News Brief 

• First, let me thank all of you who replied to our call for participation in the Alumni Fellows Reception on September 7th and the “Spinning the Web” Conference on September 8th in RTP.  Those who attended know that we had a great time and a much better turnout than we had even hoped for!  For those who could not attend, we understand that busy people have busy schedules, and we appreciate you letting us know that you couldn’t make it. But we also hope to catch you at future events (to be held at locations near you).
   
  The reception was a huge success, and Walt and Lois were beaming about seeing so many of you there.  We all look forward to Walt’s continued engagement with IOPL, the Fellows Program, and with you. (Remember to send him your campaign plans!)  In fact, Walt has agreed to contribute to the latest IOPL work-in-progress—a blog.
   
  And that brings me to my second point, the next “Mark Your Calendars” announcement.  As the announcement below notes, on Saturday, October 27 a group of Fellows is organizing a meeting of those interested in being a part of a discussion about setting up an IOPL blog.  Time is 10am-3pm with a location TBD (perhaps a “virtual meeting” or at least a technology-enhanced gathering?). This initiative grew out of that weekend’s events and discussions that blossomed at the Hospitality Suite—the source of many great IOPL ideas, of course.  So if you have an interest in exploring and possibly helping to launch this latest IOPL initiative, please contact Jana Dunkley before October 19th at jdunkley@iopl.org or call (919) 832-8470.  Even if you cannot attend the meeting on the 27th, please let us know of your interest so we can pass that along to the organizers for follow up.
   
  I think all who attended the conference on Saturday also agree that we had an exceptional event. I would like to thank everyone who attended, all of the participants, and especially the folks at the John Locke Foundation who helped us plan and execute a very stimulating and informative conference.  Of course, the fact that we closed on the high-pitched, piercing notes of a fire alarm only served to reinforce the urgency of the messages about the changes being wrought every day by new technologies and their applications to so many different aspects of political life.  
   
  If you were unable to attend the event, you may view clips of the conference online here: http://www.johnlocke.org/lockerroom/lockerroom.html?id=13618.
   
  Finally, we announced at the reception that the next IOPL class is scheduled to begin in January 2008.  In order to ensure that we have the typically outstanding collection of Fellows attending, we need your help in identifying and recruiting applicants.  Our website application process is working nicely and you can encourage prospective applicants to go there for further information.  And of course they can always contact us by email at iopl@iopl.org or by phone at (919) 832-8470.
   
  Once again, thanks to all of you for your continued support of IOPL.  We are trying to update the website and get things organized for our next class.  So stay tuned and please feel free to join in and support IOPL!
  

• The IOPL staff is pleased to announce the graduation of students from the first College Fellows Program held June 10, 2006, on the Peace College campus in Raleigh. Read more...
  
  
• IOPL Board to Conduct Strategic Assessment. The IOPL is initiating a strategic assessment of its mission and its programmatic offerings to determine how best to position itself now and in the future to ensure that it is contributing genuine value to its Fellows, donors, and the public (to include both citizens and already elected and appointed officials). IOPL has hired a consultant to work with the Director and the Board to quickly complete that assessment. Read announcement from Dr. Robin Dorff, IOPL Executive Director.
  
  
• The News and Observer published an article on the Wake County School Re-districting issues they are facing now, "Wake Leaders Balked at Early Fast Growth Alert." You can read it here!

• NC Community Advocates for Revitalizing Education, NCCARE, is hosting a workshop for parents, child advocates and others who care about children. The Forum is "Education Rights in NC: What Your Child Deserves & How To Get It!" will be held in Rocky Mount on Saturday, March 18. Click here to read the flyer and for more information.

• The News and Observer has published the latest candidates that have filed to run for office as of February 21, 2006. You can read it here. IOPL will continue updating our list of Fellows Running in 2006!

• The News and Observer has been following the Jim Black story closely. You can read the article by J. Andrew Curliss and Dane Kane on the continuing Board of Elections Hearings and their article on the campaign finance rules potentially broken by Jim Black and former Rep. Michael Decker.

• Former Gov. Jim Hunt is leading the discussion of modernizing and reforming the North Carolina tax structure. You can read the article in the News and Observer reported by Rob Christensen here.

• Jim Morril of the Charlotte Observer wrote an article February 2 on the potential for "Political Turmoil" in this election year. Read it here.

• A spectacular time was had at the December 6 reception held in honor of IOPL at the Cardinal Club in Downtown Raleigh. Hosts of the event were Dr. Robin Dorff, Executive Director of IOPL, Chris Mintz (Spring 2005), Gardner Payne (Spring 2005) and Lee Clyburn (Fall 1990.) You can see pictures here!

• Chris Fitzsimon, guest speaker for IOPL, has written a commentary on State Treasurer Richard Moore's support of raising the state minimum wage. You can read it here.

• The Fall 2005 Fellows graduated on December 3, 2005 on the Centennial Campus of North Carolina State University. To see pictures of the event and the class, go here!

• We have officially kicked off our Spring 2006 class in Greensboro! The dates have been set and we are rolling along as we speak! Click here if you would like to see the dates, as our Fellows are always welcome to come and visit!

• The Fall 2005 Fellows polled New Hanover County residents on a variety of issues affecting the area. You can read the Wilmington Star's reporting of the poll results here. Some items affecting residents were the sewer line replacements, traffic in the area and the proposed downtown convention center.

• Click Here to read an article by Toby Coleman of the News and Observer about candidates with criminal records seeking office. IOPL's own Robin Dorff was interviewed for the story and shared his views and opinions on the subject.

• Click Here to listen to a clip from Robin Dorff's interview with Seth Effron of State Government Radio.com about the latest news surrounding the lottery and the controversies that have arisen.

• NC Policy Watch columnist Chris Fitzsimon wrote an article worth perusing October 6. Fitzsimon details the spending of "big money" in our state politics and how he believes it is time for an end to the political moneyball in North Carolina. Visit NC Policy Watch for the Fitzsimon File.

• "Thinking, Acting and Leading Strategically: Political and Policy Dimensions" IOPL Executive Director Dr. Robin Dorff spoke Wednesday, October 5 to a group of twenty fellows as part of the Education Policy Fellows Program addressing both the requirements of and challenges to thinking, acting and leading strategically in the contemporary political environment. Robin spoke about the role IOPL plays in the development of leadership, the informed citizenry and the underlying public policy substance.

Visit the North Carolina Education Policy Fellows Program for more information.

• FELLOWS - Be sure to check out the "threaded discussion" page under Fellow's Services. The debate continues long after the hospitality suite has closed down! It is password protected. Contact us for the password!

• The Spring 2005 class graduated Saturday, June 4th! Click here for pictures.

• Former NC Attorney General and Secretary of State, Rufus Edmisten, hosted a reception for the Fellows of the Institute of Political Leadership on Friday, June 3rd. The IOPL would like to thank him for his generous support. View pictures of the event.