Legislators Engage with Community at Walton County’s Annual Breakfast

November 20, 2013 Print This Post

Walton County’s Youth Advocacy Board members gather with their their legislative delegation at the Walton County annual Legislative Breakfast after discussing issues that matter to the county’s youth.

Overview of Walton County’s Legislative Breakfast: Welcome and introductions: The Partnership Executive Director Dena Huff and Chamber of Commerce President Teri Smiley Opening remarks: Walton County Commission Chairman Kevin Little Overview of Walton Proud, an initiative that engenders unity and pride within the community: Chamber Board Chair Meredith Malcom Walton County’s state legislative delegation: •  Sen. Bill Cowsert (46th), •  Sen. Burt Jones (25th), •  Rep. Tom Kirby (114th), and •  Rep. Bruce Williamson (115th) talk about their work at the Capitol and what to expect in the 2014 legislative session. Presentation: Walton County’s Youth Advocacy Board, illustrates the qualities a community needs to thrive by building a paper house and highlighting its various features. Closing remarks: The Partnership’s former board chair, Candy Hull. After the formal program: State legislators meet with community organization members who pre-registered for 15-minute time slots. For more information about this event, contact Dena Huff. For agendas and examples of other Family Connection outreach events, contact Elizabeth Turner.

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the annual legislative breakfast hosted by The Partnership for Families, Children, and Youth and the local Chamber of Commerce in Walton County. A large room at the Board of Education annex building was packed with community and state leaders—including every member of Walton County’s state legislative delegation—to discuss local and state-level issues that affect Walton County’s citizens.

After formal presentations, the state legislators met with members of local organizations who had pre-registered for 15-minute time slots. The Youth Advocacy Board had the first opportunity to speak with the delegation, and Board members took advantage of their time by asking their legislators about how to achieve alternative transportation options like sidewalks and bike trails in their community, how to attract teen-friendly businesses such as a skating rink and a movie theater, and what they can do to help secure more funding for youth-development programs.

Walton County’s event is one example of how to demonstrate to state leaders the successes of local collaboration and the importance of their investment in Family Connection’s statewide network.

As always, we at GaFCP are here to support and assist you in building relationships with your local leaders. If your county or region is interested in hosting an outreach event—or if you would just like talk through ways to communicate with or share your work with your local and state elected officials—please don’t ever hesitate to let us know.