July 2004 Press Release

PRESS RELEASE 

Contact Sarah Alberghini: 802-828-2148          For Immediate Release: July 1, 2004
____________________________________________________________________

Secretary of State Deb Markowitz and Brattleboro Clerk Annette Cappy Represent Vermont at the First Meeting of the National Elections Standards Board 

This week, Secretary of State Deb Markowitz and Brattleboro Town Clerk Annette Cappy joined representatives from every state and the territories to begin discussions on national standards for the conduct of elections.  Markowitz and Cappy serve as Vermont’s representatives on the National Elections Standards Board which met for the first time in Houston, Texas.   

The National Elections Standards Board was created by the Help America Vote Act to help set voluntary standards for running national elections.  The group reviewed a proposed Best Practices Tool Kit that suggests procedures and practices designed to prevent the kind of controversies that called into questions the results of the 2000 presidential election.  

#30

PRESS RELEASE 

Contact Sarah Alberghini: 802-828-2148          For Immediate Release: July 16, 2004
____________________________________________________________________

Secretary of State Announces Program to Honor Vermont’s Oldest Nonprofits

Montpelier.  Today, Secretary of State Deb Markowitz announced the launch of a new program to honor Vermont’s oldest nonprofits.  The Vermont Centennial Nonprofit Awards recognize nonprofit organizations that have operated in Vermont for at least 100 years.  This is a joint project of the Office of the Secretary of State, the Vermont Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations (VANPO).  

Secretary of State Deb Markowitz said, “any nonprofit that has been in operation in Vermont for 100 years or more can participate in this new awards program by filling out a registration form and returning it to the Secretary of State’s Office by July 27th.”   Vermont’s centennial nonprofits will be presented with a plaque at an awards ceremony to be held at the VANPO annual meeting in the fall. 

“It is important to recognize Vermont’s nonprofits for their longevity," said Secretary Markowitz. "It takes a tremendous amount of dedication and support to keep a nonprofit active for 100 years.”  Markowitz said, “We also hope that this program will enhance our understanding of how Vermont’s nonprofits  have enriched our community life during the last hundred years.”  

For more information about the awards program and to print an application visit the Vermont Centennial Nonprofit Awards page on the Secretary of State’s web site: http://www.sec.state.vt.us

#30