Toss Your Hat in the Ring

Have you ever thought about running for local elected office? Pennsylvania’s system of local government puts many decisions about land use, economic development, local roads and our children’s education in the hands of township supervisors, borough and city council members, and school district directors. Penn State Extension is offering a workshop “Toss your Hat in the Ring” which includes:

• An overview of Pennsylvania local government
• Instructions on how to run: filing a petition, reporting campaign expenses and other important information, presented by Cumberland County Bureau of Elections Director Bethany Salzarulo
• A panel of local officials who will talk about why they decided to run for office and some of their experiences since being elected
The workshop won’t offer campaign tips or strategies; the focus is on understanding the roles, responsibilities and personal rewards that come with public service. “The people who run our local governments are our friends and neighbors – people just like us,” explained Tanya Lamo, Penn State Extension Educator. “You don’t need special training or experience to serve your township, borough or school district. If you’re interested in serving, care about your community, and are willing to learn on the job, we’d like to encourage you to toss your hat in the ring.”

The Cumberland County session is scheduled for Tuesday, January 29, 2019 from 7-9 pm with a snow date of February 6 at the Penn State Extension Office, 310 Allen Road in Carlisle. Workshops are also scheduled for Adams, Franklin and York counties, and a webinar version will be presented February 12. Registration is $25/person and you can register at www.extension.psu.edu/toss-your-hat. For more information, contact Judy Chambers or Tanya Lamo, Penn State Extension at 717-334-6271. In case of inclement weather: please check with local radio or television stations for cancellations.