Ready to Run NEPA Set for Oct. 1 at University
Ready to Run NEPA, the nonpartisan program directed towards women interested in running for office, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 1, on the fifth floor of Breann Hall on The University of Scranton’s campus. Registration is required to attend the program offered by the University’s Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service.“Once in office, compared to male colleagues, women sponsor more legislation in the U.S. Congress, bring back nine percent more federal funding to their districts, and are more responsive to their constituents back home. In both Congress and state legislatures, women are more likely to collaborate with other legislators,” wrote JoyAnna S. Hopper, Ph.D., director of the Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service and Assistant Professor of Political Science at The University of Scranton, in an editorial in the Scranton Times-Tribune, published Sept. 11.
In the editorial, Dr. Hopper spoke of the need for more women to serve in elected office and highlighted a training program, Ready to Run Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA), that encourages and trains women who are interested in becoming more involved in government. The Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service at Scranton, in collaboration with the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, offers the non-partisan, campaign training programs that target women in in Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Pike, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties.
The next Ready to Run NEPA program is set for Saturday, Oct. 1, at The University of Scranton. Participants will gain insight into establishing themselves as credible and viable candidates as well as inspiration to launch a campaign. Topics covered include presentation and messaging skills; what makes women qualified candidates; and how to get started with your campaign. Participants will also gain an understanding of what the underrepresentation of women in Pennsylvania's state and local governments means for women, their families and our communities.
The session begins with check-in/registration at 9 a.m. on the fifth floor of Brennan Hall on the University’s campus and ends at 2 p.m. Refreshments, lunch and materials are included with the registration fee. The event is co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Lackawanna County. WNEP is the media partner.
Registration is $30 for the general public or $10 for students with ID. A limited number of partial scholarships are also available. Registration is required to attend and can be completed online. (https://www.scranton.edu/academics/ready-to-run/registration.shtml).
For additional information visit the University’s Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service website or contact Sharon Olechna, administrative assistant for the Political Science Department, at 570-941-6326 or sharon.olechna@scranton.edu or readytorun@scranton.edu.
