Under EfficientGovNow, local governments in the region are encouraged to submit government collaboration and efficiency proposals to the Fund for Our Economic Future, which will provide a total of $300,000 to as many as three projects.
Because the Fund for Our Economic Future envisions EfficientGovNow as a program in which the citizens of Northeast Ohio can play an active role in the region’s economic future, the region’s residents will ultimately select which of the collaboration projects will receive funding.
But voting doesn’t take place until July. So how can you get engaged NOW? Here’s a handful of easy ways to get started.
1. Share an editorial with a friend.
Since its launch early this month, EfficientGovNow has enjoyed endorsements from across the region, including those from the editors of The Plain Dealer, The Repository, Akron Beacon Journal and Crain’s Cleveland Business. Send a link of one of these stories to a friend, colleague or family member. Also, view all of the news coverage in our news room.
2. Follow EfficientGovNow on Twitter.
Following is a snap, and the reading is kept to 140 characters at a time.
3. Write a letter to the editor.
Recently, The News-Herald published a letter to the editor supporting EfficientGovNow from the chairman of the Willowick Planning Commission, Bill Wittlinger. In his letter, Mr. Wittlinger asserts that government, just as any business, should continuously strive for improvement and efficiency gains.
4. Become a fan of EfficientGovNow on Facebook.
Also, Facebook users who have the “Pieces of Flair” application on Facebook can search the flair directory with the keyword “efficient,” find the flair with our logo, post it to your corkboard and share it with a friend.
5. E-mail a letter to a government official, encouraging participation in EfficientGovNow.
We’ve created a sample letter you are welcome to use. Send it to your government officials soon, as the deadline for officials to note their intent to submit is proposal is April 15, 2009.
6. Follow our feeds.
Subscribe to the feeds that meet your interests. EfficientGovNow offers RSS feeds for its news, press releases and blog. Additionally, there are feeds from the Fund for Our Economic Future and Advance Northeast Ohio that may be of interest to you.
7. Post a comment on the EfficientGovNow blog.
We want to hear what you think. Share your thoughts by posting a reply. Then keep up to date on new posts with our blog’s RSS feed.
8. After April 15, check out who is submitting what to EfficientGovNow.
In the latter half of April, we will be posting abstracts of the collaboration and efficiency projects submitted by Northeast Ohio’s government officials. Visit www.efficientgovnow.org to see who is participating and what their ideas are. Post a comment, too.
9. Comment on full project proposals submitted by teams of local government leaders.
Find out all of the details of the ideas submitted to EfficientGovNow after May 31, 2009, when the full project proposals will be posted on www.efficientgovnow.org for public review and comment.
10. Mark your calendar to vote for the best proposals.
The residents of Northeast Ohio will ultimately select which of the collaboration projects will receive funding. Visit www.efficientgovnow.org sometime July 1 – 31 to cast your vote for the best.