ONE by ONE campaign surpasses its goal of 100 conversations, will continue through August 2012
6/15/2012
Jacksonville Public Education Fund's ONE by ONE campaign surpasses
its goal of 100 conversation, will continue through August 2012
Face to face, voice by voice and ONE by ONE. Over the last six months, that's how the Jacksonville Public Education Fund's ONE by ONE campaign has engaged more than 1,000 people in 110 small conversations, exceeding campaign goals two months ahead of schedule.
Modeled after a successful initiative in Mobile, Ala., ONE by ONE has drawn demographically representative participants from every part of Duval County. Trained volunteers have facilitated and scribed the conversations in private homes, religious organizations, businesses, civic groups and schools in every part of the city. The talks last about two hours and all of the themes and ideas that emerge are documented online at www.onebyonejax.org/conversations.
The news was celebrated by University of North Florida President John Delaney and Edward Waters College President Nat Glover, co-chairs of the Community Advisory Team that guides ONE by ONE.
"The remarkable enthusiasm for ONE by ONE shows that people in Jacksonville are hungry to get involved in public education," Delaney said. "The positive momentum in support of improving our public school system is growing each day! Through ONE by ONE, citizens of Duval County are inspired like never before to take action on behalf of our city's children."
ONE by ONE is galvanizing Duval County residents at a time when public support for public education is critical. With a significant leadership transition taking place - a search for a new superintendent is under way, and four seats on the Duval County School Board are up for election in August - it has never been more important that the community unite and rally behind our public schools.
According to a survey of urban superintendents conducted by the Center on Reinventing Public Education, 96 percent see coordinated community support as helpful. ONE by ONE presents an unprecedented opportunity for the School Board and next superintendent to have a clear and current understanding of priorities that the whole community will stand behind.
"ONE by ONE has been the focus of our work over the last year," said Trey Csar, President of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund. "Public education in Duval County is at a turning point, and it is essential that the community be heard in shaping the future of our public school system."
Although 110 conversations have officially taken place as of today, they will continue as planned through August of this year. Any person or organization wanting to host conversations is welcome to sign up at www.onebyonejax.org/conversations or by calling (904) 394-0949.
*** Conversations are ongoing and available for filming. Still photographs and interviews are also available. Contact Deirdre Conner at deirdre@jaxpef.org or (904) 345-0597 (mobile) for more information. ***