and informal learning
• Children can focus better due to a lower portion of their daily education routine engaged in transitions to or from class
• Children who need special care and have low-income families tend to do well here

Statistics and trends

Statistics show that the percentage of children enrolled in full-day programs has more than doubled contrasted to children who are in half-day kindergarten since 1977. It has risen from 28% of all kindergartners in the year 1977 to 77% in 2013. A particularly steep increase was noticed between the years 1996 and 1998, and between the years 2002 and 2006. A study found that children enrolled in full-day programs earned higher scores on standardized math as well as reading tests through the second grade. A meta-analysis conducted recently also discovered that kindergartners in full-day programs were more likely to have greater attendance, improved self-confidence, and the ability to communicate and maintain social standards; on the downside, they also showed signs of a lack of positive attitude toward school.

Factors that influence the family’s decision

Some families considered a quality half day curriculum to be adequate for academic development and readiness for school while on the other hand, there are also families who are of the opinion that extra time spent in community settings of a full day program is beneficial for their children. Leaving personal preferences aside, it has been found that children who have had limited opportunities for learning, and social experiences might benefit from being enrolled in full-day kindergarten as it is the best opportunity to make up for lost time. There is absolutely no evidence at all that might suggest that the entire day programs might be harmful to the children.

Are half day programs any good at all?

As discussed earlier, half day programs also have their merits but it is clearly not as effective as a full day curriculum. So it can be said that children will benefit more if they learned in a relaxed environment throughout the day rather than trying to cram lessons in half the time, which might cause fatigue and leave children uninterested in further lessons

Keep reading about Benefits of full day kindergarten vs. half day for children in the United States at The Personal Website Of Will Radle

from Will Radle http://www.willradle.net/benefits-full-day-kindergarten-vs-half-day-children-united-states/

Public Education Underfunded in Fairfax County, VA

Public Education Underfunded in Fairfax County, VA

Fairfax County Public Schools have joined an ever-growing list of school districts from around the nation of school districts coming up short on funding for children’s education. This lax funding is affecting public education at every level, from kindergarten through grade twelve, and is indicative of a much broader issue. All across the Commonwealth of Virginia, public education funding is being cut – with potentially devastating consequences lurking just down the road for our future workforce and economy.

Bad Formulas Cost Virginia Schools $800M Per Year

During the recent economic recession, Virginia’s cash-strapped government altered the formulas that it uses to determine how much money needs to be spent on each school district. The result of this alteration was that the government reduced by more than half a billion dollars annually the funding that formerly went to Virginia’s public schools. With the state economy on the rebound, however, most of these formulas have not been restored to their previous levels. Researchers at the Richmond-based Commonwealth Institute have gone on record as suggesting that the current formulas applied to calculate the needs of individual school districts ignore the actual cost involved in providing an education to a student.

The implication being made is that these changes in public schools’ funding allocations were designed, not to provide a temporary economic boost during lean times, but to provide long-term annual investment reductions under the guise of an austerity measure. As the Commonwealth of Virginia’s largest jurisdiction, Fairfax County has been hit the hardest: viewed objectively, a reduction in the proportion of state funding spent on public education leaves more students behind in Fairfax than anywhere else in Virginia by way of a sheer count of heads.

Supporters of a recent proposal by Governor Terry McAuliffe, that more funds be allocated to support the hiring of additional teachers, argue that Virginia’s funding changes suggest a lack of understanding as to how education works – an inability to grasp the fact that certain resources are necessary to ensure a well-rounded education, and that small changes can have a ripple effect over time as the absence of key personnel and once-funded programs are applied to successive generations of students.

Local Issues in Fairfax County

Current legislative concerns regarding the allocation of funds to the Fairfax County educational system can be viewed here.

Many concerned individuals view these proceedings with a healthy degree of skepticism. They point to the overwhelming abundance of language suggesting that current cuts in funding – which are demonstrably the result of changes initially made for purely financial reasons – are due to a variety of other reasons in the present day.

The Republican-led Virginia state legislature strongly opposes any additional funding for public education. They say that current funding is adequate, that any issues are due to mismanagement, and that cuts in spending are the result of assessments as to how a given school district is performing.

To many, this sounds a bit too evasive; it is a given that the formulas for assessing public education spending incorporate the performance of school districts into their consideration. Revisiting the point doesn’t explain why, post-recession, said formulas have not been restored to their previous state.

Keep reading about Public Education Underfunded in Fairfax County, VA at The Personal Website Of Will Radle

from Will Radle http://www.willradle.net/public-education-underfunded-fairfax-county-va/

A Plan That Lowers Risk & Costs

Transcript:

I’m Will Radle. With 20 years experience serving on state, regional and local public committees as well as non-profit boards, my focus remains creating effective, sustainable solutions to the challenges confronting our community.

Friends, you have the privilege and the responsibility of advocating the best interests of Fairfax County and our people.  We have an interesting history.  In 1988, Fairfax County issued $251.9 million dollars in revenue bonds to construct this incinerator following a unanimous vote by the board to issue up to $300 million dollars in revenue bonds on October 28th, 1986. Tom Davis and Chairman Jack Harrity voted for it.

Now, you may buy the same incinerator at fair market value and keep the same operator.  Fairfax County is engaged in active discussions with Covanta at this time because of our previously negotiated purchase option.

I am here to provide good counsel.  Rather than renting the incinerator through 2031 when Covanta’s land lease expires, or buying the incinerator now, or facing an unknown market in five years and competing for trash solutions, I recommend a fourth choice that has not been discussed.

In my opinion, a wiser choice would be acquiring another purchase option set for 2016.  This new purchase option benefits both the County and our contractor as it puts our decision point at or near our change point in 2016. Covanta will be able to offer terms at that time and we will make an informed decision knowing better the trash and energy markets as well as the regulatory environment of 2016. Our community will be more certain of the consequences and the benefits of our decision in 2016.

My plan lowers risk  and costs. I recommend we structure the new purchase option as a compromise between the do nothing and the rent options put forward by the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services.  Rather than increasing tipping fees by 30% and then up to 50% by 2016, we cut the proposed fee increases in half leading up to 2016.  Our reserve posture in negotiations remain doing nothing and entering the open market in 2016 for at least 15 years. According to county staff doing nothing remains the lowest cost option for the next 5 years. Fairfax County should not reduce our revenue participation when we may grow energy revenues exponentially through PJN.  As increased revenues materialize, we can offset increased fees.

In closing, let’s see a show of hands.  Who is ready to look into the eyes of a parent, the parent of a child who does not have access to full day kindergarten and explain how you voted to invest $418 million dollars to buy an incinerator that may or may not enable us to burn trash more cheaply in 18 years?

Keep reading about A Plan That Lowers Risk & Costs at The Personal Website Of Will Radle

from Will Radle http://www.willradle.net/plan-lowers-risk-costs/

Will Radle: Unifying Force for Fairfax County Will Radle

Hi I’m Will Radle, first I want to acknowledge thousands of our neighbors who quietly serve the community of Fairfax County.  Volunteers make in important difference in our community everyday.  With over 20 years experience serving on state, regional, local public committees as well as non profit boards. My focus remains on creating effective sustainable solutions to the challenges facing our community.

Standing here on March 29th, I shared how to prevent future governors from denying Fairfax County our fair share of funding for public education.  Friends I also shared that it is your responsibility and privilege to advocate for the best interest of Fairfax County and our people.

We need to advocate for fair treatment for Fairfax County taxpayers and students.  In the past quarter, the 13 weeks since March 29th we have not heard a peep, a whisper, a word showing you’re ready to fight for our community.  The taxpayers of Fairfax County subsidize other taxpayers at an annual cost of 501 million dollars annually to meet a state mandate.  This amount represents more than 24% of the revenues we generate through real estate taxes.

Let me share how our real estate taxes are driven up by 31.5% to subsidize other taxpayers in meeting a state mandate.  The general assembly has two methods of funding it’s core requirement for basic education.  The first is state income taxes, which is fair in every locality as every taxpayer pays the same income tax rates.  However, what is unfair is that they look to Fairfax County and they ask us to carry a larger burden share (rounding to whole numbers) 72% of the cost and they ask other localities (Lee County) to carry 17% of the cost.

What is their argument for increasing our tax burden to subsidize other taxpayers.  Well, they say that Fairfax County is rich and other localities are poor.  Did you know that every year at least one month (according to community needs assessment) 25% of Fairfax County households are unable to meet their basic needs.  25% of Fairfax County residents is 275,000 Virginians.  Do you want to look at them and tell them they are rich? It’s unfair.  There is only one real estate tax and it’s driven up 31.5%.  The voters of Fairfax County elect 22.5% of our state senators and 17% of our state delegates.  Since march 29th, I’ve had the privilege of speaking with democratic and republican senators and delegates.  What they’ve shared with me is that there is the need for unifying force, and that unifying force should be the chairman and board of supervisors standing up and speaking for our community.  Thank you

Keep reading about Will Radle: Unifying Force for Fairfax County Will Radle at The Personal Website Of Will Radle

from Will Radle http://www.willradle.net/will-radle-unifying-force-fairfax-county-will-radle/

Will Radle: New Vision For County Leadership

Transcript of Will Radle’s Speech

Hi I’m Will Radle, with over 20 years experience serving on state, regional, local public committees as well as non profit boards. My focus remains on creating effective sustainable solutions to the challenges facing our community.

In the one page document distributed by the clerk I share how to prevent future governors from denying Fairfax County our fair share of funding for basic education.

I share how to increase local control, how to increase support from Richmond by over 501 million dollars annually, without increasing taxes Virginians pay.  In fact following my plan, the Fairfax County household with the median household income and average property value will realize the tax reduction.   My plan directly benefits every locality in the commonwealth except for one,  Lee County in southwest Virginia indirectly benefits.

We create our choices.  Fairfax could lower real estate taxes by over 23% to 83 cent per 100$ of assessed value. Household of the median income and the average assessed home value would realize over 400$ in tax savings while county revenues would remain relatively flat. Or we could lower real estate taxes by over 14% to 93 cents per 100 dollars of assessed value.  Taxpayers would realize a modest tax reduction while county revenues would increase by 193 million dollars to address local priorities.

With my plan we will take control of our roads, address traffic congestion and provide solutions for the challenges created by Barack.  We will restore cuts in public safety. We will quicken our capital improvement program for our county and schools.  We will fund full day kindergarten without placing other children in substandard facilities.  We will protect and strengthen our safety net of human services.  We will award a pay raise to county and school employees for the first time in years.  We will provide tax relief.  Our budget is a statement of our communities values not just a book of numbers.  We will honor our local priorities.

Before closing, I want to thank Kristin Michael and Brian Logwood the budget director of Fairfax County public schools and the Virginia department of education respectively.  I also want to thank marcia wilds of Fairfax county’s department of management and budget.  Friends you have done your best in a difficult time.  As I said standing here in February you have the privilege and responsibility to advocate the best interest of Fairfax County and our people.  The question remains of course, whether will you do this work or wait for new leadership. Thank you.

Keep reading about Will Radle: New Vision For County Leadership at The Personal Website Of Will Radle

from Will Radle http://www.willradle.net/will-radle-new-vision-county-leadership/

Will Radle: Building A Culture Of Listening

Will Radle listens to his community

Transcript

Hi I’m Will Radle.  Reading local community newspapers I saw a need to listen.  There were over 250 of our local neighbors in the Dranesville District who signed a petition after the planning commission saying that they had not been heard and had not been informed.  Supervisor Foust did an excellent job convening two meetings, the first on june 1st and there was a sizeable crowd and then the second was last week on thursday.  Again, additional people came expressing concern.  I think this is an issue not only for Dranesville but for all of fairfax county and we can follow the lead of some supervisors such as Supervisor Highland who has an active and engaged process. But even from that process there are some persons who believe they have not been heard.

Let me read from the connection newspaper Mt Vernon Gazette April 28th

During the existence of division task force on january 2nd 2011 the speaker Jay Speigel who is an active writer in our local paper.  He proposed the following statement be incorporated in land use committees report.

“we must improve the advisor role of community umbrella organizations by more closely scrutinizing the extense of the neighborhoods and citizenry that they claim to represent. And ensuring that positions that they take in their advisory capacity are representative of the mainstream of community thought rather than the personal views of those who serve on their committees and boards.”

In Dranesville and Great Falls throughout my ten hours investment of time, listening and hearing what people had to say.  There is an overwhelming sense that we need to review the process to strengthen inclusion, to strengthen information that people need to receive in a timely fashion.  Because, we certainly wouldn’t want a 57000 sq ft facility going up next door without people feeling like that have been heard.

Keep reading about Will Radle: Building A Culture Of Listening at Will Radle . Net

from Will Radle http://www.willradle.net/will-radle-building-culture-listening/