Toll Fellows

Trey Grayson discusses Harvard poll on MSNBC's The Dylan Ratigan Show

2004 Toll Fellow and Harvard Institute of Politics Director, Trey Grayson, appeared yesterday on The Dylan Ratigan Show to discuss Harvard's latest poll detailing young voter sentiment.  Check it out!

 

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

CSG mourns loss of 2002 Toll Michael DeBose

Dear Toll Fellows -

It is with great sadness that we share the news that former Ohio Rep. Michael DeBose, Toll Class of 2002, died Monday, April 23.  Michael, 58, has struggled for several years with Parkinson's disease and succombed to an infection yesterday.  

Michael, a Cleveland native, represented District 12 from 2002 until 2010 when we was forced to retire by term limits.  During his tenure in the state legislature, he was known for working across the aisle on many issues and voting for what he believed in regardless of the party line.  Outside the statehouse, Michael worked tirelessly to improve his community.  He was the co-founder of the Cleveland School of the Arts' parent-teacher association and was a trustee of the school's friends group.

Our thoughts are with Micahel's family, including his wife, Cheryl, and their three children, Shalimar, Michael and Krystal during this difficult time.  We count ourselves lucky to have gotten to know Michael through his participation with CSG and are deeply saddened by his passing.  Michael will be missed and remembered.

Sincerely -
David Adkins & the staff at The Council of State Governments 

2012 Toll Fellows Program: Applications due FRIDAY!

Applications for the 2012 Toll Fellows Program are due this Friday!  If you recommended someone - check with them and make sure they've submitted their materials.

You haven't recommended anyone yet? What are you waiting for?! Write a recommendation letter and encourage a colleague to apply today!

Applications are available and can be uploaded at www.csg.org/TollFellowsApplication

Toll Fellows, thank you, as always, for helping us recruit another amazing class!

CSG mourns loss of 2007 Toll Carl Gatto

Dear Toll Fellows -

It is with great sadness that we share the news that Alaska Rep. Carl Gatto, Toll Class of 2007, died Tuesday, April 10 after a long battle with cancer.  Carl, who was just finishing his fifth term in the legislature, will be remembered for his years of service to his state.  Carl served as chair of the House Judiciary Committee and the Military & Veterans' Affairs Special Committee.  Before running for public office, Carl served as a teacher and as a local firefighter and paramedic with the Anchorage Fire Department.

Our thoughts are with Carl's family, including his wife, Cathy, and their four children, Kip, Antonia, Samantha and Gabriel during this difficult time.  We count ourselves lucky to have gotten to know Carl through his participation with CSG and are deeply saddened by his passing.  The citizens of Alaska and The Council of State Governments benefited greatly from Carl's service.  He will be missed and remembered.

Sincerely-
David Adkins & the staff at The Council of State Governments 

It's not too late to "Protect Your Online Identity"

A few weeks ago 2011 Toll Fellow Brian Selander and CSG staffer Nathan Dickerson shared their tips for security your online identity during a webinar sponsored by CSG's National Leadership Center.  If you missed the webinar it's not too late!  A recording is available on the Leadership Center website along with the supporting document "5 Things You Should Know About Your Online Profile."  Check out both great resources now!

Then register for the Spring Leadership Conference in La Quinta and join Brian as he discusses how to craft an effective message!

2011 Toll Fellow Steve Farley running for Congress

Arizona lawmaker Steve Farley recently announced he is running for Congress.  Farley is seeking to fill the seat left vacant by the resent resignation of Gabriel Giffords. Giffords, as you will remember, was tragically injured during last year's shooting at one of her town hall events. 

Farley has served in the Arizona legislature since 2006.  If he is successful, Farley will join ten other Toll Fellows in Congress.  Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and House members Diane Black (TN), John Carney (DE), Henry Cuellar (TX), Colleen Hanabusa (HI), Bill Huizenga (MI), Todd Rokita (IN), Adam Schiff (CA), Timothy Murphy (PA) and Chellie Pingree (ME) are currently representing their states on the Hill.

2012 Toll Application Deadline Rapidly Approaching

The early months of each year are full of activity for state officials - new sessions, budgets negotiations - and in a major election year life is even crazier.  But don't forget to put "Recommend a Toll" on your to-do list this March!  We are less than two months away from the April 20th application deadline - recruit your state's next rising star today!

For more information visit us at the Leadership Center!

Afghan leader offers interesting profile of female leadership

Last week we shared Steven Pinker's work exploring the impacts of female leadership on society.  Pinker forwards that increasing numbers of female leaders have played a significant role in creating a more peaceful world society.

Yesterday, NPR's Morning Edition spoke with one leader who seems to embody Pinker's claims.  Fawzia Koofi is Afghanistan's first female deputy speaker and she has dedicated her life to creating a more peaceful and stable society in her home country.  Check out her amazing story!

What do you think? Does female leadership help temper a society's violent tendencies?

Protecting Your Online Identity

Today's public official cannot escape the use of online communication, whether it's traditional websites and email or the rapidly expanding world of social media interfaces like Facebook, Twitter and Google+. This swift increase of a personal online presence can seem daunting, especially as one ponders how to protect a carefully crafted public image while also being relevant and ever-accessible to the public.

 Join us on Thursday, March 15th from 2-3 p.m. EST for a free webinar discussing how to effectively use today's online communication tools while also controlling your online image. Topics will include how to police your online identity, how to respond to online "attacks" and how to craft a cohesive online communication strategy.  Registration is free - register now!

Scheduled speakers are:

Brian Selander, 2011 Toll Fellows and chief strategy officer for DE Gov. Jack Markell
In his current position as chief strategy officer for Delaware Governor Jack Markell, Brian uses his background in communications and political strategy to "make the governor's vision a reality." As the former press secretary for various politicians including Delaware US Senator Tom Carper and New Jersey Assemblyman Bob Smith, Selander brings considerable communications expertise to this task. Selander has excelled at taking advantage of new media outlets such as Web outreach, Facebook, Twitter and other formats to spread his clients' messages far and wide. In fact, his work crafting Sen. Carper's Web outreach campaign earned a "Golden Mouse Award," awarded annually by the Congressional Management Foundation to the best congressional websites. In addition to his work in Delaware politics, Selander also has held his own as a talk radio host and a writer for The Courier News in new Jersey.

Nathan Dickerson, CSG Research Analyst
Nathan Dickerson joined CSG in 2009.  With an academic and professional background in public policy, technology and communications, he is the lead coordinator of CSG's social media presence.

Protecting Your Online Identity is sponsored by CSG's National Leadership Center.  Register today! 

More women leaders key to world peace?

While a completely peaceful world may never be a reality, a recent study and book by Harvard psychologist Steven Pinker forwards that the world would be a more peaceful place if more women were in charge.

In his new book, The Better Angels of Our Nature, Pinker claims "over the long sweep of history, women have been and will be a pacifying force."  Anyone who has served among mixed gender colleagues can probaby testify to the traditionally different leadership styles of men and women.  For more on these stylistic differences and what the increasingly diversified face of world leadership may mean for our future check out this great summary report on CNN and then share your thoughts on the difference between male and female leaders!