CINDY INGRAM JOINS HEALTHY DEMOCRACY OREGON

Tyrone Reitman and Elliot Shuford, Co-Directors of Oregon's non partisan non profit organization, Healthy Democracy Oregon, are thrilled to have Eugene promoter, Cindy Ingram on staff.

"Cindy is an expert in viral media and will strengthen our outreach within social networking and on-line organizing. As an event planner and creator of large festivals and concerts, Cindy's knowledge and experience will be an incredible asset to our team," shares Tyrone Reitman.

Healthy Democracy Oregon works to strengthen citizen ownership of, and integrity to, the ballot initiative process through the Citizens' Initiative Review. (www.healthydemocracyoregon.org)

The Citizens' Initiative Review is a reform to Oregon's initiative process that provides voters with clear, useful, and trustworthy evaluations of statewide ballot measures. For each Review, a panel of 24 Oregon voters is brought together from across the state to learn about, and publicly evaluate a measure on the ballot. The panelists are selected at random, and demographically balanced to fairly represent a cross-section of the entire state electorate. This panel participates in impartial hearings where campaign advocates and policy experts present the arguments and facts about the measures.

After several days of testimony and deliberation, the panelists draft a "Citizens' Statement" detailing the most important arguments and facts about the measure, as well as reporting how many panelists support or oppose the measure. The "Citizens' Statement" is then published as a prominent new page in the statewide Voter's Pamphlet. An extensive, and easily searchable, public archive of the evaluation is also established online.

Cindy Ingram is a natural connector. Her commitment to community, family, civic engagement and the greater good is apparent in everything she does. Whether it’s on-line fund-raising for an international organization serving children with AIDS, saving a financially struggling historic community center for the arts through a snazzy YouTube campaign, or fighting for gender equality through rock n roll events which grab media attention and stimulate political debate, Cindy is driven by the knowledge that she is making a difference. You may find her spending her free time laughing with her two pre-teens and playing her washboard in a local bluegrass band.

"I am passionate about democracy and the power of ordinary people exercising their right and privilege to participate in the citizen's initiative process. Healthy Democracy Oregon helps voters by providing them with the information they need to make informed decisions. This is something I believe in," says Ingram.

The next Citizens' Initiative Review will occur in August and will be evaluated by a team of researchers backed by a $200,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. Following a successful evaluation, Healthy Democracy Oregon's long-term goal is for the Citizens' Initiative Review to become a regular, ongoing public service for Oregon voters.

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