Latino Leadership Institute Academy
Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5, 2011
Local 32BJ SEIU
101 Avenue of the Americas (and Grand Street), 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10013
Contact for Registration: 347-446-5786 or latinoleadershipinstitute@gmail.com
Schedule
Saturday, June 4
8:30 Registration And Breakfast
9:00 Breakfast Speaker
Redistricting And The Law - Juan Cartagena, Esq.
10:00 Petitions - Jerry Goldfeder, Esq.
11:00 Campaign Finance/Fundraising - Leo Glickman, Esq.
12:00 Lunch Speakers
Latino Political Empowerment - Angelo Falcón
Media And Latino Politics - Gerson Borrero
1:00 Generalist/Campaign Manager - José Candelario
2:00 How To Handle The Media - Felipe Luciano
3:00 Public Speaking - Joe Ithier and Debra Martinez
Sunday, June 5
8:30 Registration And Breakfast
9:00 Breakfast Speaker
Redistricting And The Latino Map (2011) - Lucia Gomez
10:00 Building A Base/ Voter Registration -
Alice Cardona And Zenaida Mendez
11:00 Field Operations And Get-Out-The-Vote -
Juan Martinez And Mike Nieves
12:00 Lunch Speaker
Latina Women And Politics - Yolanda Sanchez
1:00 Advanced Technology In Campaigns (Internet, Facebook,
Tweets, Texts, Phone Banking, Mailing) - Steve Kramer
2:00 Message - Hank Sheinkopf
Course Descriptions:
Message: One of the most sought out political strategist in the United States, Hank Sheinkopf will teach this class. The objective of this session is to familiarize attendees with the basic aspects of how to create a political message that the voter can identify as an issue or idea that will persuade and move her/him to vote and mobilize other voter, funders and volunteers. The issues related to "message" discussed in this session will be an integral theme within all the sessions throughout the two-day Academy. An overview of various methods of targeting groups and subgroups for effective message delivery will be discussed among many others. Taught by Hank Sheinkopf (see bio).
Petitions: This session will address the objective of familiarizing participants with the basic aspects of the petitioning process, from the collection of the petitions to the political and legal defense of petitions in court. The actual collection, as well as the legal basics, will be explained by one of the most renowned electoral lawyers in the United States, Jerry Goldfeder (see bio).
How To Handle The Media: Have you ever spoken in front of a television camera? Have you been interviewed on radio? Has a reporter ever asked your opinion through the telephone or just in passing on the street? This session consists of hands-on role-playing, and is a dynamic opportunity to learn "on the spot" how to talk to a reporter to get your message across. This session will be taught by the well-known activist, artist, journalist, and two-time Emmy Award Winner, Felipe Luciano (see bio).
Campaign Finance/Fundraising: Here, you will learn the technical knots and bolts and the legal aspects of campaign finance and fundraising. Taught by the number one lawyer in New York State for issues related to campaign financing, Leo Glickman (See bio).
Public Speaking: Do you feel nervous when speaking in public? Are you prepared to convey your ideas to a large or small audience? Pacing, tone, emphasis, content and confidence are some of the aspects dominated by effective public speakers. These topics will be dynamically presented and demonstrated by our Debra Martinez and Joe Ithier (see bios).
Advanced Technology In Campaigns: Do you know when and how you should use tweets, text, emails, Facebook, phone banking and mailing. Do you know to make your message more effective and versatile while reaching the most voters? Well if you don't, then you need to take this course and to gain an advantage over your opponent. Taught by one of best in the business Steve Kramer (See bio).
Field Operations And Get-Out-The-Vote: Taught by the "Dynamic Duo" of field operations and GOTV, this course will discuss a number of key questions. How do I attack the streets? How should I approach a voter or at home and at an event? Phone banking - how should I do it? How do I analyze electoral districts? On whom should I concentrate? How do I get my message to the voters? How many votes do I need to win, and how can I get them? Presented by Mike Nieves and Juan Martinez (See bios)
Generalist/Campaign Manager: A brief overview of campaign management and the basic elements and steps in designing compelling messages and winning plans. From research through delivery during fundraising, petitioning, direct voter contact, voter identification, persuasion, get-out-the-vote and Election Day operation. Taught by José Candelario (see bio).
Building A Base/Voter Registration: This session will help you to familiarize yourself with the basics of forming a volunteer base while using economic and political issues affecting the District where you are planning to run or manage a campaign. You will also learn new outreach strategies. Taught by Alice Cardona and Zenaida Mendez (see bios).
Speaker Topics
Redistricting and The Law: Juan Cartagena, Esq., June 4 Breakfast (see bio)
Latino Political Empowerment: Angelo Falcón, June 4 Lunch (see bio)
The Media and Politics: Gerson Borrero, June 4 Lunch (see bio)
Redistricting and the Latino Map (2011): Lucia Gomez, June 5 Breakfast (see bio)
Latina Women In Politics: Yolanda Sanchez, June 5 Lunch (see bio)
Faculty Biographies:
Below, you will find the Latino Leadership Institute, Inc. (LLI) courses and faculty for our June 4 and 5, 2011 Academy at the Community Service Society. This group of experts is one of the most talented, diverse and qualified groups of elections professionals and advocates ever assembled in the State of New York. Each of the speakers and faculty has donated their time and expertise to the LLI Academy, for which we are extremely thankful.
Juan Cartagena, Esq. Speaker: 2011 Redistricting and the Law
Juan Cartagena recently assumed the position of President and General Counsel of the Latino Justice PRLDEF. Cartagena is a former Municipal Court Judge in the City of Hoboken, New Jersey and has litigated in various states, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
From 1990 to 1991, he served as Legal Director of the government of Puerto Rico's Department of Puerto Rican Community Affairs in the United States. He has also served as Associate Counsel at the Community Service Society, and before that he worked as a Staff Attorney at the Puerto Rican Legal Defense & Education Fund (PRLDEF).
Cartagena has taught several college courses and presently teaches a Latino Civil Rights law course for undergraduate students at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He has also written extensively and conducted research in many areas affecting Latino communities including criminal justice and mass imprisonment, voting rights and redistricting, language rights, and civil procedure.
Jerry H. Goldfeder, Esq. Course: Petitions
Jerry Goldfeder is a prominent elections lawyer with over thirty years of trial and appellate experience. His practice includes representing elected officials, candidates for public office, unions, partnerships and corporations in the areas of campaign finance, voting rights and public integrity investigations and prosecutions; it also includes representing individuals and organizations on a broad range of governmental matters.
He is the author of the treatise Goldfeder's Modern Election Law, now in its Second Edition, which has been favorably reviewed by The New York Times, the New York Law Journal, Election Law Journal and the New York State Bar Association Journal. He teaches Election Law as a Lecturer-in-Law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School and as an Adjunct Professor at Fordham Law School. He regularly lectures on "How to Decide an Election Case."
Gerson Borrero Speaker: Latino Politics and the Media
Gerson Borrero, once had been described as "one of the most knowledgeable political observers of the Latin community," is a seasoned journalist who knows where the stories are and is relentless in digging them up. Gerson's perspectives on society and politics have been forged from childhood experiences in his native "La Playa de Ponce," Puerto Rico, and of over forty years spent in New York City.
From the chair he occupied as Editor-in-Chief of New York's preeminent Spanish-language daily newspaper, to his now legendary radio rants, his frequent television appearances, and commentaries on New York 1 and New York 1, Noticias. Borrero describes himself as a frequent "pain in the ass to all political parties, elected officials and press secretaries in New York State". In his newspaper columns, the award winning Borrero has never failed to deliver fiery, thought-provoking reporting, opinion, and commentary. Currently on AM radio 970 "The Apple" from 5 to 7 P.M.
Angelo Falcón Speaker: Latino Political Empowerment
Angelo Falcón is President and Founder of the New York City-based nonprofit and nonpartisan National Institute for Latino Policy (NiLP) (formerly the Institute for Puerto Rican Policy), which he has led since its founding in 1982. As part of his work with NiLP, he edits of The NiLP Network on Latino Issues, is Chair of the Latino Census Network and moderates the Latino Voting Rights Network listerv.
Hank Sheinkopf Course: Identifying Voter Issues and Polling
A veteran of 700 campaigns throughout the United States and the world, Hank SheinkopfFAC continues to shape the dynamics of political and public relations landscape. From local grass roots initiatives to international presidential campaigns, he has guided candidates at every level toward victory. Respected by the press and politicians around the world, Sheinkopf is a public relations powerhouse and master of political strategy. Many consider him an original thinker of American political strategy. Sheinkopf is an early creator of integrated strategic campaigns, using all forms of communications. Sheinkopf has won national and international awards for his radio and TV productions.
Leo Glickman, Esq. Course: Campaign Finance/Fundraising
Leo Glickman has a long track record of holding the powerful accountable and fighting for progressive candidates and causes. While serving as the NY State Chair of Common Cause, he spearheaded legal efforts to force the Republican-led New York State Senate to open their financial books. The case resulted in a landmark decision by the Court of Appeals, Weston v. Sloan, that requires the State Senate to disclose its taxpayer-funded budget to the public.
He also headed a division of the New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB), and was responsible for training candidates in complying with the City's campaign finance law and utilizing the law to maximize the public funding of their campaigns. His nuts and bolts experience with campaign finance law makes him an effective campaign advisor and advocate before the Campaign Finance Board, Board of Elections, the Federal Election Commission, and the courts.
Felipe Luciano Course: How To Handle the Media
This two-time Emmy recipient, former WNBC-TV New York news anchor and lecturer began his career in the media as a Harlem artist and progressive activist. In 1968, Luciano was a young man who wanted to launch a radical organization oriented around fighting against Puerto Rican poverty and racial oppression. Eventually, a cohort of young students that included Luciano launched a New York chapter of the Young Lords Organization (YLO).
Luciano also founded and produced the acclaimed radio show Latin Roots, the first English language program in the United States to feature Latin culture and music and to develop an ethnically and racially diverse audience. On his watch, Latin Roots received an Ace Award for best show in radio.
In the mid-1970s, Luciano's career evolved from radio to television when he joined the news team at NBC's New York City affiliate station as general reporter and later as weekend anchor, While at WNBC-New York, Luciano won an Emmy for best reporting and story for a live special report (a concept which he created) on prison life at Riker's Island. For his reporting at Rikers, he also won a Silurian award. In the 1980s, Luciano anchored The People for CBS, a weekly local series featuring current events and interviews with cultural and political movers and shakers. He was also the original correspondent and host of Good Day New York and co-host with Ed Koch of Street Talk on Fox-TV.
Luciano is a lecturer and public presenter for Fortune 500 companies, colleges and universities, unions, and fraternal organizations. He offers consultation on issues pertaining to emerging markets, the Latino community, coalition building, diversity, and multiculturalism.
José (Joe) Ithier Course: Public Speaking
José Ithier's community involvement spans his lifetime, beginning as a youth as a volunteer for the South Bronx Community Corporation. Later, he produced Martin Luther King programs for Con Edison and Lehman College, the Bronx Borough President's Puerto Rican Heritage Programs and Bronx Week Festivities, helped to found The Bronx Dominican Day Parade, established workshops on ways that video and cable television could serve the people of the Borough, among other endeavors.
For two years, he served as Coordinator of Member Services for the NYS Assembly, distinguishing himself as the first Latino staff member for the Speaker of the House, where he honed his skills in legislative procedures and media relations. Later, he served as Secretary, Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant to Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer, where he brought his special qualities and "Esprit de Corps" to almost two decades of growth and positive development of the Bronx.
He was appointed Director of Economic Development for the Borough and, as such, the President and Member of the Board of Directors of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC). In addition, he was tapped to become the Executive Director of Community Network Offices for the Empire State Development Corporation.
Mike Nieves Course: Field Operations/Get-Out-the-Vote
Michael D. Nieves has been a political operative in New York City for over 25 years. He has served as advisor and consultant to many campaigns and elected officials across the city, state, and country. Mr. Nieves has been instrumental in the election of state and city representatives, borough presidents, congressional members, and judicial candidates.
Mr. Nieves is renowned for his expertise in political strategy, public policy, and election law. Mr. Nieves is hailed by many as the one of the top Latino political operatives in New York City.
Among those he has served are former Speaker Gifford Miller, Majority Leader Joel Rivera, Assemblyman and former Bronx Democratic leader José Rivera, former Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields, former Speaker Peter Vallone, former Assemblyman Nelson Denis, former City Council Member Adam Clayton Powell, IV, and a host of other elected officials.
Most recently, he serves as Senior Advisor to the Majority Leader of the New York City Council. Prior to his work at the Majority Leader's office, Mr. Nieves served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of State Affairs to the Speaker of the City Council, serving as the liaison between the Speaker and all 51 Members of the City Council. Within his capacity as Director of State and Federal Affairs, he served as the liaison between the New York City Council and the Governor's Office of the State of New York, and the New York State Legislature. Mr. Nieves was the principal lobbyist for the New York City Council concerning all State related matters. Before serving as Director of State Affairs, Mr. Nieves was the Deputy Director for Council Services, where he was responsible for overseeing the administrative functions and budget of the New York City Council and Council Members.
Prior to joining government, Mr. Nieves was principal and owner of Nieves Associates, a consulting firm that was instrumental in advising and consulting many candidates and elected officials. He also served as advisor to the government of Puerto Rico
Zenaida Mendez Course: Building a Base/Voter Registration
Zenaida Mendez is the founder of the National Dominican Women Association. She is also an election and social justice activist, who has been involved in a variety of issues affecting people of color and women, from housing, to day care to equal pay for equal work to educational, women right to choose, to health, economic and environmental justice issues. Ms. Mendez's national and international activism has earned her recognition for her leadership from local, national and international organizations. She has spoken on issues of women's rights, racial and environmental justice, electoral politics, parenting and immigration.
Ms. Mendez has earned a BA in Government and Public Administration from John Jay College of criminal justice and a Masters degree in Public Administration from the City University of New York, Graduate School of Public Affairs.
Lucia Gomez Speaker: Redistricting and the Latino Map (2011)
Lucia Gomez is currently a consultant for the Democratic members of the New Jersey Legislative Reapportionment Commission. Prior to working on this project, Ms. Gomez was Assistant to the Governor for Community Affairs for Governor David Paterson of New York.
She served as the Administrator of Elections of the Board of Canvassers for the City of Providence, Rhode Island and worked as the Civic Participation Program Director with the PRLDEF Institute for Puerto Rican Policy, overseeing programs in eight states, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands in political redistricting and mobilizing Latino communities for the 2000 Census.
Furthermore, she was the Regional Coordinator for the Office of Minority Information Services with the New York State Senate where she provided public policy research and community outreach for the New York Senate Democratic Conference.
Ms Gomez has a BA from Rutgers University-New Brunswick. She also studied anthropology at the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, México.
Yolanda Sanchez Speaker: Women and Politics
Considered one of the most ardent defenders of the Latino empowerment movement in New York City, Yolanda Sanchez was part of the group that organized, in the 1960's, the Puerto Rican Association for Community Affairs (PRACA) which established the first Puerto Rican foster care and adoption services agency in New York.
At Dr. Antonia Pantoja's invitation, she joined the staff of ASPIRA in 1962. Yolanda was also one of the original board members of the East Harlem Council for Human Services, Inc. Through the EHCHS, Ms. Sanchez lead the team that developed and built Taino Towers, with 700 units of low and moderate income housing, and Casabe Houses, with 124 units of subsided housing for the elderly.
In addition, Yolanda was a founding member of the National Latinas Caucus, a feminist organization. In the early 1970s, she organized and led one of the first groups to travel from the United States to China after the Second World War. In 2010, she organized the CACHE (Casabe Arts Culture History and Education) Program. Yolanda continues to speak to colleges, universities and community groups about the Latino struggle for empowerment in New York City. Yolanda is a graduate of City College and has a Masters Degree in Social Work with a specialization on Community Organizing from Columbia University.
Alice Cardona Course: Building a Base /Voter Registration
Ms. Cardona has more than 40 years experience as an activist and the electoral arena. She became the Assistant Director of the New York State Division for Women within Governor Cuomo's Administration (1983-1995). Under the leadership of the Executive Director, Ms. Cardona was charged with the direction and supervision of the New York City Office.
In addition to her office responsibilities which included representing the Division at the Minority and Women Business Enterprise Advisory Council and various conferences, conventions and public affairs events, serving as Ombudsperson to the Department of State, networking and outreach efforts to community based organizations and state agencies, community affairs liaison to local, state and national Latino organizations, Ms. Cardona is a frequent lecturer and trainer at civic, community and political gatherings. Alice completed her undergraduate studies at Goddard College, Plainfield, Vermont.
José Candelario Course: Message
A progressive civil and political rights advocate with more than 25 years of experience as an Organizer, Field Director, Campaign Manager, and General Consultant. José is a well-known expert on all aspects electoral campaigning, particularly in the areas of strategy and message.
In addition, José has contributed to more than 20 winning federal, state, and local campaigns in New York and Pennsylvania. Through his activism working with students and parents in education reform, tenants protecting affordable housing, individuals affected by the HIV/AIDS and drug pandemics, and communities of faith in defending the public health system, Jose has sought to develop indigenous leadership and empowered working class communities
Debra Martinez Course: Public Speaking
Debra Martinez served as Chairwoman and Executive Director of NYS Consumer Protection Board, in 1999. During her tenure as the State's Consumer Advocate, she dramatically changed the 30-year history of the Consumer Protection Board by having legislation signed into law for the Do Not Call Telemarketing Bill.
Ms. Martinez has also held senior management positions with the New York City Department of Ports and Terminals, the West Bronx Local Development Corporation, the Palms Organization, the Lloyd Price Group, and Don King Productions, Council of Hispanic Societies in Public Service, CEO of the Foundation for Hispanic Societies, Financial Director of the Desfile de la Hispanidad, Executive Director of Diversity Foundation, Board Member of the Hispanic Media Coalition, founding member and Board Member of Hispanic Women Leaders of Westchester, a founding member of 100 Hispanic Women, and founding member of Una Voz.
She served on the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board from 1992 to 1995. Debra Martinez, a native of New York State, was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Tufts University, and received her Master's Degree in Education from the Lehman College of the City of New York.
Juan Martinez Course: Field Operation/Get-Out-the-Vote
Mr. Martinez is a product of the New York City public school system having graduated from the prominent Brooklyn Technical High School. Mr. Martinez holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Education as well as a Masters Degree in Education from Long Island University. He also possesses a Professional Diploma in Educational Administration and Supervision from the City University of New York.
Mr. Martinez has over twenty five years of experience in the field of politics. He has served as Community Organizer, Petitions Coordinator, Director of Field Operations, Campaign Manager, and over all Campaign Strategic Consultant. Mr. Martinez began his involvement in the political process with the NYC Community School Board Elections in the late 80's. This was followed by active involvement in Federal State, City and Local Elections. His work has included the campaigns of Bill Thompson, Fernando Ferrer, David Dinkins, Nydia M. Velazquez, Edolphus Towns, Darryl C. Towns among many others.
In terms of his other professional experience Mr. Martinez began his association with the Puerto Rican Organization for Growth, Research, Education, and Self-Sufficiency (PROGRESS) in 1990. He currently serves as the President of PROGRESS, Inc.
PROGRESS, established in 1980 is the forerunner of Latino entities providing technical assistance in capacity building to Community Based Organization (CBOs) throughout New York. During his twenty years as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PROGRESS, Mr. Martinez has been responsible for the effective implementation of many quality programs. One of Mr. Martinez' proudest accomplishment is the founding of PROGRESS High School for Professional Careers.
Mr. Martinez is also well known for his many efforts on behalf of the North Brooklyn community he so very much loves and to which he is totally committed. These are far too many to enumerate.