DEMOCRACY

FOR LINCOLN PARK

Sandi — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:10:30 EDT

Federal Law (Titles 10, 2, and 18, United States Code), Department of Defense (DOD) Directives, and specific military regulations strictly limit a military active duty person's participation in partisan political activities.
DOD defines "partisan political activity" as "activity supporting or relating to candidates representing, or issues specifically identified with, national or State political parties and associated or ancillary organizations."
A "Nonpartisan political activity is defined as "activity supporting or relating to candidates not representing, or issues not specifically identified with, national or State political parties and associated or ancillary organizations. Issues relating to constitutional amendments, referendums, approval of municipal ordinances, and others of similar character are not considered as specifically being identified with national or State political parties."
The military wants its personnel to participate in our democratic process -- within limits. DOD encourages active duty military members to vote, and has established several programs to help active duty personnel to register and cast absentee ballots. What career military officer or senior NCO has never had to pull a stint as unit "voting officer," or "voting NCO?" But, when it comes to actively campaigning for a specific political candidate or partisan objective, the military draws the line.
It should be noted that these prohibitions do not apply to members of the National Guard or Reserves, unless they are currently serving on active duty. For the purposes of political activity restrictions, DoD defines active duty as: Full-time duty in the active military service of the United States regardless of duration or purpose, including:
• Full-time training duty;
• Annual training duty; and
• Attendance, while in the active military service, at a school designated as a Service school.
What Active Duty Members Can and Cannot Do
Can - Register, vote, and express a personal opinion on political candidates and issues, but not as a representative of the Armed Forces.
Can - Promote and encourage other military members to exercise their voting franchise, if such promotion does not constitute an attempt to influence or interfere with the outcome of an election.
Cannot - Participate in any organized effort to provide voters with transportation to the polls if the effort is organized by, or associated with, a partisan political party or candidate.
Cannot - Speak before a partisan political gathering, including any gathering that promotes a partisan political party, candidate, or cause.
Cannot - Participate in any radio, television, or other program or group discussion as an advocate for or against of a partisan political party, candidate, or cause.
Can - Join a political club and attend its meetings when not in uniform.
Cannot - Serve in any official capacity or be listed as a sponsor of a partisan political club.
Cannot - March or ride in a partisan political parade.
Cannot - Sell tickets for, or otherwise actively promote, political dinners and similar fundraising events.
Can - Serve as an election official, if such service is not as a representative of a partisan political party, does not interfere with military duties, is performed when not in uniform, and has the prior approval of the Secretary concerned or the Secretary's designee (example, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Army, Secretary of the Air Force, ect.).

I HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS IN IRAQ

Sandi — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:26:14 EDT

I am truly offended! I think it is disgusting that pretend or REAL Service members are being used in politics. Of which, active service members are not allowed to be politically active.

I am tired of politicians and political operatives using them. They die and I have had family members die. These young men and women join the Service to protect this nation and to protect us.

I am tired of politicians using POW's to slander and use in politics by political operatives that have no moral fiber in their bones.

I would appreciate the respect be given for those women and men in Iraq today, and stop all this crap.

THIS IS ABOUT HOW TO HELP PEOPLE NOW BECAUSE THERE IS A CONTINUATION OF JOBS BEING LOST

Sandi — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:03:01 EDT

As you all know employees are my business. Well, small businesses are closing their doors, it is affecting me too, but that is besides the point.

Today, I went out to find help for the employees that are being layed off from their jobs. The Department of Labor has the Faith Based groups tucked into their Labor Department. No one knows how to use them, I as an HR Person cannot tell an employee to go to Church. So this afternoon, I interviewed them to find what services they offer and if they have to be of that faith. My mission is how can I stear these employees in the right direction so they can survive.

So if you have family members being layed off or friends, this is what I found.

The federal government just funded effective July 1, 2008 training. There is not much money there, but call now to get an appointment. Anyone in a bind, hours being taken away from an employee, on unemployment or not on unemployment. They can participate. The funds will be given as to how much the person is making. To find out more of the program, and if you want to get your CDL license, nursing, care taker, computer - almost anything. Go to the Unemployment office and find out where the nearest One Stop is. The money will go fast and this is just a now temporary solution, so if you know anyone that wants further education now. TELL THEM

After interviewing several faiths, I found Catholic Social Services the best. They, in this area anyway, offer health care. The fees are low and if xrays or tests need to be done, they will take small payments. Each area, has different fees. They will also pay electric bills, and will help with other bills.

Well, this is just a public service, because most do not know what they can do. So this is for your family members and friends to help them.

VOTING FOR DIFFERENT REASONS

Sandi — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:29:26 EDT

We all vote for different reasons, some good some not so good. This is my criteria.

I can't say I need to vote for someone that has had MY experiences or that might live down the street from me or my race or gender.

I hire people and I fire people because of competencies. That is my profession. I am a Human Resource Professional, and I am pretty good at my job. I hire people everyday for jobs: a clerk, a janitor, an engineer, a bank teller, a scientist, a vice president, or a CEO. I am not saying that likability is not a factor in hiring, but it is just a small part of a vast array of competencies I look for. And, it depends on the job that they are going to fill. Some need a more like factor than others. I never look at them and think, are they like me? Some jobs I do not fit in nor have the skills or experience to do them. So that is a silly factor to me.

I choose who I vote for the same way. Here is some of the criteria I am looking for in a President.

Experience in government - this skill is needed because like in any organization it is a living breathing body. Organizational culture is different in every organization, it has rules that are said and unsaid and the culture says if it is going to follow those rules or not. The culture also dictates if things are going to get done or not. When I hire an executive or rather a CEO to be reviewed and actually hired by the Board of Directors I look at several things. First the culture and what is needed. What negatives do they have in this culture, what positives do they have in this culture. Will this person fit. What is the conflict or the pressing problem that this company needs to change. We call it gaps in my business. The Board is really very clear in the gaps and what they think they need. I too being an HR professional have already viewed, solved their problems or not solved their problems due to the culture so I truly know these gaps. I talk about them with the board, and 99 percent of the time they agree. So, I have my two cents to put in too to move the company forward. They succeed, I succeed. I look at who can lead to turn the culture around or keep the status quo.

The Interview:

Can this person be respected, how do they present themselves, are they honest and have good communication skills, did they lie, can they sell an idea or a change, what is that idea, is it clear, what is the path they want to take to get to that goal, what have they reformed, who are their friends and references, how do they handle themselves during a crisis in a similar or comparable position and make those tough decisions and most importantly what have they done in the past. Can they roll up their sleeves. What are the results? Failures are ok if their a lessons learned - what did they learn and how did they change it.

Cultures are very hard to change, they are pretty much like disfunctional families. If change is what is needed the key ingrediants I look for are stamina, courage, and determination. Do they bend too easily or give up to soon - Are they weak, do they settle, do they flip flop. Do they whine and change their mind or float all over the map with principles. I also look for the bull shit factor: What they say and what they have actually done in the past. How they say it, I write these things down because I am going to check and any bull shit is a negative for the prospective CEO. Interviews are the time that the bull shit is fresh and huge! The bull shit factor is found when they are presenting themselves and speaking. Words mean nothing, deeds and past actions mean everything! I can spot a bull shitter, a slacker miles away, a prima-donna. I look to see how they can connect with people, and that first connection is with me. I am layed back and down to earth, can he or she meet my expectation? Can he or she shift to that style. That is were the real leadership is found - the one on one. Will he or she be able to connect to all employees from the janitor to the Board of Directors. I look directly in their eyes, a handshake, how they hold their body, do they fold their arms, how they sit in the chair, what questions they ask and how do they ask them - what is the body language and what do they think of themselves. That is just the interview. I talk about their family, and I meet them. I take them out to dinner. I then interview the wife. She does not know that I am doing it but I am watching her and I am talking about and listening to her thoughts about her family. How does she present herself, is she smart, is she a professional. Who does she think she is and what is her confidence level. What does she think about her family, her struggles, her hang-ups, her definition. I have not hired some candidates just because of their wifes. I do not ever hire someone if the wife is a bitch. I will be real clear here, bitchy wifes cause too many problems for the CEO and the company he is trying to lead. And, no one respects him. The wife has to respect him first and utmost. I do not want to hear about his dirt, or that he does not pick up his clothes.

Then I hit that resume:

I run a credit check, a criminal check. I check out every personal reference, every business reference. I look to see if this person rides on the back of someone else's coat-tails or ideas for accomplishments, and what original ideas have they came up with on their own. I guess I look for creativity and honesty. What original idea and what was the path that they took to get this idea accomplished. This is where the real test is. What has this person actually done. I am not looking for what ifs, I am looking for results and experience.

I do not hire on race, religion, gender, disabilities, or any other Federal protected class. I hire on experience, presentation, honesty, proven ability and the resume. I do not hire on what ifs.

This is a job and I want that job done well. At this point, I have not found a viable candidate to fill the job of President. If I have 2 bad candidates, I look further.

OK JACKIE

Sandi — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:51:02 EDT

I am waiting for your stories, you heard my confessions.

On the Streets in Tucson, AZ

Sandi — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 21:49:25 EDT

I have been working Dem campaigns for a very long time. Usually, everyone has their chose stickers on their vehicles. I saw Hillary stickers, about 12 of them on cars, not one Obama sticker. I also saw a van, that had written white lettering on the windows.

This is what it said:

2nd Amendment, If you can stand up for it Obama, NO VOTE FOR YOU!

Another Window said: How can you tell when Obama is lieing? When he opens his mouth.

This district is the blue district of Arizona, and I mean blue! First time, I ever saw the anger and non-participation.

Just thought I would share. The only other thing disturbing was a dead man laying on the side of the road. I am not sure what happened, maybe he was hit by a car and they drove off. I called the police and they came and got him. I dont know how long he layed there. Cars just kept driving by. It really bothered me.

Real Change in Politics

Sandi — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:41:26 EDT

I wanted real change, and all I found was a worse scenerio and those participating in this vision are actively participating in smearing.

What strange bed fellows when we lay down with politicians.

What Drives our Economy? Without POLITICAL SPIN!

Sandi — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 23:05:23 EDT

Interstate and Intrastate trade! Shipping our products to other nations! The better that is, the more jobs we have, and a thriving economy.

That is what our economy is based on! It is good to conserve, I do it and want everyone to do it. But, let us discuss the issues.

Now if anyone can tell you that gas prices and the continued theft by Investors and big oil companies of record profits cant be touched and regulated. We have some real lies going on here. All the conservation of every individual will not stop the high gas prices. Political spin will not solve the problem.

We need short term and long term solutions! Without solutions we will GO INTO A DEPRESSION!!!!

Little Dine

Sandi — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 22:26:34 EDT

Lobo? What changed your mind?

FEM DEM?

Sandi — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:13:59 EDT

Whats up?

HUMAN BEINGS ARE DYING HERE

Sandi — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 12:43:34 EDT

I live close to the Mexican Boarder, Americans are dying here and when they cross the boarder. The Mexican Drug wars are spilling over in Arizona. Another 2 meth houses inhabited by Mexican illegals have been busted by the police one street over from my home. My next door neighbor dropped his wallet in the street, I stopped and picked it up, it had 10 drivers with different names with his picture on each one. I am soo scared now that I took it to the local market and asked them to call the police. Big vans carrying illegals are being left with the poor Mexicans being locked inside, dead from the heat.

I am absolutely sick of Congress's inaction. Something has to be done!

FIST BUMP LADY

Sandi — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 21:45:18 EDT

Only wants to hear herself sing, so good night to all of my friends. I will let her do her advertisements, I will enjoy the evening! Enjoy yours!!

POT

Sandi — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 20:26:12 EDT

HOW MANY POSTERS HERE SMOKE POT OR DO ANY OTHER ILLEGAL DRUGS?

WHERE JOB TRAINING MONEY IS GOING - TO FAITH BASED GROUPS THAT HAVE NO COMPENTENCIES IN JOB TRAINING

Sandi — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 13:55:04 EDT

In how many cities and what church do you go to to get job training, and who is qualified in those churches to do that! How many of you knew that you could do that? The ONE STOP Program was adequate and did a HELL of a job before the money was sent to Faith Based Groups! They do not get funded anymore and people are losing their homes!

Lets, not just ignor this blog. I care about this Country and hope that you do to!

U.S. Department of Labor
Center for Faith-Based & Community Initiatives

Our Mission

The Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (CFBCI) at the U.S. Department of Labor seeks to empower faith-based and community organizations (FBCO) as these organizations help their neighbors enter, succeed and thrive in the workforce. Read more...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Renewing Communities, Restoring Hope, and Transforming Lives

The work of the Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives at the U.S. Department of Labor stems from a simple conviction: Americans can do better for our neighbors in need when we draw upon the unique strengths of every willing partner.

Renewing Communities, Restoring Hope, and Transforming Lives tells the story of how the Faith-Based and Community Initiative at the U.S. Department of Labor has made a real difference in the lives of more than 150,000 jobseekers, workers, families, vulnerable youth, and communities. As part of DOL’s mission to foster a prepared, competitive, safe, and secure workforce, the Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives works with DOL agencies to tap into the unique abilities of faith-based and community organizations in order to help more individuals overcome barriers to employment, find jobs, and stay employed. These collaborative efforts have produced innovative public-private partnerships that decrease unemployment and recidivism among ex-prisoners, increase access to publicly funded employment resources in low-income communities, help homeless veterans find housing and jobs, withdraw and prevent children from entering exploitive child labor around the world, increase workplace safety outreach to Spanish-speaking workers, and much more. Renewing Communities, Restoring Hope, and Transforming Lives covers three main topics: Creating Access to New Opportunities Through Public-Private Partnerships, Faith-Based and Community Organizations: Utilizing Strengths and Building Capacity, and Transforming Lives Through Government Partnerships with Faith-Based and Community Organizations.

Read the Renewing Communities, Restoring Hope, and Transforming Lives publication.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This Month's Champion of Compassion

Father's and Families Center (FFC)

Father's and Families Center (FFC) is a non-profit organization, based in Indianapolis, IN, that is dedicated to serving low income, unemployed, underemployed, and undereducated young fathers and expectant fathers in the Indianapolis area. FFC's services include employment preparation training, GED preparation studies, employment referrals, as well as pre- and post-job placement counseling. Additionally, FFC partners with One-Stop Career Centers and other organizations in an effort to introduce potential competitors into the labor market and increase job retention.

FFC won competitively-awarded Small Grassroots Grants from the Labor Department in 2006 and 2007. These grants are part of the Department of Labor's efforts to partner existing programs at faith-based and community organizations in order to provide better service to needy people and families.

Father's and Families Center works with many community partners to provide services such as life skills training, employment preparation, on-line job search, entrepreneurship training, and job placement and retention assistance. Through the first two years of services under the grants, FFC has enrolled 519 new participants. FFC has referred 222 clients to the One-Stop Career Center. Fifty-two participants have been placed in post-secondary education or advanced training. 258 participants have been placed in jobs and 167 have kept their jobs for three months, while 124 have maintained employment for six months. The average hourly wage at the time of time placement is $9.13.

Father's and Families Center has been named a "Champion of Compassion" by the Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

View the Champions of Compassion archive.
You can visit the Employment and Training Administration's Prisoner Reentry Initiative page for more information on the PRI, including a map of grantee locations and contact information.

Midwest Flood Recovery Assistance
About CFBCI
CFBCI Home
Conferences
Live
Virtual
Funding
Hot Topics
Prisoner Re-entry
Business Partnerships
Legal Guidance
Locate Programs and Peers in Your State
Publications
Real World Practices
Faith-Based & Community Organizations
Workforce System
Special Projects
Beneficiary Choice
Grassroots Grantees
Prisoner Re-entry
Project Reachout
SHARE Network
WIRED
Workforce Board Grantees

Back to Top www.dol.gov

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Frequently Asked Questions | Freedom of Information Act | Customer Survey
Privacy & Security Statement | Disclaimers | E-mail to a Friend

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Department of Labor
Frances Perkins Building
200 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20210
1-866-4-USA-DOL
TTY: 1-877-889-5627
Contact Us

What affects on the US has Faith Based Funded Groups accomplished?

Sandi — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 12:54:56 EDT

I am an HR Person, I see jobs, I see what the Bush Administration has done to our ecomomy and jobs. When I have to lay off workers for companies, where do I send them? I send them to Federal Programs for new jobs training. THEY ARE NOT GETTING TRAINED AND THERE IS NO JOBS!! Where did Bush pull the money from and give to job training, and where did he put them in the government.

HE PUT THEM UNDER LABOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What has been the affects! NO JOB TRAINING MONEY!! NO MONEY PUT IN GRANTS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES. People will bite their nose off to spite their face. Get the O mentality out of your brain, THINK!!!!!~

My Democrat Friend Staten Island Democrat

Sandi — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 12:39:42 EDT

I am so sorry that you were targeted by the Fist Bump Obama Supporters and this has happened to you. It was inexcusable. There are those that say they are Obama supporters that are cruel, have plotted to rid the site of anyone that did not think the way they do. E-mails, plots and disgusting blogs have been used in this attempt to purge other Democrats.

I feel this blog is no longer a safe place for lower ticket Democratic tickets, for the Bloggers themselves as you have discovered. I know Staten Island you will march on, and I admire you for it. I myself have discovered it will continue to be them against us and no positive progress can be made and that is not their mission. Others have left this site, and will continue to leave. I have been a Democrat for 20 plus years, and have never seen such mean spirited viciousness from fellow Democrats.

I joined the Above the Fray Group to try to heal our party and myself, to stop the abuse because I would get angry as others and just buy in to it and it was not helping anything, just cycling the abuse. It was further dividing this party and we still have to worry about up coming elections all over the ticket. It was so important to our Country. I tried to help those fellow Democrats survive on this blog. This was to no avail, it did not stop.

Lincoln Park, you have won with your plots and fist bump thugs. I am leaving this site not because I do not love my Party, but because the horrible mean spirit of your type of Obama Supporters. These tactics are Republican tactics, and have further alienated and split this party. I cannot watch your abuse anymore, or be e-mailed that again by fellow Democrats that someone in your group not to talk to fellow Democrats, you e-mailing them stating what they say in their blogs is garbage or your leadership failings in the Fist Bump group. Your mission and you have accomplished your goal, and I am leaving as my Democrats have left before me.

For those Obama Supporters here that have acted most kind and I know our disagreements have been heated and at times inappropriate in the heat of passon, thank you. I know your passion as mine, got the best of us sometimes. It was never mean spirited plotting to destroy. There are many good Obama Supporters. I have found them in the Above the Fray Group. I especially thank Mikey.

For my friends and fellow Democrats that have tried to survive on this blog, God Bless you and Peace.

Michael Link

Sandi — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:27:32 EDT

Are you here?

Jackie

Sandi — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:04:21 EDT

When is your discussion group going to be on? I want to be there.

Cyber Bullies

Sandi — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:32:11 EDT

For those that feel they are a victim, please copy.

Standing Up To Cyber Bullies

Businesses, political candidates, public figures and private individuals have become victims of so-called cybersmears, online defamation, flamers and cyber bullies. Here are resources to stop the bullies in their tracks.

A joint project of the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Harvard, Stanford, Berkeley, University of San Francisco, University of Maine, George Washington School of Law, and Santa Clara University School of Law clinics, Chilling Effects Clearinghouse provides information to anyone who has felt the sting of an online attack and offers guidelines to help website publishers guard against lawsuits that could result. Starting with "What is Defamation?", The Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers) about Defamation page is particularly helpful to understanding how online freedom of speech can turn into an illegal cyber attack.

Legal Help

Cyber bullying can constitute a computer crime. For example, in the United States it is a federal crime to anonymously "annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any person" via the internet or telecommunication system, punishable by a fine and/or up to two years imprisonment.

Indeed, the National Crime Prevention Council recently launched a public service campaign aimed preventing cyber bullying among teenagers. Civil cases, especially among adults, may involve defamation or libel. Public figures will also need to prove malice. Often these matters can be remedied through the civil courts or with a letter from an attorney to the alleged offending party.

LegalMatch.com provides an online service where you can submit your case to pre-screened attorneys for free evaluation. A lawsuit may not be necessary. A letter from one of these attorneys could have a chilling effect on all but the most recalcitrant cyber bully. The service is free and confidential

Reputation Defender

If You're The Victim Of Online Slander, Defamation, Or Libel you can Take Control with MyReputation from ReputationDefender Today!

Michael Link

Sandi — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:09:51 EDT

Now why is Fem DEMO being deleted. She has continually been sexually harrasssed on this blog. Even though this is a Private site, sexual harrassment under Title VII still applies. There are more than 50 people on this site, this is can be very costly. I have witnessed several sexual harrassment and gender discrimination being said to her.

Is there something wrong with the site? She mentioned the sexual harrassment issue in her last blog that was erased.