Vermont Secretary of State - Press Releases by Deborah L. Markowitz

Secretary Markowitz Urges Students to Study Vermont’s Constitution on Constitution Day

Secretary of State’s Office offers new resources on Vermont Constitution

Montpelier. In 2004 the United States Congress adopted a law requiring every school that receives federal funds to teach about the Constitution on September 17, the day the document was adopted in 1787. Secretary of State Deb Markowitz is urging Vermont schools to not only look at the United States Constitution, but to also take time to study Vermont’s own constitution.

“Constitution Day is the perfect time to remind teachers how to incorporate civics education into the curriculum,” says Markowitz. “Teaching students about the democratic process helps them become better citizens in the future.”

Markowitz said, “This year we are using Constitution Day as a reminder that the Secretary of State’s Office offers an array of civics education materials for use in the classroom, including its newest publication: Revolution, Rights and Rules: A Student’s Guide to the Vermont Constitution.”

Markowitz added, “There is no better way to honor the founders of this country – and the founders of Vermont - than by developing the habits of citizenship in our next generation.”

In addition to the new constitution guide for students, the Secretary of State’s Office offers Vermont History, Facts and Fun, The Adventures of Bill – The Real Life Account of How a Vermont Bill Becomes a Law, and a series of booklets on the state’s unique town meeting process.

“Several of our booklets were created to be used by students while touring the statehouse, such as Under the Golden Dome. In partnership with the statehouse staff we have also developed a legislative role play program where students actually participate in a mock legislative session at the statehouse. Our On the Road to Congress is a board game that teaches students about the election process,” explains Secretary Markowitz.

These materials are free of charge to schools and can be viewed, downloaded or ordered online on the Secretary of State’s Kids’ Pages at www.sec.state.vt.us.

Secretary of State Deb Markowitz announces publication of Revolution, Rights and Rules: A Student’s Guide to the Vermont Constitution

Montpelier. Secretary of State Deb Markowitz today unveiled the newest civics education publication created by the Secretary of State’s office. Revolution, Rights and Rules: A Student’s Guide to the Vermont Constitution helps middle school students understand the 220 year-old document which is the founding document of Vermont. The 40 page booklet includes questions, writing assignments, and activities that encourage students to use analytical and critical thinking skills to express their own ideas. It concludes with an exercise where the class creates its own constitution. The publication is available for teachers to use to celebrate Constitution Day on September 17.

“Revolution, Rights and Rules brings the Vermont Constitution to life and helps students understand how this document continues to impact their lives every day.” explains Secretary Markowitz. “The booklet introduces students to how the constitution was developed and describes the circumstances that shaped the thinking of its authors.”

Revolution, Rights and Rules was conceived and written by Secretary Markowitz with help from three students from Montpelier High School who served as interns in the Secretary of State’s office. The students, Aleah Starr, Jessie Ebersole, and Ryan Wingate were recognized by Secretary Markowitz for their hard work and dedication to the project. Markowitz also recognized the contributions of Gregory Sanford, State Archivist, and Sigrid Lumbra, Social Studies Coordinator, Vermont Department of Education.

Revolution, Rights and Rules is one of the many publications that the Secretary of State’s office offers to teachers free of charge to enhance their school’s civics education curriculum. All of the programs can be viewed and ordered online at the Secretary of State’s Kids’ Pages at www.sec.state.vt.us

PRESS RELEASE

September 24, 2009

Contact: Ginny Colbert, 802-828-2148

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Secretary of State Deb Markowitz Honors
Vermont’s Centennial Nonprofit Award Winners

Vermont’s Oldest Nonprofits Recognized at a Statehouse Ceremony

Montpelier. Secretary of State Deb Markowitz recognized Vermont’s oldest nonprofits in a ceremony held Wednesday, September 23 at the Vermont Statehouse. The Vermont Centennial Nonprofit Awards program recognizes nonprofit organizations that have operated in Vermont for at least 100 years.

This year, 29 of Vermont’s oldest nonprofits were presented with a plaque by Secretary of State Deb Markowitz. Governor Jim Douglas was the guest speaker at the event which was attended by members of the nonprofit community as well as several Vermont dignitaries. Congratulatory letters from Vermont’s congressional delegation were shared with the award recipients.

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

According to the Secretary of State’s Office, any nonprofit that has been in operation in Vermont for 100 years or more can participate in this program by filling out an application. “Due to the popularity of the event, we had a backlog of applicants,” said Markowitz. “However, by next year all the applicants will have received an award.”

A complete list of the 2009 Centennial Nonprofit Award recipients appears below. For additional information about each nonprofit, please see our website at http://www.sec.state.vt.us/centennial_nonprofit_2009_winners.html.

2009 Vermont Centennial Nonprofit Award Recipients

1909 Champion Fire Company of South Londonderry

1909 Dover Center Cemetery Improvement Association

1909 Vermont Bankers Association, Inc.

1908 Bennington Park Lawn Cemetery

1898 Christian Science Society, St. Johnsbury

1898 Crescendo Club Library Association, Jeffersonville

1898 Enosburg Falls Main Street Cemetery Association

1898 Goodrich Memorial Library, Newport

1898 Home for Aged Women of St. Johnsbury

1898 Manchester Historical Society

1898 Moore Free Library Association, Newfane

1898 Mountain View Country Club, Greensboro

1898 Tenney Memorial Library, Newbury

1898 Tyson Congregational Church, Plymouth

1898 Weybridge Cemetery Association

1897 First Universalist Parish of Derby Line

1897 Jericho Center Cemetery Association

1897 Mark Skinner Library, Manchester

1896 Gill Odd Fellows Home of Vermont, Ludlow

1896 Pine Grove Cemetery Association, Newport

1896 Rutland Regional Medical Center

1895 T. W. Wood Gallery and Arts Center, Montpelier

1894 Fanny Allen Hospital, Hotel Dieu, Colchester

1894 Gilbert Hart Library Association, Wallingford

1893 Blake Memorial Library Association of Corinth

1893 Vermont Maple Sugar Makers’ Association

1862 St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski

1853 Orleans County Historical Society, Inc.

1823 Platt Memorial Library, Shoreham

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